People carrier with biggest boot

Bluemeanie_2

Hi all, I've put this here as thought I might have a wider response from families rather than in motoring.

I currently have a Ford Focus Estate (the econetic one) I have those as they are supposed to sh*t miracles on the fuel consumption and work is an 80 mile round trip.

Hubby has work van.

We have a 22 month old, a 12 year old (my Stepson) and occasionally an 11 year old (Stepdaughter stays every couple of weeks. We can just about manage with the estate car for how infrequently all 5 of us go out together.)

However I am expecting in Oct and even if we didn't have Stepdaughter occasionally the car seats these days are so massive then SS will be squashed in the middle and he's only going to grow bigger!

So I'm after a people carrier 7 seater but want to know which has the biggest boot with all seats up? I've tried googling it but can't really get a straight answer. I looked at the pics of a Citroen C4'Grand Picasso but then the boot looks small with all 7seats up and I have a double pushchair. (The Bugaboo Donkey)

Also tempted by the Ford Galaxy (though the boot looks tiny when all 7 seats up) and the Grand C Max.

Can anyone give me their opinions on boot size.

Economy not as important as it used to be as I am not part time.

Thanking you in advance for your advice/opinions.

Gillyx

If you have any car seats or expect to get car seats with support legs be very careful. I know Citroen don't allow for any extension of legs into there storage boxes at all.

Most extended rear racers have legs now.

Can't help with the boots but I know so many people have struggled with car seats x

thriftyemma

I have a vauxhall zafira, and the boot is on the small side when all 7 seats are up. However, I know I can fit a large single pushchair with room to spare.
I would suggest which ever car you decide to test drive, take your double buggy with you, and give that a test drive too.
Another thought to bear in mind, is how small the last row of seats are on most 7 seaters (the zafira included). They are more like fold down cinema seats in terms of comfort and size, and the passenger sits very close to the floor. If you're planning on putting SS back there, I think they'd be ok for a shorter journey. Anything of more than a couple of hours, and I think he'd get pretty cramped and uncomfortable.

Savvy_Sue

We have hired something which was marvellous, however I don't remember what it was. It looked like a hearse in shape, very boxy.

The two back seats were removable. That may be something worth considering.

However, in an effort to remember what this car was, I've just looked on the car hire company's website, and they also offer a nine seater Vauxhall Vivara or Ford Tourneo. Is that something else to throw into the mix?

And finally, how often will you need the extra space? We decided it was more economic to have a small car and hire a large one when we needed it. Needs a bit of forward planning, but it works for us.

pinkshoes

Ford S Max. Much nicer to drive than a people carrier and huge amount of boot space.

(We are getting one as we will have three kids and two dogs!)

Tigsteroonie

pinkshoes wrote: »

Ford S Max. Much nicer to drive than a people carrier and huge amount of boot space.

But again I would say, not much boot when all 7 seats are up. (I think we've only had all 7 seats up once or twice in two years!)

One thing I would say in favour of the S-Max & Galaxy is that the main rear seats are all full size, so SS won't feel squashed in the middle between two child seats.

I definitely echo the poster who said to take the pushchair along to the dealers and try the cars/boot for size. We did that to ensure we got a car where the special needs buggy fits straight across the boot when folded, rather than needing to be placed diagonally.

LilElvis

Chevy Suburban. Giant American 4wd. I fitted in 10 tweenagers + me driving and with enough luggage space for half a dozen suitcases minimum. Does next to nothing to the gallon but is intimidating as hell owing to its sheer size. Makes a Range Rover look like a midget.

RichardD1970

I think all the "part time" seven seaters have quite small boots with all seven seats up.

If you want 7 seats and a large boot you need to look at a full size seven seater, C8 ,older Galaxy, VW Sharan, Kia Sedona etc, or go for something like the Citroen Dispatch Combi, Mercedes Viano.

coolcait

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I think all the "part time" seven seaters have quite small boots with all seven seats up.

If you want 7 seats and a large boot you need to look at a full size seven seater, C8 ,older Galaxy, VW Sharan, Kia Sedona etc, or go for something like the Citroen Dispatch Combi, Mercedes Viano.

I'd agree with that - from experience of hiring various different people carriers, when needed, over the years.


The phrase "experience of hiring various different people carriers, when needed" probably tells you how I/my family dealt with the occasional increase in number of passengers!


I'll throw another name into the mix. If they're still around, the six-seater Fiat Multipla carries six passengers in proper seats, and has a lot more boot space than the likes of the Zafira etc.


Plus, children of certain ages will fight to be able to sit in the middle seat of the front row.

Savvy_Sue

The other approach is either a roofrack or a small trailer. Either can be removed when not in use!

Imp

How about a van with a crew cab?