Suggestions for a 7 seat SUV

[gmw67]

My daughter and partner are looking at a SUV as a car for her. They have a 14 month old and she is expecting number 2 in around 6 months time. Thought is preferably 7 seater just to give extra room for 2 children in car seats and room in the back for prams etc. Present cars are a dual cab Hilux and an AU ute. The Hilux is being used as the work car, towing a crutching trailer as required. The new car would be driven on dirt roads and would probably be needing a roo/bull bar of some description as kangaroos are abundant here in mid nth SA. They are looking at a budget of $20k. My first thought was of Ford Territory, ideally diesel as I know what the Barra is like just driving around town fuel wise. Any suggestions of cars to look at or avoid would be appreciated.

[Franco Cozzo]

I'd go Territory but Barra, just take it on the chin with the fuel, diesel is touchy and expensive with maintenance, also being very particular with how some of it is done and sensitive on the quality of fuel.

Does she really need extra two seats? I'd go 5 seater Territory, prams will fit in boot.

If you actually intend on moving 7 people then forget about SUV and go the people mover.

Kia Carnival is way better at moving humans than what any 7 seat SUV will ever be.

If looking at used car market don't be afraid of making a list of cars and buying from Melbourne, much bigger used car market and our economy is completely cooked here, so you'll be able to stretch dollar further.

[simon varley]

new Tourneo?

ok, ignore that. I just saw the budget :(

[kevino]

Second the Kia Carnival
It’s easy to get in and out of
Heaps of room
Boxy easy to
Place corners for parking
Neighbours in our townhouse complex run these cars for 3/4 kids

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by kevino

Second the Kia Carnival
It’s easy to get in and out of
Heaps of room
Boxy easy to
Place corners for parking
Neighbours in our townhouse complex run these cars for 3/4 kids

$20k Carnival would be pretty rough old one.

Outlander is not a bad choice, bit unloved so cheaper than a RAV4, but are just as good.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

$20k Carnival would be pretty rough old one.

Outlander is not a bad choice, bit unloved so cheaper than a RAV4, but are just as good.

Could probably pick up a nice 7th gen Honda Odyssey in that price range, it's a distant second to the Kia Carnival,

It's just a bit.... Slovenly.

Here you go, top spec Odyssey with all the fruit

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...SE-AD-18159476

[gmw67]

How is a seven seater going to give them more room in the back? Those extra two seats which will rarely be used take up heaps of room. Keep in mind those seats don't have anchor points so the kids can't sit back there until they're 6+.

Not looking to cart 7 people around but rather having more luggage space. TBH SUVs are vehicles that I haven't payed any attention to before so really don't know what's out there. Maybe should have asked the question of what mid/large SUVs are out there with a $20k budget.

[gmw67]

"I'd go Territory but Barra, just take it on the chin with the fuel, diesel is touchy and expensive with maintenance, also being very particular with how some of it is done and sensitive on the quality of fuel."

Yes, was talking to a Territory owner today and he said the same regarding the diesels.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Could probably pick up a nice 7th gen Honda Odyssey in that price range, it's a distant second to the Kia Carnival,

It's just a bit.... Slovenly.

Here you go, top spec Odyssey with all the fruit

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...SE-AD-18159476

Previous gen

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...G-AD-24011771/

[XR Martin]

How is a seven seater going to give them more room in the back? Those extra two seats which will rarely be used take up heaps of room. Keep in mind those seats don't have anchor points so the kids can't sit back there until they're 6+.

A five seater mid sized SUV will have as much room in the back as a seven seat large SUV.

[XR Martin]

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...gType=showcase

[.:4:.]

Because 1 kid, you need 7 seats, my ex wife got a 2008 mazda cx9. I will give that thing all the points for being able to fit 7 adult humans in it with reasonable comfort. It was the lux pack one so was all around a pretty nice car but no such thing as fuel economy in that. It was not quite like a v8 torana in that it wasnt servo to servo, but abig heavy thing, it needed to be fed frequently.

[lra]

Kia Sorento, 3rd can split to carry luggage if needed.

[Wretched]

Skip SUV, they're compromised.
Look at Kia Canrival, Toyota Tarago's, Honda Odyssey, etc.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Skip SUV, they're compromised.
Look at Kia Canrival, Toyota Tarago's, Honda Odyssey, etc.

The ultimate mum-bus, or dad-bus because its nearly 2025

[simon varley]

well, I'd still go for a transit

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-17615560/

[kevino]

Mazda 6 wagon
Skoda Octavia wagon
Really doesnt have to be an suv
SUV s are ( to a certain extent -lets keep it polite)for over 40/50/60s with declining limited flexibility / obesity

[smoo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Mazda 6 wagon
Skoda Octavia wagon
Really doesnt have to be an suv
SUV s are ( to a certain extent -lets keep it polite)for over 40/50/60s with declining limited flexibility / obesity

Also Gen Y and Z mothers who want to fit in with the school run and over crowded shopping centre car parks.

7 seater, Mercedes W211 E320 or E500 wagon 2002-2005 with the backward facing rear row. One without air suspension.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Mazda 6 wagon
Skoda Octavia wagon
Really doesnt have to be an suv
SUV s are ( to a certain extent -lets keep it polite)for over 40/50/60s with declining limited flexibility / obesity

~2012, had a customer with a Ford Exploder complaining about the electric seat blowing its fuse.

Couldn't find a problem with it, wouldn't play up with four of us ****ing about with the seat all the time.

The moment she got the car back, blew electric seat fuse.

What it was, she weighed 150kg+ and was overloading the motor in the seat base.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

~2012, had a customer with a Ford Exploder complaining about the electric seat blowing its fuse.

Couldn't find a problem with it, wouldn't play up with four of us ****ing about with the seat all the time.

The moment she got the car back, blew electric seat fuse.

What it was, she weighed 150kg+ and was overloading the motor in the seat base.

Is that the one where you asked for her number.

[kevino]

Son in law has a v6 kluger in Brisbane
Does about 20 litres/100 kms metro work
Hates it

[Citroënbender]

Repairable write off ex-rental Carnaverals come up reasonably often. Although it would likely exceed the budget once fixed to pass a VIV check.

[.:4:.]

Grey market import nissan elgrand or toyota alphard???
The high spec ones of either of those are pretty pimped out from the factory.

[Crazy Dazz]

In most cars, the extra seats TAKE up space. So just stick with 5-seater variants.

If the budget was really limited, then it's hard to go past a decent Territory. But they are getting long in the tooth, and $20k will get them something much newer.

My personal recommendation would be a Subaru Outback. Very proven package on dirt roads, decent size, well equipt, and reasonable cargo space. Fuel economy is ok, and there's a diesel option if you insist.

If those extra two seats are a must, then go for one of the Korean twins, Santa Fe/Sportage. Well made, reliable, and the 2.2TD gives ok economy.

[Sprintey]

Watching the SZ petrol Territories in the used market currently, the low km ones go real quick, people realise the value

[jstanovic]

Something a bit different is a Kia Rondo. We have a 7-seat SLi model, so far it's been a fantastic car. Middle row seats are separate from each other so can tilt/slide/fold individually so easily fit kids seats etc. Enough room in seats 6 and 7 to fit teenagers. Averages 10L/100km around town or 8 on a highway run from the 2L petrol auto.

https://www.carsales.com.au/research/kia/rondo/2018/

[Sprintey]

It would be remiss of me if I did not mention this fine vehicle:

https://www.daveymotorgroup.com/stoc...-van--g-444422

7 seats, compact size, hybrid economy, look exuberant in your different looking car choice

They have black one if that is too much. Also many other JDM imports in around that 20K range, Noah vans, Estima hybrids, Harrier SUVs etc. Got no relationship with them, just spun out a dedicated JDM importer sprung up in G-town with weird and wonderful things Japanese.

[Interceptor]

Given that you've told us that you're in mid-north SA and that the vehicle would be driven on dirt roads, I'd avoid anything 2wd like the plague.

If the budget can stretch to $25k, shopping carefully will get you a 100/105 series Landcruiser, 120 series Prado or a GU Patrol. Yes, the K's will be over 200,000, but I'd rather a higher K, fullsize, diesel 4wd in the areas I suspect you live & the roads you travel on, before buying a slightly newer/lower km suburban assault vehicle.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-13215316/
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18296334/

Just avoid anything thats got all the typical P plater or weekend warrior rubbish crammed onto it.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Given that you've told us that you're in mid-north SA and that the vehicle would be driven on dirt roads, I'd avoid anything 2wd like the plague.

If the budget can stretch to $25k, shopping carefully will get you a 100/105 series Landcruiser, 120 series Prado or a GU Patrol. Yes, the K's will be over 200,000, but I'd rather a higher K, fullsize, diesel 4wd in the areas I suspect you live & the roads you travel on, before buying a slightly newer/lower km suburban assault vehicle.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-13215316/
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18296334/

Just avoid anything thats got all the typical P plater or weekend warrior rubbish crammed onto it.

This is why the petrol AWD Territory was just such a good thing. You could be driving that mix of country highway/gravel and you knew no matter what speed you went off the bitumen and onto the gravel, it was just so solid and tracked so well, it was completely unperturbed. On top of that, you don't have to drive a diesel truck like a 105, no handling lottery like many of the FWD SUVs, you can have Falcon-like comfort, ride and handling as well as the gravel capability. Snow, capability, too. And the Barra + ZF + AWD was such a good drivetrain.

A great shame they stopped making it in 2011.

Edit: and it was AWD all the time, 38/62 split front to rear - none of this shutting off the front diff to be in 2wd for economy's sake - which I think the diesel AWD does like many other new SUVs that are 'AWD'. Suby, Land Rover, LC, Prado I think are still full time.

[Toiler]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

. . .

Edit: and it was AWD all the time, 38/62 split front to rear - none of this shutting off the front diff to be in 2wd for economy's sake - which I think the diesel AWD does like many other new SUVs that are 'AWD'. Suby, Land Rover, LC, Prado I think are still full time.

The front axle is almost always engaged. The only time I have recorded it completely turning off is with a sharp (very sharp) turn of the steering wheel. Peak engagement is approximately 85% duty cycle while "idle" is approx 15% - percentages being the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal from the controller to the TOD box clutches.

Subjectively, with the AWD/RWD switch fitted you can feel the lighter steering when running RWD mode when compared to AWD. For this reason I do not drive in the country, at highway speed or in the rain in RWD mode. Steering feel is much better in AWD mode.