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]

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]

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.

[XR Martin]

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

[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.

[BENT_8]

Territory or Kluger.

Both petrol 6's, Kluger available in RWD/AWD.

[.: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.

[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/

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Territory or Kluger.

Both petrol 6's, Kluger available in RWD/AWD.

As above! but AWD Kluger may be safer on the dirt rds...........

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Territory or Kluger.

Both petrol 6's, Kluger available in RWD/AWD.

One drives like a barge...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

One drives like a barge...

And one will cost thousands of dollars in suspension components to prevent it driving like a barge...

One is still being manufactured....

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

One drives like a barge...

Yeah, but doubt it'll bother Mum & the kids.

[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.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

And one will cost thousands of dollars in suspension components to prevent it driving like a barge...

One is still being manufactured....

New isn't in the price range of OP and as an owner of 3 and family members that have had 5 never had an issue with suspension on any....but what would I know I just own them and have driven many Kluger's.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by HIPO

Yeah, but doubt it'll bother Mum & the kids.

Could on gravel roads where a sloppy drive is made worse.

[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.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

New isn't in the price range of OP and as an owner of 3 and family members that have had 5 never had an issue with suspension on any....but what would I know I just own them and have driven many Kluger's.

I was talking about the Territory.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I was talking about the Territory.

Territory front suspension and steering is made out of cheese and carrots, but every local mechanic has fixed a Territory and you can get parts at the local IGA for the cost of bread and milk.

Its an 'issue' but its also cheaply and easily rectified, and there's no worry about having the skills required in local workshops to diagnose and repair these issues.

You could do a lot worse than an SZ Territory I reckon, its a good value for spondoolies proposition, if you 'must' have an SUV to keep up with the Jonses then its peak second hand SUV.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18275230/

Coming from an AU ute this thing is going to drive like a 7 series or S class in comparison.

Budget for front steering and suspension rectification, and repairing/replacing the ICC, when it inevitably shits the bed when you change the battery.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Territory front suspension and steering is made out of cheese and carrots, but every local mechanic has fixed a Territory and you can get parts at the local IGA for the cost of bread and milk.

Its an 'issue' but its also cheaply and easily rectified, and there's no worry about having the skills required in local workshops to diagnose and repair these issues.

You could do a lot worse than an SZ Territory I reckon, its a good value for spondoolies proposition, if you 'must' have an SUV to keep up with the Jonses then its peak second hand SUV.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18275230/

Coming from an AU ute this thing is going to drive like a 7 series or S class in comparison.

Budget for front steering and suspension rectification, and repairing/replacing the ICC, when it inevitably shits the bed when you change the battery.

Diff/cradle bushes?
Centre bearing?
Trans cooler?
Roof lining?
Seat bolsters/base?

Lets not pretend you can throw a set of control arms at them and its all hunky dorey.
Great cars, but high maintenance which is why eliminating the additional costs of the diesel makes the Barra a smarter option on the now very used market.