7 factors to consider when picking a 7-seater car

March 05, 2018 by Rebecca Crommelin

Seven-seater cars can be appealing, even for smaller families. After all, even if you only have two kids, if they were to each bring a friend on a family outing, then a sedan isn’t going to cover it. And then once you’ve added the essentials such as the family dog, toys, sports equipment and a picnic basket, you’ll be really pushed for space if you’re not in a 7-seater.

Luckily, there is a pretty decent selection of 7-seater cars on the market. But this can make it difficult to know which one is the perfect fit for your family and lifestyle. Now obviously, price is an important consideration, but we take a look at 7 factors to help you decide which 7-seater is right for your family.

1. Safety

Safety is a top priority when you have kids in the car, and the best safety indicator is the star rating system that is used by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The ANCAP system rates the safety of the makes and models from 1 to 5, with a 5-star rating being the best available rating. There are several 7-seater cars that all have very high safety ratings, including the latest models of Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Kluger and Honda Odyssey.

Find out your car’s ANCAP rating here.

2. Space

The interior space is one feature among 7-seaters where you can find lots of variation. The seating configurations of 7-seaters varies widely, with some models having two seats in the back that can be folded down into the floor of the rear of the car, whereas others have three car seats across the middle row.

The far-rear seats can be compact so when choosing your 7-seater be sure to accommodate your family both for today and in the future. Also, if you have a baby on the way, make sure you take a look at the number and positioning of ISOFIX mounts. Even consider bringing a child’s car seat along with you so you can check just how well it fits.

3. Economy

If you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to make sure that your new 7-seater doesn’t guzzle through fuel.

Luckily, you don’t have to rely on the dealer’s word regarding fuel efficiency. All new light vehicles sold in Australia are required to display a Fuel Consumption Label. This recognizes the vehicle’s fuel consumption in regards to litres of fuel used per 100 kilometres. It’s not an exact figure of how much fuel your car will use as it will also depend on the road conditions, but it does help when comparing vehicles.

Take a look at the Green Vehicle Guide for an online comparison of different makes and models’ fuel efficiency.

4. Passenger access

When it comes to 7-seaters, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to squeeze toddlers into a hard-to-reach seat, or help an elderly relative into the rear seats of the car. So don’t forget to take a good look at passenger access when looking at 7-seaters – in particular for the rear seats.

In some models, the middle row of seats can slide away to create easier access for passengers, and this could be a worthwhile feature to consider.

5. Technology

It’s incredible how tech-savvy new cars are nowadays, and it’s simply a matter of deciding what’s most important for your family’s needs.

For example, DVD players may sound great but perhaps your kids will be more interested in listening to the latest tracks or podcasts downloaded from iTunes, and that would make Bluetooth an important feature.

6. Ventilation

If you’ve filled the car with seven people, it’s likely to get a little stuffy. This makes a decent ventilation system a must-have – especially for the rearmost seats. A good thing to look for is individual cooling and heating control in the second row of seats.

7. Servicing costs

Many cars deem the standard time between services to be every 10,000 kilometres (or six months, whichever comes first). Although, there are some manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, who now recommend a service every 15,000 kilometres. This is definitely something to enquire about when shopping around, as it can significantly lower the cost of maintenance for your vehicle.

Let us make your next car loan simple

We understand that choosing the right car for your family can be difficult. But finding the right car loan for your needs can be easy.

Give our team a call at Mortgage Choice in Joondalup & Woodvale on (08) 9485 0090. We’ll show you how simple it can be to drive away with the right car finance for your new 7-seater.

Read more about our car loan advice and services

Click here to meet our team at Mortgage Choice in Joondalup & Woodvale