Best Seven Seater Cars for Big Families

2013 Mazda5

2013 Mazda5

A family sedan is great if you have a small family two or three kids, but if you have a larger family, or shuttle around your own kids and their friends, then the answer may well be a vehicle with seven seats. But what features should you be looking for when buying a seven seater car?

Not surprisingly, for most people safety comes to the top of the list when you have the most precious of passengers in your vehicle, children. You will want a vehicle that is manufactured to high safety standards. Such things as side impact protection pillars, crumple zones and a pre-tensioner and load limiter seat belt system should be required safety equipment when purchasing a family vehicle. This will allow for piece of mind and will help to keep car insurance costs down.

The second most important feature to look for is the amount of cargo space the vehicle provides. In many cases, manufacturers will reduce cargo space available to make room for the 6th and 7th passengers, while some automakers will provide a larger trunk by providing only minimal space for the 6th and 7th passengers. Finding a car that gives you both the passenger space and the trunk space you want may not be easy, depending on your own personal requirements, but many auto manufacturers today work hard to provide vehicles that offer a good compromise.

The third most important feature in these cost conscious times is running costs, and that essentially means gas costs. There are many different types of seven seat vehicle available, including large 4x4s, seven-seater SUVs and a range of family haulers available on the market. You will also want to think about the cost of insurance premiums. If, like many families, you own two cars, then considering multi-car insurance for families could decrease the price of your car insurance across all your vehicles. Many times insurances companies and agents will give you deals for having several cars on the same insurance plan and having other insurance policies with them such as home or renters insurance.

When it comes to running costs you will find that MPG and cost estimates vary widely, with the large 4x4s coming in as the most expensive vehicles to run due to their poor MPG. Most minivans, crossovers, and small SUVs achieve much better MPG. If you shop around therefore, you will almost certainly be able to find a suitable vehicle that fits your gas budget.

If you are in the market for a family hauler try to think up a list of vehicles that meet your requirements for safety, space and affordability. Automakers nowadays pack a lot cool features such as built-in DVD players to keep the kids entertained on long journeys, heated seats, GPS, and more. So, whether you want basic transportation or a luxury vehicle with lots of luxurious features, there is certain to be a seven-seater family vehicle that meets your needs.