I'm thinking of swapping the Octavia Estate for a 7 seater. In fact ive put a for sale ad for the Octavia on here to start the ball rolling.

 

Looking around there's a limited amount of choice.

 

Galaxy

S-Max

Sharon

Touran

Alhambra

Zafira

and then the French cars - Scenic, Espace etc.

 

I would like to keep it VAG and I will consider Ford but I don't like French cars so I'm not really considering them as an option.

 

Out of the S-Max, Touran and Alhambra has any one got any real world advice on owning and driving them? In particular compared to the Octavia?

 

Or advice/recommendations in general WRT 7 seaters?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

 

I own a 2009 Touran. Ex motability with very few miles on, 18k when I bought it.

It's a PD105 and is very economical on a run. Usual VAG build quality and plenty of transferable bits I'm sure.

Boot does get very small when rear seats are in place and there's no spare wheel.

Quite stiff on the ride for OEM suspension. If you're buying an older model with roof rails actual genuine roof rack bars are hard to come by.

That's about it.

A bit sweve ball but my sister has a Mitsubishi Grandis Warrior Diesel - it's the VAG 2.0 TDI engine with relaible Mitsu mechanicals and body - and she loves it.  It's heavy on tyres though and is sensitive to rear wheel alignment...

there's currently another thread on a very siilar topic, you might like to read:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/300565-cars-that-seat-more-than-5-but-arent-huge-tanks/

Thanks for the link Kipper

Which version/year of Alhambra?  If the current version with sliding doors, works car is a 2.0TDI Bluemotion Sharan S (essentially the same car)

 

Our own is a 2013 Touran SE 1.6TDI DSG

 

Only major differences are the sliding doors, better 2nd row, and you still have a boot in 7 seat guise with the Sharan if thats important.  For us, the rear seats are only to ferry people locally and occasionally which is why we went for a Touran.

 

I've driven a Galaxy, and the feel huge, unlike the Sharan which feels more car like.  Suspension on the galaxy is rubbish, seats awful, and the rear seats arent comfy - even worse in an S max.

Currently driving (family transport) a 12 plate Alhambra SE LUX ecomotive.140 DSG .

Had a number of seven seaters ( a few for work too)..last one was a Zafira... When looking to change... my main items were...

seats suitable for kids or adults..... Good boot.... Nice drive and reasonable fuel economy.

I highly recommend the Alhambra. Nice relaxed drive.does not feel to big bulky... Economical for its size ( stop start even with the auto box. )

Loads of toys.... Reverse camera a great benefit.Elecrtic doors and tailgate are very useful too.

Auto Express give it lots of praise. And I think it is fantastic. Good boot space when all seats are in use... All seats full size ( not cramped)

Good value too... And VAG family.

My dad has a 4 year old Zafira and loves it, he has had a Renault Senic before which he said was crap and got rid of it after a couple of years,

Thanks for the input everyone

 

Alhambra wont be a new style one with the sliding doors. My budget will be around 8K.

 

The more I think about it the more i'm getting cold feet and wanting to stick with the Octavia estate and maybe hire something for the occasional week when we need to. Only day to day issue will be the same with any car that doesn't have full size seats in the 2nd row. Once you fit 2 x child seats the car is really only a 4 seater due to safety and comfort.

You're missing the Kia Sorento/Hyundai Santa Fe off that list. Both have good warranties, lots of kit and aren't ridiculously expensive. Plus they have a full alloy spare.

I've driven the Alhambra as a hire car the length of the country and back and the S-Max is our standard work cars. S-max all the way!

Done miles and miles in SMaxs - great. Zafiracreally cramped and not such a nice drive.

Thanks for the input everyone

Alhambra wont be a new style one with the sliding doors. My budget will be around 8K.

The more I think about it the more i'm getting cold feet and wanting to stick with the Octavia estate and maybe hire something for the occasional week when we need to. Only day to day issue will be the same with any car that doesn't have full size seats in the 2nd row. Once you fit 2 x child seats the car is really only a 4 seater due to safety and comfort.

Personally I'd avoid the original Galaxy sibling version.