Seven-seater without the boredom?

We have a little toddler and recently welcomed twins into our lives and while three children isn't a big family we now find that we need a seven-seater because of the baby seats. I hate the idea of a people carrier but I do need something with enough space for the little ones and all the luggage that comes with them. Is there any seven-seat car that's practical but not boring?

Julia Lenihan (Kilkenny)

May 2010 Filed under: family car

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Expert answer

Hi Julia. Well firstly, congratulations on your new arrivals. With two new babies in your family your car needs will have definitely changed. A friend of mine recently was in the same situation as you and asked me the very same question. They couldn't really cope with a standard five-seater car anymore but by the same token, dreaded the thoughts of getting into an MPV. They felt that by buying one that they had given up on driving something 'exciting and cool' and you can understand that. Even the most modern MPVs can be a little van-like. So, we would steer you in the direction of the Nissan Qashqai+2, which is the 7-seater version of the Qashqai. A 1.5-litre diesel version with 2-wheel drive will cost you €30,450, or if you prefer you could get into a good used version for about €25,000 (2009).

This car will be cheap to run, with low road tax of €156 per year and evidence suggests they are reliable and holding their value too. Please come back to us if you need any more help, but we think this is the right choice for your needs.

 

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