We need a large seven seater with boot space.

We are looking for a seven or eight seater MPV for a family with four small kids so we will be using four rear seats daily and often five. Worried that the standard seven seaters don't have enough boot space with all seats in use. Driving in the city mostly so wary of large minibus type vehicles. Also safety and reliability are priorities.

Our budget is about €25K (less if possible!). We are changing from a large estate so are used to a large boot, hence most of the seven seaters I've looked at just don't measure up in terms of boot space.

What would you recommend? Thanks

Patricia McGuire (Dublin)

Jun 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Patricia,

You're right, most seven-seat MPVs have tiny boots when all seven seats are in use. One car that springs to mind straightaway is the Renault Grand Espace. This has a little more luggage space than the regular Espace. We found one on beepbeep.ie for well under your budget: click here to have a look.

You mentioned that you don't like the idea of a minibus style car, but it's worth checking a few out. The Mercedes-Benz Viano can be had for your budget for instance.

Safety and reliability are your priorities. The Espace scored well in the Euro NCAP safety ratings when it was launched and though there were reliability issues early in its life, these seem to have been ironed out by now.

I realise that's a very limited response. It might be worth considering using a roof box. That would widen your choice a little.

Let me know if we can help any further and what you decide upon. You can reply by logging in and putting a comment in the box below.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D