True 7-seater - Sharan/Galaxy?
Discussion
Good evening,
I'm considering buying a full size MPV, on the basis that I would like the ability to carry adults in the rear seats in relative comfort, and the mid-size (Touran, C4 Grand Tourer, S-max) don't seem to cater for that.
I'm looking at a 2018-ish Sharan/Alhambra (on the basis they're the same car) or a Ford Galaxy.
I wonder if anyone has any experience owning or comparing both of those cars? In regards practicality they'll be very similar I imagine, so any feedback about comfort and refinement would be great. There are occasional reviews of both, but never in any useful comparison!
Many thanks.
I'm considering buying a full size MPV, on the basis that I would like the ability to carry adults in the rear seats in relative comfort, and the mid-size (Touran, C4 Grand Tourer, S-max) don't seem to cater for that.
I'm looking at a 2018-ish Sharan/Alhambra (on the basis they're the same car) or a Ford Galaxy.
I wonder if anyone has any experience owning or comparing both of those cars? In regards practicality they'll be very similar I imagine, so any feedback about comfort and refinement would be great. There are occasional reviews of both, but never in any useful comparison!
Many thanks.
We had two galaxies back in the day as they worked for us very well. They are very capable at being 7 seaters. The later generation charged the rear seating to full fold down seats which were a little less substantial, but much easier than actually having to remove them too get to a 5 seater.
AlwynMike said:
I rented a Galaxy for 3 weeks to take to France.
6 adults/large teenagers (as in 6ft 6, rather than 20 stone!)
Quiet, comfortable, economical. Did the job well.
I currently run a Hyundai Santa Fe, and thinking back, the Santa Fe probably has more room and easier access in the back row.
Thanks - although I can't imagine that the Santa Fe could possibly have more room - having tried the Skoda Kodiaq and a few other SUV-type 7 seaters of a similiar ilk there's absolutely no comparison - the Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy are cavernous in comparison!6 adults/large teenagers (as in 6ft 6, rather than 20 stone!)
Quiet, comfortable, economical. Did the job well.
I currently run a Hyundai Santa Fe, and thinking back, the Santa Fe probably has more room and easier access in the back row.
66HFM said:
Don't rule out a Discovery 4 as has 7 full size seats with the last 2 folding away flat in the floor when not required.
Whilst I'm not inherently averse to the Disco 4, for a similar age and mileage it's going to be up to £14,000 more expensive than an equivalent Sharan or Galaxy - which for an 8 year old car doesn't seem to justify the premium. Thanks for the suggestion - I hadn't considered the Disco previously.7 5 7 said:
Peugeot 5008? or Even Renault Grand Scenic - How do these rank in terms of size against the Galaxy etc
I'll have a look at the Grand Scenic, but I've tried the 5008 and the rear seats are very limited. All of the reviews talk about how the rear seats of such cars are OK for adults if it's for 'occasional use' and whilst that's likely true when you're physically in the seat, you'd nee a team of removals men to physically insert you in there. I'm a 30+ fit man and I struggled getting in and (especially) out, let alone my parents etc.
CivicDuties said:
There's a few things I like about that (the split armchair seats in the middle row for example), but lots of the reviews question the interior quality and refinement, which I think would bother me. Edited by Marumi on Wednesday 17th July 13:17
Marumi said:
Thanks - although I can't imagine that the Santa Fe could possibly have more room - having tried the Skoda Kodiaq and a few other SUV-type 7 seaters of a similiar ilk there's absolutely no comparison - the Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy are cavernous in comparison!
It may be dimming memory. I have no need for a 7 seater. The Galaxy was because of a throwaway comment to daughter...not expecting her to want to come to France with us old folk (already arranged for my son to bring along a pal) so with her boyfriend, we needed 6 seats.
The fact that I have 2 x 7 seaters in the fleet is entirely coincidence! The other one is a Caddy Life and I'm not going to recommend that as a 7 seater!
Marumi said:
There's a few things I like about that (the split armchair seats in the middle row for example), but lots of the reviews question the interior quality and refinement, which I think would bother me.
The engine is the Mercedes 2.2d I think, so yes perhaps a little unrefined, but probably bomb proof reliable.Edited by Marumi on Wednesday 17th July 13:17
Shabaza said:
Does the Japanese import selection tickle your fancy?
Nissan Elgrand
Honda Stepwagon/Odyssey
Toyota Estima/Noah/Voxy
It might, and I keep spotting them as suggestions - but they seem very few and far between, certainly in the age and mileage I would want - and when you do find one they seem to be very expensive. I know over time you'll save some money with it being a Toyota or otherwise (vs a VW etc) but when the difference in price is £7000+ for a similar age and mileage I'm not sure I'd ever see that benefit. Nissan Elgrand
Honda Stepwagon/Odyssey
Toyota Estima/Noah/Voxy
It's a shame, but it seems they're enthusiast cars for people who don't mind paying a premium for the JDM aspect, and also waiting for the ideal car to come along - which might not happen! Also I'm not sure I can be bothered with garages having issues with infotainment systems in Japanese and parts being difficult to find for engines we have never used in the UK.
Edited by Marumi on Wednesday 17th July 14:01
Addison Lee seemed to have changed to VW Multivans now. I’ve only peered inside a parked one, but they look huge inside, easily sit 5 people in the rear, all on proper seats.
Rear most bench looked much less compromised than in a Ford Galaxy I hired. I wouldn’t put a full size adult in the back row of those for a long journey.
Rear most bench looked much less compromised than in a Ford Galaxy I hired. I wouldn’t put a full size adult in the back row of those for a long journey.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 17th July 14:52
Chrysler Grand Voyager - appreciate not one of the 2 cars you mentioned but purely from a 7 seater point of view it works well in that:
> All seats folds completely flat into the floor to create a van when needed
> 2 middle seats/3 rear seats configuration mean no folding the middle seats to gain access to the rear
> You have 7 seats and a boot at the same time - no need to choose between one or the other
For running costs, however, I would avoid as:
> Horrific on fuel (the diesel auto was getting low to mid 20's mpg)
> Some electrical gremlins on ours - very annoying paying loads for hard to source parts just to get rid of a dash light
Was a very comfy cruiser though and mechanically felt solid. Someone rolled into the back of ours when stationary and about to take off from the lights and I genuinely thought it was a jerky gear selection - was only when I pulled away I seen a slightly broken Corsa in the rear view mirror. I'd still consider one myself if they were cheap enough to compensate for the poor fuel economy.
> All seats folds completely flat into the floor to create a van when needed
> 2 middle seats/3 rear seats configuration mean no folding the middle seats to gain access to the rear
> You have 7 seats and a boot at the same time - no need to choose between one or the other
For running costs, however, I would avoid as:
> Horrific on fuel (the diesel auto was getting low to mid 20's mpg)
> Some electrical gremlins on ours - very annoying paying loads for hard to source parts just to get rid of a dash light
Was a very comfy cruiser though and mechanically felt solid. Someone rolled into the back of ours when stationary and about to take off from the lights and I genuinely thought it was a jerky gear selection - was only when I pulled away I seen a slightly broken Corsa in the rear view mirror. I'd still consider one myself if they were cheap enough to compensate for the poor fuel economy.
alanshuff said:
Chrysler Grand Voyager - appreciate not one of the 2 cars you mentioned but purely from a 7 seater point of view it works well in that:
> All seats folds completely flat into the floor to create a van when needed
> 2 middle seats/3 rear seats configuration mean no folding the middle seats to gain access to the rear
> You have 7 seats and a boot at the same time - no need to choose between one or the other
For running costs, however, I would avoid as:
> Horrific on fuel (the diesel auto was getting low to mid 20's mpg)
> Some electrical gremlins on ours - very annoying paying loads for hard to source parts just to get rid of a dash light
Was a very comfy cruiser though and mechanically felt solid. Someone rolled into the back of ours when stationary and about to take off from the lights and I genuinely thought it was a jerky gear selection - was only when I pulled away I seen a slightly broken Corsa in the rear view mirror. I'd still consider one myself if they were cheap enough to compensate for the poor fuel economy.
Having spent a lot of time in the US I keep looking at the yank MPV's - there just don't seem to be many around.> All seats folds completely flat into the floor to create a van when needed
> 2 middle seats/3 rear seats configuration mean no folding the middle seats to gain access to the rear
> You have 7 seats and a boot at the same time - no need to choose between one or the other
For running costs, however, I would avoid as:
> Horrific on fuel (the diesel auto was getting low to mid 20's mpg)
> Some electrical gremlins on ours - very annoying paying loads for hard to source parts just to get rid of a dash light
Was a very comfy cruiser though and mechanically felt solid. Someone rolled into the back of ours when stationary and about to take off from the lights and I genuinely thought it was a jerky gear selection - was only when I pulled away I seen a slightly broken Corsa in the rear view mirror. I'd still consider one myself if they were cheap enough to compensate for the poor fuel economy.
On autotrader for example, of the current 'newest' model (which was 2014) - the lowest mileage I can find is 99,000 miles and it's £12,000!
Most "7 seater" are really 6 and a half/3 quarters as they have a standard 2nd row. The true 7 seaters, galaxy/sharan/alhambra, have a proper seat in the middle second row.
I've had a Galaxy for the last 7 years, after looking at everything else, and found it to be the best overall. We regularly run 7 seats, mainly young teens, and nobody complains. I've been in the 3rd row for some trips and I'm 6', I could manage a hour or so in there.
One thing I would get is a pan roof, feels less claustrophobic at the back.
Only going into van mpv are you going to get more space.
I've had a Galaxy for the last 7 years, after looking at everything else, and found it to be the best overall. We regularly run 7 seats, mainly young teens, and nobody complains. I've been in the 3rd row for some trips and I'm 6', I could manage a hour or so in there.
One thing I would get is a pan roof, feels less claustrophobic at the back.
Only going into van mpv are you going to get more space.
Oldybaldy17 said:
Most "7 seater" are really 6 and a half/3 quarters as they have a standard 2nd row. The true 7 seaters, galaxy/sharan/alhambra, have a proper seat in the middle second row.
I've had a Galaxy for the last 7 years, after looking at everything else, and found it to be the best overall. We regularly run 7 seats, mainly young teens, and nobody complains. I've been in the 3rd row for some trips and I'm 6', I could manage a hour or so in there.
One thing I would get is a pan roof, feels less claustrophobic at the back.
Only going into van mpv are you going to get more space.
That's what I've come to find, and it's quite frustrating.I've had a Galaxy for the last 7 years, after looking at everything else, and found it to be the best overall. We regularly run 7 seats, mainly young teens, and nobody complains. I've been in the 3rd row for some trips and I'm 6', I could manage a hour or so in there.
One thing I would get is a pan roof, feels less claustrophobic at the back.
Only going into van mpv are you going to get more space.
It seems that online reviewers can't give a fair appraisal of some of these 'mid-size' MPV's - I've looked at C4 Grand-Tourers and Tourans etc - which video reviewers all describe as having a surprising amount of useful space - which is absolute nonsense unless you're putting smaller children back there. The Sharan (and the Galaxy - although I found the Sharan more comfortable and spacious in the rear) are the only cars I've tried where I'd actually be comfortable enough sitting in the back.
I did have a look around a 2018 Galaxy today, which I know is before the most recent interior facelift - and whilst I haven't driven anything yet I wasn't blown away. The sliding doors of the Sharan/Alhambra are fantastic - so easy.
Marumi said:
Shabaza said:
Does the Japanese import selection tickle your fancy?
Nissan Elgrand
Honda Stepwagon/Odyssey
Toyota Estima/Noah/Voxy
Also I'm not sure I can be bothered with garages having issues with infotainment systems in Japanese and parts being difficult to find for engines we have never used in the UK. Nissan Elgrand
Honda Stepwagon/Odyssey
Toyota Estima/Noah/Voxy
Edited by Marumi on Wednesday 17th July 14:01
Parts availability is good once you know where to go.
As a curve ball have you looked at the VW Caddy Maxi Life?
I've had one for 4.5 years now and its been a fantastic family car. Middle row is three full size seats and the back two seats are full size as well, there is also a reasonable boot with the seats up.
The only downside is if you want to take the rear row of seats out its a bit of a mission as they are pretty heavy and unlike the ford galaxy or vw sharan they dont fold into the floor. But with the back seat out the boot is massive and fully flat.
I had an alhambra as a hire car whilst mine was in for some work and the caddy was slightly bigger inside and had a bigger boot although it doesnt have quite as much flexibility.
I've had one for 4.5 years now and its been a fantastic family car. Middle row is three full size seats and the back two seats are full size as well, there is also a reasonable boot with the seats up.
The only downside is if you want to take the rear row of seats out its a bit of a mission as they are pretty heavy and unlike the ford galaxy or vw sharan they dont fold into the floor. But with the back seat out the boot is massive and fully flat.
I had an alhambra as a hire car whilst mine was in for some work and the caddy was slightly bigger inside and had a bigger boot although it doesnt have quite as much flexibility.
Have you looked at the i800?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406190...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407091...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
I'd probably go for the Galaxy but if the extra space of the i800 works for you then that could be the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407041...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406190...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407091...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405039...
I'd probably go for the Galaxy but if the extra space of the i800 works for you then that could be the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407041...
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