The primary reason behind the huge popularity and success of the seven-seater SUV is that it can accommodate seven people when needed. But you need to consider a few things before you decide to rent a hefty seven-seater. Wondering what they are? We have listed the things you need to consider right below. Let’s take a look!
Decide exactly what you are going to use the vehicle for
It is very easy to get locked into the idea of renting a car with seven seats, but it’s important for you to consider the times when you will and when you won’t use them. If you are going to be filling all seven seats all the time you drive the car, then seriously consider a people mover. But, if like most people, the third row of your car will remain empty most of the time, take time to consider the other features that you also need in a vehicle.
Off-road ability, comfort, practicality, and space
A seven-seater SUVs balance these four demands in different ways. We can all guess that the larger an SUV is on the outside, the more comfortable and spacious the third row will be on the inside. But styling is another factor that is related to it. Vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser 200-series and Nissan Patrol offer spacious third rows with easy access only because of their huge size. That size also means they can offer more than decent cargo capacity even when the third row is in use. The Land Rover Discovery had a similar advantage, but the new sleeker model does not seem to have it.
Note the clever packaging too
A second row that allows each seat to be moved front and back is a massive advantage, not only in terms of access to the third row but also for the overall flexibility. Ease of access is something that the new bunch of SUVs like the Discovery use to its advantage, with power-control options becoming far more common. For example, in the case of the Discovery, the seats can be controlled via the touchscreen in the front of the car, the buttons in the boot and surprisingly, even remotely from an app on a mobile device.
Dropping down a size makes the packaging more challenging
Vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Highlander, as well as the ute-based SUVs like the Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Toyota Fortuner, offer traditional solutions to the seven-seat situation, but with varying degrees of success. The more old-school SUVs do not perform well in this regard, with their higher floors providing enough off-road ability, but then again, they compromise on seat height, which leads to third-row discomfort.
Consider a third row that folds into the floor
While this feature may restrict under-floor storage, it makes for far more useful cargo space when the third row is not required. Also, having both back rows fold down to provide a completely flat surface is immensely useful if you want to carry a large or a long thing, or even if you just want to slide cargo into the rear. The popular and extremely good Skoda Kodiaq leads the way in this segment. Not only does the third row fold flat in the Kodiaq, but it also offers surprisingly good under-floor storage space and some brilliant touches, like the hinged plastic sections that can be attached to the carpet by Velcro to hold individual objects firmly in place.
The newly launched Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace and the Mazda CX-9 have clever packaging too. In the case of the Mazda, you can tilt the street-side second-row seat without having to remove a child seat from its place.
The ability to choose between six and seven seats is a factor that is mostly overlooked. However, it is especially important when you need to carry a bunch of people and needs a good amount of space for luggage as well. You must also consider things like cup holders, separate ventilation, and even USB or 12V power outlets and lights when you need to take into account the comfort of the third-row occupants. Pay attention to what’s back there so that you face no trouble while carrying a battalion of children. If you move down another segment, the third rows become even more occasional and quite rare, with most manufacturers preferring to use the giant members of their SUV family to deal with the people-carrying business.
With Car Rental Cyprus, you can hire a seven-seater in Paphos, Cyprus with us! Looking for a car rental company that’s affordable & flexible based on your needs? Get in touch with us today!
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