car rental - 5 adults plus luggage?

[Hilary]

I'm trying to work out the best vehicle for our next trip, when we'll be 5 adults plus 5 cases plus hand luggage.

Knowing the combination of personalities , I think things would work better for us if there were three rows of seats, so would a 7 seater work for us?

 

[tashasmum]

A seven seater will be fine, you only need the space for suitcases twice in the whole trip and you can fit them in around you in the van. Or you could try an 8 seater but then you look like you are in the A-Team

 

[Hilary]

you only need the space for suitcases twice in the whole trip and you can fit them in around you in the van

We're moving around a bit during our trip (Orlando / Gulf coast / back to Orlando), so will have a couple more journeys with the cases on board. Will it be a real squash to get them in?

 

[tashasmum]

we have done it with 5 in the van, but the boot is smaller than you think and so you need to store a couple in the empty seat space. You should be ok, you can always check out the van when you pick it up and if it looks too small then upgrade to an 8 seater

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally Hilary I feel a 7 seater minivan would be too small, we usually rent one even though there are just the 3 of us because we take 3 large Delsey suitcases plus a mini wheelchair for Josh as he cannot walk long distances.

The design of the older Chrysler Voyager for example used to have a bench seat behind the front 2 seats, however later models have changed and basically you have 4 seats plus the rear bench, if you are to fit in all your luggage you would need this final 'bench' seat folded down I think.

7 seater's are 'people carriers' however not necessarily people AND luggage, I would get the 'A-team van' if I were you.

 

[Boss Hogg]

I'd go for a full size SUV or MPV, and put the 3rd row seats down personally. A large SUV would accommodate 5 adults easily in two rows and then give you a lot of luggage space.