car rental....Ford explorer large enough??

[renae3]

Hi everyone. I just got a great rate through Budget using code MUWZ023 for an elite suv. They said it can be a ford explorer or similar. It is suppose to seat 7, so I guess it has 3 rows. I am now worried this will not be large enough for all of us and our luggage! We are a family of 5 and the little one is in a car seat, and the older 2 are in boosters. We will most likely have 3 or 4 pieces of luggage too. Will this work for our family? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I believe that the 7 PAX Explorer has 3 rows of seating, so you should be able to fit everyone and your luggage in one.

Here are some images of a 2010 7 PAX Explorer (you have to page down to the Explorer images):

http://topsuv.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

 

[renae3]

Thanks...though not sure it is the pax explorer?

Does anyone know another choice for us?? Thanks again.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks...though not sure it is the pax explorer?

PAX = Passenger

 

[jlewisinsyr]

A family of 5 with luggage for a week, should easily be able to fit into any normal sized car/SUV if you're not overpacking, this would include the Explorer mentioned.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I think you'd be better off with a minivan instead. There is nearly ZERO room behind the 3rd row of any mid/large size SUV (we have an Acadia, which is bigger than an Explorer). You will likely have bucket seats in the center row, and *IF* it has a 1/3 2/3 split of the 3rd row, you can put one kid in the 1/3 side, and fold the 2/3 portion flat for your luggage. Granted, my family travels kind of heavy (big cooler & lots of stuff), but we fold the entire 3rd row flat for our luggage and that's a family of 4. If you can find one with a bench in the center row, that would be better. That way, you can put 3 people in the center row & fold the 3rd row flat.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with Gumbo. An Explorer's third row seat will be in the cargo area, leaving little room for luggage unless you split the seat. That said, I'm surprised an "elite" SUV would be an Explorer size instead of an Excursion/Suburban. These large SUVs would do the trick, even with captain's chairs (instead of bench seating) in the middle row.

All in, minivan would be perfect!

 

[Ode]

Hi everyone. I just got a great rate through Budget using code MUWZ023 for an elite suv. They said it can be a ford explorer or similar. It is suppose to seat 7, so I guess it has 3 rows. I am now worried this will not be large enough for all of us and our luggage! We are a family of 5 and the little one is in a car seat, and the older 2 are in boosters. We will most likely have 3 or 4 pieces of luggage too. Will this work for our family? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Renae3.
If you get a Minivan, the mileage is better for a Minivan than it is for an Explorer. Also using the BCD code X474200 will drastically reduce the price of a Minivan. We've got a minivan ressie in July for 10 days, using this BCD code took the cost from $1100 & change to $475.

Ode

 

[BrerMama]

You can make it work. You only need the luggage in there for the trips to/from the airport, right? I keep telling my dh that we can make almost anything that first 5 work... we may be holding luggage on our laps for that trip to/from the airport, but we can make it work.

 

[vacationclub]

To the OP: You won't fit. Don't try it.

Why shove your family and luggage into this vehicle when a minivan will be so much more comfortable? The new Explorers are smaller than in previous years.

We once has a family of 4 into a small SUV (A bit smaller than a Explorer) and barely fit. Bags stacked to the ceiling, and on our laps.

You will have 2 adults in the front.

The back seat will have 2 car seats.

The third row has a another car seat.

You will certainly have more than 3 or 4 bags for a family of Five, and all have to squeeze into the small remaining areas.

Just curious, how much are we talking here? Perhaps we can suggest a solution for similar money that has more room?

 

[Carina]

Why couldnt suitcases be put on empty seats as overflow to the trunk?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why couldnt suitcases be put on empty seats as overflow to the trunk?

A Ford Explorer doesn't have a trunk.

 

[jenjie]

You could ordinarily fit 3 passengers across the second row, and flip down the back seats for luggage. But with a carseat and two boosters, I don't know if they will all fit.

 

[formill]

We rented one once and were very surprised there was so little room behind the third row of seats. There were 7 of us so we needed all the seats up -- to get back and forth to the airport we had to have our parents come with their car- there was no way we could get 7 suitcases in there with us-even for shopping it was just way too small cargo area and getting in and out was a pain for all the kids. Our mini van holds a lot more and is easier to get in and out. I think like all the others said if you can fold down that third row of seats and not need it you would be fine.

 

[Alesia]

Why couldnt suitcases be put on empty seats as overflow to the trunk?

The two empty seats would be the only place to put the luggage. There's no real cargo room behind the back seats.

OP, you'll definitely be better off with a minivan.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

You could ordinarily fit 3 passengers across the second row, and flip down the back seats for luggage. But with a carseat and two boosters, I don't know if they will all fit.

Center row is likely bucket seats anyway.

 

[aussieGeorge68]

Why I admit that my family is not the lightest of packers, we had a ford explorer with just 3 of us and there was no room left. An explorer would only work if you pack light.