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Hi all,
Am looking at an 8 seater family wagon. Top of the list is a 2006ish multivan, have rung around and apparently its an extra $1,500 to have an after market 8th seat fitted (either in the front bewteen driver, or in the first row).
Dont want a Kia or Hyundai as I'm sceptical on the long term relaibility. But at the end of the day will buy any of them if its best. Not sure on the space for 6 kids within the Tarago...
What do you think, should I follow this article and Imax it, or go with a 3/4 year old Multivan or Tarago? Want to spend $35k and get a diesel auto.
article link: Safety first for people hauler - www.drive.com.au
Safety first for people hauler
Cameron McGavin, drive.com.au, February 23, 2010
Christine needs a people mover than can cope with two babies without raising a sweat.
The Dilemma
Christine is looking for a seven or eight-seat vehicle that can accommodate two baby seats without hindering access to the final row of seats. She also needs enough boot space when all seats are to fit a pram. Christine's ideal car would have side or curtain airbags, a four- cylinder engine, stability control and be nice to drive out on the open road. A sunroof and leather trim would be welcome but aren't essential.
The budget
Not provided.
The shortlist
Christine's requirements are probably just beyond the capabilities of a part-time seven-seater like Honda's Odyssey. The main issue is final- row access, which can be problematic with two baby seats in the middle row. Boot space, too, tends to be a bit tight when all seats are in use.If you only occasionally need this extra seating capacity and cabin flexibility, you'll easily be able to rationalise these flaws for the style and driving benefits crossover seven-seaters bring.
However, if hauling around several passengers is your default setting then a traditional people mover is likely to be a better bet. Here are some worth looking at.
Hyundai iMax, from $39,990
With its plentiful space, seating for eight, hefty boot and treats like rear air-conditioning vents and controls, the iMax is well placed to keep bigger families happy.
The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine, too, is impressively gutsy and economical, stability control is standard and the attractive pricing and five-year warranty put it streets ahead of the Toyota or VWs if you're on a tight budget.
The iMax, however, isn't the last word in style, sophistication or safety. The old-school suspension's limitations are shown up on rough roads, where it's simply not as comfortable or capable as it could be, while side/curtain airbags, cruise control and upmarket fare like leather are not available.
Read Drive's Hyundai iMax reviews: Hyundai iMax CRDi road test, Hyundai iMax CRDi road test
Toyota Tarago, from $50,990
It costs a lot more to get into a Tarago over an iMax but there are plenty of benefits to be had. It's better looking, better to drive, more flexible inside and, if you're willing to fork out, can be had with heaps of luxury toys.
The Toyota also has the edge for safety, getting side/curtain airbags, stability control and even a pre-crash seatbelt system. A pity, then, you have to fork out extra on the base GLi to get all these bits and pieces.
The Tarago, though, can't match its delivery van-based rivals for sheer cabin and boot space and the 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine isn't as strong or economical as diesel alternatives. The petrol V6 redeems the grunt shortfall and isn't too thirsty, but
Christine will have to forgive its surplus of cylinders.
Read Drive's Toyota Tarago reviews: Toyota Tarago GLX road test
Volkswagen Caravelle/Multivan, from $50,490
Volkswagen's eight-seat Caravelle/seven-seat Multivan twins are ostensibly dressed-up delivery vans so, like the similar Hyundai, you're trading style, refinement and cabin flexibility for bulk space, boot and seating capacity.
So why even bother with the VWs when they're costlier than the Hyundai by a big margin? Well, they're simply better, with an edge in style, safety, equipment and driving nous that's hard to pass up if you can spare the coin.
Still, while the VWs are nicer than an iMax, they feel every bit the commercial vans they are next to quieter, better riding and sweeter handling rivals like the Tarago. Maybe the new T6-generation versions, which are just weeks away, will close the gap.
Read Drive's Volkswagen Caravelle/Multivan reviews: Volkswagen Kombi Beach road test
Drive recommends
If keeping the budget to a minimum is the key factor, then it can only be the Hyundai. It also keeps the Caravelle/Multivan honest when it comes to space and boot capacity, a big bonus if you must have big helpings of both.
The VWs, meanwhile, are the ones to go for if you need bulk space but can't stomach the iMax's safety, driving and equipment shortcomings.
You will have to pay for the privilege, though.
The Toyota? If you can forgive a slight shortfall in outright space and unremarkable value it's easily the best package here, delivering family-friendly practicality without looking or driving like a box on wheels.
Am looking at an 8 seater family wagon. Top of the list is a 2006ish multivan, have rung around and apparently its an extra $1,500 to have an after market 8th seat fitted (either in the front bewteen driver, or in the first row).
Dont want a Kia or Hyundai as I'm sceptical on the long term relaibility. But at the end of the day will buy any of them if its best. Not sure on the space for 6 kids within the Tarago...
What do you think, should I follow this article and Imax it, or go with a 3/4 year old Multivan or Tarago? Want to spend $35k and get a diesel auto.
article link: Safety first for people hauler - www.drive.com.au
Safety first for people hauler
Cameron McGavin, drive.com.au, February 23, 2010
Christine needs a people mover than can cope with two babies without raising a sweat.
The Dilemma
Christine is looking for a seven or eight-seat vehicle that can accommodate two baby seats without hindering access to the final row of seats. She also needs enough boot space when all seats are to fit a pram. Christine's ideal car would have side or curtain airbags, a four- cylinder engine, stability control and be nice to drive out on the open road. A sunroof and leather trim would be welcome but aren't essential.
The budget
Not provided.
The shortlist
Christine's requirements are probably just beyond the capabilities of a part-time seven-seater like Honda's Odyssey. The main issue is final- row access, which can be problematic with two baby seats in the middle row. Boot space, too, tends to be a bit tight when all seats are in use.If you only occasionally need this extra seating capacity and cabin flexibility, you'll easily be able to rationalise these flaws for the style and driving benefits crossover seven-seaters bring.
However, if hauling around several passengers is your default setting then a traditional people mover is likely to be a better bet. Here are some worth looking at.
Hyundai iMax, from $39,990
With its plentiful space, seating for eight, hefty boot and treats like rear air-conditioning vents and controls, the iMax is well placed to keep bigger families happy.
The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine, too, is impressively gutsy and economical, stability control is standard and the attractive pricing and five-year warranty put it streets ahead of the Toyota or VWs if you're on a tight budget.
The iMax, however, isn't the last word in style, sophistication or safety. The old-school suspension's limitations are shown up on rough roads, where it's simply not as comfortable or capable as it could be, while side/curtain airbags, cruise control and upmarket fare like leather are not available.
Read Drive's Hyundai iMax reviews: Hyundai iMax CRDi road test, Hyundai iMax CRDi road test
Toyota Tarago, from $50,990
It costs a lot more to get into a Tarago over an iMax but there are plenty of benefits to be had. It's better looking, better to drive, more flexible inside and, if you're willing to fork out, can be had with heaps of luxury toys.
The Toyota also has the edge for safety, getting side/curtain airbags, stability control and even a pre-crash seatbelt system. A pity, then, you have to fork out extra on the base GLi to get all these bits and pieces.
The Tarago, though, can't match its delivery van-based rivals for sheer cabin and boot space and the 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine isn't as strong or economical as diesel alternatives. The petrol V6 redeems the grunt shortfall and isn't too thirsty, but
Christine will have to forgive its surplus of cylinders.
Read Drive's Toyota Tarago reviews: Toyota Tarago GLX road test
Volkswagen Caravelle/Multivan, from $50,490
Volkswagen's eight-seat Caravelle/seven-seat Multivan twins are ostensibly dressed-up delivery vans so, like the similar Hyundai, you're trading style, refinement and cabin flexibility for bulk space, boot and seating capacity.
So why even bother with the VWs when they're costlier than the Hyundai by a big margin? Well, they're simply better, with an edge in style, safety, equipment and driving nous that's hard to pass up if you can spare the coin.
Still, while the VWs are nicer than an iMax, they feel every bit the commercial vans they are next to quieter, better riding and sweeter handling rivals like the Tarago. Maybe the new T6-generation versions, which are just weeks away, will close the gap.
Read Drive's Volkswagen Caravelle/Multivan reviews: Volkswagen Kombi Beach road test
Drive recommends
If keeping the budget to a minimum is the key factor, then it can only be the Hyundai. It also keeps the Caravelle/Multivan honest when it comes to space and boot capacity, a big bonus if you must have big helpings of both.
The VWs, meanwhile, are the ones to go for if you need bulk space but can't stomach the iMax's safety, driving and equipment shortcomings.
You will have to pay for the privilege, though.
The Toyota? If you can forgive a slight shortfall in outright space and unremarkable value it's easily the best package here, delivering family-friendly practicality without looking or driving like a box on wheels.
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