Cars for the family today are an essential requirement but with so many options in the market it is difficult to decide which one you should go for. Below are the reviews of the most popular 8 seater SUV’s currently available in the US, outlining the different features for families which will help you make up your mind in buying the right car for your needs.
Category Archives: Car Reviews
The 9 Seater Citroen Dispatch Combi MPV
Essentially the Citroen Dispatch Combi is a van that has been converted into a large MPV capable of comfortably carrying nine passengers. It is larger than many 8 seater cars currently on the market, and this nine seater is as big on the inside as it appears on the outside. Due to its size and carrying capacity, the Dispatch Combi is only a valid consideration if you genuinely have a need for a large vehicle for your family, friends or group outings. If you only regularly carry seven or even eight passengers then other vehicles would perhaps be more suitable, such as the Ford Kuga, S-Max, SEAT Alhambra or the VW Transporter.
The Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle 8 Seater Car
The VW Transporter Shuttle is a large family vehicle that is halfway between a car, a van and a minibus. The more upmarket versions of this model definitely have a trendy appeal to them, and many surfers and mountain bikers are drawn to this modern semi-reincarnation of the VW campervan. If it’s space that you’re after (and let’s face it you must be if you’re looking for large family cars), then you have lots of choice when it comes to the Transporter Shuttle. It is available in a short wheel-base version, or a long wheel-base option if you need masses of luggage and storage space. Using terms such as short or long wheel base there is no denying that the Transporter can be categorised as ‘van-like’ despite still being a valid contender for a large family car.
The Peugeot Expert Tepee 9 Seat MPV
Looks are deceiving with the Peugeot Expert Tepee, for a vehicle that has quite a van-like exterior it has a surprising level of comfort and one of the best levels of practicality found in vehicles of the 8 / 9 seat size. Although this is a staple car for taxi firms, all of the features that make it great for taxi purposes also make it a versatile and practical family car. It has the usual trademarks of vehicles of this size, such as sliding doors and styling that has been inherited from its commercial van heritage. On a spectrum of price to practicality, the Peugeot Expert offers excellent value for money whilst still delivering high levels of practicality, and is a valid contender to other cars in the class.
Mercedes Benz Viano 8 Seater MPV
The Mercedes Viano is available in a range of different seating options, with a price tag starting at around £35,000 for a new model. If you have less people to carry and want the maximum of legroom then there is a six-seat version available, whilst the Viano as a 7 seater is the standard option. You may be wondering why the Viano is featuring on this website, well it is also available with a popular carrying capacity of 8 passengers – perfect for use as a large family car or for group outings. There is no denying that the Viano is large, it’s van-like exterior accurately conveying the feel of size that is also present inside. It is a large people carrier created by luxury car maker Mercedes, however not everything in this MPV is as ‘luxury’ as you would expect from the manufacturer…
The 8 Seat Hyundai i800 MPV
There is a bit of a design shift when it comes to 8 seater cars. Cars with seating for seven typically look like traditional cars, albeit somewhat larger, however the designers tend to opt for a more van-like styling when it comes to adding that extra seat to bring the passenger count up to eight. This is probably a good thing, however, as it allows a greater level of seating space, and you would be comfortable sitting in any seat on long journeys. On the smaller 7 seat MPVs, the sixth and seventh seats can be quite cramped sometimes, and are only really designed for regular use by children, or very occasional use by adults. The Hyundai i800 has sliding doors which is great for practicality when you’re driving with a full complement of passengers. Here is a review of the various aspects of the Hyundai i800 and how it suits use as a large family car.