What you need to know about choosing a seven-seater

Kids can be held responsible for many significant life changes. You were once a hot hatch driver, or perhaps your auto penchant was an open sports car. Say hello to the next generation and you're probably going to have to say good bye to corner clipping and topless fun...

And as your family grows, inevitably, you’ll ask yourself the question: do I need a bigger car? Do you squeeze your brood into a bigger car or wagon, or go the full Monty and get a seven seater SUV or crossover?
It’s a fair question… So before you head down the daily drama of third row crossover flip and fold frustrations, consider the following:

If yours answers point to the real need for seven seats, then here are a few things to consider when weighing up your third-row options.

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There are two common mechanisms for gaining access to the third row.

First is the sliding rail system as found in vehicles such as the Mazda CX-9 crossover, whereby the second row seat back folds forward in one movement and then you slide the base forward to reveal access.

This style of access is one of the safer and less labour-intensive options, but it doesn’t give the largest aperture for entry and exit — which you may well need if you’re loading anyone larger than, say, a nine year old (give or take a couple of years and/or inches).

If you don’t want it to be such a chore squeezing into that rear row, a flip and fold mechanism as found in vehicles such as the Honda CR-V crossover or Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport SUV gives much broader range of access. But, there’s downside. This mechanism is heavier to engage and you risk injury with every thud as the seat relies on a claw and anchor type arrangement to safely secure it in place — right by the third row foot well.

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This is a potential deal-breaker if your third row is in high rotation, or in constant use by the same occupants. And there’s only one real way to test this — bums on seats.

And again, it depends on who is going in your third row as to their overall happiness with things like outward visibility, seat support, leg and head room.

We’d encourage you to consider not only the seat width and depth, but also the seat height? Are your knees up around your ears? Or does it offer a raised, stadium style seating as found in big SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado. These set-ups offer the maximum comfort as well as good outward visibility.

On a recent comparison the similarly-sized Kia Sorento crossover/SUV also impressed us with its third row space and comfort, although vision is not a highpoint.

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The third row may be a great novelty when you first transition from normal passenger car to your seven-seater, but that’ll wear off — leaving you with the dud row of seating and family fights. Or you could look at it as a potential tool in your repertoire of parenting punishment.

At their worst, third rows can have poor visibility and comfort, combined with no lighting, no cup holders (god forbid), nor dedicated air vents — the latter playing a valuable role when the heat is beaming in through the rear window, to which you’re sitting mighty close.

The new Land Rover Discovery SUV is a glowing example of third rows done well. The big SUV’s flagship seven-seater models feature unrivalled levels of comfort and amenity, including electric folding seats, charge points and dedicated air vents… at a price, of course.

The Mazda CX-9 and recently released Lexus RX350 L crossover come close, at a considerable price reduction, notwithstanding the lack of air vents (in the case of the Mazda).

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Where cabin and cargo flexibility is concerned, the ultimate configuration includes a second row that features 40:20:40 split fold seating (load-through cubbies are a compromise here), combined with a 50:50 third row split.

Being able to fold the smallest (middle section) of the second row also opens up the third row seating, whereby occupants can almost feel like a valued member of the family.

Ideally you want a nice flat luggae area when the seats are completely folded, as well as multiple heavy duty (not plastic!) anchor points to secure your gear (people do this).

Personal preference will determine whether you’re after electric seats or manual folding style. Sometimes, engaging the electric ones can feel like a lifetime in the waiting (insert screaming child here).

The greatest bugbear with any seven seater is that when you’re hauling seven occupants, there’s not much room for anything else ie. luggage. Got roof rails? There’s another advice yarn all of its own…

We’ll leave the official ratings to the experts here, such as the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), but there’s no question that a third row poses a greater risk to occupants in the event of a collision, rearward impact in particular.

Things to consider include driver assist safety technology, structural integrity, seat belts and all-important airbags (and whether or not they extend to the third row of seating). Do your homework.

Check out our latest seven-seater SUV and crossover comparisons and reviews to see which vehicle might best fit your needs.

And the winner of the carsales 2020 Best family SUV is...