7 or 8 seater?

[Anonymous]

I need a larger car now that my kids are getting older. We have 3 kids ages 12, 10, and 8. We regularly spend time driving with 2 additional cousins along with other school/sport related carpooling.

I am really struggling with buying a 7 seater (with 2 captains chairs in the 2nd row) or an 8 seater (so that we can fold down the 3rd row and have a lot more space when it's just our family going on trips which we do often). However, in a few years will my kids want the captains chairs and everyone gets their own space and we just get a Thule for the top of the car for more space on trips?

This is a major purchase for us so want to get it right and hold on to the car for at least the next 10 years.

So far we liked the 8 seater subaru but the 2nd row middle seat was tight. Looking to test drive the Sienna this weekend but only have 7 seaters with the other features we like. We need an AWD for regular ski trips almost weekly in the winter.

Can anyone with older kids weigh in??

[MayBug]

Especially when travelling with growing children, for longer journeys, you should prioritize comfort. A seven-seater with captain's chairs could offer more individual space and flexibility. Furthermore, I recommend a roof rack for additional loading space on family trips. If possible, you should take a test drive.

[Anonymous]

We have the 8 seater Subaru (Ascent). It's been great. Kids are in high school and one in middle school. Works for carpooling etc or for longer road trips (DC to Chicago). If you need the 3rd row for a road trip, probably too small. But for stuffing in another family to go to dinner together, or other shorter trips (1-2 hrs or less) its fine.

[Anonymous]

The AWD Sienna is the best ski vehicle out there. We live in the side of a mountain in Colorado and are on our second Sienna (first one was sadly totaled- twice).

My 3 kids used to ski race and it got us where we needed to go even on days when there ended up being too much snow for them to set a course. It's great to be able to move the captains chairs in the second row for fall teenagers.

Caveat--the hybrids have less cargo space than my 2011 and 2018 gas models.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need a larger car now that my kids are getting older. We have 3 kids ages 12, 10, and 8. We regularly spend time driving with 2 additional cousins along with other school/sport related carpooling.

I am really struggling with buying a 7 seater (with 2 captains chairs in the 2nd row) or an 8 seater (so that we can fold down the 3rd row and have a lot more space when it's just our family going on trips which we do often). However, in a few years will my kids want the captains chairs and everyone gets their own space and we just get a Thule for the top of the car for more space on trips?

This is a major purchase for us so want to get it right and hold on to the car for at least the next 10 years.

So far we liked the 8 seater subaru but the 2nd row middle seat was tight. Looking to test drive the Sienna this weekend but only have 7 seaters with the other features we like. We need an AWD for regular ski trips almost weekly in the winter.

Can anyone with older kids weigh in??

An 8 seat Sienna will be more comfortable than an Ascent even without captains chairs because there is so much more space in the second and third row. It's two captains chairs with a removable middle seat. If space and comfort and the primary concerns, the answer is always minivan unless your budget gets you up to X7s or a LX

[Anonymous]

We have an 8 seater Odyssey. Most of the time we don't keep the 8th seat in the car, but it's been super handy the times we have needed it.

It's not AWD though, so not sure that's helpful.

[Anonymous]

13:17 here--definitely use a rooftop box for skis instead of a rack!

[Anonymous]

Can your kids sit 3 across right now without constantly picking at each other? Mine cannot. We need the captain chairs to keep the peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The AWD Sienna is the best ski vehicle out there. We live in the side of a mountain in Colorado and are on our second Sienna (first one was sadly totaled- twice).

My 3 kids used to ski race and it got us where we needed to go even on days when there ended up being too much snow for them to set a course. It's great to be able to move the captains chairs in the second row for fall teenagers.

Caveat--the hybrids have less cargo space than my 2011 and 2018 gas models.

Not much ground clearance, though, is there? But I will take your word for it if you live on the side of a mountain and went skiing that much.