You’re probably newly married, and on a tight budget so every decision must be thoroughly thought through because you can’t afford to make one bad purchase.
You’ve considered your family’s going to become larger soon, but not sure if it’ll be worth it to go above your budget (and possibly be broke for a couple months) on a vehicle just because you had a hunch. (Though considering a 7 seater MPV car would be a wise choice for your growing family.)
If I’m right, a lot of people have been in your shoes, and this article is a cumulation of all their experiences boiled down to the topic. And you’re going to get your answer. But first, here are some pros and cons of each choice.
Pros of a 7-Seater
1 – Ideal for Young Children
Very young kids get beef all the time. Imagine throwing your kids into a car, sitting next to each other, mad at each other. That’d be a catalyst for more chaos. With more seats, you can be better safe than sorry.
2 – Occasional Use
Even if you don’t have a large family, or hyperactive kids, you could still have other uses for a 7-seater. An owner said he’s used it about 10-20 times over 2 years. It’s better to have the option than to need it and not have it. Things happen.
3 – Flexibility
The 7-seater is perfect for short trips with friends and family. And if there’s some sort of cargo you need to carry on that trip, you can fold down the third row so your vehicle becomes a 5-seater, and then place the load in this newly created space.
4 – Future-Proof
You’ll never know when you’ll need a 7-seater vehicle. What if you get more kids? family and friends come over? you need to haul more cargo than you’re used to? You just never know. Like George Ellis said, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Cons of a 7-Seater
1 – Higher Cost
It’s no surprise the 7-seater costs more than the 5-seater. Even up to about $3000 more, according to some users. So if you’re on a tight budget, and really can’t spare any more, you may just cop a 5-seater.
2 – Fuel Efficiency
Larger vehicles generally tend to require more fuel for movement, which means higher fuel costs. Getting a 7-seater may not be economical if you don’t frequently need the extra space.
3 – Space for Long Trips
There’s people out there that got the 7-seater in hopes of taking long trips occasionally. Needless to say those hopes were dashed. The 3rd row of a 7-seater has limited leg space, that’s why it’s common for kids to sit there. Kid or adult staying there for an extended period could be painful for them. If that’s your plan, just get a full-sized SUV or even a minivan.
Pros of a 5-Seater
1 – Fuel and Cost Efficiency
Unlike the 7-seater, 5-seaters cost less to maintain and repair. They are generally cheaper to purchase because they have fewer seats and simpler configurations.
They are also fuel efficient as they are smaller and require less fuel for movement.
2 – Just Enough for Small Families:
A small family is usually just parents and 1-2 kids. And that’s more than enough. If you don’t transport more people than your family, you’ll enjoy the ample space for carrying baby items, furniture, and more.
3 – Cargo Space:
You’re probably in shock, but yes, 5-seaters are actually on par with 7-seaters when you talk about cargo space. And that’s because the cargo space in 7 seaters is shared with the third row. So even when the chairs are down, there’s still uneven space for proper arrangement of bulky cargo.
But in 5-seaters, there’s a dedicated space for cargo, which means more efficient use of that space.
Cons of a 5-Seater
1 – Limited Seating
If you’ve got more than 5 people you need to transport frequently, then this may not be the best choice for you. Especially when you consider its lack of flexibility for extra seats.
2 – Not Future Proof
You’ve got no idea what’s going to happen in the future. You may decide to get more kids. Or find yourself needing to carry tons of people around. And by then, you won’t have enough car space for that.
What You Should Really Buy
The choice between a 5-seater and 7- seater largely depends on your needs, lifestyle and future plans. Here are some final tips to help you decide.
- Assess your needs. Ask yourself if you transport friends and extended family often. If you do, 7-seater. If not, 5-seater.
- If you plan to grow your family to more than 5, get yourself a 7-seater.
- Test Drive both configurations to make sure your family finds the sitting arrangement comfortable, especially for longer trips.