A good number of people buy 7 seaters as they have large families or other need to frequently ferry many people around.
Most conventional (if not all) 7-seater cars have rear 2 seats suitable for children only (in all practical terms) and with all 7 seats in use, very little luggage space.
However, there are not-so-big vans (short wheel base versions of Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro, VW Transporter etc.) where one can easily carry 6-7 passengers in comfort along with luggage. Also, these vans are large enough to fold seats flat (when such facility is offered or fitting aftermarket seats) to make a bed for weekend getaways. :) In fact, VW California (price starts from £40k new) is a ready made camper van with beds.
I used to think vans are way more expensive it seems 7-9 seater vans are priced almost at par with mid-to-luxury SUVs.
Vans also offer a raised driving position (even higher than some SUVs). Some vans come with AWD option too.
Never owned a van, so very likely there are practical issues but that's the reason for posting this.
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One that is often forgotten is that (for certain types of van) speed limits on dual carriageways and Mways is 10mph less than Cars!
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Are you actually thinking of a 'van' or a van based mpv. I dont think the speed restrictions apply to a manufacturers van derived mpv. Will probably depend on the registration document class.
Car parking height restrictions?
Car parking restrictions on 'commercial ' vehicles in some urban areas?
Vans can be restricted in access to local waste disposal sites!
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Driving enjoyment, they drive like a, er, van ...
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One of the most fun drives I ever came across was a Renault 4 van. in c. 1972. I'm not sure why I liked it so much; it had a very approximate (but fast enough when learnt) umbrella handle gear change, leaned on corners like a drunken sailor, and had a 0-60 time that could have been measured with a sun dial.
Oh yes - it didn't half go round corners. And I think it would have handled speed tables/humps/cushions really well.
On the other hand had one hit anything it would probably have folded like a paper bag.
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If in doubt:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-derived-vans-and-dual-purpose-vehicles/car-derived-vans-and-dual-purpose-vehicles
How to identify a car derived van
Car derived vans are:
- designed to weigh no more than 2 tonnes when loaded fully
- based on car designs or the vehicle is built from a platform which has been designed and developed to be built as a car or a van by the same manufacturer
- As a general rule, from the outside, these vehicles will look like the size of a car, but on the inside the vehicle will look like and function as a van, because:
- there will be no rear seats, rear seat belts or mountings
- there will be a payload area with floor panel in the rear of the vehicle
- there will be no side windows in the rear of the vehicle - or if present, side windows will be opaque and fixed (with no means of opening or closing)
If your van is a CDV, it will be recorded as such under ‘body type’ on the vehicle’s registration document (V5C). If there is any other entry under ‘body type’ the vehicle is not registered as a car derived van and will be subject to speeds lower than the national limits.
I wish van limits were more honoured in the observance than the breach. I'm fed up with moving over to get the sods off my bumper when I'm doing a true 70 on dual carriageways where they are limited to 60. I think many must be unaware of their vehicle limit, or they wouldn't be driving with such obvious aggression in those circumstances.
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>>How to identify a car derived van
I think we're talking here about the opposite; van derived cars*. Examples are current Berlingo Multispace/Pug Partner Teepee etc and as mentioned by Movi bigger examples like Fiat Scudo Combinato and versions of Transit. Trafic etc. If fitted with windows and 7/8 seats these are cars and subject to normal limits. OTOH crew bus variants may have to follow commercial vehicle limits.
* This could be a circular definition as the original Berlingo van was derived from Peugeot 306.
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I wouldn't want to drive my family around in a van. Buy a car with properly designed seats, airbags etc. Vans are for goods, not children.
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I'd agree with CG, and quick google shows that the NCAP rating for the VW Caravelle is some way behind that of the Touran, albeit the Touran is a slightly newer design...
www.euroncap.com/en/results/vw/transporter/8895
www.euroncap.com/en/results/vw/touran/20975
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Very few people need 7 seats and luggage space all the time, this the reason S Max, Zafira etc sell well.
And second hand can be picked up for ten grand which is far less than a big VW Transporter thingy.
Hired a Touran here in Bulgaria for a couple of days put for the seven of us. Journeys were no more than an hour which was probably the limit for the two adults in the back seats.
I was fine in the driving seat. Incidentally a VAG automatic with 225,000 km on the clock! Wonder if original gearbox??
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Two comments from me. My Renault Master van is a joy to drive.
I would never use a seven seater for its intended purpose due to the mess a rear end shunt would make.
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Martin junior hired a van fir a flat move. "Remember this is limited to 60" I said as he drove us along a motorway. Despite this he then sped up to about 65 mph. "No its not dad. It will easliy go much faster".
I soon put him right that it wasn't governed but down to him as the driver. Ah the youth of today.......
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>> "Remember this is limited to 60" I said as he drove us along a motorway.
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I thought vans (transit size anyway) are restricted to 60 on Dual Carriageways but 70 on motorways.
Have I got it wrong?
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>> I thought vans (transit size anyway) are restricted to 60 on Dual Carriageways but 70
>> on motorways.
>> Have I got it wrong?
www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/speed-limits/
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>> Two comments from me. My Renault Master van is a joy to drive.
Vans generally are pretty good to drive these days, nice ergonomics, good seats, you would be surprised how much employee drivers influence the choice of van, not to mention one man van owners.
Front passengers OTOH are fair game with seats that, on the whole, are torture devices.
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We use a van as a daily car.
Our swb Transporter is not much bigger (if any) than a large SUV but is so much more flexible with up to 9 (comfortable) seats or a van-sized boot, depending on our needs. It's twin turbo diesel is more than enough for making progress (can cruise at 90 where legal) and the family prefers it to a smaller car - space=comfort. The only complaint being a lack of opening windows in the rear doors. The raised seat position eases the drive, although it can be a challenge for shorter elderly folk to get on board.
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Had vans for years; far more practical for me than a car, and being used to an HGV driving position I'm perfectly comfortable in one.
I have firewood, junk and occasionally motorcycles to move on a regular basis; wifey has the car. Current beast is an Iveco 29-10 Daily which was bought to replace my much-loved but slightly underpowered VW LT28 which was written off when a blind car driver pulled out on me. The Iveco is a real workhorse, plenty of grunt, built like a brick outhouse with a proper ladder chassis, but the ride is unduly harsh and I may change it for a more modern FWD van soon. Cruises quietly and comfortably at 70, averages 32 mpg.
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Car vs van for daily use - devonite
