Sedans suitable for 5? Impossible?

[Aerosmith]

If comfort for 5 is top priority, no sedan will cut it. Sedans are made for 4 with an occasional 5th passenger traveling for short distances.

 

I replaced my 7 seater with an exec sized sedan. Trust me, the space inside are in different leagues.

 

i agree totally.

 

almost no sedans are designed to seat 3 adults comfortably at the back. however, cars like toyota crown are rather wide in the rear.

 

changed estima to 730li and i realised the loss in space was rather significant.

now deciding to get an elgrand to solve the long trips to malaysia.

 

there are those mpvs, vellfire/alphard, that have 6 seats options, these too me are the ultimate in comfort. 6 adults can sit like a king inside, with passage way in middle. every seat got inclinable leg rest and has massage and ventilation option.

 

if you want the ultimate, there is this luxury mpv, dunnoe is it alphard or vellfire or elgrand or some other model that has only 4 seats. imagine a super mpv sized with 4 seats only. the rear two can fully decline to sleeping position and inside got fridge, lcd screen etc. maybach styled mpv in my opinion.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Aerosmith

[Topspin]

Nearly all 5 seaters that I have driven or test driven (including Merc E class) is not suitable for passenger in the back centre seat. The main issue is the design of the back support for the middle seat. It is as hard as plank because they are all designed to function as a pull down arm rest/drink holder as well. I wished we have an option to do away with the arm rest/drink holder and make it cushy for the middle passenger.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Topspin

[Topspin]

For me, I can only think of 2 reasons for choosing a SUV - more commanding view and able to fit large tyres for a comfortble ride.

Downside - parking difficulties and fuel consumption. If I want lots of boot space, I'd rather choose an estate like the A4 Avant.

 

I need to correct this misconception before anyone here makes a mistake...SUV large tires are not at all comfortable. For comfort, sedan sized tires are the best...quieter and softer sidewalls. And choice of tires for Sedan outnumber those for SUV easily 10 to 1.

 

I know because I drive a mid size SUV. There is only one or two relatively comfortable and quiet tire for SUV. I happen to be driving on one now...a Kumho KL51 (please don't snigger). The fact that it is cheap is a bonus. I replaced my stock Bridgestone to the Kimchi tires when it was only 13K km. Cannot stand the bridgestone any longer.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Topspin

[Grix17]

Nearly all 5 seaters that I have driven or test driven (including Merc E class) is not suitable for passenger in the back centre seat. The main issue is the design of the back support for the middle seat. It is as hard as plank because they are all designed to function as a pull down arm rest/drink holder as well. I wished we have an option to do away with the arm rest/drink holder and make it cushy for the middle passenger.

 

I need to correct this misconception before anyone here makes a mistake...SUV large tires are not at all comfortable. For comfort, sedan sized tires are the best...quieter and softer sidewalls. And choice of tires for Sedan outnumber those for SUV easily 10 to 1.

 

Pardon my ignorance about SUVs. I'm not sure why people choose SUVs so mine is a speculative reason.

I totally agree about the lack of options for the middle seat. Many people don't use the armrest or cup holders in the rear anyway.

 

 

[Grix17]

Not sure about other SUVs.

But CRV's rear seats are very spacious. I put 2 child-safety seats on left and right side. The middle seat is still wide enough to seat an adult.

If remove the childsafety seats, confirm a lot of space for 3 avg sized adults. The flat floor (NO transmission tunnel) helps a lot.

 

I actually took measuring tape to measure before buying lol. Tried Q5, tiguan (too small), tucson etc... RAV4... rear seats still not as spacious as crv.

btw, edix rear seats not as wide as crv's :)

 

I don't mind the CRV but the price of the new one is crazy.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Grix17

[Grix17]

K5 is big enough.

 

I guess it's a reasonable choice. Only thing I really dislike are the stock rims.

[Tohto]

I guess it's a reasonable choice. Only thing I really dislike are the stock rims.

Rim can be change easily.

[Shanhz]

My crv seats 3 kids with child seats.. And leg room super big. No hump also. Handling decent. Check it out

[Tohto]

My crv seats 3 kids with child seats.. And leg room super big. No hump also. Handling decent. Check it out

 

New CRV price is almost $190K, I will rather get a conti.

[Chickenbackside]

It's really not about legroom.

 

For example, a long wheelbase BMW 7 series or Merc S class will have more than adequate legroom for most people, but it still doesnt mean the centre passenger will be comfortable sitting there from Singapore to KL.

 

[Happily1986]

New CRV price is almost $190K, I will rather get a conti.

 

Actually i was just wondering. How come the contis pricing are less volatile and held more steady than the jap makes when we talk before and after the COE quota reduction? Profit margin for the contis are already very very good so no reason to increase price too much to match COE increase, dollar for dollar?

[Happily1986]

It's really not about legroom.

 

For example, a long wheelbase BMW 7 series or Merc S class will have more than adequate legroom for most people, but it still doesnt mean the centre passenger will be comfortable sitting there from Singapore to KL.

 

I mentioned in a post some time back. It is about thigh support too. With a central hump, your legs are perched up rather than resting on the cushioning (thighs-wise). For long haul travels, this is quite tiring. Shoulder width i think shouldn't be an issue for the S class or 7 Series.

[5936]

what's wrong wth your Galaxy MPV?

Theres more space than any sedan, respectable power, high commanding driving position and safety.

 

Well, you can always rent a sedan for a few days to satisfy your desire.

 

[Lionraymond]

Actually I think the S-MAX handles like a sedan (my opinion) ....... havent driven the Galaxy before though. SMAX middle row is definitely wide enough for 3 person.

 

The S-Max is almost like a sedan with a very large big boot space and the 2 seats behind are fold flat.

 

Only thing i dont like about the S-Max is the fuel consumption which is average about 8km-9km/L as i still driving the old version 2.3L.

[Grix17]

what's wrong wth your Galaxy MPV?

Theres more space than any sedan, respectable power, high commanding driving position and safety.

 

Well, you can always rent a sedan for a few days to satisfy your desire.

Nothing wrong and no major complaints. I enjoy driving it. I was hoping to upgrade and downsize at the same time within 2 years. Been looking at Audi A4 as the optimum choice.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Grix17

[Grix17]

Actually i was just wondering. How come the contis pricing are less volatile and held more steady than the jap makes when we talk before and after the COE quota reduction? Profit margin for the contis are already very very good so no reason to increase price too much to match COE increase, dollar for dollar?

 

I think the fluctuations are exacerbated by the exchange rate.Yen is strong and Euro/USD are weak. Another reason for the surge in Conti sales in the past 2-3 years.That was my motivation to switch to Ford after 3 Toyotas in a row.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Grix17

[Shanhz]

picture of 3 full size child seats on a CRV. note that even the booster is a full size one