I am looking to buy used family car. My preference as now is a 7 seater...but I have heard that if the last two seats are not split, we can have 3 kids there and it should be fine. I think Honda Stream has non split seats at the back. Wanted to check is that a possibility?
I compared Toyota Corolla versa and Honda Stream .,.. Toyota is good car, gives some height but the last 2 seats are split, so I can not attempt to put the 3rd person there at all.
I am OK with older cars with good condition cars, preferably less than 100,000KM run car.,.. I live near Geneva
Cars have the max. # of occupants probably listed in their papers.
Besides, w/o seat-belts, even at 50kph it is really unsafe it it comes to a hard stop or worse.
Additionally, in these kombi/station wagon types of 7 seaters I would be really feeling in a hot chair if seated in the rear row - it is usually just the crash zone, so no really good chances if a car behind smashes the tail. I wonder if there is somewhat better protection in minivans like Ford Galaxy but doubt. I heard some newer BMW SUVs have some additional reinforcement of the rear area but this is completely different price range - purchase, maintenance and fuel-wise.
Regarding the rear impact, I have first hand accounts of such accidents and in the case of smaller (subcompact) cars with children in the rear seats you really don't want to have stiff objects like suitcases or laptops in the small luggage compartment behind.
Besides VW transporter in the passenger option, the Mercedes Viano is in the same price/size category of panel vans. Still, both much pricier than minivans.