7 seater people carrier or full size 7 seater SUV

[Ella-Belle]

I have never hired a car abroad before let alone in the USA. So I am absolutally clueless.
We are a party of 7 for 1 week dropping to 5 for the second week.
Which is the better option? The people carrier or the SUV? And will either be large enough for 7 people + luggage (max 5 medium sized cases and 7 hand luggage)?

[JanetteP]

Definitely the 7 seater minivan is the best option. We managed to get a Chrysler Pacifica and it was lovely, lots of luggage space too. You may need to put a suitcase in the van from the airport, but it's perfectly manageable.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I sit in the same camp as Janette. Minivan will be best. However it's going to be really tight on the airport runs ref the luggage but good use of footwells should suffice.

Otherwise you need to step up to a 12 seater van which is dear and not the best drive in the World

[Ella-Belle]

Thanks for your replys. Is a minivan the people carrier? We will have already been in Orlando a week when we collect the car staying onsite at Disney. So worst case senario if the luggage doesnt fit we will make two trips to our town house. Then my mum and stepdad are leaving after the first week of having the car so only their luggage needs to fit for the airport run and only 5 of us plus luggage for the final airport run x

[thatdavieguy]

With a minivan, you'll get your cases in the back by playing some tetris, get everyone to hold their hand luggage on their laps or at their feet for the airport journeys

First 2 times we had a full 7, all of us with cases and we got all of the big cases in the back and everyone handled their own hand luggage.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Ella-Belle

Thanks for your replys. Is a minivan the people carrier? We will have already been in Orlando a week when we collect the car staying onsite at Disney. So worst case senario if the luggage doesnt fit we will make two trips to our town house. Then my mum and stepdad are leaving after the first week of having the car so only their luggage needs to fit for the airport run and only 5 of us plus luggage for the final airport run x

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Ahh that puts a different complexion on it. Go for the cheapest then albeit the Minivan will be cheaper I suspect.

A Minivan is a Pacifica or similar. If you Google that you will see what it is and can see the cabin layout although they do vary slightly depending on their spec and value.

[RickT]

I would say a premium suv like a chevy Suburban would be better placed.

Plenty of space inside, kids on row 3 and a decent boot size.

[JanetteP]

Originally Posted by Ella-Belle

Thanks for your replys. Is a minivan the people carrier? We will have already been in Orlando a week when we collect the car staying onsite at Disney. So worst case senario if the luggage doesnt fit we will make two trips to our town house. Then my mum and stepdad are leaving after the first week of having the car so only their luggage needs to fit for the airport run and only 5 of us plus luggage for the final airport run x

See more...

There were 4 adults and 2 children in our Pacifica and there was plenty of room. The other 7 seaters are usually Grand Caravans, which are nice, just not as nice as the Pacifica. As Mr T says, go for the cheapest, which will be the 7 seater I think.

[Shkyler]

Had a similar question 6 of us and loads of luggage differences in price between minivan and SUV were huge, minivan won out!