7-seater cars are in high demand. This is not yet a bus, but not a full-size car. If there are three or four children in a family, no hatchbacks or sedans can save the situation: there’s simply not enough room for everyone. Therefore, a minivan is a great solution for a family car. In addition, this is a very budget car.
For this reason, minivans are very popular among car tourists who prefer to travel with the company. For example, a minivan car rental at State College airport will cost approximately $40-60 per day. In this case, the minivan turns into a kind of mobile home, where you can even spend the night saving your budget.
Manufacturers offer a sufficient number of cars. Which of the existing minivans are considered to be the best budget models?
Volkswagen Touran
In the cabin, there are seven seats for passengers: the most comfortable are heated front seats, which have position settings and side supports. For the second row of seats, a backrest tilt mechanism is provided. The third row of seats is the simplest – it’s suitable for children and undersized passengers.
By the way, the back row, in fact, can be transformed by increasing the amount of luggage up to 1,980 liters by reducing the number of passengers.
Manufacturers offer the customer a choice of equipment with the following engines:
- 1.2-l gasoline engine with 110 hps of power;
- 1.4-l gasoline engine with 150 hps of power;
- 1.6-l diesel engine with 110 hps of power;
- 2.0-l diesel engine with 150 hps of power;
Speaking of transmission types, a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox is at the driver’s disposal. The advantages of the minivan include the efficiency and comfort of the passenger compartment. Also, the finishing materials are quite good for this budget model.
Renault Scenic
The French company Renault is not a novice in the production of family cars. The Renault Scenic model has been sold in the global car markets since 1996. This year, manufacturers restyled the 4th generation of the model, updating the line of car engines and giving the interior a more modern look.
All the presented power units gasoline-powered only:
- 1.2-liter engine with 115 hps;
- 1.2-liter engine with 130 hps.
The developers also offer the buyer a soft hybrid with a 48-volt battery.
Transmission is a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, which, according to customers, is characterized by smooth shifting, but at low speeds can behave moody.
In the advantages section of this model, you can include its efficiency, affordable cost of maintenance and repair, as well as reliability and convenience even on long trips.
Peugeot Traveler
This is another Frenchman, which is able to accommodate up to 8 passengers. The second and third rows of seats can be removed and moved without the use of tools, changing the internal configuration of the cabin.
This minivan is available in two body styles: Long and Standard, while the wheelbase is the same – 3.28 meters. The length of the Standard Model is 4.97 meters, and Long – 5.31 meters.
The traveler is a truly family car that has won five honest stars in crash tests. The car is equipped with all necessary safety systems, from seat belts and airbags, including side airbags, to protective curtains in the passenger compartment.
The main advantages are fuel efficiency (up to 6.5 liters per 100 km in the combined mode), excellent suspension settings, and high-quality paintwork.
Opel Zafira Life
Opel Zafira Life was introduced to customers in 2019. Manufacturers declared this car as a new standard with an excellent level of safety. In fact, the 5 stars were received in Euro NCAP crash tests. In combination with the legendary German reliability, this minivan can win the hearts of many travelers.
The car is available in three versions – L, M, and S, depending on the length of the body and wheelbase. Power units are strictly diesel engines with a volume of 1.5 and 2 liters with the power of 120 and 177 hps respectively.
The minivan is distinguished by spaciousness, reliability and a high level of passenger and driver comfort.
Toyota Venza
This Toyota model is rightfully one of the best minivans on the market: it’s a reliable, roomy and safe car for family trips.
The model belongs to both minivans and crossovers since its capacity is 7 passengers. Technically, the car resembles Toyota Camry, as it was created on its platform.
The car is equipped with two types of engines with the power of 182 and 268 hps. The car has a wide ground clearance of 20.5 cm and can be used both on inter-city routes and in the city.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the model passed crash tests perfectly. Among the advantages of this minivan are safety, excellent driving characteristics, comfort and spaciousness of the cabin.
