Topic: Small 6 seaters

[stevek]

It seems to me there a now a few vehicles out there with a 3rd row of seats, but smaller than the traditional minivan.
Chevy Orlando
Dodge Journey
Mazda 5
Kia Rondo

Am I missing any?

I have a 2005 Vibe and still like it, but it seems like one of those would give the same hatchback advantages (only a bit bigger) with the 3rd row folded down, plus have the option of carrying more people on short trips when needed. Any coments or reviews of any of the above, and on how they'd compare to the Vibe/Matrix, or to the smallest SUV's like Rogue, Rav4, Forester, CRV etc.?

[airbalancer]

I though our old short wheel base Safari van was small
fitting 6 people in any of  cars listed   above would be a tight

[Mike]

Not much out there.  I believe there is still a bench seat 6 passenger Impala model and the E-class wagon as the rear facing seats still.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It seems to me there a now a few vehicles out there with a 3rd row of seats, but smaller than the traditional minivan.
Chevy Orlando
Dodge Journey
Mazda 5
Kia Rondo

Am I missing any?

I have a 2005 Vibe and still like it, but it seems like one of those would give the same hatchback advantages (only a bit bigger) with the 3rd row folded down, plus have the option of carrying more people on short trips when needed. Any coments or reviews of any of the above, and on how they'd compare to the Vibe/Matrix, or to the smallest SUV's like Rogue, Rav4, Forester, CRV etc.?

Out of that bunch I like the Mazda5, but my uncle just bought a Journey R/T. Huge improvement from the old version, especially the interior and engine, and reasonably priced. I haven't checked the reliability stats, but it would be hard to pass over.

[The Mighty Duck]

I've always liked the Dodge Journey, and it seems to offer pretty good value. One of the few CDJ vehicles I like, in fact!

The Mazda5 also seems like an excellent choice, and would be at the top of my shortlist for this class of vehicle.

[johngenx]

The RAV-4 is available with three rows, but I have no idea of how small the last seats are.  Seems they'd be tiny, but...

[Juke1]

I'm impressed with the Orlando, if Ford ever comes out with that C-Max that could be interesting as well.

[mrthompson]

Is the Santa Fe still available with a third row?

[Snowman]

I don't get third row small and mid sized SUV's The third row eliminates all cargo space if used. People that I know who need the room and seating capacity buy a Yukon.

[Juke1]

Is the Santa Fe still available with a third row?

Is that not the one that your head would almost touch the back glass? 

[tortoise]

if Ford ever comes out with that C-Max that could be interesting as well.

The C-Max is only going to be available as a 5-Seater hybrid.

I don't get third row small and mid sized SUV's The third row eliminates all cargo space if used.

If you're going to be carrying people in all rows all the time, I agree.  However, for us the back seat is nice to have since the two middle seats are occupied by small kids.   When friends and family arrive we can go out in 1 car (for short distances) by stuffing people in the back.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I had a 2007 Mazda 5 GT and it worked well as a 4 passenger + 2 short haul seats (the middle seats moved fore-and-aft to give more leg room in the back). 

Personally if I were in the market, a Journey would be the most likely choice with the new Pentastar and new interior.  Biger in all dimensions.

[DKaz]

Is that not the one that your head would almost touch the back glass? 

You just described every small MPV and SUV with third rows out there.

I like my Mazda 5, just wish it had a 7th seat. The 2 back seats are really for occasional use only. If you only need to carry four people regularly and six people on rare occasions, this is a great great vehicle. If you need to carry five people regularly, stay away, get the Orlando or Rondo.

I took a look at the Journey, you have less cargo space overall and the back seats are not that much better. The interior of the Journey is very nice, but the exterior is meh... make it a smaller Durango and THEN I might have a second look at it.

[Fobroader]

My buddy had an Orlando as a loaner from the dealer and I took it out for a rip. Underpowered, the interior is beyond cheap, its noisy and the suspension is horribly tuned, hammers over the slightest bump but almost falls over while cornering. Cant go wrong with a Mazda 5

[DKaz]

My buddy had an Orlando as a loaner from the dealer and I took it out for a rip. Underpowered, the interior is beyond cheap, its noisy and the suspension is horribly tuned, hammers over the slightest bump but almost falls over while cornering. Cant go wrong with a Mazda 5

I think it's the transmission, the 6 speed automatic is one of the more terrible ones out there. Definitely a vehicle that would do much better with a manual if that's to the OP's liking. Handling, the suspension is far from sporty and steering sloppy, but body roll is kept to a minimum. I like the Orlando's interior overall, it's on par with the other small cheap MPV options out there, but I wasn't very fond of the seats, my body's picky with seats.

[airbalancer]

Is the Santa Fe still available with a third row?

only in euroland