[audioholic]

In the three years we have had the Crysta and numerous outstation trips we have done with it, there has been only two instances of using the third row for accommodating two people. Apart from that, within cities it has seen less than ten instances of six or seven people in it. We did not buy it for the seven seater it is but rather for the comfort and mile munching ability it provides.

[Gummybear]

Didn't vote as I don't own a 7 seater yet but being a family of 6 ( parents+ 2 kids + me and wife), there are more than few times in a year, when we sorely miss owning a 6-7 seater, as we miss family fun of travelling together. Earlier, when kids were small, 5 seater was fine but last couple years, it's getting tight with kids growing up. Either we have to split in our 2 cars or one have to be dropped.

Though it's few times a year, but 7 seater will be worth if you have family (or friends) travelling together.

[Zinger_Winger]

Cannot Vote hence posting: "No, I hardly use third row for accommodating people."

In my 7 months of having owned the XUV700, I've NOT ONCE used the last row to ferry a single passenger yet. But, I fret every time I have to take out the car to traverse across the city on a weekday.

From this perspective, the Harrier is quite a perfect product. It's every bit powerful and robust as a Safari (obviously, since Harrier was the predecessor but still) but it gives that extra bit of leeway while commuting, traversing/cutting through traffic but the same confidence that the larger brother gives, I dare say even slightly more confidence.

Mahindra should also try and do something similar, smaller but powerful vehicles, with a similar wheelbase and a fairly smaller profile on the external dimensions.

It's like the 'Mini' version of the iPhones, every bit as powerful (same chipset and internal specifications) but a smaller screen and much more comfortable to use with one hand.

[rajshenoy]

I guess I am qualified to vote here since I have owned an Ertiga before. My use case was a compact car that can accommodate 6-7 for short drives and serve as a good tourer with big boot.

My kids never felt comfortable in the 3rd row and felt nausea due to the typical MUV body roll issue and the 3rd row was often vacant(I did have few short rides during the initial years though).

Also I could not fold the 3rd row because it would intrude with middle row leg space and thus compromising the boot space too

I did have my share of fun for around a lakh kms but it was mostly with 3rd row(sometimes even the second row) vacant.

Going ahead I doubt if I will ever go for a seven seater as 3rd row passengers will require additional boot space.

Having said that, we do have a Kia Carens in the family and I found the 3rd row to be very comfortable for short journeys less than 100kms for even adults. Apart from that, Innova seems to be a safe bet for those wanting a 7 seater.

[RoadFiend]

When we go a distance or on vacations, in the Fortuner, wife and I are in front. Son sits/sleeps in the middle row. Our youngest, the daughter, inevitably fights with our son and climbs across to the third row to sulk/sleep.

[psbali]

I used to own an Aria which was a 7 seater. Its last row seats were used really very rarely even though with all seats up the car had decent boot space for 2 to 3 small/med sized luggage. While buying my Xuv700 AX5 D AT I got the choice to buy 5 seater immediately vs waiting for 7 seater variant and the decision was taken in an instant to go for 5 seater only.

I got the car before April Price hike and I have ended up saving around 2 lacs and maybe more as the estimated time for delivery was in Dec 2023 for 7 seater.

A 7 seater is a nice option to have but it is of no use for 95% families.

My Aria's last row accumulated a lot of unnecessary stuff as well like product brochures and other stationary that got accumulated during business runs and not cleared by my driver. I kinda started detesting the last row of that car for the same reason.

Also family members have become extremely finicky. Travelling in comfort is the way to go and even if there is a 7 seater car available they all would prefer to take 2 different cars as they prefer to have one seat per person even for kids. Even the 3 seater bench of cars are used as a 2 seater strictly.

None from our family including cousins would appreciate being packed into a car. Case in point my cousins visited in Jan and one of the was complaining that Sonet (D AT) is not comfortable for long distance so asked me to take my Seltos P MT (now sold) for the trip the next day.

[koshyst]

From my personal experience the need for a 3rd row of seats was felt when my children grew up during their school days. When my parents or relatives visited us, the usual 4 seater hatch back or sedans turned out be a big discomfort to seat 4 adults and 2 children. Further the flexibility of flipping up the 3rd row seats helps to provide that extra space for carrying larger boxes, luggage etc.

This made me look for an MPV. Back in 2014, Ertiga was my first MPV that I purchased, I still own it. It continues to serve my travel needs well. During 2018 added Innova Crysta for the travel comfort while covering long distances. (I did not consider XUV during my purchase, mainly due to the middle row of seats being fixed.) I am sold on the flexibility with space, seating and luggage carrying option that the MPVs provide by allowing the 3rd row of seats to be adjusted or folded up.

As regards, how often do i use the 3rd row? I would say its 50 50. Primary use has been for seating a 5th passenger with half of the 3rd row seats flipped up for additional luggage or large items to be carried during travel.

[spoth001]

I have seen many owners using 3rd row for infants and pets. That's a blunder, never do that. They must always be in center row to ensure highest safety upon rear impact.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by spoth001

I have seen many owners using 3rd row for infants and pets. That's a blunder, never do that. They must always be in center row to ensure highest safety upon rear impact.

We actually have a separate thread on this topic:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...suvs-mpvs.html (Concerned about the safety of 3rd-row passengers in SUVs & MPVs)

[arnav17]

Well, don't know if the Safari's Jump seats are considered a third row

In our case, the place is reserved for luggage, cricket bats, and other stuff. The jump seats are rarely used, and come into play only when many of us are going in the car. In that situation, the jump seat is reserved for me

[Grr7]

After addition of our son to the family (1 Grandparent+ 2 Parents, me and wife), any 5 seater wasnt sufficing.

Had to upgrade from Ciaz for space + accomodating 5 adults. So, got a pre owned BRV and I have enjoyed every part of it.

Even if we are only 5 people to travel, we prefer the 2+2+1 configuration with use of center arm rest for middle row and the third row dedicated to one single person.

It gives flexibility, comfort and space without an iota of inconvenience.

And yes, the boot can easily accomodate the baby pram and baby bag too. Provides us a happy family travel.

[Vasanth]

Voted for the first option. No.
We bought a Crysta about 10 months back. And till now we’ve used the 3rd row only 3 times for passangers.
We were actually hunting for a compact SUV, from Taigun to Hyryder.
And the price of these cars (well equipped) is as much as a base model Innova.
After test drive, We were blown away by the innova’s effortless cruising ability and superior comfort and ended up buying Crysta.
But there is one occasion where we were totally pleased we bought a seven seater instead of C-SUV.
Let the picture do the justice.





We hauled cupboards, chest drawers, and many other furniture items from IKEA Bengaluru to mangalore.
Aside from having a usable but congested third row, IMO, this is the real advantage of a MPV over C-SUV.

[Night Raven]

I haven’t voted since I don’t own a 7 seater. I remember going through this confusion 2 years back when I was considering upgrading from our Punto. We had a budget of about 20 lakhs and the first question was whether to go for a 5 seater or 7 seater. Alcazar, safari and hector plus were considered briefly. The kids could use the second row when we travel by ourselves, their seats will very well fit in third row also when we travel with parents, I won’t need to fight with the wife to cut short the luggage and so on. But statistically looking at it I realised these scenarios are no more than once or twice a year for us. All the other days I have to drive around the extra bulk of the vehicle for carrying just myself. Gave up on 7 seaters and bought the Compass after considering a few other 5 seaters in the same budget.
PS: In the hospital I work I have 3 colleagues who own 7 seaters as daily drives ( fortuner, Alturas and Hycross). I am quite sure their 3rd rows are used probably 3-4 times in a year.

[Cresterk]

Used the 3rd row seats of the Landcruiser a grand total of maybe 4 times over the entire 7 year ownership period.

But we did use the additional boot space every week for shopping, trips etc.

[v12]

The space in the 3rd row is what was the deciding factor while buying a Xylo in 2012 - and yes, we still have it in the family.

In these 11 years and 55,000 kms, I can say that the 3rd row seat was probably used by passengers for around 20% of those 55k. Mostly used during long drives, family occassions or friends hanging out. And believe me or not - the Xylo is still the kind of the 3rd row seat. Those who have sat in will vouch for it.