There are many types of cars that seat 8 or more passengers; the spectrum runs from minivans through SUV’s and SUV crossovers to full sized vans that are more like smallish buses. The designs of these people haulers are quite diverse as well.
Removable third and fourth row seats that allow for greater cargo hauling capacity and built in DVD players and gaming consoles for the kiddies are options that just skim the surface of goodies available in today’s market.
Not just for soccer mom’s to haul their most precious cargo anymore, many of the newer 8 seater cars, minivans and SUV’s are being geared more towards the carpool and business car market. While busy families can still applaud the built in booster seats, dual sliding doors and grocery bag hooks, carpooling professionals can appreciate the available WIFI and individual climate controls. Some of these babies even come with satellite TV capabilities.
There are a few downsides to driving these multi-passenger vehicles. MPG is considerably lower in cars that seat 8 or more people. For some, trying to navigate downtown traffic during rush hour in an 18 foot long, 3-ton van with7 or more little heads bobbing in your rear view mirror is no picnic in the park. Likewise, trying to maneuver such a behemoth into the last parking stall at the mall can be a challenge.
Of course there are some trade-offs when it comes to choosing a multi-passenger vehicle, but all in all it comes down to being able to transport the people you care about in comfort and safety. Everything else is just fluff.
