Top 7 Passenger Vehicles 2011

At a time when most people seem to be pruning their car offerings, it’s good to know that in 2011, there will be quite a few choice 7 passenger cars on the market from many different manufacturers.


First is the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango. This sleek beauty is the first of the third-generation Dodge Durangos. It features a 3.6 liter V-6 engine capable of producing 290 horsepower, but is capable of having a 5.7 liter V-8 Hemi engine capable of pumping out 360 horsepower. The wheelbase is 119.8 inches.

Acura brings its MDX to the fore with three rows of seating for seven passengers. Fuel-wise, it gets 21 miles per gallon and retails for between $40,000 and $50,000 depending on options.

When people think “luxury” and “car” they immediately think of General Motors’ Cadillac brand, and when it comes to seating seven, the Escalade is no slouch. The Escalade is a big ride and big in style. It features a 6.2 liter V-8 engine. As far as sport utility vehicles go, the Escalade is one of the most respected brands.

The Toyota Highlander is one of the most versatile SUVs on the market today. It can hold seven people with no problem and has a fuel efficiency rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. It is also reasonably priced at less than $30,000.

Another Toyota, the Toyota Sienna is a minivan that scores good marks. It can hold seven passengers and gets 19 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 on the highway. The new 2011 model has been redesigned and looks more like a car than previous Sienna models. The car is also over sixteen feet long, so that is a lot of car for less than $25,000 for the base model.

Not to be outdone, Ford flexes its muscle with the Ford Flex, this full-size crossover vehicle is half SUV and half minivan, but all Ford. It gets 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

Honda’s Pilot is another crossover that offers seating for up to seven people. This one offers 17 miles per gallon for city driving and 23 for highway driving. Its Variable Cylinder Management system seeks to increase overall mileage while lowering emissions. It is also less than $30,000.

When it comes to 7 passenger vehicles, there are a lot of good choices in the 2011 model year.

What Are 7 Passenger SUVs?

Sport utility vehicles or SUVs in short are vehicles built on chassis similar to those of light weight trucks and some pickups. They are considered as 7 passenger SUVs if they come with at least 3 rows to accommodate 7 passengers or even 8 in some cases depending on their body shape and design. They usually have a better appearance than minivans which only fit in the broader category of seven passenger vehicles. 7 passenger SUVs are cars built with many features and amenities and easily qualify as luxurious cars while they still have good range of towing capacity. These vehicles often have separate seats for each passenger, while the center and the third row seats can be folded to increase the cargo space when not carrying passengers.

Honda Pilot 2011Honda Pilot 2011

7 passenger SUVs will usually come with more powerful engines than the regular 4-5 seater cars and can therefore haul about 9000 pounds or even more depending on the exact engine specifications. They are often 4-wheel drive to make them more suited for both on and off-road driving with some capable of going through bad terrains to a considerable extent. The body designs of most 7 passenger SUVs are boxy in shape and design to give the vehicles stability advantages. They are capable negotiating corners with less chances of toppling even when cruising as they use their engine power for more acceleration.

7 passenger SUVs are the vehicles which are largely replacing minivans which are not considered by many as comfortable or luxurious vehicles. Many bigger families will now opt for 7 passenger SUVs instead of minivans as it used to be the case some years back. The SUVs are nowadays even bought by almost anyone including those who do not necessarily have big families. Although they are better options with their 4WD capability for off-road driving, the modern 7 passenger SUVs have been designed as flashy cars and are even most commonly found in urban areas.

7 passenger SUVs nowadays come with more than just the standard features. They include safety features such as airbags that are strategically installed to protect passengers incase of an accident. Systems for stability control and traction are also included in 7 passenger SUVs. These vehicles also come from different manufacturers with a wide range of makes and models that have different features and capabilities. A few examples of 7 passenger SUVs include Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Infiniti Qx56, Isuzu Ascender, Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse and many others. SUVs used to be fuel guzzlers but nowadays many engines used allow for gas mileage. Prospective buyers are now presented with more options than ever before. The price range of 7 passenger SUVs is also wide enough to increase affordability.

What Are 7 Passenger Vehicles?

As the name implies, 7 passenger vehicles are cars capable of carrying seven people. These vehicles not only accommodate seven people but also have cargo shipment space at the rear. The sitting space includes the normal five sitting capacity and a third row or folding seats at the rear. There are many vehicle models in market today that you can pick from. If you need a spacious vehicle a bit larger than five seaters, then 7 passenger vehicles will be your best choice. These vehicles can operate well in both on road and off road driving because of their numerous features to adapt in different conditions.

7 passenger vehicles come in three types which are minivans, crossover suvs and the traditional suvs. Minivans in the class of 7 passenger vehicles include the Dodge Caravan with 37.6 of legroom at the third row. Other seven seater minivans include the Toyota land Cruiser, Nissan Pathfinder, Infinit QX and the AUDI Q7. Crossover SUVs offering seven sitting capacity include the Acura MDX. When it comes to legroom, this vehicle offers 28.7 inches at the third row. Toyota 4Runner also hosts seven people and has 9 cubic space of cargo just after the third row seat. These dimensions in leg space are essential to guide consumers in choosing 7 passenger vehicles to ferry kids and adults.

Buying 7 passenger vehicles may differ in prices that are based on the drive train and size of the engine. You don’t have to worry about the fuel efficiency of some suvs like the Toyota Highlander. This suv comes in 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder versions. You can as well get a hybrid of this model for the sake of conserving the environment. The Chrysler for town and country use comes with a 3.8 liter cylinder and offers a V6 engine and an automatic transmission of a speed of 6. The Chevy Traverse is rated as one of the best 7 passenger vehicles that are economical in fuel consumption.

7 passenger vehicles are well equipped when it comes to safety. Driver and passenger side curtain air bags to prevent occurrences of side collision assure the security of the occupants. Stability control and an antilock break system are included to prevent tipping that may lead to an overturn. Examples of such 7 passenger vehicles include the Toyota highlander and the Pathfinder that are also good for long distance and off road driving.