Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Which 7-seater would you pick from the KIA Sorento, Ford Grand C-Max and Mazda 5?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Which 7-seater would you pick from the KIA Sorento, Ford Grand C-Max and Mazda 5?

I’m looking for a 7-seater. I want to avoid the S-Max because I think they seem very unwieldy. If I bought new and was less concerned about economy and transmission, what order would you put Sorento, Grand C-Max and Mazda 5 in?

Asked on 21 January 2012 by DP, via email

Answered by Honest John
I happen to think the Mazda 5 1.6 TS2 is excellent, which is why I chose one as a long-term test car. Combines comfort and handling on bad roads very well and is reasonably if not exceptionally economical (45mpg). The Sorento/Santa Fe are nice SUVs, but big enough to start becoming inconvenient. The Grand C-Max is smaller than either and handles brilliantly. Just watch out for the strength of the springs on the folding rear seats. One of them knocked me out.

Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.

Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.

Real MPG
Similar questions
We have had very satisfactory service from our Fiat Multipla JTD ELX which is now 10 years old, has covered over 140,000 miles and, although running well, should perhaps be replaced. We do about 12,000...
Three of my last four vehicles have been Renault Espaces. As Renault no longer offers an Espace in the UK, and not being enamoured with the Grand Scenic, I am looking to change and downsize. My current...
For the past ten years we have racked up a quarter of a million miles in four successive Fiat Multiplas; much of this going to and from the south of France carrying everything from six adults in leg stretching...
Related models
Seven seats as standard, plus sliding side doors. Outstanding ride and handling. Good range of petrol and diesel engines.
Strong diesels including impressive 2.2-litre. Comes with seven seats. New six-speed automatic. More premium feel than previous Sorento. Great value for money.
Seven seats. Sliding side doors. Compliant suspension is superb on poor road surfaces.