It is the classic rental counter dilemma.
On one hand, you want the SUV. It looks good, it rides high and it feels like a holiday car. On the other hand, you have three kids, two suitcases per person and a pram that folds down to the size of a small fridge.
Do you go for the style of the SUV, or do you embrace the practicality of the People Mover?
We see families have this debate every day. To save you the argument in the driveway, here is the honest breakdown of what you actually need.
Team SUV: The All-Rounder
The SUV is the crowd favourite for a reason. If you have a family of four (or maybe five), a mid-to-large SUV is perfect. You get the ground clearance for easier entry, great visibility and enough boot space for a standard week away.
When to choose it: If you are to drive a lot on country roads, the larger tyres and suspension of an SUV feel more robust. It’s also the pick if you don’t need the third row of seats up. Fold those back seats flat, and you have a massive cargo area for surfboards, bikes or camping gear.
Team People Mover: The Peacekeeper
Let’s call it what it is: The Kia Carnival (and its rivals) is the king of family travel. It might not look as rugged as an SUV, but the interior engineering is unbeatable.
The biggest advantage? Sliding doors. When you are parked in a tight shopping centre spot, sliding doors mean you can get the kids in and out without dinging the car next to you.
When to choose it: If you need to use all three rows of seats, the People Mover wins hands down. In many 7-seater SUVs, the third row eats up the entire boot space. In a dedicated 8-seater car hire option like a People Mover, you get a deep “well” in the boot that can still swallow suitcases even when every seat is full.
The “Elbow Room” Test
This is the deciding factor. If your kids tend to fight on long drives, space is your best friend.
An SUV usually has a bench seat in the middle. A People Mover often has an aisle or separate captain’s chairs. That gap between siblings can be the difference between a peaceful drive down the coast and World War III in the backseat.
The Verdict
If you have 4 people or fewer: Grab the SUV. It’s fun, capable and spacious enough. If you have 5+ people or bulky gear (prams/golf clubs): Get the People Mover. You will thank us when you aren’t playing Tetris with the luggage.
Choose Your Weapon. Don’t wait until you are standing at the boot trying to shove the last suitcase in to realise you made the wrong choice.
Browse our fleet list above and check the seating capacity icon next to each vehicle. Whether you need the 5-seat adventurer or the 8-seat peacekeeper, we have the keys ready.
Safe travels!
