People Carriers and Large SUVs to rent
Ford Torneo Custom | Mercedes Vito Tourer | |
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| Category: | Minivan/People Carrier | Minivan/People Carrier |
| Great for: | This MPV is perfect if you need a people carrier with ample space and flexibility for their rental . Comfortably accommodating 8 passengers, the Torneo is the ideal large family MPV. The MPV drives well and comes equipped with a high quality interior finish, with fantastic visibility from the drivers seat. | It's not just practical, but looks good too. The Vito is a great option for when transporting 8 passengers and luggage, and are looking to travel in style. Yes it is a van, but it actually handles pretty well and is as car-like as you can get for such a large vehicle. |
| Not so great for: | Despite the luxurious feel inside, this MPV is still basically a van so it can still feel like a van to drive. If you are looking for a more luxurious ride, there may be more stylish alternatives out there. The diesel version isn't particularly smooth in terms of drive quality. | Some argue that this 8 seater is style over substance. Aesthetically, it far outweighs the other similar 8 seaters available to rent, but in terms of practicality, there are better 8 seaters out there to drive. |
| Most popular rental model and options: |
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| Driving: | Considering the size of this 8 seater, the ride quality is relatively punchy, yet nimble, especially the 182bhp version. The handling is good and the suspension is superior than most of its closer rivals. The 8 seater comes with cruise control and heated seats to name just a couple of the features offering a relaxed, comfortable drive. The height of the driver position in the cabin and the vast windscreen, ensure that visibility is good. | On the road, despite being quite a large vehicle, it feels surprisingly car-like to drive. It is adaptable and dynamic, handling well, despite the slight firmness of the suspension. The driving position feels like being in a car, making you feel more relaxed and less like you are sat high up in the van, offering some great road visibility. |
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| Passenger space: | If you're travelling to London with lots of luggage. Space is very generous in the Ford Torneo Custom. If you need to fit 8 passengers, wheelchair/pram/bike storage or are just looking for a MPV that has ample luggage space and comfort for passengers, this 8 seater minivan doesn't compromise on space. All of the seats are foldable and detachable, with flexibility at the heart of this 8 seater minivan. With the standard version provides 8 seats, there are also options for 9 seats which are widely available to rent. The flexibility of the layout means you aren't restricted in any way. In terms of comfort, the van's height means there's plenty of headroom space, neither is leg room, especially in the back of the vehicle. Even with fully loaded, it feels spacious enough to sit back, without feeling to claustrophobic. | The van offers some highly configurable seating options, with the rear rows of seats, having options for 2 or 3 seats. There is lots of headroom for even the tallest of adults, in both the rear rows of seats and lots of leg room. The sliding doors are an added bonus, and are great in tight parking spots. |
| Luggage capacity: | This is a people carrier designed for carrying luggage - the capacity is huge! With the back rows of seats down, the maximum storage capacity is 6000 litres. The and split rear doors, mean loading and unloading is as easy at it could be, even when parking space is limited. Further Storage is provided with cubby holes hidden throughout. | If you're heading with lots of luggage, the good news is that even when fully loaded, there is still ample luggage space in the van. By rearranging the passenger seats, you can conveniently fit a number of large suitcases and carry on bags. |
| Overall rating: | 8/10 If space is a priorityalong with great reliability, then the Ford Torneo Custom is a brilliant choice. The Torneo is extremely well specc'd, and the fact it can accommodate not just 8 but 9 passengers is an added bonus. | 7/10 If you are looking for a stylish 8 seater for your trip , that can accommodate up to 9 people and bags, then this is a great option. Drive quality might not be as good as some of the alternatives, but you cannot go wrong if space is your top priority. |
Can I request an 8-seater rental with a roof rack?
Some of the car rental companies you can find on our website allow you to request 8-seater with a roof rack. Whenever they’re available, you can find roof racks on the extras page when making your booking. Please check with our customer service team if you don’t see an option to request a roof rack with your rental.
How large is the boot space in your 8-seater car rental options?
The boot space available in a 8-seater varies dependent on the type of the vehicle. Some 8-seater rental vehicles are large SUVS with small seats in the boot area which significantly reduces the luggage space. If you’re travelling with luggage, we recommend renting an 8-seater with a middle row of seats, which can be folded down for extra storage space if not used by passengers.
We are 3 adults and 3 small children with 3 large bags, will a 8-seater people carrier be ok for us?
An 8-seater rental will provide ample space for up to 8 adults with limited luggage or 6 adults with 3 or 4 large bags. If you aren’t sure about the capacity of your 8-seater rental please speak to one of our customer service agents.
Can I request a 8-seater rental with a tow bar?
In order to avoid excessive engine and transmission wear, most car rental companies won’t allow you to request a vehicle with a tow bar.
Do I need a special permit to drive a 8-seater?
Provided that you are not charging passengers for their transport or driving commercially, in most countries you can rent and drive a 8-seater vehicle using a normal driving licence. Always be sure to check the validity of your driving licence in the country where you’re collecting the vehicle. Some countries have special requirements for additional information when using foreign driving licences.
Will my wheelchair fit into an 8-seater?
If your wheelchair can be folded up it will fit in the boot of most 8-seater vehicles. You can also request a wheelchair accessible vehicle by sending a request to our customer service team.
Will I be guaranteed the exact make and model of the 8-seater I want to hire?
The exact model of your rental is not guaranteed. However, you will be allocated a 8-seater that is the same body style and approximately the same size with the same storage capacity. Sometimes you can find special promotions where the model of the 8-seater is guaranteed. Whenever these are available, you’ll see these clearly displayed in our search results.
Do you have options for unlimited mileage for 8-seater rentals?
To find a rental with unlimited mileage, you can view the fuel policy clearly displayed against each rental. Unlimited mileage will often be a more expensive option for your rental. However, it will still usually work out cheaper than paying excess mileage fees if you’re travelling a long distance.
How do I add child seats to my 8-seater booking?
You can request child seats for your rental on the extras page of our booking process. Although car rental companies generally do not guarantee the availability of child seats, in many countries it’s illegal for them to allow a customer to drive away with children without them.
Do the seats fold down so I can fit my bike in the back of the 8-seater?
The middle and rear rows of seats in a 8-seater will usually fold down. If you’re travelling with passengers the 8-seater will usually accommodate a bicycle in the boot if you remove the front wheel.
Are there 8-seater rentals available with automatic transmission?
You can find 8-seaters with an automatic transmission by using the filters on our search results page. Vehicles with an automatic transmission are usually a more expensive option compared to manual in most countries.
What if the 8-seater I have booked is too small to fit in my baggage?
If a larger vehicle is available you will be offered the option to pay for an upgrade at the rental desk. Large vehicles often have limited availability and upgrading is expensive, so we always recommend to be careful to reserve a vehicle of the correct size before you arrive.
Can I fit a surfboard to the roof of the 8-seater?
You can request a rental with a roof rack at the time of booking, however we recommend bringing your own straps and attachment device as these will not usually be provided by the car rental company.
Why are there no options to accommodate more than 5 passengers, when I search for a 8-seater people carrier?
8-seater vehicles often have limited availability. We always recommend booking your rental early to guarantee that a large enough vehicle is available.
Can I pick-up the 8-seater from one location and drop it off somewhere else?
It’s quite common for customers to pick up their vehicle at one location and then return it to a different location (also known as one-way rentals). Always be sure to enter both the collection and drop off locations before performing your search. This will ensure that only rental companies that accept one-way rentals will be listed in the search results.
What does it mean when it states 5+2 on a rental quote?
5+2 means that the rental will have two small seats, usually fold down seats in the boot area. The smaller seats are usually only suitable for small children, so we don’t recommend this option if you’re travelling with 8 adults. If you’re travelling with lots of bags, be sure to remember that if the 2x small seats are used by passengers, there will be very limited luggage space remaining in the boot.
Can I request a 8-seater with sliding doors?
It isn’t possible to request a rental with sliding doors unless the vehicle is listed as ‘exact model guaranteed’.
How to Hire a Car with Unlimited Mileage
Our website offers unlimited and limited mileage rental.
Limited mileage rentals are often cheaper than unlimited. When considering limited mileage rentals, the daily mileage allowance is always clearly displayed. If you decide to book a rental with limited mileage, you will be liable to pay an additional fee if you exceed the daily mileage allowance. The total mileage allowance for the rental period is calculated as (the number of hire days multiplied by the daily allowance). You don't have to remain within the daily limit on every day, as long as the total miles used during the rental doesn't go over the number of days multiplied by the daily limit.
If you opt for a limited mileage car hire, it's receommended to check the charges for excess mileage. You'll find these in our term and conditions section. You can also use the filters on our website to find car hire including unlimited mileage which can save money if you're planning a longer journey
Car Hire including a Free Additional Driver
You can find offers on our website which include a free additional driver bundled into the price. Use the filters on the search results page to find bundled extra driver deals. You can also add an additional driver on the extras page before you enter your driver details.
How to Rent a Car and Cross Border Fees
If you plan to collect your car hire and take it over the border , we strongly recommend to review the terms and conditions. Almost all car rental providers require that you inform them when you collect the car; and usually charge additional fees to top up your insurance. If you do not let them know, you might find that the rental car will not be insured when you cross over into a different country.
You can find the information relating to cross border policies by checking the Rental terms and viewing the Cross Border Rules section.
If you're struggling to find the cross border terms and conditions for your car hire please get in touch with one of our car rental advisors and they'll be happy to help.
How to hire a car without a credit card
You can pay for your car hire on our website using any credit or debit card, including Visa, Mastercard or American Express. We also compare car hire deals at 1000s of locations that accept a debit card on collection. You can quickly and easily find these by using the filters on the search results page or taking a look at our Premium Cover options on the extras page.
Car Hire with a Low Security Deposit
When you pick up the car, you will often be required to leave a security deposit on a debit card or credit card. The security deposit vary significantly dependent on the size of the vehicle and the insurance excess . Car hire Security deposits can vary between £100 and £2,500.
We compare all of the car hire options with a low security deposit and in some instances no deposit at all except for fuel. If you choose to reserve a rental with Premium Cover included, you can reduce the deposit to cover only the cost of a full tank of fuel (usually less than £100), this is fully refunded when the rental is dropped off with a full tank.
How to Rent a Car with Child Seats
You can take along your own child seats for your vehicle rental, as long as they meet all of the legal safety requirements for use in your car hire location.
You'll also be offered the option to include them with your car rental when making a booking on our website. Child seats and booster seats are paid in the local currency when collecting the car.
Hiring a Car with One Way Fees included
Most of the car brands we work with allow you to pick up your vehicle in one location and drop off the car at a different location. If you've selected a different drop off location for your rental, the prices you'll see displayed on the website already include any additional fees for this. You can also find a breakdown of all additional charges on the payment page.
How to Rent a Car with No Cancellation Fee
All the hire cars we offer include free cancellation. Free Cancellation means that you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund anytime until 48 hours before picking up the vehicle.
If you have purchased the Essential Cover product to cover the car hire excess, you can cancel this with a full refund anytime up until the rental collection time.
All refunds are processed by us in less than 24 hours. If you decide to cancel your rental, this means that the refund will be back in your bank account in 7 days.
Renting a Car with no Excess Held on Your Card
The insurance excess is the amount you'd be liable to pay if the vehicle is severely damaged, written off or stolen. However, the excess on rental Cars can be very expensive. It's often between £800 to £2,000, depending on the Car, the country and the deal. If you return the Car damaged, or it's stolen or written off, you'll be required to pay up to the total amount of the excess.
On collection of the Car, the excess is held on your card as something called a 'pre-auth' transaction. This means that the money isn't taken from your card as a normal transaction, it's held as a pending transaction until you drop off the Car. You don't usually pay foreign currency charges on credit cards for pre authorised transactions, so provided the vehicle is dropped off in the same condition as when it was collected, the amount will be fully refunded to your credit card with nothing further to pay.
If you intend to pay for your rental by debit card, the excess amount is taken from your account and refunded when the Car is dropped off. If you plan to use a debit card on collection, as the excess is often high, it's recommended to buy Premium Cover when you book or to buy top up cover at the rental desk.
To view rental options with a £0 or reduced excess review our Premium Cover options.
Hire car terms
Theft liability cover (theft protection)
It covers the amount due if the hire car is stolen. Theft liability is subject to an excess , which means you would be required to pay the first part of any claim (normally between £800 to £2,000, depending on the car, the country and the deal.
If you choose to insure your excess , however, you will be reimbursed for any or all of of the excess you pay (See our essential cover). With Premium Cover the excess is often reduced.
Fuel policy (full to full vs full to empty)
The rentals on our site come with a full to fuel fuel policy.
You'll be asked to hold a small deposit for fuel on a credit card when you collect the rental. Ensure that you fill the rental up and drop it off full and there's no additional fees for fuel.
You might find full to empty policies on some other websites that seem to be offering better deals. Be sure to check the terms and conditions for full to empty rentals as usually the refuelling and admin fees associated with full to empty fuel policies make it more expensive than full to full .
Essential Cover
Buying this policy ensures you'll be reimbursed for the excess that's held on your credit card by the rental car company.
Excess reimbursement insurance also usually covers other possible costs, such as towing, cleaning or admin fees, or misfuelling costs.
Third party liability insurance
Third party liability insurance insures in case you cause an incident. If you do, it could kill or injure other people (for instance your passengers, people in other vehicles or pedestrians), or damage their property (their vehicle, house or possessions, for example). As legally they need to be covered, you'd be responsible any claim, or treating injuries or financially covering their loss of earnings, as well as the third party's legal fees and court costs.
Third party liability is usually subject to an excess, which means you would need to pay the first part of any claim (usually between £750 to £3,000, varying dependent on the car, the country and the deal). When you insure your excess amount, you will be reimbursed for all of the excess you have to pay. Or if you take out Premium Cover, the excess amount can be reduced .
Extra driver fees
Car rental contracts is between the car hire company and the one person who signs the contract and will be the named driver. This means you will have to ask for other drivers to be added, and this usually comes with a cost ( can be up to £12 a day or even more). However, there are occasional special offers where extra drivers are free. Beware of being asked if you'd like to add a driver without being told the cost.
CDW (Collision damage waiver)
It insures the car for damage in a similar way the insurance you have on your personal car does. It usually includes an excess amount which you can choose to cover with an additional policy (See Excess reimbursement insurance). Our website also include rental cars on the site that include CDW with a zero excess
Insurance excess
For rentals outside of the US and Canada there's usually an excess to pay* - just like on domestic car insurance in the UK. The excess on hire cars is high. It's usually in the region of £1,200 to £3,000. If you fail to insure the insurance excess you will be liable to pay for damage to the car up to the excess amount. Check out our Premium Cover car hire options if you'd like to avoid having the excess amount blocked on your credit card .
Top tips to find the best deal on your 8 Seater hire
Factor in the time of year:
To find the best deals for your vehicle rental it pays to book in advance, especially during peak times like school holidays and Christmas. 8 seater rental can be in very high demand in the summer months and often the supply of large vehicles is more restricted than many other types of car. If the price drops after you've booked , we include free cancellation, so you can cancel at any point until 48 hours prior to collecting the vehicle.
Mileage and fuel policy:
If you are comparing the options for your rental on different websites, be sure to factor in the mileage allowance and fuel policy. Some other websites hide this away in the terms and conditions. If you go over the mileage allowance or rent a 8 seater with a full to empty fuel policy, you might be hit with some unexpected fees when you return the car. We only compare full to full rentals and we always clearly display the mileage allowance.
Excess and Security Deposit:
Be sure to compare the amount you're required to leave as a security deposit on your card. For cheaper 8 seater rentals, you will be required to leave a much more expensive security deposit, which is held on your card when you pick up. You'll always see the security deposit amount clearly displayed throughout our website.
Additional drivers and child seats:
You'll find the prices of extras on our extras page. We often have special deals, including extra drivers in the price. Where free extra drivers are available, you can find them listed on the search results page of our website.
Border crossing and one-way fees:
If you plan to take your 8 seater over a border into a different country, extra fees are normally charged by the car hire company. Be careful to check the terms and conditions for these before you book as it can be expensive. If you can't find them on the website, contact one of our car hire advisors and they'll be happy to help.
