Cars offering additional seats in the third row come in all shapes and sizes. Here are three worth considering if you have a large family ferry.
HONDA FREED
Boxy, passenger-hauling-centric cars seem to be quite popular in Singapore. And why not? They are practical, spacious and, with their compact size, rather easy to park.
Honda jumps into the fray of these bread box-shaped vehicles with the Freed. You may have seen it around over the years, but Kah Motor has finally brought it in officially. Needless to say, with the official distributorship-backing, you may just see more of these on the roads.
The new model launched at the Singapore Motorshow earlier this year. One of the notable upgrades is the new range of colours offered. A grand total of eight colour schemes are available, including Fjord Mist (pearl), Platinum White (pearl), Crystal Black (pearl), Twilight Mist Black (pearl), Premium Crystal Red (metallic), Premium Crystal Blue (metallic), Silver Mist Green (metallic) and Platinum Grey (metallic). If you can’t find something here you like, it’s unlikely you ever will.
While driving the Honda Freed, you’d be amazed at how easy and practical the car is to shuttle around the city. The sliding back doors can be activated from the driver’s seat via two buttons on the dashboard. From the outside, all it takes is a tug of the rear handles to trigger the automatic opening mechanism. The height of the car and the head space further make getting in and out super easy.
Honda Smart Entry unlocks the doors with just a touch. Idle stop system conserves fuel consumption, and the one-touch turn signal compels you to use it more often when required. The tight 5.2m turning radius is a boon in confined areas.
The interiors are pretty basic but ergonomically sound. There is a large empty space between the driver and front passenger seat that makes storing bags on your trips all the more convenient. One shortcoming is that, when the third-row tumble seats are folded down, the space in the boot is compromised. But this unavoidable in a car of this size.
This is a fun car to drive. The 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC in-line four-cylinder engine is sufficiently punchy, and the 155Nm of torque ought to be enough to get you around town without a drag. Built-in sunshades, customisable ambient lighting on the multi-information display, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support rounds out a neat package.
PRICE
FROM $67,999 (WITHOUT COE)
ENGINE
1.5-LITRE DOHC I-VTEC IN-LINE 4-CYLINDER PETROL
TRANSMISSION
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)
POWER
131PS
TORQUE
155NM
0–100KM/H
11.9S
DISTRIBUTOR
KAH MOTOR CO. SDN. BHD.
T 6840 6888
PEUGEOT 5008
It’s hard to pin down what the Peugeot 5008 7-seater SUV actually looks like. A cross between a full-fledged MPV and a sporty utility vehicle would probably be the best attempt at describing its disposition. What is undeniable is that it has a handsome profile, and possesses all the design aspects that make it a worthwhile consideration for large families wanting a little pizzazz in their ride.
The muscular stance of the 5008 is accentuated by bits of chrome in strategic spots. Shiny metal adorns the line from the headlights to the rear spoiler, while the bold frameless grille and full-LED headlights give the car a unique and modern look. Headlights are fitted with Static Directional Lighting (in the Allure Premium version), as well as daytime running lights with chrome-plated tips.
This being a 7-seater SUV, storage space is uncompromised. With the third row up, the boot offers 952 litres of capacity. With the it down, you have an incredible 2,150 litres to play with.
Peugeot’s i-Cockpit exudes luxury and combines design with sensibility as only the French know. The steering wheel comes with seven toggle switches, and the stylish large gear shift makes for an interesting rendition of an item that’s so often overlooked by designers. There is a new 12.3-inch head-up optimisable digital instrument panel, and a new central 10-inch touchscreen that allows you to access all your infotainment needs, like managing the Premium Hi-Fi sound system by Focal and the sound through its 10 integrated speakers.
Mirror Screen is available in the Allure Premium variant, which allows you to mirror the apps on your smartphone with the touchscreen via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Two USB charging sockets let you and your passenger keep the juice in your devices from running out on longer drives.
Despite its modest 1.2-litre displacement, the four-cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine is capable of putting out 129hp of power. The eight-speed transmission with paddle shifts smoothens out the drive on all manner of roads. The petrol version comes with the latest-generation Euro 6d certification, and Stop&Start technology helps it achieve a 5.2 litres/100km (combined) fuel efficiency.
The Peugeot 5008 comes in two versions — the Allure Premium and Active Premium — with the former offering a few more bells and whistles. Both provide ample safety features, including speed limit information, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Driver’s Attention Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
On a more superficial basis, the 7-seater SUV is offered in Metallic Copper, Artense Grey, Platinum Grey, Perla Nera Black, Celebes Blue, Pearlescent White, and Ultimate Red colour schemes. Drivers also have a choice of 17-, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.
PRICE
FROM $171,888 (WITH COE)
ENGINE
1,199CC LIQUID-COOLED, 3-CYLINDER, 4-STROKE DOHC, TURBOCHARGED PETRO WITH DIRECT INJECTION
TRANSMISSION
EFFICIENT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 8-SPEED WITH PADDLE SHIFTS
POWER
129HP @ 5,500RPM
TORQUE
230NM @ 1,750NM
0–100KM/H
11.8S
DISTRIBUTOR
AUTOFRANCE
T 6376 2288
TOYOTA SIENTA HYBRID
Would you believe that the Sienta turns 20 this year? The first Toyota Sienta rolled out in September of 2003; to date, it still reigns high on the list of drivers looking for a compact MPV that can take seven passengers comfortably.
The latest version of the car comes with a hybrid engine and is now available from the official distributors of Toyota in Singapore. Dealers also pride themselves in offering this as the “only Cat A Hybrid 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle sold in the country”. The Sienta Hybrid uses a 1.5-litre Dynamic Force Engine teamed with an electric motor that can provide 141Nm of torque. The Hybrid version of the Sienta promises a 50% improvement in fuel efficiency over the previous non-hybrid model.
Not much has changed with the overall silhouette of the Sienta. The design, however, is now inspired by the “Shikakumaru” circle and square approach with the whole vehicle now enveloped by rounded corners for a more compact look. Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform has been incorporated to offer body structure rigidity for a more comfortable ride and better handling.
Inside this tall car, space has also been increased, with the height bumped up by 20mm. The height of the car makes getting in and out, and loading large items like bicycles, effortless. Automatic sliding doors enhance this convenience.
Driving assistance features are comprehensive through Toyota Safety Sense. These include Pre-collision Safety System, Emergency Steering Assist, Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist (to help maintain lane integrity), and Road Sign Assist (displays speed limit on the speedometer). The Sienta Hybrid’s Parking Support Brake also uses eight brake sensors to provide alert and automatic braking while parking.
The pleasure of being in the Toyota Sienta Hybrid has been enhanced with the seven-inch Digital Speedometer, where you can choose eight different settings of display information schemes. The nine-inch Touchscreen Display Audio is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto enabled, and the nanoe X air purification cleans and purifies the air in the cabin to make sure that your satisfaction is not only of the visual and touch, but of the olfactory as well.
PRICE
FROM $69,900 (WITHOUT COE)
ENGINE
1.5-LITRE M15A-FXE DYNAMIC FORCE HYBRID
TRANSMISSION
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)
POWER
114HP
TORQUE
141NM
0–100KM/H
12.5S
DISTRIBUTOR
TOYOTA SINGAPORE
T 6631 1188
