Finding Great 9 Passenger Vehicles
If you want to carry a lot of passengers the vehicle options for doing so can be fairly limited since most vehicles carry a maximum of 5 passengers. Even most of the larger SUV models max out at 7 passengers. There are some choices out there however and we'll look at a few of the options here.
Chevy has been in the large vehicle market for quite a while between the long running Suburban lineup and the big vans they used to make. You can still get models like the Suburban and Tahoe or their GMC counterparts if you need to carry a lot of people and gear.
If you don't need the pulling power and four wheel drive capabilities of an SUV you can look at the minivan market as well since minivans are some of the best multi-passenger vehicles on the market. One of the top minivans is the Honda Odyssey and even if you can't afford can be found on the used market for a decent price.
You might be concerned about gas mileage numbers of these vehicles since larger vehicles tend to get less respectable MPG numbers. While many of the large SUVs are powered by V8 engines and thus don't do well on fuel the minivan market is filled with V6 models that can get some pretty respectable numbers. It isn't unreasonable to expect 25 MPG on the highway with some of the best minivans. Unfortunately we don't have diesel powered minivans in the U.S. because if we did you could expect to attain more like 30-35 MPG during highway cruises.
If you plan to do a lot of towing with your 9 passenger vehicle then it is a good idea to go for the more powerful models with frames made for towing like the Ford Excursion, Expedition or the Chevy Tahoe. Since these models are based on trucks they are quite capable of towing large amounts of weight provided they are equipped with the right hitch equipment.
If you plan to use a 9 passenger vehicle not only to carry a lot of people but also for towing purposes you will want to get used to pulling a load with your chosen vehicle if you don't have experience in the area since it is better to get used to the way the vehicle handles under load when it only has a trailer before you tow a heavy load while the vehicle is filled with people.
One last point to remember is that 9 passenger vehicles are always needed so be sure to evaluate your vehicle needs before you make a purchase or rental decision. In some cases two smaller vehicles can carry just as many passengers in more comfort and without using more fuel.
Chevy has been in the large vehicle market for quite a while between the long running Suburban lineup and the big vans they used to make. You can still get models like the Suburban and Tahoe or their GMC counterparts if you need to carry a lot of people and gear.
If you don't need the pulling power and four wheel drive capabilities of an SUV you can look at the minivan market as well since minivans are some of the best multi-passenger vehicles on the market. One of the top minivans is the Honda Odyssey and even if you can't afford can be found on the used market for a decent price.
You might be concerned about gas mileage numbers of these vehicles since larger vehicles tend to get less respectable MPG numbers. While many of the large SUVs are powered by V8 engines and thus don't do well on fuel the minivan market is filled with V6 models that can get some pretty respectable numbers. It isn't unreasonable to expect 25 MPG on the highway with some of the best minivans. Unfortunately we don't have diesel powered minivans in the U.S. because if we did you could expect to attain more like 30-35 MPG during highway cruises.
If you plan to do a lot of towing with your 9 passenger vehicle then it is a good idea to go for the more powerful models with frames made for towing like the Ford Excursion, Expedition or the Chevy Tahoe. Since these models are based on trucks they are quite capable of towing large amounts of weight provided they are equipped with the right hitch equipment.
If you plan to use a 9 passenger vehicle not only to carry a lot of people but also for towing purposes you will want to get used to pulling a load with your chosen vehicle if you don't have experience in the area since it is better to get used to the way the vehicle handles under load when it only has a trailer before you tow a heavy load while the vehicle is filled with people.
One last point to remember is that 9 passenger vehicles are always needed so be sure to evaluate your vehicle needs before you make a purchase or rental decision. In some cases two smaller vehicles can carry just as many passengers in more comfort and without using more fuel.
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