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7 vs 8 Passenger Limited

26K views 31 replies 21 participants last post by  jnads  
#1 ·
I am currently deciding between buying a 7 or 8 passenger 2017 Pacifica Limited and a 2018 Honda Odyssey.

I'm leaning towards the 7 passenger Limited with the included sunroof. We have two kids and when we do carpool, I imagine rarely using an 8th seat so the kids can have access to the back via the center captain chair aisle. Plus, I like that in a pinch, every seat could be stow-able (a big con for me with the Ody). I notice though that most people here have the 8 passenger model listed in their signatures.

Is is personal preference, or is there something I'm missing not considering the 8?
 
#2 ·
Fo deciding between 7 or 8 seats, you have to decide what is important to you.
Sunroof, having permanent walkthrough space in the middle seat, and being constrained always with 7 seats, versus the flexibility of making the van either 7 or 8 seater (by taking the seat off yourself), and 20 inch wheels (for free) with no sunroof.

For deciding between Odyssey and Pacifica, see this thread (just in case you haven't gone through it already)
http://www.pacificaforums.com/forum...hrysler-pacifica-minivan-versus-competition/16130-pacifica-vs-2018-odyssey.html
 
#3 ·
For me it was a no-brainer, giving up something I didn't want in the first place: the sunroof here in hot Florida and getting a set of gorgeous 20 inch wheels in its place plus the added flexibility of the eighth passenger seat which can be turned into a tabletop limo-style when not in use.
 
#4 ·
We considered getting the 8-seater because it would be more comfortable to go three across in the 2nd row rather than the 3rd row, and for the possibility of putting three car seats in the second row. But our preference is to keep the center aisle clear in the 2nd row so it's easy to access the 3rd row without touching the car seats that are installed in the 2nd row captains chairs. Since there is no place to stow the center seat, we would have kept it out of the vehicle most of the time, which means planning ahead when you might need it. One downside was that the center seat mounting holes and anchor points aren't covered when the seat is removed, so we worried about our kids (toddler and 3 year old) tripping or twisting an ankle as they pass between the 2nd and 3rd row. Also, in the 8 seat configuration there are no inside arm rests on the captains chairs, which makes them less comfortable for adults. And obviously, no sunroof. I was skeptical about the sunroof because we've had them in our last three cars and never really used them, but to my surprise we're actually using it a lot.
 
#5 ·
Not having armrests on the captains, having to manually remove and store it 90% of the time, and having holes there in the ground were part of my concerns. Just wondering if I will ever regret it in the rare case I'd want to squeeze an 8th person in. But as a family of four, I doubt that happens much if at all.
 
#7 ·
We went 8 passenger because we felt the center seat in the second row when folded down was a more comfortable armrest than the captains chairs armrests. Plus, the cup holder/storage on the back of the center seat was more accessible and useful to my daughter as well.

I liked the sunroof, but my wife was indifferent to it, but we both liked the cup holder/armrest on the center seat, so the 8 seater won out. We discussed not being able to stow that seat, should the need arise, but figured it was a potential "what-if" scenario versus using the armrest and cup holders daily.

For what it's worth, the two outboard seats flip forward to gain quick access to the 3rd row. It's a little cumbersome for adults but not bad for kids and the couple of times we've had people sit in the 3rd row, it hasn't been an issue.
 
#10 ·
We have kids still in carseats and boosters though; they can flip up the seats with a booster which is front facing seat, but not with a rear facing seat, which is why even if we purchase an 8, we would rarely have the middle in for an armrest until the littlest grow into a booster which is still three years away. I'm just so torn, buy the configuration that works best now, or possibly regret it later if we eventually want 8.
 
#8 · (Edited)
We have 2 kids age 3 and 1. When both kids are on their car seats, my wife or myself really like to go back to the second row and sit between them for a little chat especially on long rides since they are not communicating because 1 of them is rear-facing and the other forward. So, we are seriously considering the 8 seater.

I don't think we will ever have 8 passengers however for the reason mentioned above, I believe it is really worth it to have that middle seat.
 
#9 ·
We had an Odyssey 8 seater. We took the middle seat out and NEVER put it back in until it was time to trade it in. When we bought our Pacifica we went with 7 seater. Kids are super happy having their own "adult" chairs with armrest. They truly think the Pacifica is like flying first class with the TVs and all the gadgets. I would probably never get an 8 seater again. Although we only have one in a booster and do not have car seats anymore.
 
#16 ·
Not sure if your aware but pretty much every option is available as a mopar part. ie you can buy then seven passenger then purchase the seat after. I opted for a 8 passenger the middle seat is great for when my wife or myself need to hop over the console and attend to teh young onces. plus it folds down for ... you guessed it another (2) cup holders. Plus you can take ti out and store
 
#17 ·
Not sure if your aware but pretty much every option is available as a mopar part. ie you can buy then seven passenger then purchase the seat after.
I wouldn't be too sure this is accurate ... I cannot imagine that Mopar would sell an 8th seat, for example, that could be added to a Limited with sunroof. Liability problem, since there would be no seatbelts.

Can't say that I've done the research though.
 
#20 ·
If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably opt for the 8 seater. I sunroof is amazing, my 3 year old thinks its like the Jurassic Park tram, but the 8 seats is nice to have when you're hauling your kid's friends! Plus I think it makes the rear seats more comfortable feeling as it makes it seem wider than just acting as individual captain's chairs.
 
#21 ·
I'm taking delivery of my 8 passenger Touring L Plus tomorrow (yay!). I only considered this because my last two vans have been 8 passenger and I couldn't i.agine not having that flexibility. 90% of the time we leave the seat in and my two kids (8 and 10) are happy to have a seat to put their books and toys in for longer trips. Then we stow the third row. I only pull up that row when I have extra passengers. In this way, my vans always function more like a wagon. I do like how Toyota does the seatbelt for the jump seat, though...it's connected to the driver's side second row seat, not the roof. Much more elegant and unobtrusive.
 
#24 ·
Here is my take on 8th seat. First if you must have a sun roof, you can not use the 8th seat as a seat since there is no roof mounting avail for the shoulder harness. We absolutely did not want a sun roof so the 8th seat was a really good deal for us. When it is folded down it makes a wonderful wide arm rest for 2 second row passengers plus added cup holders. If you get the 8th seat, it has been reported that the other 2 second row seats are not quite as comfortable as the 7 passenger second row seats. The middle seat in the 8 passenger version is not stow and go, so it has to be lifted out if you decided to haul sheets of 4 X 8 plywood around. We have the 8 passenger and love our Limited.
 
#26 ·
Here is my take on 8th seat........ If you get the 8th seat, it has been reported that the other 2 second row seats are not quite as comfortable as the 7 passenger second row seats.
Is this really true? I highly doubt it. Can anyone having better information comment on this aspect please. As far as I know the only difference is presence of thin hand rests in the 7 seat version. What you said is news to me. Where did you hear this ,...?
 
#27 ·
7 seat version was a no brainer for us. Nice and open feeling with a way to pass through to the third row. Friends and family that have ridden in the back applaud the full width captains chairs with dual armrests. I also like the ability to fold all or a portion of the seats away to haul the oversized items. We have friends who purchased a odyssey and I did not want to manually remove a seat and have to find a place to store it.
 
#30 ·
We have the 8-seat limited and purchased the Chrysler All-Weather Mats. These mats come with an extra Mat specifically to cover the area when the 8-seat is removed. We have previously had two Honda Odyssey vans with 8-seats and there was no question we only wanted an 8-seat Pacifica. We have had about 4 o 5 vehicles in a row with sunroofs, which we never opened, consequently we do not miss having one.