Playdates, coupled with the inability of the middle classes just to let their children be bored at home, and instead organise constant clubs and activities all week long after school, means that parents, au pairs and nannies are forever shuttling van-loads of kids around. Even the single-child family now requires a seven-seater to share the responsibility of lifts to rugby or Beavers or chess club. It also seems to be a response to families visiting each other in different parts of the country. A friend regularly hosts her sister and her nephew and niece from Leeds and wants to be able to take them all out for lunch or to a National trust place or whatever floats their boat.
Nowadays, the industry’s reliance on SUV sales means that seven-seaters come in far more luxurious and spacious specifications. A decade ago, we were largely reduced to MPVs such as the Citroen Grand Picasso, Renault Espace, Ford Galaxy or Seat Alhambra. Nothing wrong with any of these; everyone got very inventive with cubby holes and folding trays, for a start. But now, you no longer have to forgo luxury in return for shepherding a large flock (as long as you’ve got the extortionate budget needed). The Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery are magnificent cars.
The Bentley Bentayga, in seven-seat guise, knocks them all into a cocked hat of course, but it costs more than a small country. On the other hand, it’s got the biggest boot of the lot with the third row up and I got 32mpg out of mine, so hey! You can combine luxury and practicality after all! Happy days.