I have the 8 seater and have never regretted it. We have 4 kids so it's perfect when grandparents or friends are with us. We just keep the passenger side 2nd row seatback folded down most for easy 3rd row access. It's not impossible for kids to get in the back with it up either though. The seat slides forward and they can squeeze past to get into the 3rd row without any difficulty.
We only had 3 kids when we first got it and I loved the flexibility to put them all in the second row. I had no interest in paying for the extras on the higher trims either so it was an easy decision for us. GL!
This was us, too. Only 3 kids when we first got it (8-passenger). I've had 2 kids in the back/2 in the front since ds3 was born. I do leave the passenger side seat folded down and they have no problems getting in the back.
When the baby is born, I will have ds1 (in seatbelt only) sitting either in the middle of the 2nd row where he is now OR in that 2nd row passenger seat. Ds3 and the baby will also be in the 2nd row, but RF. There is *still* enough room for the other two kids to get past the back of the 2nd row seat (if I put baby there and move it up). If I decide to put ds1 in the outboard seat (probably not), it tumbles forward so quickly that it's really not a problem.
As far as why I'd choose an 8-passenger over a 7-passenger? Seating capacity, baby!
. I do love my van. I have had it for over 3 years and the options and versatility for seating and for carseats in general is fantastic. Dh and I both actually prefer cloth over leather, so that wasn't an issue and I'm not terribly worried about the lack of armrests in the 2nd row. The third row has no armrests and if you have a van with a 2-seater bench in the center, you have a lack of armrests, as well. I do wish I could have AWD, but I live in the south and FTMP, it's not a huge issue. My biggest beef with my van is very trivial, all things considered - I wish the driver's side slider door was an automatic like the other side. Not that it's killing me to have to open it *myself*
, just that the automatic one is very handy lol.
Last note - I have also had 8 people in there several times, usually 2 extra adults, not kids. This means I've put 3 carseats in my third row several times. Tight, but certainly doable. Once, for only a weekend, my friend watched my (then 3) kids (and she had 3 at the time, as well). I did put 6 carseats in my van, but did not, in fact, take a picture
. It was a beautiful sight. . .
hehehe.
Whatever you decide on, I know this much - it bears repeating that I love this van and I don't believe I'm alone in that sentiment
. I think you will love it, too.