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Because of an expanding family, dog, etc. Several hours of research have failed to provide a definitive answer, so I'm hoping an owner may shed some light on this matter. I'm seriously considering getting a small van/big MPV as our next family car, and a 2016/2017ish Grand Tourneo Connect appears to be one of the top options in terms of purchase/running costs, space, and practicality.

The seven seats are neatly folded into the floor in the second row, and the third row is even more spacious, folding flat on the back floor with panels that extend over the top.

Anyway, the main issue I'm having is that in all the pictures and videos I've seen, there's a large space (around 20 cm) between the rear of the elevated floor and the tailgate. This appears to be quite "unideal" because things in the trunk could fall into it, the dog could trip over the edge, and there's an awkward lip to grab onto when loading big heavy items.

The question now is whether or not the ledge and gap you see in the photos are actually there.

Given that we won't actually need seven seats nine out of ten times, how easy and fast is it to take them all out? The only thing that might make the floor less flat after this is installed is if the mounting points are recessed.

Whatever you have to say, I appreciate it!

Hey, I own one. I'm driving a 2022 with a 71 plate, which is actually just the updated model of the car you're thinking about buying. The boards that cover the second row when folded down are actually part of the third row of seats, so removing them would reveal them. Additionally, if the condition before and after the facelift is identical, taking the seats out will expose the wiring for the seatbelt monitors. As I waited for a replacement, the constant warning that appeared whenever I attempted to start the second row was a major source of stress for me. a couple of things to keep in mind: first, the equipment levels might be lacking compared to what you're used to (I'm coming from a 2017 ST Line X Mondeo and a 2018 Edge sport, both 2.0 diesels), and second, the performance could be better, particularly on hills and with a full load.

Now, let's address your enquiries. Sure, that ledge is there. However, the third row has trim flaps that, if you're interested (I'm not), would conceal some plywood on a couple of blocks when the seats are folded down. However, when the rear seats are folded down and in use, they can be slid forward to provide extra "boot" space. If you're not in need of seven seats, you might want to consider the five-seater instead. Besides the standard and grand touro connect models, there's also a five-seater version. The back two seats can be unscrewed if you prefer, leaving the floor relatively flat. However, you'll need a board to cover the middle seats, as I'm almost sure they bolt downwards into the floor.

cost of operation isn't terrible. I'm not the lightest foot when it comes to the right foot, which is why I long for the power of the 2.0s! In the past 18 months and approximately 25,500 miles, my computer has generally been within about 1mpg of my calculations, although with the capless system, it's not as easy to fill to the exact same place every time. Currently, I'm averaging around 43-44mpg, but to be honest, I'm not afraid to get it hot and let it see 4k+rpm every now and then! Well, to put it simply, the ledge is just a van with seats installed. the same problems will be present with any other manufacturer's equivalent. In order to remove the seats, you will need to physically unscrew the connecting ones, which is different from other models like the S max or Galaxy where the seats simply clip in and out. My hope is that you have found value in my ramblings.

am grateful for your detailed response.

The electric vehicle I'm leaving behind had 200 horsepower and 400 Newton-meters of torque, so I suppose I'll just have to accept the fact that anything I get will be a little less powerful.

According to my understanding, the newer 1.5 ecoblue is powered by the same PSA DV5 engine found in Stellantis MPVs like the Berlingo and Rifter. As for the engine and drivetrain, I would be considering a manual gearbox with an older 1.5 or 1.6 duratorq. Because of the more flexible seating, those were my top picks. However, I've heard that the engines have some serious problems, such as adblue crystallisation and a 7mm cam chain failure. Of course, I can't verify the veracity of these claims because they are online.

Since a petrol engine seems to be unavailable in the previous generation, I'll have to settle for a model from 2023 or later, which will add a few thousand pounds to the price tag, just because it would be more practical for my needs.

I hope my explanation about the seats was clear.

Our camping gear is going to be pretty heavy, so we'll need to find a way to slide it into the boot. However, with the double ledge, it would be much more awkward because we'd have to lift it onto the second level, which is higher but also means we'd have to lean into the boot with a tent that weighs about 30 kilograms! Additionally, there are worries that the dog might snag her legs on the second lip at entry.

A less-than-ideal alternative would be to construct a plywood or OSB box to span the space.

I was kind of aware that the back seats could slide forward, but have you mentioned whether they can slide backward far enough to rest the raised area against the tailboard? To avoid reaching further into the vehicle, it would be easier to fill the space between the raised area and the second row seats in this case.

Unfortunately, I haven't been successful in my search for a 5-seater Grand Connect (at least on Autotrader).

Some people have mentioned the seatbelt warnings when removing the third row, and they suggested using Forscan or making fake connectors to close the circuit. I can probably get what I need if this isn't too difficult and I can cover the floor with some foam mats or something similar.

According to the alternatives I've considered, "the equivalent from any other manufacturer will have the same issues"—as you put it—

The third row seats in any Stellantis MPV are simply detachable with a simple clip.
Although it's not quite as easy as the Stellantis, I think the back seats can also be removed from the VW Caddy with relative ease.

While I get that there will be some give and take with any system, I find it odd that the Ford manages to keep the folded seats neatly out of the way (most of the time!). Also, that 'double ledge' seems like a little oversight, unless I'm totally misinterpreting how it works in practice.

The short answer is no. The 'double lip' cannot be fully eliminated because the third row does not slide back far enough. Your diagrams, although basic, are surprisingly accurate. Here are a few photos I took with a tape measure to give you a better idea of the size of the space you're looking at, as well as the one of my third-row seats that gets used when we're all in the car (it keeps the kids from fighting if they're in separate rows!). I hope you enjoy!

If it's flush with the plastic tailboard lip trim, the gap appears more like a ramp than a sharp edge; nevertheless, the pictures made it look much wider than it actually is. Thank you for your assistance.

It seems like we might be able to handle it, but I need to see you in person to be sure.

The fact that the S-Max hasn't crossed your mind is surprising. My advice would be to go with that. A hybrid drivetrain was an option on the most recent iteration of those. I don't know if petrol versions were offered, but I do know that the prior generation had them, including the 2.0 litre Ecoboost with 240 horsepower—the exact engine that is in my Mondeo.

After you get past the second row of seats, does the S-MAX not seem much shorter, narrower, and lower in height? Sincerely, I don't believe it would allow us enough room to be ourselves.