Only bought the car because the wife liked it for the size and the price. We were looking for a 4cyl cross-over due to my commute for work and for the amount of driving we do. This car keeps up. Got it with 76k in March 2012 and is at 95k October 2012. Space in the back is decent but i would not look at the 7 seater model because the back could fit kids but not adults. But for a family of 4 and a dog your set. Sips gas like my civic did but with more room. Well worth looking at.