By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 4 min read
Which one should you book? The short answer by group and luggage
Pick by suitcases first, then by how long the ride is. The Kia Carnival and Citroen SpaceTourer carry 3 large cases with 6 aboard. The Hyundai Staria carries 2, but gives rear passengers the most relaxed cabin on a long day.
| Your group | Book |
|---|---|
| 5 or 6 people, 3 checked cases | Carnival or SpaceTourer |
| 4 to 6 people, cabin bags only | Staria |
| 6 people, 4 large cases | Mercedes-Benz V-Class |
| 7 or more people | Sprinter or two vans |
All three are Assure’s own fleet, so none depends on a partner. Each is booked with a chauffeur only, as a car with driver or a transfer. See the whole class on our vans page.
Seats and layouts: why Assure plans each for 6
Makers count the driver’s seat. Kia sells the Carnival with 7 or 8 seats. Hyundai offers the Staria with 7, 9 or 11. Citroen builds the SpaceTourer with up to 9.
Assure plans each for 6 passengers. A seventh or eighth passenger takes the floor that suitcases need. The fuller comparison across the class is in our 7-seater chauffeur car guide.
Kia UAE gives the Carnival 1,029 mm of legroom in the second row and 903 mm in the third. Put the tallest guests in the second row on anything longer than a hop across town.
Luggage with every seat in use
Assure’s figures are planning estimates from the makers’ published space, not measured in the van.
| Van | Large cases | Cabin bags | Maker’s cargo figure used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Carnival | 3 | 2 | not used |
| Citroen SpaceTourer | 3 | 2 | not used |
| Hyundai Staria | 2 | 2 | 431 L, 7-seat Premium |
The Staria looks tall at 1,990 mm, but Hyundai UAE’s 431 L behind the seats of the 7-seat Premium is what limits it to 2 cases. Its 9-seat version has more cargo room, but fewer seats suit it to a different job. If your list has golf bags or a pram, send it before you book.
Comfort and ride on Dubai roads
Dubai’s main runs are short and fast. DXB to Downtown is about 18 km. Downtown to Dubai Marina is about 21 km, roughly 20 minutes without traffic. Abu Dhabi is about 139 km, 1 h 30 without traffic.
- Carnival: the one that rides most like a car. It has a 3.5 L V6 petrol engine and power sliding doors on both sides. Relaxion reclining seats are on the 7-seat premium version only.
- Staria: the most headroom, with a tailgate that opens on its own. Hyundai lists a USB outlet at every seat, and the Premium 7-seat version has relaxation seats with legrests. That is why it suits a day of meetings.
- SpaceTourer: the practical one. It is a diesel automatic with a panoramic roof and a sunshade, which matters at midday in July.
None has a wheelchair ramp. If you need one, tell us when you ask, and we will say what can be arranged.
When to step up to a Mercedes V-Class
Move to the V-Class when the group has 4 large suitcases, or when a client is riding, not just your own team. Assure plans it for 6 passengers with 4 large cases and 2 cabin bags. Mercedes-Benz Vans Dubai gives it 610 L to 5,010 L of luggage space, depending on length and seat layout.
For 7 to 13 people, move up again. Our V-Class and Sprinter comparison covers where the line falls, and the Hiace and Coaster guide covers larger groups through the partner network, subject to availability.
Child seats and ISOFIX in each van
The RTA and Dubai Police require a child seat below age 4. Nobody aged 10 or under, or under 145 cm, may ride in front. In a people mover that means the second row for small children.
Child seats are on request. Give each child’s age and weight when you book. ISOFIX positions differ between these three models and between rows, and Assure does not publish a count it cannot source. We confirm the row for the van on your date. Our child car seats guide covers the rules in full.
At the airport: a booked van or a minivan taxi
Dubai Taxi runs vans at Dubai Airports, with a AED 25 starting fare. Its airport page gives no way to reserve one in advance. Your pre-booked Assure van is picked for your headcount and bags before you fly. See how an airport transfer works at each terminal, then send the date, flight number, passengers and bags on WhatsApp to +971 56 684 8148.
Photos in this guide
A white Hyundai Staria people mover parked on a streetEthan Llamas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A white Kia Carnival people mover parked in a car parkBenespit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A silver Citroen SpaceTourer van parked in a car parkAlexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A dark grey Mercedes-Benz V-Class with a sliding side door, parked on a streetAlexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
