Can a 5-seater SUV accommodate 6 people?

[Layla]

5-seater SUVs cannot accommodate six people. The regulation for five-seater vehicles stipulates that the maximum number of passengers, including the driver, is five. Exceeding this number (including the driver) constitutes an illegal act of overloading. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," violators will be fined and have 6 points deducted from their license. Below are the hazards of vehicle overloading: Increased risk of rollover: The more passengers are overloaded, the more the vehicle's center of gravity shifts, making it particularly prone to rollover during turns. Reduced braking performance: Inertia is related to the mass of an object. When braking, the vehicle relies on resistance to stop. The more overloaded the vehicle is, the greater its inertia becomes, making it harder to stop compared to normal conditions. Tire blowouts: Overloading causes the vehicle's tires to operate under excessive load continuously, increasing tire pressure and temperature, which significantly raises the risk of blowouts. Worsened accident outcomes: Under normal circumstances, each occupant in the vehicle has corresponding safety belts, seats, and other equipment. However, in cases of overloading, not everyone is properly equipped, making it impossible to avoid situations that could otherwise be mitigated in the event of an accident.

[LaZoe]

Absolutely no way to fit 6 people in a 5-seater SUV—that's clearly overloading. Once when returning to my hometown, relatives squeezed six people into my car, and we got pulled over by traffic police at a highway toll booth. Got fined ¥200 and 3 demerit points on the spot. The officer explained that overloading increases braking distance by over 20%, especially dangerous on downhill sections. With four people crammed shoulder-to-shoulder in a three-seat back row, airbags would be useless in a rear-end collision. Still gives me chills thinking about it—better to make an extra trip or call a ride-hailing car than risk overloading. Lives are at stake—no compromises.

[SanValerie]

Thinking of fitting six people in a five-seater? That's a miscalculation. The number of seat belts determines the safe passenger capacity—the extra person would have to perch on someone's lap and would certainly be thrown forward during sudden braking. Once at a dinner gathering, friends wanted to squeeze in, but I firmly refused—the vehicle manual clearly states a maximum capacity of five. Overloading makes the steering feel unstable. Plus, traffic enforcement is cracking down on overloaded vehicles nowadays; getting caught means fines and demerit points, not to mention insurance companies can deny claims for accident damages. Even as a temporary solution, it's not worth the risk—driving an extra five kilometers is far better than riding in constant fear.

[Grover]

Having 6 people in a 5-seater violates Article 49 of traffic laws and poses significant safety risks. Every vehicle undergoes load testing before leaving the factory. Overloading can cause suspension deformation and increase tire blowout risks. It's especially dangerous with children - I've seen parents holding kids on their laps in the front seat, where airbag deployment during collisions can seriously injure the child. Nowadays child seats occupy a full seat, let alone adding a sixth adult. For safe travel, honestly just take two vehicles.

[LaDaisy]

Absolutely not. My neighbor was just fined last week for overloading—they crammed six workers into a 5-seater car heading to the construction site, and it flipped into a ditch while turning. Overloading disables the ABS system, making it especially prone to losing control on slippery roads. The shifted center of gravity increases the risk of rollovers, and passengers in the back could even be thrown out the window. The vehicle's design accounts for luggage space in the trunk as part of the load capacity—carrying six people is like driving long distances with a full cargo load every day, rapidly wearing out the suspension and brakes. Safety first—don’t gamble with lives.