Need rental van 9 seat. Automatic. Rome to Ro.

Try with AutoEurope (a broker/consolidator) and see if they have better rates. They have multiple websites, check pricing in all:
www.AutoEurope.com
www.AutoEurope.eu
www.Kemwel.com

Sicily by Car is a fine company.

The law requires that with a car driver’s license (international designation B) you can drive a car only up to a max of 9 passengers INCLUDING the driver. Anything bigger requires a bus license (international designation D)

There are children’s car seat requirements for children up to 12 y.o. and lower than 1,50m (about 5ft) in height. So if any of your children are below that size you need child seats (with different specifications depending on age and weight). Taxi and private limos are exempt from that requirement.

Thank you for your input. We are only 7 people, but thinking the 7 passenger vehicles don’t have enough room for bags. Sicily by Car rates better than europecars right now. They fluctuate.. Up! Glad to hear good comment about Sicily by car.
Can you trust them as advertised thru 3 rd party sites, like Sky scanner, Discover cars, etc.?

I only used AutoEurope (see websites above). They are a third party consolidator with contracts with all major rental companies including Sicily by Car.

confused -

Party of 2 adults, 1 old granny and 2 kids, 3 teens

We are only 7 people

2+1+2+3 = 7?

Can you trust them as advertised thru 3 rd party sites, like Sky scanner, Discover cars, etc.?

if everything works out, yes. If you have an issue - car not available, they want more insurance, dings and dents, etc., the places you mention will say to go to the car rental; you go to the car rental company and they say your contract is with the third party. Do you want that?

AutoEurope has a great reputation of actively taking your side when there are problems at the counter or later and they are available 24/7. They are an exception.

Are you sure that a 9 person will be big enough? Have you been exercising packing discipline so no big bags and no multiple bags? Harder to do than it sounds with a large group, even if family.

remember how big that van is when you are trying to park in tiny spaces and negotiating narrow winding lanes. Many people are happier with 2 medium cars - but I understand how you don't want to split up.

I’ll share my experience renting a van in June. We were a group of 6, and we rented a 7 seater in Germany through Hertz via AutoEurope. Upon arrival at Hertz, the agent looked at our group (all adults) and luggage (2 checked bags, 4 carry ons, 6 backpacks) and said “You will never fit.” He upgraded us to a full size, 8 seat van (Ford Tourneo). The US version is a Ford Transit. I suggest you go take a look at one before considering renting one. My brother in law drives this kind of van for work, and we own a minivan. The full size was much more challenging than the minivan. If you do not have experience driving a vehicle that size, Europe is not the place to start.

We drove for 3 weeks through Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France. On day 1 we realized the ac was not working. By this time we were in Italy no where near a Hertz. Many hours on the phone later, I was told that Hertz in Italy does not buy any vehicles larger than 5 seat SUVs. This is why you are having limited options. Long story short, we were able to have the ac fixed. But every time we needed to park, it was a challenge: is the space big (wide/long) enough, is there roof clearance at the parking garage, etc. Lots of stress involved. Not to mention some VERY narrow streets to navigate. You really need to research where EXACTLY you will travel using google earth so you don’t get stuck. And definitely get the full insurance. They look at everything and have photos of all previous damage associated with every car.

There was plenty of luggage space in the 8 seater van.

Very few options. Very expensive....
Really don’t want two cars… any advice?

a) accept that one big van will be expensive

or b) do 2 cars

Given the group composition I see the reluctance to have 2 cars, but it may be the lesser evil

number of teens has changed in the OP, 3 to 2. So now it adds up - 7 total.