What are the best 7-seater cars?

The best seven-seater cars can be game-changers, giving you enough space – and seats – to transport lots of family members or friends without having to buy two cars. Most have third-row seats that fold away when you don’t need them to give you a huge boot, too. 

There are more seven-seat cars out there than you might think, however, so how do you go about choosing which is best for you? Don’t fret, our guide is here to help…

What makes a good seven-seater car?

If you’re buying a seven-seater, space and practicality are likely to be at the top of your list of priorities. The best examples also give a smooth ride, and don’t feel too van-like to drive. 

In this guide we’ve included options to suit a variety of budgets and needs, with a selection of used and new models. Some of the cars here have space for seven adults to travel in comfort, whereas others have third-row seats better suited to occasional use. Here, then, are our top 10 seven-seater cars.

The cars featured in this guide:

• Hyundai Santa Fe

• Peugeot 5008

• Dacia Jogger

• Skoda Kodiaq

• Kia Sorento

• Hyundai Ioniq 9

• Nissan X-Trail

• Volkswagen Touran

• Seat Alhambra

• Volkswagen ID. Buzz

1. Hyundai Santa Fe 

The latest Hyundai Santa Fe looks like something created in Minecraft, and its blocky shape means there’s a vast amount of space inside. It’s also supremely comfortable, with seven proper seats and lots of places to store your clutter on the move. 

It’s excellent value considering how much space and equipment you get for the money, and running costs are reasonable for something so large and luxurious. You get a choice of hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, too. The hybrid gives an average of just over 40mpg while the plug-in hybrid has an electric-only range of 33 miles that could be enough to cover the school run for a week. As with every Hyundai, you also get a longer-than-average five-year unlimited mileage warranty from new. 

2. Peugeot 5008

The Peugeot 5008 is the SUV that thinks it's an MPV. And that’s a good thing if you’re looking for a seven-seater that’s stylish yet practical. On the outside the 5008 looks every inch a high-tech, sharp-suited SUV. On the inside you get the raised driving position of an SUV but MPV-style space and versatility, with seven seats and three Isofix child seat fittings across the second row. The third-row seats fold away when you don’t need them to create a huge boot space. 

A range of quiet, fuel-efficient engines and a comfortable ride complete a package that makes this a great family car. We’re focusing on the 5008 sold new between 2017 and 2024, by the way. There’s an all-new version that’s even more cutting-edge, but it only has two Isofix fittings in the back and it’s not such great value.

3. Dacia Jogger

The Dacia Jogger is the cheapest brand-new seven-seater car you can buy. That’s a major part of its attraction, but the Jogger has more going for it than simply its price. It looks good, for a start – a rugged blend of estate car and SUV that’s available in some fetching colours. 

Where the Jogger really shines is inside, with a huge amount of interior space for the price. The Jogger is a proper seven-seater, with lots of headroom and legroom wherever you’re sitting. Admittedly, it’s not as versatile as some SUV or MPV alternatives, with none of their clever fold-away seat mechanisms. You can remove the rear pair altogether to leave a whopping-great boot space, however, and it’s still a mightily practical car overall. All versions give low running costs and there’s a hybrid model that gives an average of almost 60mpg, according to official figures.

4. Skoda Kodiaq

The Skoda Kodiaq is one of those cars that finds its way onto a lot of ‘best of’ lists. ‘Best family cars’, ‘Best SUVs’, ‘Best used cars’ and, of course, this one. That tells you something about its broad range of talents. The fact is, this car is good at just about everything!

In summary, it’s a spacious seven-seat SUV (although five-seat versions are also available) that’s good to drive and has a high-quality interior. It feels like a big premium SUV yet it costs less to buy and run than most and isn’t so large that you’ll struggle to find a parking space for it. An all-new version was recently introduced but the previous model – on sale new between 2017 and 2024 – is cheaper and, arguably, better-looking.

5. Kia Sorento 

You can spend a lot of money on a big, classy seven-seat SUV but the Sorento proves that you don’t have to. It’ll cost you a lot less than most premium-badge alternatives yet the Sorento is up there with the best of them for practicality and tech and it’s both classy and good-looking. 

Despite being one of Kia’s older models, it remains one of its best. Interior space is excellent and it comes with lots of useful tech features as standard. Four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox are also included, and you get the choice of a diesel engine or petrol-electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid models. Each one gives the kind of smooth ride you want from a big seven-seater and an impressive towing limit helps to make the Sorento especially popular as a tow car. 

6. Hyundai Ioniq 9 

The second Hyundai SUV on this list, the Ioniq 9, is even bigger than the first. Make no mistake, the Ioniq 9 is huge. It’s about five inches longer than a BMW X5 and that translates into enough legroom for seven adults to stretch out on board. Even with all seven seats in place there’s more boot space than you get in a Vauxhall Corsa. Fold down the third row and very few SUVs can match the Ioniq 9’s load capacity. 

The interior has a classy, high-tech look yet it’s easy to use, with a huge dashboard display complemented by some pleasantly old-school buttons and switches. In common with all of Hyundai’s latest ‘Ioniq’ models, the Ioniq 9 is an EV. Battery range is very impressive for something so large and heavy, with the longest-range version capable of up to 385 miles on a full charge. 

7. Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail exists in the shadow of the hugely popular Qashqai but it’s worth shining some light on it because it’s one of the best used seven-seat family SUVs around. While the current model has all the latest gadgets, we’re focusing on the X-Trail that was sold new between 2014 and 2022 since it represents outstanding value for money. 

This X-Trail model is still a very high-tech car, with useful features on some versions including automatic headlights and wipers, electric-folding mirrors, a rear-view camera and an electrically powered tailgate. There's even a self-parking function and what Nissan calls 'ProPilot' – a driver assistance feature that can help to accelerate, brake and steer the car on the motorway. Space in the third row of seats (which were optional when new) is limited but it’s handy to be able to bring a couple of family members or friends along for a day trip and then fold the seats easily away when you don’t need them.

8. Volkswagen Touran

The Volkswagen Touran proves that seven-seat MPVs don't have to be big, bulky and boring to drive. In fact, the Touran isn't a lot longer than a Volkswagen Golf and it feels much like its hatchback relative when you're behind the wheel – smooth, responsive and nimble through the bends. Thanks to its relatively compact dimensions and a good view out, it's also easy to park. 

Clever packaging means there's lots of space inside, with decent headroom and legroom even in the third-row seats. Large back doors make it easy to get child seats in and out, and allow third-row passengers to climb into their seats with minimal fuss. Running costs aren't much more than you'll pay for an equivalent hatchback and because the current Touran has been around since 2015 there are some very affordable older cars on the market.

9. Seat Alhambra

If you want a big, seven-seat MPV with maximum practicality the Seat Alhambra should be high on your list. It’s a traditional MPV (or people carrier) so it’s tall, boxy and looks like a van with windows. It might not win points for style, then, but it means you get space for seven adults to stretch out in comfort. There are also sliding side doors that make it easy to get in and out, even if you’re in a tight parking space. 

Despite its size the Alhambra is easy to drive, thanks to huge windows that give a great view. Most versions have reversing sensors or a rear-view camera too. Importantly, the suspension gives everyone a comfortable ride yet the Alhambra feels pleasantly un-van-like on the move. While the Alhambra’s size and weight mean that it’s not massively fuel-efficient, running costs are reasonable. On sale new between 2010 and 2020, the Alhambra looks like a bargain now, and it costs less than the all-but-identical Volkswagen Sharan.

10. Volkswagen ID.Buzz

Is there a more desirable seven-seater than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz? If you can think of one, let us know. An irresistible blend of retro design features and modern tech, the ID. Buzz is a pure-electric MPV inspired by classic VW ‘Microbus’ models of the 1950s and 1960s. 

On the outside it’s full of character, especially if you go for one of the colourful two-tone paint schemes available. Inside there’s a roomy interior with all mod-cons and lots of space. While the standard ID.Buzz has five seats, the long-wheelbase model has seven. It costs an extra £510 when new, which is a no-brainer if you want the added practicality. You also have to pay almost £3,000 for that natty two-tone paint option, but… you would, wouldn’t you? Maximum battery range is 293 miles, which should be more than enough for a family trip to the seaside.