The best seven-seater cars for every budget

Got a big family, or need the flexibility of some extra seats? Our list of the best seven-seaters covers a variety of body styles – and there’s something for you no matter how much or how little you want to spend

Five seats may be plenty for most situations – but there’s no denying how useful it can be to have an additional two chairs ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice. Even if you can’t fill the extra seats with your immediate family on the day-to-day, seven seater cars give you the flexibility to bring friends or grandparents, or to squeeze in multiple adults for a proper day out if needed.

And seven-seater cars often have huge boots when the rear seats are folded away, giving them extra flexibility as do-anything load-luggers. In the past most seven-seater cars were boxy MPVs, but nowadays you’ll find the majority are SUV-shaped.

Our expert reviews team has put together the following set of seven-seater cars to help you find the perfect one for you – no matter your budget.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Up to £30,000

Our recommendation: Dacia Jogger – £18,970

That’s right – for the price some car manufacturers will charge you for a small hatchback, Dacia will sell you the Jogger with seven adult-sized seats. The Jogger is an odd mixture – the front end looks like the Sandero hatchback, the body is shaped like an estate car but it’s jacked up and gets wheelarch cladding like an SUV.

Whatever you classify it as, the Jogger is fantastically spacious for the price, and it’s even good to drive. The 1.0-litre petrol is willing, even fully laden, but the hybrid model is more relaxed and economical – and still not exactly pricey.

Seven-seat alternatives at this price are very few and far between. One option is the Citroen C3 Aircross (or mechanically identical Vauxhall Frontera) – this can seat seven at a squeeze, though there’s absolutely zero boot behind the third row. Or you could take your £30,000 budget to the used market and secure a two-year-old Volkswagen Touran.

Alternatives: Citroen C3 Aircross, used Volkswagen Touran

£30,000 – £40,000

Our recommendation: Peugeot 5008

The base-spec ‘Allure’ version of the 5008 only just sneaks under our £40,000 budget here – but it’s all you need. This posh-looking seven-seater has a gorgeous interior with an avant-garde design, loads of standard equipment and an efficient – if not exactly powerful – hybrid engine.

It’s also superbly comfortable, making it a fantastic car to do long voyages in. However, if you’re planning a family holiday, you won’t fit too much in the way of luggage behind the third row of seats.

If you’d rather have a seven-seater with more of an SUV flavour, the Skoda Kodiaq is a fabulously solid option. Or, the Nissan X-Trail is available with seven seats and a smooth hybrid engine option.

Alternatives: Skoda Kodiaq, Nissan X-Trail

£40,000 – £60,000

Our recommendation: Volkswagen Multivan

Proper MPVs may have fallen out of favour but the Volkswagen Multivan shows just how short-sighted that is. Though it’s square and boxy like a van (the clue is in the name) the Multivan is actually based on the same mechanical underpinnings as the Golf hatchback, so it’s super-comfy to drive, much more refined than any commercial vehicle and can even be had as a plug-in hybrid.

But unlike a Golf, the Multivan has comfortable seating for seven in individually slidable and reclinable chairs. If you go for the Long model, there’s even space for everyone’s luggage – and you can choose from Spartan but comfortable Life trim or the fully-laden Style with a huge panoramic sunroof.

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a cracking alternative if you want an SUV – it’s our Car of the Year – it’s only the Multivan’s superior seating for third-row occupants that makes it a better buy here. You could also consider the classy Mazda CX-80, especially if you want a diesel engine.

Alternatives: Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-80

£60,000 – £80,000

Our recommendation: Kia EV9

Over £60,000 for a Kia? It seems like a lot, but the EV9 is worth it – it’s an amazing seven-seater and an even better electric car. Even the basic ‘Air’ model feels expensive, and it has the best range of the bunch with nearly 350 miles to a charge.

The EV9 is comfortable over bumps and despite its vast size isn’t at all difficult to drive. It’s also great for long journeys, thanks to super-fast charging that’ll give you an 80% top-up in less than half an hour.

If you fancy an electric seven-seater and want to stand out even more, consider the long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID Buzz, which has loads of room and practical sliding doors. Or, for a more traditional option, there’s the fantastic Audi Q7, which is great to drive and has an impressive six ISOFIX mounting points for child seats.

Alternatives: Volkswagen ID Buzz, Audi Q7

£80,000-plus

Our recommendation: BMW X7

BMW’s biggest SUV is also one of its best – the X7 is based on the same underpinnings as the fantastic X5 but includes a third row big enough for even fairly lanky adults to sit in comfort.

You can’t get the X5’s fantastic plug-in hybrid engine, more’s the pity, but the six-cylinder petrol and diesel options are powerful, smooth and surprisingly efficient. And the X7 is fantastic to drive – it’s comfortable over bumps but hides its weight in the corners. It’s definitely the most fun seven-seater to drive.

For a different kind of luxury seven-seater, consider the Range Rover – it’s the ultimate in class, and unbelievably comfortable. Or, you could opt for the Land Rover Defender 130 – which can not only seat eight but will carry them across just about any terrain you point it at.

Alternatives: Range Rover, Land Rover Defender 130

Car change? Carwow!

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