Best 7-seater Motability cars 2025
High-quality 7-seater cars on the Motability Scheme from rated and reviewed dealers
Best 7-seater Motability cars of 2025
The best seven-seater Motability cars offer an easy-to-drive nature, good drive comfort and affordable price through the Motability scheme; with a low up-front cost or modest monthly instalments.
The Motability scheme has been around for decades, helping people with reduced mobility to get a car that allows them to stay active for a lower, more accessible cost. Typical scheme beneficiaries are those who are wheelchair-bound or suffer from problems with their body movement.
If you’re a carer for somebody who has impaired mobility then you’re also eligible for a car via the Motability scheme, and there are literally thousands of cars you can choose from, so there will definitely be something that suits your lifestyle, or a car you like the look of.
A seven-seater car is a logical choice if you’re a wheelchair user, or looking after somebody who uses one, because they typically have enormous boots which makes it easy to stow a wheelchair away. A Peugeot 5008 or Hyundai Santa Fe are standout examples of seven-seaters with big boots.
They typically have large doors with wide openings too, which should make it easier to manoeuvre somebody who’s less mobile in.
Some of the cars on this list can be converted to fully wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), such as the Volkswagen Caddy and Citroen e-Berlingo, meaning you don’t need to fold your wheelchair away, and you have a ramp fitted to the back to help ingress and egress.
If a large SUV or van-based car is a hassle for your lifestyle, there are a few smaller seven-seater options available too, such as the excellent Citroen C3 Aircross and Dacia Jogger.
Carwow’s expert reviews team has comprehensively tested every car on sale in the UK and put together this list of the best seven-seater cars you can buy via the Motability scheme. If you don’t need seven seats, we’ve also got a list of the best Motability cars regardless of seat count, as well as the best Electric Motability cars.
1. Dacia Jogger
Dacia Jogger review
Best for: affordable practicality
The Dacia Jogger is one of our favourite seven-seater cars on sale, and not only is it available through the Motability scheme, but it’s the only car on this list available with no up-front payment whatsoever. It’s very practical and easy to drive, but the engine options are unrefined.
It doesn't look like anything else on the road either, with its slightly-odd but eye-catching MPV/SUV/estate car features. The silhouette looks a bit ungainly, but the headlights and tough-looking body cladding add a bit of flair, as do the Volvo-esque taillights.
The interior is about as unremarkable as they come, with a simple and fairly handsome but ultimately basic dashboard that doesn’t even have a standard-fit infotainment system in the most basic Jogger - the one that you can have with no deposit. Even without a screen you do get bluetooth and air conditioning as standard, albeit with fully manual controls.
That’s the sacrifice you have to make for such a well-sized car that costs less than £19,000 to buy outright, but what the Jogger lacks in plushness it more than makes up for in space. It’s supremely roomy, with miles of headroom and enough space across the second and third rows for five adults to get comfortable. Every passenger is well catered-for with storage, too.
Even with the back seats in place you get 160 litres of boot space - growing to 700 litres with them folded away, again increasing to a whopping 2,085 litres with the last seats removed entirely, too. It’s a bit of a hassle removing them though, as they’re heavy and cumbersome, so if you make frequent use of a large cargo area you’re better off looking at another offering.
The Dacia’s budget approach becomes apparent once you get behind the wheel, because you’re limited to either a 1.0-litre engine with a manual gearbox, or a 1.6-litre hybrid with an automatic.
Around town the light steering makes the Jogger easy to chuck around tight city streets, though you’ll want the automatic for ease. Neither model is particularly powerful but has enough power to get the job done, while it feels stable and grippy enough on a country road, too.
The Dacia Jogger is one of our favourite seven-seater cars on sale, and not only is it available through the Motability scheme, but it’s the only car on this list available with no up-front payment whatsoever. It’s very practical and easy to drive, but the engine options are unrefined.
It doesn't look like anything else on the road either, with its slightly-odd but eye-catching MPV/SUV/estate car features. The silhouette looks a bit ungainly, but the headlights and tough-looking body cladding add a bit of flair, as do the Volvo-esque taillights.
The interior is about as unremarkable as they come, with a simple and fairly handsome but ultimately basic dashboard that doesn’t even have a standard-fit infotainment system in the most basic Jogger - the one that you can have with no deposit. Even without a screen you do get bluetooth and air conditioning as standard, albeit with fully manual controls.
That’s the sacrifice you have to make for such a well-sized car that costs less than £19,000 to buy outright, but what the Jogger lacks in plushness it more than makes up for in space. It’s supremely roomy, with miles of headroom and enough space across the second and third rows for five adults to get comfortable. Every passenger is well catered-for with storage, too.
Even with the back seats in place you get 160 litres of boot space - growing to 700 litres with them folded away, again increasing to a whopping 2,085 litres with the last seats removed entirely, too. It’s a bit of a hassle removing them though, as they’re heavy and cumbersome, so if you make frequent use of a large cargo area you’re better off looking at another offering.
The Dacia’s budget approach becomes apparent once you get behind the wheel, because you’re limited to either a 1.0-litre engine with a manual gearbox, or a 1.6-litre hybrid with an automatic.
Around town the light steering makes the Jogger easy to chuck around tight city streets, though you’ll want the automatic for ease. Neither model is particularly powerful but has enough power to get the job done, while it feels stable and grippy enough on a country road, too.
2025
Family Values Award
Highly Commended
2. Peugeot 5008
Peugeot 5008 review
Best for: a comfortable drive
The 5008 is Peugeot’s biggest car, and by far its most comfortable, too. Not only is it a great car to waft about in, but it looks fantastic and has a usable pair of seats in the back - as well as an enormous boot.
Aside from the smaller 3008, there’s nothing else on the road that looks quite like the 5008; all angles, with a broad grille, headlights that look like slashes down the front end and a big, boxy silhouette. It’s certainly head-turning, and it looks more expensive than it is.
The interior is just as eye-catching, with a fabric-trimmed wrap-around dashboard that carries on to the door cards. There’s a row of control buttons down the length of the centre console, as well as a touchscreen shortcut bar on the lower dash and a widescreen display on top which doubles up as the driver’s display and infotainment.
The climate controls are a pain to use if you’re connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto though, because you need to exit to the car’s own software to change the temperature - which is a faff. Still, the cabin feels very high-quality, with only a few hard plastics low down on the doors.
There’s a decent amount of storage up front and plenty of space all round, with lots of legroom and headroom in the back and middle-row seats that slide forwards and backwards. You can even fit five adults across both rear rows in relative comfort, with 351 litres of space behind the third row.
With the last seats folded you’ve got an enormous 916 litres of boot capacity, one of the largest of any car on sale.
The 5008 self-charging hybrid and electric E-5008 will cost you the same up-front amount through Motability, while the PHEV 5008 will cost you a couple thousand pounds more. Every version of the 5008 is super comfortable to drive on any road, absorbing the worst that can be thrown at it, and they’re all automatic, too.
Country lanes are best taken at a steady pace, as the soft suspension makes the big Peugeot fall victim to body lean on twisty roads, which is a bit unsettling.
The 5008 is Peugeot’s biggest car, and by far its most comfortable, too. Not only is it a great car to waft about in, but it looks fantastic and has a usable pair of seats in the back - as well as an enormous boot.
Aside from the smaller 3008, there’s nothing else on the road that looks quite like the 5008; all angles, with a broad grille, headlights that look like slashes down the front end and a big, boxy silhouette. It’s certainly head-turning, and it looks more expensive than it is.
The interior is just as eye-catching, with a fabric-trimmed wrap-around dashboard that carries on to the door cards. There’s a row of control buttons down the length of the centre console, as well as a touchscreen shortcut bar on the lower dash and a widescreen display on top which doubles up as the driver’s display and infotainment.
The climate controls are a pain to use if you’re connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto though, because you need to exit to the car’s own software to change the temperature - which is a faff. Still, the cabin feels very high-quality, with only a few hard plastics low down on the doors.
There’s a decent amount of storage up front and plenty of space all round, with lots of legroom and headroom in the back and middle-row seats that slide forwards and backwards. You can even fit five adults across both rear rows in relative comfort, with 351 litres of space behind the third row.
With the last seats folded you’ve got an enormous 916 litres of boot capacity, one of the largest of any car on sale.
The 5008 self-charging hybrid and electric E-5008 will cost you the same up-front amount through Motability, while the PHEV 5008 will cost you a couple thousand pounds more. Every version of the 5008 is super comfortable to drive on any road, absorbing the worst that can be thrown at it, and they’re all automatic, too.
Country lanes are best taken at a steady pace, as the soft suspension makes the big Peugeot fall victim to body lean on twisty roads, which is a bit unsettling.
3. Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen C3 Aircross review
Best for: a compact seven-seater
The Citroen C3 Aircross is the seven-seater version of the dinky e-C3, one of our favourite small SUVs on sale. It’s also the smallest car on this list, and while it’s not the most spacious offering as a result, its affordable £995 deposit price and compact size make it a compelling buy.
As do the rufty-tufty looks, because while the Aircross is about the same length as a family hatchback, its jacked-up ride height, chunky body cladding and aggressive C-shaped lights give it a lot of road presence. While it’ll cost you more, the upper trim level gives you the choice of some funky two-tone paint schemes, too.
The interior is another design highlight, because while it’s minimal and almost utilitarian in places, Citroen has been clever with its use of fabric and trimmed the harder, scratchier plastics - massively improving the feel of the dashboard in particular. You get a standard-fit 10.3-inch infotainment screen, though it’s not all that crisp, and a funky little digital driver’s display set into the dash.
Space is where the C3 shines, because its tall proportions mean you get loads of headroom, and the adjustable seats mean that even tall drivers will find a comfortable driving position. The back is rather spacious too, though five-seater versions of the Aircross offer more legroom in the second row.
Adults will find the third row of seats a bit claustrophobic, so you’re better off reserving the third row for children - or folding the seats away and enjoying the 330-litre boot you get instead. Again, there’s more space in the five-seater version at 460 litres.
The C3 Aircross feels right at home in town where its high seating position, super-light steering and oh-so-comfortable suspension makes it a breeze to pilot around tight, broken city roads - whether in 100hp manual or 136hp hybrid automatic guise.
While it’s comfortable on the motorway, the Aircross never feels all that stable at high speeds and it can take a little while to reach the national speed limit. Country lanes are surprisingly fun in the tiny SUV, though there’s a lot of body lean around tight corners so you’re best off taking them at a moderate pace.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is the seven-seater version of the dinky e-C3, one of our favourite small SUVs on sale. It’s also the smallest car on this list, and while it’s not the most spacious offering as a result, its affordable £995 deposit price and compact size make it a compelling buy.
As do the rufty-tufty looks, because while the Aircross is about the same length as a family hatchback, its jacked-up ride height, chunky body cladding and aggressive C-shaped lights give it a lot of road presence. While it’ll cost you more, the upper trim level gives you the choice of some funky two-tone paint schemes, too.
The interior is another design highlight, because while it’s minimal and almost utilitarian in places, Citroen has been clever with its use of fabric and trimmed the harder, scratchier plastics - massively improving the feel of the dashboard in particular. You get a standard-fit 10.3-inch infotainment screen, though it’s not all that crisp, and a funky little digital driver’s display set into the dash.
Space is where the C3 shines, because its tall proportions mean you get loads of headroom, and the adjustable seats mean that even tall drivers will find a comfortable driving position. The back is rather spacious too, though five-seater versions of the Aircross offer more legroom in the second row.
Adults will find the third row of seats a bit claustrophobic, so you’re better off reserving the third row for children - or folding the seats away and enjoying the 330-litre boot you get instead. Again, there’s more space in the five-seater version at 460 litres.
The C3 Aircross feels right at home in town where its high seating position, super-light steering and oh-so-comfortable suspension makes it a breeze to pilot around tight, broken city roads - whether in 100hp manual or 136hp hybrid automatic guise.
While it’s comfortable on the motorway, the Aircross never feels all that stable at high speeds and it can take a little while to reach the national speed limit. Country lanes are surprisingly fun in the tiny SUV, though there’s a lot of body lean around tight corners so you’re best off taking them at a moderate pace.
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2025
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended
4. Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq review
Best for: clever storage solutions
Skoda’s mantra is ‘Simply Clever’, and that sums up the Kodaiq really rather well. It’s a fuss-free car to live with, as it’s super spacious, fairly comfortable, comes with an automatic gearbox as standard and an easy to use interior.
It looks quite good for what is a fairly boring family SUV, with Skoda’s bold grille, aggressive two-tier headlights, an imposing silhouette and a funky rear light bar. It’s not as interesting as the Peugeot 5008 or Hyundai Santa Fe, but it’s fairly handsome nonetheless.
The interior has the same understated style to it, with a dashboard that resembles a bow-tie that’s topped by a big 13.0-inch infotainment screen and a driver’s display behind the steering wheel. The physical climate controls are very easy to use, and there’s loads of storage all over the cabin.
Passengers are spoiled for space across the front two rows, though the third row isn’t nearly as spacious. It’s more than adequate for children though, and with the third row stowed away you get a whopping 845-litre boot.
Decent visibility means the Kodiaq avoids feeling too cumbersome around town, and there’s little in the way of intrusive noise on the motorway - unless you’ve got your foot down, where the engines thrum a bit too vocally.
It’s not as comfortable as the Peugeot 5008, but the Kodiaq is a bit more pleasant to drive on a country lane as a result; less body lean gives you more confidence to carry speed into a bend.
Skoda’s mantra is ‘Simply Clever’, and that sums up the Kodaiq really rather well. It’s a fuss-free car to live with, as it’s super spacious, fairly comfortable, comes with an automatic gearbox as standard and an easy to use interior.
It looks quite good for what is a fairly boring family SUV, with Skoda’s bold grille, aggressive two-tier headlights, an imposing silhouette and a funky rear light bar. It’s not as interesting as the Peugeot 5008 or Hyundai Santa Fe, but it’s fairly handsome nonetheless.
The interior has the same understated style to it, with a dashboard that resembles a bow-tie that’s topped by a big 13.0-inch infotainment screen and a driver’s display behind the steering wheel. The physical climate controls are very easy to use, and there’s loads of storage all over the cabin.
Passengers are spoiled for space across the front two rows, though the third row isn’t nearly as spacious. It’s more than adequate for children though, and with the third row stowed away you get a whopping 845-litre boot.
Decent visibility means the Kodiaq avoids feeling too cumbersome around town, and there’s little in the way of intrusive noise on the motorway - unless you’ve got your foot down, where the engines thrum a bit too vocally.
It’s not as comfortable as the Peugeot 5008, but the Kodiaq is a bit more pleasant to drive on a country lane as a result; less body lean gives you more confidence to carry speed into a bend.
5. Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail review
Best for: rugged hybridness
The Nissan X-Trail stands out on this list because it’s the most capable off roader here, combining its sleek looks and a comfortable drive with enough ruggedness to take you down the road less travelled.
A big grille, pointy headlights split across two levels and lots of sharp lines mean the X-Trail is easy on the eye as a whole, though the stepped design on the tailgate is a little odd. It’s not quite Hyundai Santa Fe cool, but this is a good looking SUV.
The interior is handsome too, with lots of swoopy trim details on the dashboard and plenty of plush materials within reach. The upholstered, padded dashboard is a welcome change from the soft-touch plastics of many European SUVs these days. The infotainment screen is easy to navigate and simple to use.
You won’t struggle to get comfortable in the X-Trail, with loads of space and highly adjustable seats up front while middle-row passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom on offer. The third row is quite tight though, best reserved for short trips.
You don’t feel the big Nissan’s heft around town, where its suspension absorbs broken roads well, while the great visibility and light steering make it easy to place. The engine is a bit noisy when accelerating but it settles down into a quiet cruise on the motorway, while it’s unremarkable on country roads.
The Nissan X-Trail stands out on this list because it’s the most capable off roader here, combining its sleek looks and a comfortable drive with enough ruggedness to take you down the road less travelled.
A big grille, pointy headlights split across two levels and lots of sharp lines mean the X-Trail is easy on the eye as a whole, though the stepped design on the tailgate is a little odd. It’s not quite Hyundai Santa Fe cool, but this is a good looking SUV.
The interior is handsome too, with lots of swoopy trim details on the dashboard and plenty of plush materials within reach. The upholstered, padded dashboard is a welcome change from the soft-touch plastics of many European SUVs these days. The infotainment screen is easy to navigate and simple to use.
You won’t struggle to get comfortable in the X-Trail, with loads of space and highly adjustable seats up front while middle-row passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom on offer. The third row is quite tight though, best reserved for short trips.
You don’t feel the big Nissan’s heft around town, where its suspension absorbs broken roads well, while the great visibility and light steering make it easy to place. The engine is a bit noisy when accelerating but it settles down into a quiet cruise on the motorway, while it’s unremarkable on country roads.
2025
Car of the Year Award
6. Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe review
Best for: all-round ability, at a price
The Hyundai Santa Fe is an outstanding car, so much so that it walked away with top honours in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards. It looks epic, drives well and offers an absurd amount of storage space - it’s just a shame you’ll pay almost £8,000 up front to get your hands on one.
You can see it coming from a mile off, as the Santa Fe has an unmistakable look thanks to its space-age styling, squared-off corners, pixel-themed lights and sheer size. It wouldn’t appear out of place in a Star Wars movie, dropping off a platoon of Storm Troopers.
The interior isn’t quite as outrageous, but you get a big, chunky dashboard that feels solid to the touch, while there’s a pair of widescreen displays perched on top for the infotainment screen and driver’s display. The Peugeot 5008 is far more fetching inside, but the Santa Fe’s controls are easier to use.
Practicality is the Santa Fe’s party piece, with loads of room across all three rows - you’ll carry seven adults on long-distance drives with no complaints - and a whopping 17 cupholders to go with the numerous storage cubbies. The boot is a capacious 628 litres with the third row folded away.
It’s fairly economical for a big SUV, in either self-charging hybrid or PHEV guise, and both engine options have enough pep to keep up with traffic around town. It’s not rapid, but there’s little wind noise for such a boxy car and plenty of grip on a twisty road, too.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is an outstanding car, so much so that it walked away with top honours in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards. It looks epic, drives well and offers an absurd amount of storage space - it’s just a shame you’ll pay almost £8,000 up front to get your hands on one.
You can see it coming from a mile off, as the Santa Fe has an unmistakable look thanks to its space-age styling, squared-off corners, pixel-themed lights and sheer size. It wouldn’t appear out of place in a Star Wars movie, dropping off a platoon of Storm Troopers.
The interior isn’t quite as outrageous, but you get a big, chunky dashboard that feels solid to the touch, while there’s a pair of widescreen displays perched on top for the infotainment screen and driver’s display. The Peugeot 5008 is far more fetching inside, but the Santa Fe’s controls are easier to use.
Practicality is the Santa Fe’s party piece, with loads of room across all three rows - you’ll carry seven adults on long-distance drives with no complaints - and a whopping 17 cupholders to go with the numerous storage cubbies. The boot is a capacious 628 litres with the third row folded away.
It’s fairly economical for a big SUV, in either self-charging hybrid or PHEV guise, and both engine options have enough pep to keep up with traffic around town. It’s not rapid, but there’s little wind noise for such a boxy car and plenty of grip on a twisty road, too.
7. Volkswagen Tayron
Volkswagen Tayron review
Best for: understated poshness
It may not have a high-end badge on its nose, and it may be based on the humble Tiguan, but the seven-seater Volkswagen Tayron manages to feel just a little bit posh thanks to its beefy looks and comfortable interior.
You get a fairly striking exterior, with a tall front end topped with small, aggressive headlights, a flat bonnet, tall roofline and chunky wheel arches. It’s no Santa Fe, but the Tayron does have a degree of beefiness about its looks.
The interior has a clear resemblance to the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the addition of a trim strip that kicks up at either end of the dashboard and some tweaks to the swanky ambient lighting elevate the cabin a touch. Both the standard 12.9-inch and optional 15.0-inch displays look crisp, but aren’t super responsive to the touch.
It’s the space inside where the Tayron impresses, as you can easily fit seven adults inside in relative comfort. Third-row occupants only have one cupholder that they’ll have to fight for, but with the last row folded there’s an enormous 850-litre boot.
All Tayrons are comfortable to drive around town, though R-Line versions on big, blingy wheels aren’t quite as adept at absorbing potholes as the lower-trim models with more rubber on their wheels. Long distance drives are easily done with very little intrusive noise on the motorway, while the Tayron feels largely stable and secure on a twisty road.
It may not have a high-end badge on its nose, and it may be based on the humble Tiguan, but the seven-seater Volkswagen Tayron manages to feel just a little bit posh thanks to its beefy looks and comfortable interior.
You get a fairly striking exterior, with a tall front end topped with small, aggressive headlights, a flat bonnet, tall roofline and chunky wheel arches. It’s no Santa Fe, but the Tayron does have a degree of beefiness about its looks.
The interior has a clear resemblance to the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the addition of a trim strip that kicks up at either end of the dashboard and some tweaks to the swanky ambient lighting elevate the cabin a touch. Both the standard 12.9-inch and optional 15.0-inch displays look crisp, but aren’t super responsive to the touch.
It’s the space inside where the Tayron impresses, as you can easily fit seven adults inside in relative comfort. Third-row occupants only have one cupholder that they’ll have to fight for, but with the last row folded there’s an enormous 850-litre boot.
All Tayrons are comfortable to drive around town, though R-Line versions on big, blingy wheels aren’t quite as adept at absorbing potholes as the lower-trim models with more rubber on their wheels. Long distance drives are easily done with very little intrusive noise on the motorway, while the Tayron feels largely stable and secure on a twisty road.
8. Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Touran review
Best for: interior space
The humble MPV is a dying breed, with most buyers jumping ship to a larger, arguably better-looking, SUV these days. But you don’t buy an MPV like the Volkswagen Touran for its looks, you buy it for the van-like practicality it offers - while driving like a humble hatchback.
While it’s not ugly, the Touran is certainly boring to look at. Its tall roofline, slab sides and bluff tailgate combine to give it a very generic, blocky shape. You don’t need to blink to miss it, you’ll forget all about the Touran while looking at it.
The interior is equally as unremarkable, being not one but two-generations behind in Volkswagen interior design terms. The small infotainment display set into the dashboard is decidedly old-hat compared to the latest displays, but on the flipside, physical shortcut buttons are an easy-to-use blessing.
The advantage of that silhouette is that the Touran has outrageous levels of headroom and a super-wide cabin. There’s plenty of legroom across every row of seats, and you’ll comfortably fit five adults in the back; 47 separate storage compartments means there’s enough room for a whole family’s worth of loose items.
Enormous windows and a high-set seating position means the Touran is very easy to drive around town, as does the comfortable suspension which also makes motorway journeys a breeze. The biggest advantage to the Touran’s body shape is that it’s much more fun on a country lane than an SUV.
The humble MPV is a dying breed, with most buyers jumping ship to a larger, arguably better-looking, SUV these days. But you don’t buy an MPV like the Volkswagen Touran for its looks, you buy it for the van-like practicality it offers - while driving like a humble hatchback.
While it’s not ugly, the Touran is certainly boring to look at. Its tall roofline, slab sides and bluff tailgate combine to give it a very generic, blocky shape. You don’t need to blink to miss it, you’ll forget all about the Touran while looking at it.
The interior is equally as unremarkable, being not one but two-generations behind in Volkswagen interior design terms. The small infotainment display set into the dashboard is decidedly old-hat compared to the latest displays, but on the flipside, physical shortcut buttons are an easy-to-use blessing.
The advantage of that silhouette is that the Touran has outrageous levels of headroom and a super-wide cabin. There’s plenty of legroom across every row of seats, and you’ll comfortably fit five adults in the back; 47 separate storage compartments means there’s enough room for a whole family’s worth of loose items.
Enormous windows and a high-set seating position means the Touran is very easy to drive around town, as does the comfortable suspension which also makes motorway journeys a breeze. The biggest advantage to the Touran’s body shape is that it’s much more fun on a country lane than an SUV.
Battery range up to 212 miles
Best for: a spacious EV
If an SUV is what people buy because style is high on their priority list, a van-based people carrier like the Citroen e-Berlingo is the top choice for a substance-conscious buyer. It’s big, spacious and cheap to run, but it’s totally unremarkable to drive.
To most people, the e-Berlingo looks just like a van…because that’s what it is, if you strip away the family-friendly interior. You get diamond-cut alloys, funky C-shaped headlights and intricate bumper details to differentiate it from Citroen’s commercial van offerings, but you can’t hide its boxy silhouette.
The interior, while hugely practical, can’t escape its van roots either. Hard plastics aplenty, a perched-up-high seating position and massive cupholders at either end of the dashboard leave you feeling as though you’re commuting to a construction site.
Still, there’s loads of room for seven adults and an official 186 litres of storage space dotted around the cabin, which is more than the boot capacity in some sports cars. On top of this, the Citroen’s boot is a plentiful 641 litres in five-seater guise. You get masses of headroom and legroom across all three rows, and having three individual seats in the middle means you’ll fit seven adults in with ease.
The electric powertrain means this van-based car doesn’t feel like a van on the move, but you only have a 212-mile claimed range (150 miles is more realistic) which won’t do you any good on a long road trip.
If an SUV is what people buy because style is high on their priority list, a van-based people carrier like the Citroen e-Berlingo is the top choice for a substance-conscious buyer. It’s big, spacious and cheap to run, but it’s totally unremarkable to drive.
To most people, the e-Berlingo looks just like a van…because that’s what it is, if you strip away the family-friendly interior. You get diamond-cut alloys, funky C-shaped headlights and intricate bumper details to differentiate it from Citroen’s commercial van offerings, but you can’t hide its boxy silhouette.
The interior, while hugely practical, can’t escape its van roots either. Hard plastics aplenty, a perched-up-high seating position and massive cupholders at either end of the dashboard leave you feeling as though you’re commuting to a construction site.
Still, there’s loads of room for seven adults and an official 186 litres of storage space dotted around the cabin, which is more than the boot capacity in some sports cars. On top of this, the Citroen’s boot is a plentiful 641 litres in five-seater guise. You get masses of headroom and legroom across all three rows, and having three individual seats in the middle means you’ll fit seven adults in with ease.
The electric powertrain means this van-based car doesn’t feel like a van on the move, but you only have a 212-mile claimed range (150 miles is more realistic) which won’t do you any good on a long road trip.
10. Volkswagen Caddy
Volkswagen Caddy review
Best for: simple practicality
The Volkswagen Caddy is the most iconic small people carrier, but the Caddy Van is actually based on a car, so this passenger version drives rather nicely. It’s also very spacious, but it’s not very interesting.
And it’s less stylish than the Citroen e-Berlingo, looking identical to the Caddy Van but with body-coloured bumpers and side windows as standard. The blacked-out tailgate at least adds a bit of intrigue to the upright rear end, but other than that the Caddy is just a van with more colour options.
Inside is identical to the Caddy Van too, and while the dashboard looks more car-like than in the e-Berlingo, it’s also full of hard, scratchy plastics. The interior may be hard-wearing, but it’s ultimately boring to be sat in.
You have lots of space, though, with the Caddy Maxi offering a comfortable cabin for all seven passengers thanks to seven individual seats which slide for more legroom - and a usable boot behind the third row.
Unlike most other cars on this list you can choose from a pair of diesel engines, but whichever you choose, the Caddy is noisy to drive around town. You’re best off opting for the petrol engine and a seven-speed automatic gearbox for smoothness.
The Volkswagen Caddy is the most iconic small people carrier, but the Caddy Van is actually based on a car, so this passenger version drives rather nicely. It’s also very spacious, but it’s not very interesting.
And it’s less stylish than the Citroen e-Berlingo, looking identical to the Caddy Van but with body-coloured bumpers and side windows as standard. The blacked-out tailgate at least adds a bit of intrigue to the upright rear end, but other than that the Caddy is just a van with more colour options.
Inside is identical to the Caddy Van too, and while the dashboard looks more car-like than in the e-Berlingo, it’s also full of hard, scratchy plastics. The interior may be hard-wearing, but it’s ultimately boring to be sat in.
You have lots of space, though, with the Caddy Maxi offering a comfortable cabin for all seven passengers thanks to seven individual seats which slide for more legroom - and a usable boot behind the third row.
Unlike most other cars on this list you can choose from a pair of diesel engines, but whichever you choose, the Caddy is noisy to drive around town. You’re best off opting for the petrol engine and a seven-speed automatic gearbox for smoothness.
Factors to consider
Factors to consider
If utmost practicality or a conversion to a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is important to you, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi or Citroen e-Berlingo should be at the top of your list. The Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Touran offer a tremendous amount of boot space and big doors for easy access, but you won’t be able to fit either with a ramp - though some Tourans have been fitted with wheelchair hoists.
The Peugeot also offers the most comfortable drive on this list, as well as the most stylish appearance, but if you want something posh on your driveway then the Hyundai Santa Fe is the car to go for, followed by the Volkswagen Touran.
For a budget-friendly car, the Dacia Jogger is the only seven-seater which you can have with no up-front payment, but that will be for the slightly underpowered, manual-only 1.0-litre model.
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