What are the best 7-seater cars?

The best seven-seater cars can be game-changers – giving you enough space – and seats – to transport family or friends without having to take two cars!  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…

How we chose these cars

Using our expertise, we’ve selected what we think are the best seven-seater cars you can buy. Our focus is on used cars although many of these are also available to buy new. We’ve aimed to include options to suit a variety of budgets and needs – some have space for seven adults to travel in comfort (and luxury), whereas others have third-row seats better suited to occasional use. In no particular order, then, here are our top ten seven-seater cars.

1. 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 and just as practical yet it’s not such great value as its predecessor.

2. Dacia Jogger

The Dacia Jogger is the most cost-friendly 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.

3. Volvo XC90

When it comes to describing the ultimate family car you could be talking about the Volvo XC90. It’s extremely comfortable, incredibly spacious and, as you’d expect of a Volvo, packed with the latest safety features. 

This big SUV has seven individual seats and each one provides orthopaedic levels of comfort. There’s ample headroom and legroom and you can fold away each of the second-row and third-row seats in a flash to create more load space. Four-wheel drive is standard, helping to make the XC90 a very reassuring car to drive. It’s certainly not a cheap car to buy or run, but there’s a plug-in hybrid version that has the potential to give low fuel costs and every version is very well-equipped.

4. Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail exists in the shadow of the hugely popular Qashqai but it’s worth shining some light on its talents 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. The X-Trail is quiet and comfortable to travel in and although space in the third row of seats (which were optional when new) is limited 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 incredibly 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.

7. 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 a bit 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 out. Most versions have reversing sensors or a rear-view camera too. Importantly, the suspension gives everyone a comfortable ride yet the Alhambra feels pleasantly responsive and 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.

8. Kia EV9

Kia might be better known for its small, cost-effective cars but it also makes some excellent larger, luxurious ones and the Kia EV9 is just that. Introduced in 2023, the EV9 is a (very) big seven-seat SUV that – as the name suggests – is available only with pure-electric power. 

It has a bold, futuristic look on the outside and the interior is just as stylish. It’s also crammed full of high-tech gadgets and has the kind of premium feel you’d expect of a car that costs upwards of £65,000 when new. There’s space for seven adults to sit in comfort and the lavish equipment list includes a wireless phone charger, artificial leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control and an electrically powered tailgate. This is a car ideally suited to family road trips, especially since its maximum battery range is a very impressive 349 miles, according to official figures.

9. Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has been around for a while, but it remains one of the best large seven-seat SUVs you can buy. One thing you expect from a big Audi is luxury and the Q7 gives you exactly that. Its interior is a real feast for the senses, with a sleek design, the latest tech and a feeling of real craftsmanship throughout. It’s also very spacious and the Q7 is one of only a small number of cars that have mountings for three (rather than two) Isofix child-seat mountings across the second row of seats. 

It’s good to drive, too, with ample power, a smooth ride and the reassurance of four-wheel drive as standard. Ownership costs aren’t cheap, but you get a lot of equipment and because of its longevity the earliest models now cost less than you might think.

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 do also have to pay almost £3,000 for that natty two-tone paint option, but… you would, wouldn’t you? Maximum battery range is 291 miles, according to official figures, which should be more than enough for a family trip to the seaside.