Best 7-seater cars to buy 2025
We pick the best seven-seater cars for family life across a wide range of price points
Seven-seater cars are as popular as ever with large families, and there’s a wider variety than ever to choose from with both SUVs and MPVs up for grabs. Our expert road testers have extensively tested every seven-seat car on today's market and here, we round up the top 10 best seven-seater cars to buy in the UK right now, based on this thorough real-world testing.
The kind of seven-seater car you choose will depend to an extent on how regularly you plan on using the third row of seating and who those seats will be for. If you regularly carry six or seven passengers who aren't small kids, you'll really need a seven-seater with a good amount of space in those back seats - something few models can genuinely offer.
If, however, you only occasionally carry more than five people or some of your passengers are small children, this outright capacity may be less of an issue and one of the more compact seven-seat models may work. Boot space is also a key consideration as the amount of room for luggage in some three-row cars is severely restricted when a full complement of passengers is on board.
Beyond the big space questions, family car buyers looking for a seven-seater will also have a keen eye on safety provision, running costs and those extra practical design features that make life with an army of children that little bit easier. We've considered all of the above in assembling our list of the top 10 seven-seaters on sale today. So, if you’re in the market for a car that can carry a couple of extra passengers, look no further.
Compare the best 7-seater cars to buy
Our expert road testers rate every new car in the context of rival models that can do a similar job and be bought for a similar price. Below you can see our top 10 7-seater cars drawn from across the car market with their prices and star ratings side-by-side…
| Rank | Name | Prices from | Overall Auto Express star rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Dacia Jogger | £18,970 | 4.5 |
| 2 | Skoda Kodiaq | £39,000 | 4.5 |
| 3 | Hyundai Santa Fe | £47,890 | 4.0 |
| 4 | Peugeot 5008 | £38,590 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Kia EV9 | £65,035 | 4.5 |
| 6 | Citroen Berlingo | £24,150 | 4.0 |
| 7 | Volkswagen ID.Buzz | £59,645 | 4.5 |
| 8 | Nissan X-Trail | £36,225 | 3.5 |
| 9 | Land Rover Defender | £65,755 | 4.5 |
| 10 | BMW X7 | £92,160 | 4.0 |
Top 10 best 7-seater cars in the UK
Now read the detailed assessments of each seven-seat car in the top 10 from our expert road testers...
1. Dacia Jogger
- Price from £18,970
- Best 7-seat car overall
The Dacia Jogger is nothing less than the most affordable seven-seater car on the market, and by a country mile too. At its lowest price point, you need to spend double to get the next cheapest model on this list. It's won a series of our in-depth twin tests for these reasons and more, including against the C3 Aircross, Ford Tourneo Connect and Toyota Proace City Verso.
The interior feels sturdy and up to anything you or your family can throw at it. It’s well equipped too, with an eight-inch touchscreen that’s easy to use, a rear-view camera and a leather steering wheel on some versions. Even with all seven seats in place, you’ll still have 220 litres of cargo space at your disposal, while the rearmost row’s spacious enough even for shorter adults, so it’s not a kids-only zone.
A pair of sensible engines, a 1.0-litre turbocharged triple and a 1.6-litre hybrid, mean running costs are low. Economy of nearly 50mpg in the turbo model and close to 60mpg from the hybrid, plus relatively low first-year tax and affordable insurance ratings all help the bottom line.
The performance won’t wow you, especially when the Jogger is fully loaded, but 0-62mph times in the 10-11 second range are far from insufficient. You’ll get a tad more wind and road noise than more sophisticated machines but the Jogger rides well (a long-ish wheelbase helps) and handles much like the Sandero supermini with which it shares a platform - so no major problems there.
“We particularly like the neoprene-style fabric inserts on the seats in the Extreme model that are more interesting to the touch than regular fabric. The surface is wipe-clean which should be useful for family life.” – Dean Gibson, senior road test editor, drove the Jogger in a seven-seater group test
Dacia Jogger reviewDacia Jogger deals
2. Skoda Kodiaq
- Price from £39,000
- Best 7-seat plug-in hybrid
With solid build quality, a comfortable ride and excellent practicality, the Skoda Kodiaq is among the very best SUVs, and it’s available as a seven-seater.
The Kodiaq makes full use of its size for maximum versatility inside. That all-important third row isn’t quite adult-friendly but kids will be happy enough (they get outer armrests and some storage cubbies, too), and if you flip the seats into the floor, they not only fold flat but also leave an enormous 845-litre boot. Certainly as a five-seater, it’s very accommodating, while the logically-arranged interior means the Kodiaq is easy to live with.
A 1.5-litre mild hybrid engine kicks off the range, but as Skoda is one of increasingly few brands to offer diesel in this class, a pair of TDI engines are part of the Kodiaq’s appeal. Available in 150 and 193 horsepower forms (the latter with four wheel drive) they return around 50mpg combined. The Kodiaq iV plug-in hybrid is even more frugal and with a 6 per cent BiK rate, is the obvious choice for company car users.
All Kodiaqs are an absolute doddle to drive. Not exciting, and the ride isn’t perfectly smooth, but few cars of this type are so easy to get on with, with predictable responses to every control.
“Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ philosophy is perfectly suited to a car such as the Kodiaq – family-friendly features make it a useful accessory to family life.” – Dean Gibson, senior road test editor, road tested the Kodiaq in the UK
Skoda Kodiaq reviewSkoda Kodiaq deals
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
- Price from £47,890
- Best car for boot space
Much like the mid-sized Tucson, the latest Hyundai Santa Fe has taken a huge leap in terms of design, from generic to distinctive. It narrowly lost out to the Skoda Kodiaq above in our head-to-head twin test.
Like the Kodiaq, the Santa Fe is fairly substantial, and the key upside of such a large car is the huge amount of cabin space on offer for both passengers and their luggage, enough to have the edge over the Skoda Kodiaq. If you don’t need to use all of the seats, the Santa Fe offers up to 1,949 litres of cargo capacity, but space is decent even for those in the third row, and access is easy, too.
There are hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains available. Opt for the plug-in hybrid variant and you’ll even be able to drive up to 38 miles on pure electric power, though this falls well short of the Skoda’s 75 miles. The regular hybrid Santa Fe versions are relatively parsimonious, with just over 41mpg for the two-wheel drive car, and a little under 39mpg with AWD.
Hyundai has prioritised ease of use and comfort in how the Santa Fe drives, though it’d be even easier without quite so many warning beeps and bongs. Thankfully, they’re pretty simple to turn off. Engines can get a little vocal under hard acceleration, but things calm down if you do.
“The Santa Fe’s boxy shape is very on trend right now, but more importantly, it provides a huge amount of cabin space for both passengers and luggage.” – Dean Gibson, senior road test editor, road tested the Santa Fe in the UK
Hyundai Santa Fe reviewHyundai Santa Fe deals
4. Peugeot 5008
- Price from £38,590
Whether you choose the hybrid-powered Peugeot 5008 or fully-electric Peugeot E-5008, this seven-seater SUV is a seriously stylish machine both inside and out. It beat the Kia Sorento in our twin test and was a firm favourite when we carried out a six-month long term test over 16,000 miles.
Provided that you can get along with Peugeot’s unusual i-Cockpit setup, the 5008’s cabin is a very pleasant and driver-focused place to sit. The twin screens look great and the tech is pretty easy to navigate (even if it is a little sluggish for our liking). It’s definitely an acquired taste though; not everyone will like the unique layout.
Space is pretty good in rows one and two, while the rearmost row will just about accommodate adults, and the 348-litre boot in seven-seat mode is generous.
Every version of Peugeot’s large SUV is pretty frugal, with even the mild-hybrid achieving over 50mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. The E-5008, meanwhile, has a class-leading claimed battery range of 415 miles, making it a real option for family use… if you can stomach the near-£49k price tag.
It’s no 205 GTI in the corners, but while the 5008 is not especially fun, Peugeot has wisely focused on comfort instead. It still keeps body movements in check but handles rough roads with composure (it’s better when loaded, too) and all versions have sufficient performance.
“The 5008’s starship looks are guaranteed to draw attention, but the interior design is the real star of the show. It features a 21-inch panoramic display that curves around the driver, while pools of ambient lighting illuminate the dashboard.” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter, road tested the 5008 in the UK
Peugeot 5008 reviewPeugeot 5008 deals
5. Kia EV9
- Price from £65,035
- Best car for in-car tech
The Kia EV9 heralds a new styling direction for the brand, one that has been followed up with the smaller EV3, but the big news about this big car is that it’s a proper seven-seater electric vehicle. It beat the Volvo XC90 in our head-to-head twin test.
It’s also a very well-equipped one: even the basic EV9 Air gets Kia’s Level 2 driving assistance, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, an electric boot lid, a triple-screen layout including a pair of 12.3-inch screens, plus a wireless smartphone charger and 19-inch alloys. Front and middle rows are spacious but as is often the case, the third row is kids-only.
The car’s enormous size may benefit interior room but it does hamper manoeuvrability, in that parking can be a bit of a chore despite all the tech to help you. You’ll be forever sticking out of tight supermarket spaces, and the turning circle is quite large, too. The EV9 is happier at higher speeds, being smooth, stable and refined.
Kia claims up to 349 miles of range from the EV9 on a single charge, courtesy of a rather substantial 99.8kWh battery, and either single motor for rear-wheel drive, or twin motors and all-wheel drive. The latter is pretty brisk, with 378bhp and 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds… but do you really need that in a seven-seater?
“We crowned the Kia EV9 our Large Company Car of the Year at the 2024 New Car Awards, so that should give you some idea of how highly we regard this electric seven-seat SUV.” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, road tested the EV9 in the UK
6. Citroen Berlingo
- Price from £24,150
- Best utility
The Citroen Berlingo might, in effect, be a van converted into an MPV, but the brand has been performing this trick for a while, and this seven-seater really appeals as a result.
The big advantage of being based on an actual van is that vans tend to be fairly pragmatic and practical, and most of this carries across to the passenger variant. Big windows mean visibility is tremendous, the middle row is wide enough for three separate seats (and is accessed through sliding doors), boot space is enormous as a five-seater (1,050 litres) and the third-row seats are a decent size too (and fully removable).
Diesel power is still on the table for that combination of easy refuelling and fill-and-forget range, but there’s a frugal 1.2-litre petrol, too. Opt for the fully-electric e-Berlingo and there’s really no better option that can offer pure-electric motoring and seven seats at the same price point, though a 168-mile maximum range is a bit behind the times.
It even drives okay. It’s not even that van-like, mainly because it’s based on a similar platform to some of Citroen’s regular cars. Ride and handling are good, and grip and brakes are both reassuring. Opt for the e-Berlingo, and the silence and smoothness add to the appeal.
“The Berlingo doesn’t have kerb appeal of a typical family SUV, but those with more sense than money should have it on their next family car shortlist.” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter, road tested the Berlingo in the UK
Citroen Berlingo reviewCitroen Berlingo deals
7. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Price from £59,645
- Best car for style
It took Volkswagen a very, very long time, but in 2022 the brand finally launched its spiritual successor to the classic microbus, the ID. Buzz.
Then, in 2024, it got the seven-seat variant the Buzz had surely been crying out for since the start, making this a proper bells ‘n’ whistles electric multi-purpose vehicle, and easily the most stylish one on the market – arguably one of the most stylish (or at least most fashionable) modern cars full stop. It gets seven proper seats, with room for all, and they slide and fold for extra utility.
Seven-seat ‘LWB’ models aren’t quite as efficient as their shorter counterparts, and the Buzz was already borderline for true road-tripping since all models fall short of 300 miles on a charge – you’ll go a lot further for longer in a less stylish Volkswagen Multivan. Officially, 239 miles is the maximum.
All get a decent whack of power so straight-line performance isn’t an issue; 0-62mph takes a snip under eight seconds, plenty for a big brick like this. And it’s fun too, if not for sports car handling more the joy of staring out of its glassy, colourfully-trimmed cabin. The high price hampers its appeal though, at nearly £60,000 for the seven-seat ID. Buzz Life.
“If you can stomach the high asking price, then the ID.Buzz is a characterful family car that will have buyers thinking twice about choosing an SUV to fit the same brief.” – Dean Gibson, senior road test editor, road tested the ID.Buzz in the UK.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz reviewVolkswagen ID. Buzz deals
8. Nissan X-Trail
- Price from £36,225
- Best car for logical controls
The latest Nissan X-Trail is the best yet, delivering more passenger space and better cabin quality than its predecessor.
The entry-level mild-hybrid and range-topping all-wheel-drive e-4orce versions of the X-Trail come with five seats as standard, but are available with seven seats at an extra cost. Even so, only kids will really feel comfortable in the back row, because of the limited knee and headroom. The 585-litre boot is pretty decent however, and the X-Trail’s dashboard layout feels blissfully simple compared to some rivals.
Nissan’s e-Power hybrid setup brings EV-like smoothness and performance without the range anxiety, although at just shy of 50mpg, it’s not as efficient as some of the other hybrids on this list. The 1.5-litre arrangement provides 201bhp, so 0-62mph takes a brisk eight seconds in front-drive form; an ‘e-4ORCE’ all-wheel drive is also available.
It’s comfortable out on the road, with the suspension only really troubled by the worst of the UK’s pockmarked routes. It doesn’t protest on B-roads either, leaning a little in corners but otherwise feeling composed, and on the motorway it does a good job of keeping out engine, road and wind noise, making it an accomplished cruiser.
“Family car buyers will be pleased to know there have been some big improvements to the Nissan X-Trail SUV, delivering more passenger space, better cabin quality and a more extensive list of standard safety features.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter, road tested the X-Trail in the UK
Nissan X-Trail reviewNissan X-Trail deals
9. Land Rover Defender
- Price from £65,755
- Best car for all-terrain use
In the blink of an eye, the Land Rover Defender has gone from a utilitarian workhorse to one of the best premium SUVs on the market.
The Defender is available in three forms: the three-door 90, the 110 model that offers seating for up to seven people, and the even larger 130 which offers space for up to eight occupants. In Defender 110s fitted with seven seats, the middle row provides ample space and can slide forward to make the third row passable for taller children, if not adults. There are cup-holders, power outlets and air vents for all, while the 231-litre boot with three rows in place expands to a van-rivalling 2,233 litres if you fold down the rear seats.
Its charming boxy style will win over many buyers’ hearts, but so will the way it drives. Four- and six-cylinder diesels offer passable economy in the low to mid 30mpg range, while the plug-in hybrid P300e gets you 27 miles of EV range.
It’s pretty imperious on the road. Big, too. Really big in fact, enough that you’ll struggle with some width restrictors, and may have to rule out car parks with height restrictions. But in its element (the bigger the road the better, or ideally, no road at all) it’s satisfying, relaxed, and capable.
“The Defender had big shoes to fill in replacing a genuine automotive legend, but quickly silenced the doubters and proved itself worthy of the famous name.” – Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter, drove the Defender in the UK
Land Rover Defender reviewLand Rover Defender deals
10. BMW X7
- Price from £92,160
- Best driving experience
There’s a common belief that family cars are pretty boring to drive, but the BMW X7 smashes this theory to pieces and still ticks the practicality box, too.
At more than 5.1 metres long, space isn’t really an issue, and while the rearmost seats aren’t going to trouble proper MPVs for room, they’re better than several others here for space. And luxury, aided by plenty of glass, so those in the middle and rear rows won’t feel hemmed in as they do in some seven-seaters. BMW’s current cabins are beautifully built, too.
With no EV model the X7 immediately rules itself out as a company car through huge tax bills (you’ll want the smaller, five-seat BMW iX for that) but private buyers will appreciate 36.2mpg economy from the xDrive40d with its six-cylinder diesel.
Four-wheel steering helps offset the car’s size so it’s not as intimidating as you might expect, even in town – at least for the driver. Air springs help the ride quality but it won’t challenge a Range Rover for plushness, as BMW hasn’t quite managed to hide the thumping effect of its enormous alloy wheels. As two-tonne SUVs go, it handles decently, and even the ‘entry level’ 40i petrol launches you to 62mph in under six seconds. The 523bhp M60i is overkill, as is its £117k price.
“The BMW X7’s blend of quality, luxury, high-tech equipment and superb refinement make it a compelling option – if you can get your head around its looks.” – Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer, drove the X7 in the UK.
How we choose the best seven-seat cars
Our evaluation of the seven-seat car market is built on our in-depth single car testing and our head-to-head group tests, where our expert test team examines the strengths and weaknesses of two or more cars head-to-head. The twin-test format is particularly useful for seven-seat family vehicles where the rear of the passenger compartment is just as important as the front and how the car drives.
We pay particular attention to interior space, looking at leg and headroom in all three rows. Access is also crucial, whether for loading cargo into the rear or climbing through into the third row chairs.
Then come the other features that make family life less of a chore. How robust and easy to clean are the fixtures and fittings? Is there enough storage space and device charging capacity? How easily can you fit kids’ car seats? Does the seating fold, slide and recline in a way that helps owners make the most of the space available?
There’s a lot to think about but our testers leave no cup holder unfilled or seat back unfolded in their quest to determine which seven-seater really is the best for families to live with.
How you can choose the best seven-seat cars
There’s a lot to think about when buying a seven-seater and these are some of the key things you should have in mind when making your shortlist and taking some test drives.
What do you need to fit in it?
If you’re looking for a seven-seat car, it’s likely that a conventional five seat vehicle isn’t enough for your family’s needs, either some or all of the time. It could be that you rarely need to carry more than five passengers but want a very large boot area. It could be that the occupants of the third row seats will be mainly small children or maybe you need to fit adults back there. You may even need to carry six or seven passengers while retaining enough space for luggage.
The answers to these questions will determine which seven-seat cars could work for you and which simply will not. Many cars in this class are left with very small boot areas when all seven seats are being used. Sometimes the space is quite large in terms of litres but is actually very tall and shallow without much floor area - forcing you to stack your cargo.
If you want to seat adults in the rear, don’t just check the legroom and headroom, think about access as some cars make it more difficult than others to clamber back there. You want a nice easy mechanism for sliding or folding the seats into their different positions but they also should feel sturdy and built to last.
How easy is it to drive and park?
Seven-seat cars by nature are big vehicles and they can be a challenge to drive. If you’re less than confident, look for models that have good visibility with clear reference points at the front to help you judge distances, plenty of glass area to see out of and good mirrors. Parking cameras and sensors also inspire confidence, while driver aids like self-parking and rear cross traffic alerts will also be very useful for manoeuvring.
On your test drive, make a point of doing a reverse park or a three-point turn to get a feel for the manoeuvrability and turning circle of the car.
Will it be cheap to run?
Big, heavy seven-seat vehicles can be expensive to run so have an eye on the potential fuel costs. EVs are a great option for cutting running costs generally but if you plan on doing a lot of long journeys with a full load, you may find yourself having to stop and charge more regularly than you’d like.
Hybrids can be a good compromise but just as with electric cars, be aware that carrying lots of extra weight will make the official fuel economy figures difficult to replicate in the real world. This is especially true of plug-in hybrids, which can become quite inefficient when you’ve used all the charge in the battery. A lot will depend on the kind of driving you do.
Will the kids like it?
The most important people in all of this are the kids. If you’re buying a seven seater as a family car, keeping the youngsters content is the car’s primary mission. Features like tray tables in the seat backs, rear cup holders and charging sockets will be appreciated and many cars now have specially designed holders for phones and tablets in the rear.
Also consider what the view out is like. Kids want to see out of the windows so those with smaller children may not want cars with high window lines and narrow glass areas that produce a gloomy environment in the back. Panoramic sunroofs are good options for giving the cabin a lighter feel but can be expensive and limit headroom.
From a parent’s point of view, think about how easy the materials will be to clean and if they are likely to show marks and damage.
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