The Best Seven-Seat Cars You Can Buy This New Year
A few years back, shoppers looking for seven seats had a strange mix of choices. You could go for an old-school estate, a tough off-roader or even something that started life as a delivery van. But the real heroes of that era were MPVs. They had sliding doors, clever cubbies and the sort of airy practicality families loved. Then fashion got involved. And once influential voices started calling MPVs boring, the market drifted toward SUVs with chunky styling and a more lifestyle-focused image.
That shift means models like the Ford Galaxy and Renault Espace have almost vanished, replaced by tall crossovers leaning more toward desirability than pure function. But the seven-seat world isn’t all the same. There are still van-based machines happy to prioritise space over swagger, plus one or two budget outliers that sneak in with genuine charm. Some of today’s options offer a tiny third row for occasional use, while others can seat a full set of adults without grumbles. Even if the choice is slimmer than it once was, the current crop covers plenty of ground. Below is a full rundown of the ten best seven-seat options on sale right now.
Hilton Car Supermarket Reviews of Seven Seaters
1. Dacia Jogger
Best for: Value
Design 8 | Interior 7 | Performance 7 | Ride & Handling 8 | Costs 10
Pros
• Incredible value
• Frugal mild hybrid
• Charming design
Cons
• Tight third row
• Lazy engines
• Driving position isn’t perfect
It says something about the state of the market that the freshest and most surprising seven-seat arrival comes from Dacia. The Jogger looks like someone blended an estate with an MPV and added a pinch of SUV attitude, yet it keeps the price lower than some small hatchbacks. Measuring a little over 4.5m, it’s shorter than the old-school people carriers it sort of replaces, but somehow still manages to offer seating for seven without feeling cramped. According to our Hilton car supermarket bletchley reviews, it is “a fully equipped people mover that costs less than a mainstream supermini.”
It’s not pretending to be a luxury machine. The cabin is simple, but it hides more cubbies than you expect at first glance. Pull the back seats out and the Jogger reveals more than 2000 litres of space, enough to swallow half a house move. The roof bars flip into a built-in roof rack, which is another one of those clever Dacia touches.
On the road, things are more relaxed than exciting. Its 1.0-litre turbo engine feels willing enough even if it runs out of puff on hills. The steering is light and accurate, the ride pleasantly soft, and the whole car shuffles along with a slightly laid-back character that suits it. If you push hard, it leans quite a bit, but grip is strong and there’s an honesty in how it behaves. For anyone shopping on a budget or simply wanting a practical family hauler without the bells and whistles, the Jogger deserves more attention than its badge might suggest.
2. Kia EV9
Best for: Electric motoring
Design 8 | Interior 9 | Performance 9 | Ride & Handling 7 | Costs 9
Pros
• Bold looks
• Versatile cabin
• Long range
Cons
• Feels huge on the road
• Cabin materials could be better
• EV format won’t suit everyone
Electric seven-seat SUVs are still rare, and the Kia EV9 is one of the first to make a serious go of it. And it’s impossible to miss. Roughly Range Rover Sport in size, the EV9 has a boxy confidence that practically demands attention in a car park. In our Hilton car supermarket Milton Keynes reviews, we found that it is “all about style and impact, but also surprisingly rational for a big electric car.”
Inside, Kia has been clever with space. You can pick a standard seven-seat layout or opt for six seats with two second-row “captain’s chairs” that swivel. The third row is big enough for small adults and roomy enough for kids who need booster seats. Four separate rear seats even get Isofix points, which is rare. The electrically folding seats mean reconfiguring the space is easy, even if the boot with all chairs up isn’t enormous. Fold to five seats and you suddenly get a huge cargo area.
The big 99.8kWh battery gives strong range numbers, topping 340 miles in the rear-drive version. Real-world results land lower in cold weather, but the EV9 still shows efficiency that feels respectable given its sheer size. Fast charging helps keep long trips doable. It may not be cheap or subtle, yet for families wanting a proper electric people mover, it’s one of the most complete packages available.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
Best for: Interior ambience
Design 9 | Interior 10 | Performance 6 | Ride & Handling 7 | Costs 7
Pros
• High-quality cabin
• Loads of space
• Packed with tech
Cons
• PHEV battery range is short
• Size may intimidate some drivers
Hyundai’s Santa Fe has long been a favourite in this segment, and the latest version doubles down on its strengths. The designers used a squared-off look that’s far more distinctive than its predecessor and gave the interior a style leap that moves it into territory you’d usually associate with pricier brands. A Hilton car supermarket reviewer noted only two tiny cabin grumbles: a slight creak from one window seal and no place to store the boot cover when the third row is up.
Power comes from either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with the PHEV offering a modest 33-mile electric range. Not a standout figure, but the overall package makes up for it. Space is excellent both for passengers and luggage. Drop the back row in the hybrid and you get close to a thousand litres of boot room. Materials feel plush, the tech is modern and easy to use, and the whole car is set up to make family life easier. For anyone wanting something premium-leaning without premium-brand pricing, the Santa Fe hits a sweet spot.
4. Volkswagen Multivan
Best for: Versatility
Design 8 | Interior 8 | Performance 7 | Ride & Handling 8 | Costs 7
Pros
• Immensely flexible interior
• Fantastic space
• Great long-distance manners
Cons
• PHEV range could be stronger
• Higher prices
• Infotainment still fiddly
The Multivan stands as one of the few remaining true MPVs, and it almost leans into its boxiness with pride. If your priority is space, no SUV really touches it. It’s built on the same MQB platform as many VW cars, not a commercial van, so it drives better than its van-like profile suggests. Our Hilton car supermarket reviews tell that it is “a relaxed, easygoing cruiser with a hugely practical interior.”
Its sliding doors make everyday life simpler, especially in cramped car parks. Inside, the seats slide, rotate, recline and can be removed entirely. The whole cabin works like modular furniture, so you can shape it to whatever your weekend demands. Engines include petrol, diesel and a PHEV. The diesel remains the most balanced for efficiency and refinement.
It might not be fashionable, but if you want real space, proper comfort and the ability to carry seven without compromise, the Multivan is hard to argue against.
5. Land Rover Defender 110
Best for: Desirability
Design 8 | Interior 9 | Performance 8 | Ride & Handling 8 | Costs 7
Pros
• Rugged charm
• Serious off-road talent
• Engaging handling
Cons
• Very pricey
• Reliability worries
• Enormous footprint
Land Rover’s reborn Defender looks every bit the rugged icon. In 110 form, it can be had with five, six or seven seats. There’s also a longer 130 version with eight seats, although testers say the extra size makes it awkward without offering a huge interior gain. Our editor summed up its appeal as “Huge, tall, heavy, but a brilliant motorway car with exceptional stability.”
Inside, the Defender blends durable textures with surprisingly premium touches. The third row is smaller than the Discovery’s but still fine for kids and teens. The issue is price. Even entry-level versions start past £60k. The payoff is huge capability, modern powertrains, refined road manners and a sense of adventure built into every part of the design. It’s the most emotional pick on this list and one of the most capable vehicles money can buy.
6. Land Rover Discovery
Best for: Third-row space
Design 8 | Interior 8 | Performance 8 | Ride & Handling 8 | Costs 7
Pros
• True luxury feel
• Seven seats standard
• Best third-row space here
Cons
• Expensive
• Rivals more efficient
• Not all trims get powered folding seats
The Discovery remains one of the benchmark full-size seven-seat SUVs. It’s been around a while in its current generation but still feels deeply polished. Our reviewer called it “a proper Land Rover: modernised, refined and as likeable as ever.”
Inside, everyone gets good head and leg room, and the third row is the most adult-friendly of the entire list. Boot space with seven seats is modest, but with five in use you get over 1100 litres, which is vast. Its mild-hybrid diesel delivers strong performance and good refinement. The missing piece is a plug-in hybrid, which would help company-car users. Even so, the Discovery’s blend of comfort, off-road supremacy and family usability is hard to top.
7. Skoda Kodiaq
Best for: Value hunters
Design 7 | Interior 8 | Performance 8 | Ride & Handling 7 | Costs 8
Pros
• Efficient packaging
• Good value
• Flexible diesel engine
Cons
• Firm ride
• Cabin slightly plain
• Some cost-cutting visible
Skoda entered the seven-seat game with the original Kodiaq in 2016, and the second-generation model refines the formula. It delivers space, sensible pricing and a wide spread of powertrains. A road tester noted that the cabin isn’t quite as plush as it once felt, but the car remains well equipped and very competitive.
Seven seats are standard on most versions, though the cabin width limits the ability to install three child seats in the second row. Engines include a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel. There’s also a PHEV with an impressive 70-mile EV range, but that variant only comes with five seats. Ride quality can feel firm on certain trims, although overall road manners are tidy. The hot vRS version adds a dash of surprise speed, making the Kodiaq a flexible option for shoppers wanting value without giving up too much polish.
8. Volkswagen Tayron
Best for: Powertrain choice
Design 8 | Interior 7 | Performance 7 | Ride & Handling 8 | Costs 7
Pros
• Huge engine range
• PHEV has great EV range
• Spacious and simple to drive
Cons
• Tight third row
• A bit plain to drive
• PHEV is five-seat only
Replacing the Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron is essentially a stretched Tiguan with seven seats. It’s one of the more sorted SUVs in this segment to drive, especially with adaptive dampers. But the third row is best left to kids.
Engine choices cover almost everything: petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The PHEV can manage up to 70 miles of electric-only travel, which is excellent, but you can’t pair it with seven seats. Handling is tidy, refinement good and the interior easy enough to live with, though not especially exciting. Overall, a competent all-rounder with standout flexibility in the engine department.
9. Volvo XC90
Best for: Daily driving
Design 7 | Interior 8 | Performance 6 | Ride & Handling 7 | Costs 8
Pros
• Calming ride
• Genuinely practical
• Easy, serene cabin
Cons
• Rivals go farther on electric
• High trims pricey
• Base petrol can sound strained
The XC90 has been around nearly a decade, yet its mix of comfort, practicality and understated luxury continues to age gracefully. A recent refresh sharpened things enough to keep it competitive. One reviewer at Hilton vehicle supermarket praised its suspension: “Feels like a large car, not a heavy 4x4, smoothing bumps without too much float.”
Seven adults fit comfortably, and the cabin offers the usual Volvo blend of tasteful design and intuitive controls. Engines start with a mild-hybrid petrol that’s workable but can feel vocal when pushed. The plug-in hybrid is stronger with over 440bhp yet offers only 44 miles of electric range, making it less tax-friendly than some rivals. Still, the XC90 remains a calm, composed family SUV that rewards everyday driving rather than weekend thrills.
10. Citroën Berlingo
Best for: Simplicity
Design 8 | Interior 8 | Performance 6 | Ride & Handling 7 | Costs 8
Pros
• Huge interior
• Strong value
• Relaxed driving feel
Cons
• Electric range is short
• Not premium inside
• Handling neat but uninvolving
The Berlingo helped popularise the van-with-windows approach decades ago, and the latest model still channels that easy French rationality. The seven-seat XL version adds a longer body and a very usable third row. Fold everything flat and it can swallow an astonishing 3500 litres. It even offers three Isofix points across the second row, which parents will appreciate.
You can choose a 1.5-litre diesel or an electric version. The EV’s limited range makes it less suited for long trips, so most buyers will prefer the punchier diesel with either a manual or smooth automatic gearbox. The Citroen Berlingo isn’t glamorous, but it’s practical, thoughtfully laid out and consistently comfortable on the move. It leaves you more relaxed at the end of a journey than when you started.
Final word
Seven-seat cars might not be as common as they once were, but the current offerings showcase a wide spread of talents. Whether you want an old-school space champion like the Multivan, a budget hero like the Jogger, a luxury cruiser like the Discovery or a forward-looking EV such as the Kia EV9, there’s still plenty to choose from. The body shapes have changed, the styling has toughened up and the market has become more niche, but the core promise remains: room for the whole crew, plus all the real-world usability that makes family life run smoother.
If you are planning to buy a seven-seat car and want a place that actually stocks a wide mix of them, it is worth having a look at Hilton Car Supermarket. Our website makes it easy to browse everything in one go, check specs, compare prices and even reserve a car online if something catches your eye. You can look through petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric models without hopping from dealer to dealer, which saves a bit of energy at this busy time of year.
If you prefer seeing cars in person, our branch in Milton Keynes usually have a solid spread of family vehicles on the forecourt. You can pop in, ask a few questions and take your time before making any decisions. So if this article has you thinking about moving into something roomier, Hilton Car Supermarket is a simple place to start your search.
Source and Images: AutoCar UK