Win your car finance on us! The best 7 seater cars
Whether you need room for a growing family or enough boot space for your shopping and suitcases, choosing the right 7 seater car could make all the difference. Check out our guide to the best 7 seater cars
Why choose cars with 7 seats?
If you’ve got a growing family or need enough space to carry your suitcases, weekly shop, and gym gear at the same time, you’re probably in the market for a 7 seater car.
Unfortunately, cars with 7 seats haven’t always had the best reputation. Ever since the Renault Espace was launched in 1984, people carriers have been practical, spacious, and reliable but that’s often meant making compromises on design, fuel economy, and boot space.
Today, cars for sale with 7 seats have learned from these mistakes and now offer style, performance, and flexibility. Typically, they’ll have at least three rows of seats available, but you can easily switch them out to create more boot space. The most family-friendly models also have up to five ISOFIX points so you can fit multiple child seats at once.
In recent years, classic multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) like the Espace and the Ford Galaxy have been replaced by SUVs, which boast more distinctive designs and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for something that’s a little more hardwearing with low running costs, then van-based models are available too.
What to look for in a 7 seater?
So, you’ve decided a 7 seater is the right car for you – but which one should you choose?
Comfort
Look out for cars that provide a comfortable driving experience for all passengers, even those sitting in the back row. A good suspension that can cope with potholes and rough road surfaces can also help make sure everyone enjoys a smooth ride.
Flexibility
Life can change quickly – and you need a car that can keep up! Choose people carriers that can be easily transformed to make space for more passengers, children, or luggage depending on what you need.
Safety and reliability
A good family car is one that scores highly in safety tests, comes equipped with a host of driver assist features, and won’t let you down on the school run.
Good fuel economy
Large vehicles are always going to need more fuel than superminis but that doesn’t mean they have to be gas guzzlers. Choose a model that’ll give you a decent number of miles per gallon or consider switching to an electric or hybrid car.
Quality build
Nothing beats a truly solid build and well-appointed interior. You shouldn’t have to put up with shoddy engineering or an ugly cabin just because you need more space.
ISOFIX mountings
With cars for sale 7 seats are usually needed to make space for the kids, so it’s important that your vehicle comes with plenty of ISOFIX points.
What to avoid when buying a seven seater
Whether you’re in the market for a classic MPV or a more modern SUV, there are somethings that you shouldn’t have to compromise on:
Squeezed seating
While the back row of seats won’t always be comfortable for adults on long journeys or those over 6 foot, they should still be accessible for every age and height. Avoid cars that claim to have 7 seats but can only fit children in the third row.
Limited boot space
While extra seats are always going to steal some of the boot space, you should still have enough leftover to fit your shopping bags or at least one suitcase. If your boot becomes unusable when all the seats are raised, then it’s unlikely to work for you and your family.
High fuel consumption
With petrol prices rising and the growth of low emissions zones, you don’t want to end up with car that burns through fuel. Look for models that offer economical fuel consumption or come in hybrid or electric versions.
Should I choose an SUV or MPV?
When choosing between an SUV or MPV, you should think about what’s important to you and how you’re going to use your new car.
MPVs might have fallen out of fashion in recent years but they still have a lot to offer. Their designs are typically inspired by vans, which means they can offer a lot more cabin space than SUVs and the rear seats can usually easily accommodate adults. MPVs tend to favour function over comfort but that does mean that if you have a lot of people and luggage to carry, they’ll do the job well.
SUVs more closely resemble hatchbacks or estates, with a little off roader thrown in, so they can have more kerb appeal than MPVs. Their high road position provides good visibility and can help you feel more confident on the road, but the back seat space isn’t always the most generous and you sometimes have to sacrifice room in the boot when all the seat rows are raised.
Electric or hybrid seven-seaters
While there aren’t as many electric or hybrid seven-seaters available on the used car market, manufacturers are reacting to the demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles and their EV ranges are expanding every day. EVs can be more expensive to buy but much cheaper to run over time, especially when compared to the fuel consumption of their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts. Be sure to keep in mind though that the range you’re able to achieve from a full charge might change when your car is fully loaded.
8 of the best cars for sale 7 seats
Tesla Model X
Tesla has successfully redefined the 7 seater car with the Model X. Fully electric and at the top end of the market, it doesn’t look like any other car on the road and is relatively inexpensive to run. Its distinctive falcon-wing rear doors are a serious style statement, but they also help make the Model X easily accessible and the sliding middle-row seating makes climbing into the back row a breeze.
There’s plenty of interior space; all passengers can sit comfortably and there’s still enough boot space for a couple of suitcases. Its performance and tech features are impressive too. The Model X offers four-wheel drive, is virtually silent on the road, has a range of 360 miles, and can hit 60mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Peugeot 5008
A stylish SUV, the Peugeot 5008 is known for its good looks. Launched in 2017, it’s a midsize vehicle with a tough exterior and innovative interior, featuring a wrap-around dashboard and large infotainment touchscreen. The 5008 offers the best of both worlds, combining the space of an MPV with the distinctive style of an SUV. Its back seats are a little small for taller adults (they’re ideal for kids) but they can be removed entirely to give you more boot space.
Families will be happy to find ISOFIX points fitted at every position in the middle row and the car also boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The efficient engine, smooth ride, and autonomous emergency braking are added bonuses. And despite all this, the Peugeot is one of the most affordable cars for sale with 7 seats on the market.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
If the Tesla Model X would blow your budget but you’re still looking for a luxury SUV, try the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It offers the refined sense of style, plush interior, and high-end engineering that Mercedes is known for but it’s also surprisingly spacious. There are four engines to choose from (two diesel and two petrol), all fitted with automatic gearboxes, and it promises a laidback ride.
Inside, drivers can explore the digital dashboard with a 7-inch touchscreen and take advantage of drivers assists features like a rear-view camera, built-in Satnav, Bluetooth, and DAB radio. All five of its rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX points and the middle row seats slide individually to give you all the flexibility your family could need. The boot’s low load lip will also come in handy when you’re dealing with bulging suitcases or heavy shopping bags.
BMW X7
The BMW X7 offers the ideal combination of luxury, practicality, and safety. All its seats can be raised or lowered, and it still has an impressive 326-litre boot capacity with every seat occupied. Need more space? Flip the seats and the X7 rivals a small van with its 2120-litre boot. Despite its significant size and distinctive styling, the BMW doesn’t feel like you’re driving a tank. Its steering is surprisingly responsive, it keeps its composure on bends, and can take on any bumps with ease. There are a range of engines available, but the 3.0 litre diesel will be more than fast enough for most buyers.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a sensible choice; it’s reliable, practical, comfortable, and safe. But that doesn’t mean it’s boring – the Sorento also offers state-of-the-art tech, a bold design, luxurious interior, and a host of family-friendly features. Its 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating offers extra reassurance while there are four ISOFIX points set across the two rear seat rows.
Available as a self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or diesel, the Sorento really stands out from the crowd thanks to its tech. Passengers have access to USB charging sockets, personal air conditioning controls, and levers that can fold the rear seats remotely. There’s plenty of storage too – including underfloor – and the entry-level trim comes equipped with 17-inch wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system, DAB radio, rear-parking sensors, and all-wheel drive.
Land Rover Discovery
If you’re looking for a 7 seater car that can cope with off-roading then the Land Rover Discovery deserves to be at the top of your list. It’s a classic 4x4 with an air suspension and all-wheel-drive system that means it can take on river crossings, hillsides, and muddy terrain. The Discovery is as practical as you might expect with a spacious cabin that can easily accommodate seven passengers, a deep, wide boot, and the ability to tow up to 3500kg.
Despite its rugged off-roader credentials, the Discovery is also a good city car with an upmarket image. It’s quiet on the road, comfortable, and offers great visibility for drivers. The cabin also boasts an ultra-wide touchscreen infotainment system called Pivi Pro that connects with your mobile. If you really want to impress, the higher-end models feature motorised seats that can be raised and lowered at the touch of a button or remotely via an app.
Volvo XC90
Volvo has earned a well-deserved reputation for combining Scandi-chic with safety – and the XC90 is no exception. Built to meet the highest safety standards, this is a great family car that’s also a lot of fun to drive. The cabin is spacious with enough room for seven adults to sit comfortably and you’ll still have 302-litres of boot to play with (and a huge 1045-litres with all the seats folded).
Premium materials provide an extra touch of luxury with lots of hidden storage cubbies maximising space and a touchscreen that controls most of the car’s functions and settings. Despite its size, the Volvo is also relatively economical when it comes to fuel. But our favourite thing? The powered tailgate that can be opened by triggering a sensor – ideal when you have your hands full.
Volkswagen Touran
Compared to some of the other stylish SUVs on our list, the Volkswagen Touran has been likened to a box on wheels. But its strong shape does mean its an extremely practical seven seater. First launched in 2003, the Touran was built to last, crafted from hard-wearing materials, and available in a range of engine options.
Passengers will enjoy the generous headroom and there’s no need to squeeze into the back seats as even the tallest adults can sit comfortably in the third row. Both the second and third rows of seats fold flat to provide 957-litres of boot space and drivers are guaranteed a great view thanks to the Touran’s large windows. The car’s engineering was based on a Volkswagen Golf so it’s fun to drive, performs well at speed, and handles bends with ease.
Can I get car finance for a car with 7 seats?
Yes, you can break down the cost of your seven seater by taking out a car loan. Larger cars can be more expensive to buy than superminis and hatchbacks, so there are lots of car finance options available. When you apply with CarFinance 247, we’ll always look to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders, including no deposit options. We can help people with a variety of different circumstances, including those with bad credit who might have been refused elsewhere.
There are two main types of car finance available:
Hire Purchase (HP)
HP is a fixed rate loan that lets you break down the cost of your seven seater into affordable monthly repayments. It’s unlikely that you’ll have any mileage restrictions and, once you’ve finished making all your payments and covered the ‘Option to Purchase’ fee, you’ll own the car outright.
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
With PCP car finance, your monthly payments will normally be lower than other options, but you might have to agree to mileage restrictions. At the end of your loan term, you have options: you can choose to give the car back, buy it by paying the final ‘balloon payment’, or use any positive equity in it as a deposit in a new deal.
