Hyundai Santa Fe

The EQV has space for seven adults and all of their luggage, but a small electric range, slow performance and high price mean it's not recommendable for most buyers.

Mercedes EQV

And the best 7-seat cars to avoid...

best-7-seat-cars-2023

best-7-seat-cars-2022

Sorento

Land Rover

Defender

Estate

Dacia

JOGGER

Discovery

Volkswagen

Touran

Peugeot

5008

Audi

Skoda

Kodiaq

Like all Dacias, the Jogger is very temptingly priced, but don't think that means you have to put up with big compromises.&nbsp;

It's a well-thought-out people mover with genuine seven-seat usability, decent driving dynamics and plenty of standard equipment. Indeed, even entry-level versions come with cruise control, electric front windows and air conditioning.

You can only have the Jogger with a 109bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine at the moment. That’s punchy enough for most situations, but more powerful versions are on the way, including a frugal hybrid that should help to lower your running costs.

Dacia Jogger

The new Defender is a rugged SUV that fuses fantastic off-road ability (especially if you add the optional locking rear differential) with good on-road manners.&nbsp;

If you go for the stretched 130 version, it also offers rearmost seats that are genuinely usable for adults, and which actually have more leg room for third-row passengers than you’d find in plenty of luxury SUVs.

Even with all seats in use, there’s still enough space in the Defender for your weekly shop, even though there’s no underfloor storage like there is in the shorter Defender 90.

With a combination of off-road and passenger-carrying ability, then, the Defender 130 is effectively in a class of one.

Land Rover Defender 130

Much like its predecessor, the latest Land Rover Discovery is a whopping great seven-seater that feels equally at home both on road and off it.&nbsp;

However, today's Discovery is much classier inside and better to drive than the models&nbsp;that came before it. Indeed, the touchscreen infotainment system you get as standard looks sharp and is responsive, while most of the areas you touch regularly feel pleasantly plush.

The Discovery even undercuts many of its seven-seat rivals on price, and considering how much kit you get for your money, it represents pretty good value. Add in slow depreciation&nbsp;and it’s easy to recommend.

Land Rover Discovery

If the cars so far on this list have looked a little too expensive for you, the Skoda Kodiaq could be right up your street. Like most Skodas, it represents great value for money, especially if you stick with the lower engines and trims.&nbsp;

Indeed, our favourite 1.5-litre petrol option is among the cheapest in the range&nbsp;yet provides all the pep you could reasonably want – even if you plan on filling every seat.

Speaking of seats, front and second-row passengers get plenty of space, and while third-row passengers will be better off in the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>, most people will be fine back there for shorter trips.

Skoda Kodiaq

Just because you're wearing your sensible trousers when buying a new MPV rather than a fashionable SUV, it doesn’t mean you have to slum it.&nbsp;

Opt for a Volkswagen Touran and you’ll find the same level of plushness that you’d get in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a> family car, but with far greater practicality.&nbsp;

All five of its rear seats feature Isofix child seat mounting points, so it’s useful for growing families, and there’s enough space for adults.&nbsp;

As a bonus, the Touran drives better than the rival<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/grand-c4-spacetourer/mpv/review/n17341"> Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer</a>. And although there’s no hybrid or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars-2023/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> option, the sole petrol engine on offer should be reasonable economical.

Volkswagen Touran

In our favoured hybrid form, the Kia Sorento combines good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, despite this being a hugely spacious seven-seater.&nbsp;

Indeed, there’s more room for third-row passengers to stretch out than there is in most rivals, and the two third-row seats both come with Isofix mounting points for child seats.

You get a forgiving ride and accurate steering, too, while the warranty lasts for seven years. It’s good news on the kit front, too, because you get everything you’re likely to want as standard, including adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and parking aids.

Kia Sorento

The Peugeot 5008 combines MPV-like versatility with chunky SUV looks. It handles tidily, with light steering helping to make manoeuvring&nbsp;easy in the city, plus the ride is comfortable and the interior is seriously plush.&nbsp;

You might think that our recommended 129bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine might struggle to haul around a big and heavy car like this,&nbsp;but that's not the case. In fact, this engine pulls surprisingly well even with seven people on board.

There are diesel-engined alternatives if you’ll be covering enough miles to justify one, but no hybrid or plug-in hybrid options.

Peugeot 5008

The Audi Q7 is an incredible all-rounder, combining a comfy ride with spacious seating for seven and exceptional interior quality.&nbsp;

Indeed, no matter which surface your hands touch or your eyes look at, you’ll be impressed both with the quality of materials on offer&nbsp;and how well screwed together it all is.

The Q7’s strongest suit of all, however, is comfort. It soaks up impacts from speed bumps and other road imperfections with aplomb and demolishes long journeys like a private jet.

The 55 TFSI petrol is our favoured choice among the engine options, and has a punchy V6 engine with 335bhp.

Audi Q7

The only thing bigger than the BMW X7’s gigantic front grille is the car itself, so if you’ve got a big budget and a big family, it should definitely be on your shortlist.&nbsp;

As a bonus, the interior is as flashy as it is sturdy, and features one of the best infotainment systems you’ll find in any new car. Plus, refinement is so impressive that someone in the third row can have a conversation with those up front without raising their voice.&nbsp;

Engine options range from the powerful to mega-powerful, but our preferred choice is the 347bhp xDrive40d.

BMW X7

As good as the other seven-seaters on this list are, the best of all is the Hyundai Santa Fe.&nbsp;

This car combines everything a a seven-seater buyer is looking for – namely, lots of space, comfort and kit, along with the potential for low running costs.&nbsp;

There are both regular and plug-in hybrid options on offer, with the latter making especially good sense for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/company-cars">company car</a> drivers, thanks to its competitive&nbsp;electric range of up to 36 miles, which helps to keep tax bills low.

Sealing the Santa Fe’s top spot here is the fact that our recommended Premium trim comes with everything you could want&nbsp;yet isn't too expensive.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

SANTA FE

If you need a car with seven seats, an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPV</a> might seem like the only choice. But plenty of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-large-suvs-2022/n17006">SUVs</a> are also worth considering.Before deciding which model is best for you, it's important to consider whether you'll be carrying seven people on a daily basis, whether you need a large boot on occasions when all seven seats are in use, and whether you'd prefer the raised driving position of an SUV or something more saloon-like.There's an awful lot to factor in, so here we count down the top 10 seven-seaters – and reveal the ones that are best avoided.

If you need a car with seven seats, an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPV</a> might seem like the only choice. But plenty of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-large-suvs-2022/n17006">SUVs</a> are also worth considering.

Before deciding which model is best for you, it's important to consider whether you'll be carrying seven people on a daily basis, whether you need a large boot on occasions when all seven seats are in use, and whether you'd prefer the raised driving position of an SUV or something more saloon-like.There's an awful lot to factor in, so here we count down the top 10 seven-seaters – and reveal the ones that are best avoided.

Best 7-seat cars 2023

Best 7-seat cars 2022

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

Large SUV

Whether you're looking for a part-time seven-seater or a car to carry that many people on a regular basis, check out which ones to go for – and which to avoid

Best 7-seat cars 2023        

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.

BENTLEY

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW ALPINA

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

GENESIS

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

JEEP

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Best 7-seat cars 2023

Whether you're looking for a part-time seven-seater or a car to carry that many people on a regular basis, check out which ones to go for – and which to avoid...

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Best large SUVs 2023

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