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the-best-used-7-seaters

best-used-7-seaters

These days, if you need a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seat car</a>, you have plenty of choices;&nbsp;there are practical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">MPVs</a>&nbsp;that will easily accommodate that number of passengers, and a plethora of more rugged-looking&nbsp;SUVs&nbsp;that will do the job as well.

Before deciding which model is best for you, though, it's important to consider whether you'll need a large boot on occasions when all seven seats are in use,&nbsp;whether you'd prefer the raised driving position of an SUV&nbsp;and whether you want something that's not only practical but also good fun to drive.

There's an awful lot to factor in, so here we count down our&nbsp;top 10 used seven-seaters. We think there's something here to cater for all tastes.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best used 7-seaters

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

ALHAMBRA

The Seat Alhambra is&nbsp;surprisingly good&nbsp;to drive and&nbsp;comes&nbsp;with sliding rear doors –&nbsp;a boon in tight parking spaces. &nbsp;Also, when open, those doors&nbsp;leave&nbsp;a wide aperture that&nbsp;helps when strapping small children into the middle row. It’s a large car, with plenty of room for seven, and&nbsp;it comes with a range of punchy engines that are more than up to the job of hauling it around. It rides and handles well, too, and it's&nbsp;refined and efficient. &nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Seat Alhambra&nbsp;2.0 TDI Ecomotive SE Lux, 45,000&nbsp;miles, £17,990

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/seat/alhambra?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">here</a>

10: Seat Alhambra

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Superb space and practicality</li>
	<li>Strong engines</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unrefined diesels</li>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
</ul>

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

S-MAX

It’s no secret that we’ve always been&nbsp;big fans of the lively&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a>&nbsp;S-Max.&nbsp;It looks great,&nbsp;for a start, and underneath that sporty-looking surface&nbsp;you'll find&nbsp;a people carrier that’s enormously enjoyable to drive. And while you can’t fit quite as much into it as its sister car, the larger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/used-review/n832">Ford Galaxy</a>, there’s still more than enough room for seven&nbsp;people. As with the Galaxy, ex-taxis are&nbsp;to be avoided.

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Ford S-Max&nbsp;2.0 TDCi Zetec, 45,000&nbsp;miles, £19,995

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/s-max?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

9: Ford S-Max

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tidy handling</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Standard Zetec trim well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Third row seats best for children</li>
	<li>Interior quality could be better</li>
	<li>Petrol engine thirsty</li>
</ul>

Estate

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

KODIAQ

A consummate all-rounder like this seven-seat Kodiaq may not stand out from the crowd, especially when compared with the distinctive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/used-review/n962">Peugeot 5008</a>, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't put one on your driveway. It's a classy and highly capable car that's good to drive and comfortable to ride in. Buy one used and you can make big savings, which only adds to the appeal of this likeable and practical Skoda.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TSI SE L DSG (7 Seat), 38,000 miles, £18,999

Find one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/skoda/kodiaq?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

8: Skoda Kodiaq

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Classy and spacious interior</li>
	<li>Smooth 2.0 diesel engine</li>
	<li>Good value for money</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unsettled low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Kia Sorento is more practical</li>
</ul>

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

BERLINGO

The Berlingo majors on interior space, and lots of it. Go for the XL version with seven seats, and nobody will feel short-changed when it comes to stretching out. It's been around in various forms over the years and they’ve all been square, spacious and fairly inexpensive to buy and run. This current version continues that legacy but feels more car-like, slightly more refined and, dare one say it, more upmarket too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020 Citroën Berlingo XL 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Feel, 25,000 miles, £15,000&nbsp;

Find one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/berlingo?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

7: Citroën Berlingo

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Flexible 1.2-litre petrol engine</li>
	<li>Hugely practical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment</li>
	<li>Some useful storage solution weren't standard</li>
	<li>Mainstream MPV rivals are nicer to drive</li>
</ul>

GALAXY

The&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;Galaxy&nbsp;is, quite simply, enormous.&nbsp;Inside, you'll find seating for seven adults and even a bit of space left over for your luggage.&nbsp;On top of all that, it's good to drive and comfortable, too.&nbsp;Powershift automatics can be troublesome and need frequent fluid changes, so check the history for evidence of this, and avoid ex-taxis, which will have huge mileages.&nbsp;On the whole, though, find a good one and this is one great all-rounder and a deeply impressive seven-seater.

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Ford Galaxy 2.0TDCi 150&nbsp;Zetec, 70,000&nbsp;miles, £17,000

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/galaxy?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

6: Ford Galaxy

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Practical interior</li>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Plenty of neat options</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Automatic emergency braking isn't standard</li>
	<li>Infotainment system poor</li>
</ul>

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.

VOLVO

XC90

Here's a luxury SUV that’s practical, comes with loads of safety technology and has an interior that looks and feels wonderfully opulent. It's comfortable, too, and spacious, with plenty of room for seven. It doesn’t matter all that much which version you go for, because all of the trim levels are very well equipped. And you can pick up an early 2015 or 2016 car for less than half the price of a new one.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2016&nbsp;Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum Pro, 63,000 miles, £25,000

Find one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volvo/xc90?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

5: Volvo XC90

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Classy interior</li>
	<li>Seven-seat versatility</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Ride slightly unsettled</li>
	<li>Road and suspension noise</li>
	<li>Reliability average</li>
</ul>

GRAND C4 SPACETOURER

Fancy an MPV with a little panache? The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citroën</a>&nbsp;Grand C4 SpaceTourer is&nbsp;well-equipped, stylish and&nbsp;one of the&nbsp;most comfortable MPVs around. It's blessed with versatile seating for seven, and you get a huge boot when the third row is folded into the floor.&nbsp;The engine range is strong and fuel-efficient, plus&nbsp;it rides and handles well for a car of this size.&nbsp;Refinement is good, too, making long trips with the family just that bit more bearable.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer 1.6 BlueHDi 120 Flair, 45,000&nbsp;miles, £18,000

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/grand-c4-spacetourer?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

4: Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge interior</li>
	<li>Excellent visibility</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Touchscreen not as good as some</li>
</ul>

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

TOURAN

There isn’t much to dislike about the versatile seven-seat VW Touran. It's really good to drive, for starters. It's a spacious, refined and classy all-rounder, with an elegant and practical interior. For a start, the second row is made up of three individual seats, making it possible to carry three child seats side by side, and these chairs all slide and fold independently of one another. With the third row stowed away, the boot is huge, too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019 Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDI SE Family, 36,000 miles, £17,495

Find one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/touran?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">&nbsp;here</a>

3: Volkswagen Touran

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Versatile seating</li>
	<li>Satisfying to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals are cheaper</li>
	<li>Base model lacks kit</li>
	<li>Others beat it for economy</li>
	<li>Reliability mixed</li>
</ul>

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 are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

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

The&nbsp;Q7 has won multiple&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/">What Car? awards</a>&nbsp;for the very reason that it is an impeccable family car, an excellent long-distance tourer and an outstanding luxury vehicle. Few cars this side of&nbsp;£100,000&nbsp;have a plusher and quieter interior.&nbsp;It's reliable, too.&nbsp;Plus, if you buy a car made before 2019&nbsp;you’ll get a much easier-to-operate infotainment system than the one found in later models.

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S line, 58,000&nbsp;miles, £28,999

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/q7?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

2: Audi Q7

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smooth and powerful engines</li>
	<li>Great ride on air suspension</li>
	<li>Wonderful build quality</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as sharp to drive as some rivals</li>
	<li>Plug-in hybrid loses seven-seat option</li>
	<li>Expensive to run</li>
</ul>

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

5008

The seven-seat 5008 steals victory here over all the MPVs and even its premium-badged SUV rivals. Why? Well, for starters, it's stylish, practical and good to drive. Those rugged good looks cover an interior that's impressively flexible and will&nbsp;seat seven in comfort. Plus, there's a range of strong engines to choose from, it's well-equipped in all trims and it rides and handles surprisingly well. All in all, it's a great car and good value&nbsp;too.

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDi&nbsp;Allure, 42,000 miles, £18,995

Find one for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/peugeot/5008?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

1: Peugeot 5008

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Stylish and practical inside</li>
	<li>Decent ride and handling</li>
	<li>Flexible seating</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as well equipped as some rivals</li>
	<li>Head room limited by panoramic roof</li>
	<li>Slow-witted infotainment</li>
</ul>

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>

<h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-large-suvs-for-less-than-pound25000/n19110">Best used large SUVs for less than £25k</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

The best used 7-seaters 

Whether you're planning to carry seven people on a regular basis or just need an occasional third row of seats, there’s plenty of choice on the used car market

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The best used 7-seaters

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