Best seven-seat SUVs 2026 tried & tested – plus the one to avoid

This practical and smart SUV looks like a far cry from the Santa Fe which came before it, but that bluff styling is all about maximising interior space – and it's worked, because there's acres of it.

Indeed, not only will middle-row passengers find that they have lots of room to stretch out, but anyone confined to the rearmost seats will find the same. The Santa Fe is more generous for rear-seat passengers than the rival Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq. Nobody needs to pack light, either, because the hybrid version we recommend has an incredible 628 litres of storage space available.

The hybrid system mixes a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 212bhp, and can hit 62mph in 9.6sec. There's also a plug-in hybrid version if you want to make use of its extended 70-mile electric range. Still, the regular hybrid should be plenty frugal enough for most drivers – it returned close to 45mpg in our hands.

"I feel like Hyundai has taken inspiration from Land Rover for the interior of the latest Santa Fe. Both the quality of materials used and the layout reminds me of the Discovery Sport, and that's a big compliment to just how far Hyundai has come." – Darren Moss, deputy editor

Read our full Hyundai Santa Fe review

The BMW X7, is about as large as large SUVs come – its huge bulk hides an equally huge interior which, in combination with a standard-fit third row of seats, provides enough space for seven six-footers. And even with that third row in place, there’s room for a couple of carry-on suitcases in the boot.

That’s not to say it’s just a big box on wheels, though; the X7 is positively sumptuous inside, remarkably hushed when on the move and very comfortable.

It’s not quite as agile as some other large SUVs – such as its smaller sibling, the BMW X5 – but that’s chiefly because the X7’s extra scale and luxury appointments add weight.

We suspect that the xDrive40d diesel engine will provide all the poke which most drivers will need, but if you don't fancy diesel power, then the entry-level xDrive40i is your best bet. This engine is quiet and refined, yet has plenty of power for when you want to press on. The range-topping M60i is incredibly potent, but isn't a very sensible choice.

"If you don't need seven seats, then you might want to have a look at the X7's six-seat configuration. It costs a bit more, but gets you two individual chairs in the second row rather than a bench seat. And trust me, those seats feel worth every penny." – Lawrence Cheung, new cars editor

Read our full BMW X7 review

The Volvo XC90 is the most practical SUV in Volvo's line-up, and with good reason. It's also the only model in the Swedish car maker's SUV stable to come with seven seats as standard. And those rearmost seats aren't just for show – a couple of average sized adults will be perfectly fine back there for most journeys. Larger adults might find it more of a squeeze, but in any case there's more room than in the rival BMW X5.

When you don't need seven seats, the third row folds away to reveal a boot which managed to swallow 10 carry-on suitcases in our tests, which is the same number that the Audi Q7 managed. Even with every seat filled, there's still enough room in the boot for a couple of large bags.

It's the entry-level petrol-engined X90, badged as the B5, which is our pick of the range. With 247bhp, it can cover the 0-62mph sprint in a respectable 7.7 seconds. And while some diesel engines in rivals have stronger low-down pulling power, the XC90 has more than enough grunt for everyday needs.

"When a friend asked me to help move house, the XC90 was perfect. Even as a T8 PHEV we got a sofa onboard with the rear seats folded. There aren’t many cars that’ll do that”  – John Howell, deputy reviews editor

Read our full Volvo XC90 review

Big, luxurious seven-seaters have featured heavily on this list so far because they offer great versatility without compromising on comfort or refinement, and the Audi Q7 is another impressive example of that philosophy.

Indeed, the Q7 can almost match the more expensive BMW X7 for ride comfort, while remaining more nimble through corners than that car. And, although a Q7 fitted with a diesel engine will emit a faint clatter when cold, it’ll soon settle down as the engine warms up. However, we’d still pick the 55 TFSI petrol engine for the extra smoothness it offers.

You can have your Q7 with petrol or diesel power, but it's the 3.0-litre V6 petrol which we think will suit most drivers the best. It offers 335bhp, and delivers quite the punch when you put your foot down, but running costs are likely to be quite high.

"The Q7 is as reassuringly solid as a pillar of concrete, because no matter where you look, you'll find materials which feel well screwed together. I like the mix of glossy black veneers and soft-touch materials, and the way the ambient lighting seems to seep in from behind hidden panels." – Steve Huntingford, editor

Read our full Audi Q7 review

It probably won't surprise you to learn that the Land Rover Discovery is absolutely vast inside. Its seven seats can each fit a large adult, and thanks to electric adjustment, it's easy to fold away the third row when it's not being used. And doing so reveals a boot which even the most adventurous afternoon of shopping would have a hard time filling.

What might surprise you is just how capable the Discovery is over any given terrain. On Tarmac, it feels sure-footed, with steering which makes moving this gigantic car around corners far easier than it has any right to be. And off-road, whether your route takes in muddy tracks, rocky trails or icy paths – or all of them – the Discovery will keep going long after most of its seven-seat rivals have given up.

There's only one engine option available at the moment, and it's a strong one. It's a 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit which develops a healthy 345bhp, and is teamed with a responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox. The combination offers swift performance which is about on par with the Audi Q7 or BMW X7, but keep an eye on running costs – even the official figures suggest you won't see much change from 35mpg.

"I was lucky enough to run a Land Rover Discovery for a few months as a company car, and the thing I remember most is the sheer size of it – the driving position meant I towered over most other cars on the road. Combined with the world-class comfort and technology on board, it's a seven-seat SUV I'd run again in a heartbeat." – Darren Moss, deputy editor

Read our full Land Rover Discovery review

The Land Rover Defender is a rugged SUV that fuses fantastic off-road ability with decent on-road manners. If that's the blend of talents you're after, it's effectively in a class of one.

Unlike the other cars on this list, it's available in a range of sizes: the Defender 90 (the shortest) is a family-sized SUV, while the 110 and vast 130 each offer a staggering amount of space.

Both the 110 and the 130 are available with up to eight seats – something no other model on this list can offer – although seat number eight is squeezed in between the driver and front passenger seats, so it’s only really usable in short bursts.

"When I lived with a Defender 110 for a few months as a company car, I was amazed at how quickly I got used to its size – and the space it offers. My daughters had so much space to themselves on the rear bench, that there were rarely any squabbles." – Will Nightingale, reviews editor

Read our full Land Rover Defender review

That an electric SUV like the Kia EV9 can mix it with the very best seven-seat SUVs on this list shows just how far electric car technology has come. But then again, the EV9 is one seriously impressive SUV.

No matter which version you choose, your EV9 will be powered by the same 96kWh (usable capacity) battery, but the range it delivers depends on which version you choose. Entry-level RWD versions officially deliver 349 miles between charges, while the AWD model drops that figure to 315 miles but brings four-wheel drive. That battery is connected to a 200bhp motor which offers decent punch for everyday driving – the 0-62mph sprint is covered off in 9.4 seconds, which is fractionally quicker than the rival Peugeot e-5008 can manage.

Inside, you'll find a comfortable and supportive driver's seat and good visibility. Your passengers will like the EV9, too, because it's vast. Indeed, no other electric SUV comes close to offering the same kind of space as the EV9, and six-footers in the third row will find that, unlike in some seven-seaters, they'll have plenty of head and knee room.

And being a Kia, the EV9 benefits from a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which is longer than the cover offered by most rivals.

“I found the EV9 very competent at towing when testing it for our Tow Car Awards – although pulling a caravan puts a big dent in the range.” – Dan Jones, senior reviewer

Read our full Kia EV9 review

You'll pay less to put a Skoda Kodiaq on your driveway than you would for seven-seat rivals including the Kia Sorento and Land Rover Discovery Sport. And while the Skoda can't match the Land Rover for interior quality – some areas, such as the centre console, flex if you lean on them too hard – it's still feels pretty plush.

Our pick of the Kodiaq's engine line-up is the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol, which benefits from mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills. Indeed, this version managed an impressive 41.9mpg in our hands.

The fold-out third-row seats in the Kodiaq offer more head room than the rival VW Tayron, but it's worth noting that the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008 offer more room still.

"I'm not the tallest person among the What Car? team, but I like that the Kodiaq's lofty driving position places me high above the road. It's easy to see out of, too, thanks to slim pillars and big windows." – Oliver Young, reviewer

Read our full Skoda Kodiaq review

Not only does every Kia Sorento come with seven seats as standard, but your rearmost passengers will find that they have more space to stretch out than in the rival Land Rover Discovery Sport and Skoda Kodiaq – only a few cars, including the Hyundai Santa Fe which tops our list, offers more.

Even better, you can still fit a couple of holiday suitcases into the Sorento's boot even when every seat is filled. When you're travelling in five-seat mode, you might as well take the kitchen sink with you.

Both hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Sorento are available, with the latter able to tow an impressive 1500kg, or you can choose good old diesel power. The hybrid Sorento feels nippy enough for most situations, and can hit 62mph in 9.7sec.

"If I was speccing up a Kia Sorento, I'd look at '3' trim, because that's where you get full leather seats which I think look better than the faux-leather alternatives which come on cheaper trims." – Dan Jones, reviewer

Read our full Kia Sorento review

Not only is the Peugeot e-5008 one of the UK's cheapest electric seven-seaters – undercutting key rivals like the Kia EV9 and Mercedes EQB by thousands of pounds – but it's also one of the best.

Entry-level single-motor versions of the e-5008 are good for 211bhp and a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.7sec, while the mid-range Electric 230 has more power and also a longer range, at 413 miles. That's more than the longest-range Kia EV9 can manage. There's also a range-topping four-wheel drive model with 321bhp.

Inside, the e-5008 offers a high-quality feel and a good driving position. But while the curved 21in screen in the middle of the car looks swish, it's fiddly to use, because some of its menus are convoluted.

"I like that you don't have to be a gymnast to gain access to the e-5008's third row of seats – the doors open nice and wide, leacing a large opening for you to clamber through." – Mark Pearson, used cars editor

Read our full Peugeot e-5008 review

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