If you’ve got a growing family a 7 seater is the natural choice after an estate or hatchback. Those 2 extra seats can be a real game-changer. Even if you only need to carry 5 people, the larger boot size will definitely come in handy. 

We’ve made a list of the 9 best 7-seater cars currently available, with varying budgets in mind.

Best New 7-Seaters

If you’re looking at buying a new car, or are interested in a PCP or lease deal, these are the best people carriers on the market.

Dacia Jogger - £18,295

As the cheapest 7-seaters on sale today, the Jogger should be on the radar of a lot of buyers, from those looking for a cheap-as-chips people carrier to anyone simply wanting utilitarian carrying with a few luxuries thrown in on the top-spec models. 

Available with either a 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine or a petrol hybrid, all the Joggers on offer give good fuel economy. The hybrid might tick a box for those looking for a company car with low BiK tax, too. 

SEAT Tarraco - £33,450

For some greater refinement, tech and reliability, without the frills of some of the German marques, the Seat Tarraco is a great option. As a very stylish medium-sized SUV, there’s plenty of room to transport kids, adults and pets alike. 

Available with both petrol and diesel engines, we’d recommend either the 1.5 TSI petrol for great fuel economy or the 2.0 TDI for a bit more pulling power and long-range capability. The styling of the Tarraco is in keeping with the rest of the Seat range; understated but handsome. 

Peugeot 5008 - £36,990

Despite its shape being more akin to a traditional 7-seater than the others so far, the Peugeot 5008 still has a raised driving position and slightly higher than normal ground clearance. The interior space is pretty substantial, with one of the biggest boots in 7-seat mode in the class.

Outer styling is typical of Peugeot at the moment; more chic and less quirky like the French cars of old, but in some ways this is a good thing. The 5008 has something for everyone in the powertrain department, with full EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid all available. 

Best Fully Electric 7-Seaters

Kia EV9 - £65,025

Branching into the luxury EV segment in a big way, the Kia EV9 is the Korean brand's largest EV and SUV to date. With the second and third row of seats folded flat, the EV9 boasts nearly 3,000 litres of cargo space, that’s nearly as much as a Transit Connect van!

Alongside the monster dimensions comes a formidable powertrain, even the lowest spec model, starting at just over £65,000 comes with a 200hp RWD motor configuration, achieving a respectable 7 seconds. 

Volvo EX90 - £96,255

For the ultimate Swedish luxury SUV, the EX90 is perfect. Its clean lines and modern light clusters give it a very chic look, which carries on to the interior. It’s available in the base with all-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive performance, bringing the 0-60mph time down to 4.9s.

A large battery promises over 360 miles of range, putting it in competition with some of the best EVs around, despite the EX90’s considerable weight and size. The third row of seating is perfect for kids but can comfortably accommodate adults too.

Vauxhall Combo Life Electric - £29,995

As a slightly alternative option, the Vauxhall Combo Electric is a fully electric MPV with 7 seats and a generous boot. It is the perfect choice for those not needing the luxury of an SUV, but needing 7 seats and an electric powertrain. 

EV range sits around 200 miles, which is not as good as some listed, but at nearly 1/3rd the cost, we think it still represents good value. This is especially true as the Combo Life also makes use of Rapid Charging technology, giving 80% charge in 38 minutes. 

Best Used 7-Seater Cars Under £10,000

Ford Grand C-Max - £9,000

The Ford Galaxy was one of the first people carriers to hit the market in the UK, enabling thousands of families to carry their kids and luggage in comfort, the C-Max and S-Max are basically smaller versions, following the same principle as the Galaxy does. 

For £9,000 you can get a 2016 C-Max with the frugal 1.5 TDCi and less than 45,000 miles on the clock. This example comes with air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control, a great package to carry all the family. 

Vauxhall Zafira 1.4i Turbo - £8,999

Another staple of the school-run traffic, the Zafira has been around in one form or another since 1999, offering spacious people carrying capacity on a modest budget. For under 9 grand, you can get a low-mileage 2017 model, with full service history. 

It comes well specced too, with apple car play and cruise control. The 1.4 turbo petrol in this example offers reasonable performance with very good fuel economy, low road tax and ULEZ compliance to boot. 

Toyota Estima - £7,500

For a left-field option, a second-hand Toyota Estima offers some unique features that can’t be found in UK models. Imported from Japan this MPV/people carrier offers 7 plush seats with captains chairs and loads of tech. 

Other features include a panoramic sunroof, DVD players for the rear passengers and 4-zone air conditioning. With a decent-sized boot too, it's the perfect road trip or family holiday wagon. 

Are 7-Seater Cars Safe?

Modern 7-seater cars are made to the same stringent standards as saloons and estates, so usually achieve 5-star NCAP ratings. To check any model of the car you’re thinking about buying, the Euro NCAP website is a great resource.

Are 7-Seater Cars More Expensive to Insure

No, there is no general consensus on whether 7-seater cars are more expensive to insure. Some drivers find that people carriers cost more than comparable hatchbacks, but others claim they are cheaper than the 5-seater equivalents. 

We would advise you to get some insurance quotes before buying to double-check.

Are 7-Seater Cars Reliable?

As they tend to use the same powertrains as their smaller counterparts, 7-seater cars offer the same reliability as any other. That said some specific models may have known faults, but the number of seats isn't usually the inherent cause. 

Repair your 7 Seater With Bumper

Whether you have a top-of-the-line luxury SUV or a basic utilitarian MPV, Bumper can help spread the cost of repair payments with zero-interest financing. Choose from any one of our nationwide partners.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.