If you need a car that can carry more than five people, a 7 seater is the obvious answer - but the choice has changed a lot in recent years. The old-school people carrier has largely disappeared, and in its place you will find a range of SUVs, crossovers, and a handful of clever alternatives that manage to squeeze in a third row without feeling like a minibus.

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The catch is that not all 7 seaters are created equal. In many models, the third row is really only suitable for children or short journeys, while a few genuinely offer enough space for adults across all three rows. Price, running costs, boot space with all seven seats in use, and whether you actually need those extra seats every day or just occasionally all matter when choosing the right one. In this guide, we look at some of the best 7 seater cars you can buy in the UK right now and what makes each one worth considering.

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What to Consider When Choosing a 7 Seater

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The most important thing to understand about 7 seater cars is that the third row is almost always a compromise. In most SUVs and crossovers, the rearmost seats are smaller, lower, and have less legroom than the middle row. They are fine for children and perfectly usable for adults on shorter trips, but if you regularly need to carry seven adults in comfort, your options narrow considerably. Cars described as "5+2" - meaning five proper seats plus two occasional ones - are by far the most common layout.

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Boot space is the other big consideration. When all seven seats are up, boot space shrinks dramatically in most models - sometimes to as little as 150 to 250 litres, which is barely enough for a couple of bags. If you need to carry seven people and a meaningful amount of luggage at the same time, you are looking at the largest models in this list or a roof box. Most owners find they use the third row occasionally and fold it flat the rest of the time, which gives you a large, versatile boot for everyday use.

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Running costs vary widely too. A compact 7 seater like the Dacia Jogger can return over 50 mpg and sit in a low insurance group, while a large premium SUV like the BMW X7 will cost significantly more in fuel, tax, and insurance. Think about how often you actually need seven seats versus how much you are willing to pay for the privilege every day of the year.

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Dacia Jogger

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The Dacia Jogger is the standout value pick in the 7 seater market and the cheapest way to get seven seats in a new car in the UK. Prices start from around £18,995 for the entry-level petrol model, and every version comes with seven seats as standard - there is no need to pay extra or move up a trim level. Despite its low price, the Jogger is surprisingly spacious inside. It offers more passenger room than many 7 seater SUVs that cost twice as much, and the third-row seats are genuinely usable for older children and average-sized adults on shorter journeys.

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The engine range includes a 1.0-litre turbo petrol with 110 horsepower and a Hybrid 155 that pairs a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for 153 horsepower. The hybrid returns impressive fuel economy - over 50 mpg in everyday driving - and keeps running costs low. Boot space with all seven seats up is 212 litres, which is tight but typical for this class. Fold the third row down and you get 699 litres, or remove the rear seats entirely for up to 2,085 litres of flat load space.

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The Jogger is not a luxury car. The interior materials are basic, the ride is a little firm, and the infotainment system is functional rather than flashy. But if your priority is getting seven seats for the lowest possible outlay and running costs, nothing else comes close. It was named the best 7 seater you can buy by Auto Express for 2026, and it is easy to see why.

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Skoda Kodiaq

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The Skoda Kodiaq has been one of the most popular 7 seater SUVs in the UK since it launched, and the current model continues to deliver exactly what families need - a practical, well-built car with a spacious cabin and a sensible price tag. Prices start from around £36,000, and the seven-seat layout is available across most of the range. The third row folds electrically on higher trims and offers reasonable legroom for children, though adults will find it cramped on longer trips.

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With the third row folded, boot space is an impressive 835 litres - one of the largest in this class - and with all seven seats up you still get 270 litres, which is more than most rivals manage. The Kodiaq also comes with Skoda's trademark "Simply Clever" features, including an umbrella hidden in the door, ice scrapers in the fuel cap, and clever storage solutions throughout the cabin.

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Engine options include a 1.5-litre TSI petrol and a 2.0-litre TSI with four-wheel drive. There is no hybrid option yet, but the petrol engines are efficient enough - the 1.5-litre returns around 40 to 44 mpg in real-world driving. If you want a 7 seater that feels a step above the budget options without crossing into premium pricing, the Kodiaq is one of the best-balanced choices on the market.

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Kia Sorento

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The Kia Sorento is a strong all-rounder that combines seven seats with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and diesel powertrains. Prices start from around £42,000, and the seven-seat layout is standard across the range. Build quality is excellent - the interior feels genuinely premium, with soft-touch materials, a clean dashboard design, and a good infotainment system with a large touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

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The hybrid version pairs a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 227 horsepower and returns around 40 to 43 mpg. The plug-in hybrid offers around 35 miles of electric-only range, which is enough to cover most daily commutes without using any fuel at all. Both come with four-wheel drive as standard, which is useful if you regularly tow or drive on muddy tracks.

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Third-row space is adequate for children and short adult trips, with 175 litres of boot space when all seven seats are in use. Fold the rearmost seats and that jumps to 616 litres. The Sorento also comes with Kia's industry-leading 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which is a genuine advantage over rivals that offer three or four years. If reliability and long-term peace of mind are high on your list, the Sorento is hard to beat.

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Hyundai Santa Fe

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The Hyundai Santa Fe was completely redesigned in 2024 with bold, angular styling that sets it apart from the rest of the 7 seater SUV market. The new model is longer and wider than its predecessor, which has translated into noticeably more space in the third row - it is one of the more comfortable "5+2" layouts in this class. Prices start from around £42,000, and seven seats are standard on most trims.

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Engine options mirror the Kia Sorento's, which is not surprising given that Hyundai and Kia share the same parent company. The hybrid offers around 40 mpg with 227 horsepower, and the plug-in hybrid gives you roughly 35 miles of electric range. Both come with four-wheel drive, and the Santa Fe can tow up to 2,500 kg when fitted with the hybrid powertrain, making it one of the more capable tow cars in this segment.

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Inside, the cabin is well finished with a twin-screen dashboard layout and a good range of standard equipment including heated front seats, parking sensors, and a suite of driver assistance features. Boot space is 711 litres with the third row down and around 200 litres with all seats up. If you like the Sorento's formula but want something with a bolder design and slightly more third-row space, the Santa Fe is worth a close look.

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Peugeot 5008

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The Peugeot 5008 takes a slightly different approach to the 7 seater SUV. Where most rivals use a 5+2 bench-and-fold layout, the 5008 gives you three individual seats in the second row that each slide, recline, and fold independently, plus two individual seats in the third row that fold flat into the floor. It is one of the most flexible seating arrangements in the class and makes it easy to configure the cabin for whatever combination of passengers and luggage you need on a given day.

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The latest version of the 5008 is available with petrol, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. The electric e-5008 offers up to 410 miles of range on the largest battery - one of the longest ranges of any electric SUV on sale - and keeps running costs very low. Petrol models start from around £39,000, while the electric version starts from around £47,000. The interior features Peugeot's signature i-Cockpit layout with a small steering wheel and high-mounted digital instruments, which some drivers love and others find takes a bit of getting used to.

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Third-row space is best suited to children or teenagers, though adults can manage for shorter journeys. Boot space with all seven seats up is around 260 litres, expanding to 748 litres with the third row folded. If you want something that feels a bit different from the typical German or Korean 7 seater SUV, the 5008 is a stylish and genuinely practical alternative.

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Volvo XC90

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The Volvo XC90 has been one of the most popular premium 7 seater SUVs since it launched in 2015, and despite its age it continues to hold its own against newer rivals. It offers a beautifully designed cabin with high-quality materials, excellent safety credentials, and a refined driving experience that makes it a comfortable choice for long motorway journeys and school runs alike. Prices start from around £60,000, putting it firmly in the premium segment.

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The engine lineup includes mild-hybrid petrol and diesel options, plus a plug-in hybrid (T8) that offers around 40 miles of electric-only range and combined fuel economy of over 80 mpg on paper. The plug-in hybrid is particularly popular with company car drivers thanks to its low benefit-in-kind tax rate. All versions come with four-wheel drive as standard and can tow up to 2,700 kg, which is among the best in class.

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The XC90's third row is better than many premium rivals, with enough space for teenagers and average-sized adults on journeys of an hour or so. Boot space is 262 litres with all seats up and 680 litres with the third row folded. If you are looking for a 7 seater that feels genuinely luxurious without going to the extremes of a BMW X7 or Mercedes GLS, the XC90 remains one of the best choices in the segment - and Volvo's safety reputation is second to none.

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Best Electric 7 Seater Cars

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If you want to go fully electric without giving up seven seats, the options have improved significantly. The Kia EV9 is arguably the best electric 7 seater on sale right now, offering a genuinely spacious third row, a range of up to 349 miles on a single charge, and ultra-fast 800V charging that can add 150 miles of range in around 15 minutes. Prices start from around £55,000, and the interior is one of the most impressive in any electric car at this price - with sustainable materials, dual screens, and a cabin that feels airy and modern.

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The Volvo EX90 is the electric successor to the XC90 and offers a similar blend of premium comfort and seven seats, with a range of around 360 miles. It is positioned at a higher price point - starting from around £76,000 - but offers a quieter, more refined driving experience than most rivals. The Hyundai Ioniq 9, which shares its platform with the Kia EV9 but offers a more distinctive design and slightly different interior layout, has also joined the market and gives buyers another strong electric option in this space.

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For buyers who want electric running costs but are not ready to commit to a full EV, the plug-in hybrid versions of the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Peugeot 5008 offer a middle ground - electric range for daily driving with a petrol engine for longer trips when you need it. The fully electric 7 seater market is still growing, but the cars already available are impressive enough that going electric no longer means compromising on practicality or passenger space.

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Conclusion

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The best 7 seater car for you depends on your budget, how often you need the extra seats, and what you value most in a car. If value is the priority, the Dacia Jogger is in a league of its own - nothing else gives you seven seats and low running costs for anywhere near the same price. For families who want something more refined without going premium, the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento are two of the strongest all-rounders in the class. And if you want to go electric, the Kia EV9 has set a new benchmark for what a 7 seater EV can be.

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Whichever model you are considering, the best advice is to try the third row for yourself before you buy. Sit in it, check whether your passengers actually fit, and think about how often you will realistically use those extra seats. A 7 seater that works perfectly for one family might be completely wrong for another, so a test drive with the whole family on board is worth more than any spec sheet.