Best 7-seat cars 2024 – and the ones to avoid

While the Defender can be had with anything from five to eight seats, it’s the mid-range Defender 110 we think makes the most sense. It is long enough for all passengers to be able to stretch their legs on longer drives and can be had with seven seats. Unlike many rival seven-seaters, its two rearmost pews have enough head and leg room for adults and access is good because the second row seats slide forwards. 

Opt for our favourite D300 model and its 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine provides plenty of power to haul a heavily-loaded vehicle around. The Defender isn’t a rough and ready off-roader, though. It’s just as refined as rival luxury SUVs, and the standard air suspension soaks up uneven surfaces better than a Volvo XC90. 

And, when you compare it to alternatives, such as the BMW X7, on price, the Defender also represents good value for money. All in all, the Land Rover Defender is a superb all-rounder, and that’s why it’s our Seven-Seater of the Year.  

"No matter which version of the Defender you go for, space for rear-seat passengers is plentiful. However, access to those seats is far easier in the longer Defender 110." –  Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our  Land Rover Defender review

The Santa Fe also promises outstanding practicality, a plush interior and the reassurance of a five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. 

The latest version retains the two petrol engines from the previous models. They are a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid and a  plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that is expected to have a longer pure electric range than the outgoing model's 36 miles. 

Prices for the new Santa Fe haven't been revealed yet. If they're competitive, this could be a future seven-seat champion. 

"Performance can feel a tad laboured in hybrid versions of the Santa Fe, and the car leans quite heavily through bends, but the pay-off is a plush ride." –  Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our  Hyundai Santa Fe review

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. 

Engine options range from the powerful to mega-powerful, but our preferred choice is the 347bhp xDrive40d, which offers punchy performance but should also keep your running costs sensible. If you won't be covering enough miles to justify a diesel, though, then the xDrive40i petrol is even faster to 62mph – though it will cost you more to run.

There's also the range-topping 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine in the M60i, but it isn't the most sensible choice.

"The X7's interior is wide, so you won't be rubbing shoulders with the person sitting next to you. Plus, even passengers in the rear-most seats will find they have plenty of space to stretch out." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our  BMW X7 review

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 and how well screwed together it all is.

The Q7’s strongest suit of all, however, is how well it soaks up impacts from speed bumps and other road imperfections with ease, and demolishes long journeys like a luxury SUV should. 

The 55 TFSI petrol is our favoured choice among the engine options, and has a punchy V6 engine with 335bhp. There are also two V6 diesel engines on offer if you cover a lot of miles, as well as a V8 petrol in the range-topping Audi SQ7.

"You sit high up in the Audi Q7, giving you a commanding view over the road ahead. The slim windscreen pillars help when you're peeking out at junctions, too." –  Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our  Audi Q7 review

With the latest Range Rover, though, you can have seven seats with the LWB (long wheel-base) version. When specified, the third-row seats are comfortable enough for six-footers, and the middle row splits in a handy 40/20/40 configuration and can fold electrically.

Of course, the Range Rover LWB is wonderful to drive, with a range of punchy petrol, diesel and PHEV engine options. Refinement is also a strong point, with minimal road noise and a ride that is controlled and smooth.

"One of the Range Rover's hallmark features is retained in the long-wheebase version – a twin glovebox arrangement, with one lower down and the other at chest height." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our  Range Rover review

The engine line-up is refreshingly simple, with either a 134bhp 1.2-litre petrol hybrid or a 129bhp 1.5-litre diesel to choose from. You might imagine that the former would struggle to haul around a big and heavy car like this, but that's not the case. Indeed, it has more than enough shove for most situations, and should be able to run for short distances on electric power alone around town.

Head and leg room for middle-row passengers is perfectly fine by the standards of the class – although it's worth noting that the Kia Sorento is even more spacious – and while the rearmost seats are only meant to be used occasionally, adults could stomach them for short trips.

"Peugeot's i-Cockpit setup has you looking over a small steering wheel at the dials, rather than through it. And unlike in some other Peugeot models, it works well." –  George Hill, Staff Writer

Read our  Peugeot 5008 review

The Touran offers the same level of plushness you get in a Volkswagen Golf family car, but with far greater practicality. 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. 

As a bonus, the Touran drives better than the rival Dacia Jogger. It offers a comfortable ride which smooths out the worst of battered British roads, and has the kind of assured, well-weighted steering which gives you confidence to press on.

There's no hybrid, PHEV or electric option, with your sole engine choice being a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol. At least it's fairly punchy, even if you've loaded the car to the gunwhales with people and luggage, and should be economical to run.

"Unless you continually rev it hard, the Touran's petrol engine is pretty hushed by MPV standards. Plus, relatively little wind or road noise makes its way inside the car." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Read our  VW Touran review

Indeed, our favourite 1.5-litre petrol option is among the cheapest in the range 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 Peugeot 5008, most people will be fine back there for shorter trips.

Bear in mind that a new version of the Kodiaq will go on sale in the Spring, bringing plug-in hybrid power for the first time – but that version won't be available with seven seats, because of the space needed to store the battery. 

"No matter which version of the Kodiaq you choose, you'll get a seven-speed automatic gearbox which provides swift changes as you drive along, but can be jerky at lower speeds." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Read our  Skoda Kodiaq review

Yet despite its rugged credentials, the Discovery remains a comfortable and luxurious choice when you're not travelling off the beaten track. Indeed, most of the areas you touch regularly inside feel pleasantly plush, while the touchscreen infotainment system you get as standard is sharp and responsive.

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 and it’s easy to recommend – especially in the mid-range diesel-engined form we recommend.

"Its flat floor makes the Discovery one of the best SUVs for carrying three passengers in its second row – provided their legs aren't too long." –  Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our  Land Rover Discovery review

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 have the Jogger with a 109bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine or a 138bhp 1.6-litre hybrid engine. We think the petrol model is punchy enough for most situations, although the hybrid does make sense if you live in an urban area.

"Despite its bargain price, the Jogger features some nice touches inside. Fabric dashboard inserts and an attractive air vent design, for example, help to lift the otherwise functional interior" – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our  Dacia Jogger review

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