Hi Jacob,

We reckon that the best compact seven-seater is the Volkswagen Touran, equipped with either the 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (if you’re doing low mileage), or a 1.6 TDI diesel (if you’re doing big miles) with the DSG automatic gearbox. You could also try the Renault Grand Scenic (there’s an auto option on the 1.5 dCi diesel in Expression + trim). Both of those will cost you north of €30k, though. You could go for a van-with-windows seven-seater, such as the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, but once you’d added an auto option, you’re looking at a similar price again.