See all Motoring AdviceFamilies ask a lot of their cars. As well as needing to be safe, dependable and packed with enough tech to keep everyone entertained, space is usually one of the big factors that makes buyers choose one family car over another.
While for a family with two children, a five-seater might be amply spacious, those with three or more kids may require a bigger car — something that can accommodate baby seats as well as a couple of friends needing a lift home from school or training, for example.
Happily, those in the market for such a car are reasonably well catered for by a range of seven-seaters on the market. We’re taking a look at some of the best.
Most buyers overlook van-based MPVs such as the Berlingo, which is a shame because they’re immensely practical, hugely spacious and drive quite well. These days, the new Citroën Berlingo is electric-only with a 50kWh battery pack, a 100kW electric motor and a 280km range. Sliding doors on both sides and tons of interior storage space make this a rather well-thought-out family car. From €34,945, the e-Berlingo is an offbeat way for those in need of seven-seat space to make the switch to electric vehicles. Alternatives that buyers should consider if they’re looking for this kind of vehicle but are, as yet, unwilling or unable to make the electric switchover include the Ford Tourneo Connect, Opel Combo Life and Volkswagen Caddy Life.
The Jogger is Dacia’s newest car and Ireland’s cheapest new seven-seater. Even the most spartan Essential models get tech features such as air conditioning, rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking, while the better-equipped top Extreme SE models are still priced at comfortably under €30,000. For that kind of money, buyers get massive levels of space and practicality. Powered by a 110hp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, pricing for the Jogger starts from €23,290, and there’ll be hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions on the way over the next couple of years.
An oldie but a goodie. The S-Max still retains the same sharp looks and handling for which it drew praise in the first place. Think of it as a slightly sportier version of Ford’s bigger Galaxy MPV and you’re on the right track. There’s currently only one engine option in Ireland and that’s a 190hp hybrid set-up combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 1.1kWh battery pack. Although Titanium models starting from €49,738 offer an elevated level of spec, ST-Line cars, priced from €52,546, get more appealing looks.
The Hyundai Santa Fe has long been a popular model in Ireland and with good reason. Build quality is excellent, there’s that famous Hyundai warranty, the interior is packed with tech (looking suitably upmarket) and the seven seats offer plenty of space. The plug-in hybrid model is the one to plump for with prices starting from €56,445. The 13.8kWh battery delivers around 45km of usable electric range meaning that the majority of a lot of peoples’ day-to-day driving can be accomplished on electric power only.
Sharing its running gear with the Santa Fe is Kia’s Sorento which, as well as a 2.2-litre diesel engine, offers the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as is found in the Hyundai. Those in need of four-wheel drive will need to opt for the hybrid as the diesel is two-wheel drive only. Equipment levels are high, and the looks are handsome. With prices for the diesel starting from €51,500 and the plug-in model (inclusive of the SEAI grant) from €50,000 it’s slightly better value than the Hyundai.
Peugeot’s 5008 SUV was hailed as the company’s best car in years when it emerged a few years back. Not only does it look stylish and offer a lot of kit and practicality, but the choice of engines is decent too with a peppy 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an excellently economical 1.5-litre diesel, both of which deliver 130hp. There’s no plug-in hybrid model available at the moment in the 5008 and prices start from €41,335 for Active models with the petrol engine. One of the best seven-seat SUVs out there.
The Skoda Kodiaq might be a tad plain inside, but there’s a decent level of spec and the build quality is really quite good. One of the Kodiaq’s main selling points is its spaciousness. Even with all seven seats in place, there’s a useful 270 litres of boot space or, when they’re all folded down, there’s a practically van-like 2,005 litres. Engine-wise, the Kodiaq comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel, both with 150hp. Prices for a 1.5-litre Active model start from €41,685, climbing beyond €64,655 for a 2.0-litre Sportline model with all-wheel drive. Out of the related trio of the Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and SEAT Tarraco, the Skoda is the one to go for.
The Volvo XC90 is a car possessing as much luxury and safety as it does space. Despite a minor facelift in 2019, the XC90 still looks as fresh as it did when this car emerged in 2015. The interior is serene, comfortable and well screwed together and there’s plenty of tech to make journeys more comfortable and entertaining. Available as both a plug-in hybrid and as a 2.0-litre diesel with mild-hybrid assistance, with prices starting from €79,950, the XC90 is very much at the premium end of the market, though it is a fine luxury seven-seater.