See all undefinedLarge families need big cars and the most accommodating vehicles available – this side of purchasing a used minibus – are the latest crop of seven-seaters. Be they mid-sized or premium SUVs, or just good old, straightforward MPVs, there’s a wealth of choice out there for people looking to transport a large brood around the place. Best of all, while many of the cars on this list are new, some of the models detailed have been around for years, meaning there are used-car bargains to be had for family transportation.
Audi Q7 Mk2 (2015-on)
The current, second-generation model launched in 2015 and offers all the typical Audi attributes (crisp looks, high-class cabin and superb drivetrains) with a 2-3-2 interior seating configuration that allows for plenty of passengers. A premium product, the Mk2 is not cheap, with even second-hand prices starting at around €50,000, but the good news is that the Mk1 Q7 starts from a much more affordable €6,500-€7,500 – and it’s just as practical and capacious.
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso/SpaceTourer Mk2 (2013-on)
Although seven-seat SUVs are the latest trend, there’s an argument to say there’s nothing better at transporting large families around than a traditional MPV. And there are no finer seven-seat examples of this particular breed than the Grand C4 Picasso (it was renamed as the Grand C4 SpaceTourer in early 2018). Full of clever touches to make life easier for the parents on board, the second-generation launched in 2013, meaning used prices start from around €12,000 – and the original Mk1 (2006-2013) is even cheaper (€3,500-€10,000).
Hyundai Santa Fe Mk4 (2018-on)
Hyundai’s Santa Fe has just been refreshed into a smart-looking, smooth-driving, fourth-gen SUV and it’s a cracking vehicle. With seven on board, there’s not a huge amount of boot space, but it’s capacious enough that seating five children in the rear-most two rows will be a breeze. Prices for new ones starts from €42,745 or €443pcm on PCP, but for those on a budget, the older Mk3 remains a superb seven-seat SUV, with prices starting from €18,500.
Kia Sorento Mk3 (2015-on)
Bag one of these Korean machines and, even if you get an early 2015 example, you’ll still have up to three years of the manufacturer’s warranty left on it (mileage permitting). That’s a huge amount of peace of mind for potential owners, besides the fact the Sorento is an excellent seven-seat SUV – it’s massive inside and very relaxing to drive. New models cost upwards of €40,000, but you can bag a second-hand example for as little as €26,000; and, for even less cash, seven-seat Mk2s (2010-2014) can be picked up for anything between €8,500 and €20,000.
Peugeot 5008 Mk2 (2017-on)
The current, second-gen Peugeot 5008 is a wonderful thing, with a fully digital dashboard part of a show-stopping interior. It’s not the biggest SUV going, so it’s more of a ‘5+2’ than a seven-seater, but it should be more than accommodating enough for a younger family – and it looks great. If you’re looking to save some money, though, the Mk1 5008 was a ‘proper’ MPV. It might not be the prettiest thing Peugeot’s ever built, but it is incredibly practical and used prices start from just €5,000.
Renault Grand Scenic Mk4 (2016-on)
The Grand Scenic’s party piece is that it rolls on 20-inch wheels as standard, but yet manages to have a perfectly civil ride for a people carrier – an absolute essential for a family MPV. The Renault also has a clever interior and used prices start at around €22,000 for an early 2016 example. Too much money? Then you’ll be pleased to know that Renault started making a seven-seat Grand Scenic as far back as the Mk2 (Scenic), meaning you can get into one for around €1,500. Even later Mk3s are typically well beneath the 20-grand marker.
SEAT Alhambra Mk2 (2010-on)
It’s not a particularly new car, the Alhambra, having been around in its current incarnation for nine years. It’s not particularly flashy. It’s not particularly attractive. But what it is, is entirely fit for purpose and therefore one of the best MPVs you can buy. Van-like in stature, it can take seven people on board and some luggage behind them too, while twin sliding doors on the side make ingress and egress a doddle. Prices start from around €16,000 for good, used examples of the earliest Mk2s, so you don’t even need to look at the older, Ford/VW-aligned Alhambra Mk1 as an alternative.
Skoda Kodiaq (2016-on)
One of the newest cars on our list, Skoda’s largest SUV is named (sort of) after a kind of bear, but it’s a real pussy cat to live with if you’re a big family. Striking Skoda looks and a generous, accommodating cabin with plenty of the marque’s ‘Simply Clever’ features makes this a hugely desirable vehicle. To that end, used prices are strong – starting from around €30,000 – but you could still grab a relative bargain compared to a new one… and beat the waiting lists at the same time.
Volkswagen Touran Mk2 (2015-on)
While most people think of a seven-seat VW MPV and go ‘Sharan’, it’s actually the Touran Mk2 that wins our approval – because it’s one of the few cars for sale that has three ISOFIX fitting points across its second row of seats, an often-asked question by and hugely desirable feature for people who are on the hunt for a seven-seat vehicle. Early examples of the Mk2 start at around €22,000, but you could always consider the Mk1 (from €2,000-€20,000) as a cheaper alternative.
Volvo XC90 Mk2 (2015-on)
The Mk2 XC90 was the car that started Volvo’s transformation from premium-segment outsider to the class-leader it is today, and as a premium SUV ownership proposition, it’s hard to beat. Seats six and seven, in row three, are said to be big enough to accommodate people up to 5ft 8in (173cm) tall and the quality of the fixtures and fittings in this Swedish chariot cannot be faulted. It’s pricey – even second-hand examples are well north of €40,000 – but well worth the money. And, if you fancy it, then the Mk1 (2002-2014) is almost as good, with used values between €2,000 and €25,000.
