The ultimate family chariots
Big families need big cars and, even with only three regularly-scheduled children in the back, many will still feel the need for some extra carrying capacity.
While large SUVs seem to have cornered the seven-seat market to the detriment of the MPV, that doesn’t mean that the old-fashioned people carrier has gone away, and there are still a few on the market that manage to make a strong case for themselves as versatile and practical family cars.
Buyers these days are also faced an extra question that they mightn’t have asked a decade ago: should I stick with petrol or diesel or is a hybrid or fully-electric option the one to go for?
Luckily, those in the market for a seven-seater have plenty of choice, no matter what kind of powertrain they opt for, and, whether it’s an SUV or an MPV, there’ll be tons of space in the rear and even room for that friend who always seems to be tagging along.
Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140
From £22,595
Easily the cheapest new seven-seater on the UK market, the Dacia Jogger is also one of the best. As a sort of halfway-house between SUV and van-based people carrier, it’s really a big estate car, with a tall capacious body. Don’t go expecting anything plush or sporty to drive though — that’s not what Dacia is all about.
The interior feels reasonably solid and features enough tech to keep all but the most ardent gadget fans happy. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s 200 litres of luggage space in the boot and, with the rearmost seats removed (which is easy to do) there’s just under 700 litres of storage capacity. Those rear seats are spacious enough for adults, too.
The hybrid version of the Jogger, powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 36kW electric motor, develops up to 138bhp, but while it never feels sprightly, it does return fuel economy in excess of 55mpg.
In short, there simply isn’t a new car on the UK market offering as much value as the Jogger relative to its competitors and, rather than feeling bargain-basement, it’s an accomplished and highly-competent machine.
Hyundai Santa Fe
From £41,445
The Hyundai Santa Fe has evolved into a properly upmarket family car. The interior fit, finish and equipment levels are excellent, and it even the looks are high-end. We’d go so far as to say that the Hyundai could happily hold its own in the comfort and luxury stakes against rivals from premium German brands.
Using the same underpinnings as the Kia Sorento (another fine seven-seater), the Santa Fe’s seven seats will accommodate adult-sized passengers in reasonable comfort.
For those covering higher mileages or who need to tow, the 2.2-litre 193bhp diesel model developing 325lb ft of torque is the best option. For everyday family duties though, the plug-in hybrid model with its 13.8kWh battery pack and 36 miles of electric-only range should prove the sweet spot.
Citroën ë-Berlingo XL
Post-production : Astuce Productions
www.matthowell.co.uk 07740 583906
www.matthowell.co.uk 07740 583906
From £32,495
Plenty of buyers would run a mile at the thought of driving a van-based people carrier and head straight for the nearest SUV, but maybe they shouldn’t. Citroën’s ë-Berlingo XL is one of just a handful of seven-seat electric cars on the market (there’s also a five-seat model) and, despite the fact it’s not especially stylish, it makes a compelling case for itself as one of the most versatile family cars out there.
Powered by the same 50kWh battery and 136bhp motor combo as the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric, the electric Berlingo offers quite a refined and pleasant drive, but, as the boxy looks suggest, where it really majors is on practicality. The cabin is festooned with storage bins and cubby holes, the seating arrangements are endlessly configurable and, even with all seven of them upright, there’s still 250 litres of cargo space in the rear.
A 174-mile range isn’t stellar, although it’ll likely prove perfectly sufficient in everyday use and cost much less to run than a combustion-powered equivalent.
Volvo XC90
From £61,995
Even though it’s getting on a bit now and there’s a new all-electric replacement on the way later this year, the Volvo XC90 can still hold its own in the practicality and luxury stakes.
Although it’s a seven-seater, the rearmost seats are quite cramped and mostly only suited to occasional use, but it makes up for that in myriad other ways. The cabin is exceptionally comfortable and packed full of kit to keep everyone entertained. There’s the XC90’s enviable reputation for safety, too, with the oft-repeated claim that there has not been a single person killed while driving or travelling as a passenger in an XC90 in Europe since the model was launched in 2002.
For the broadest range of uses, the 232bhp mild-hybrid B5 diesel model is the best in the line-up, although the T8 plug-in hybrid with its 31-mile range and 445bhp is very quick and reasonably economical if — and only if — the batteries are kept charged.
Ford S-Max
From £38,450
Around since 2015, the Ford S-Max isn’t now long for the chop as Ford makes way for more electric models. Still, that should mean there are good deals to be found in 2023 on leftover stock.
The S-Max may be old, but it was always one of the best-driving MPVs on the market, handling well and conducting itself in a fairly refined fashion on the road, and that’s still the case, with 2.5-litre, 188bhp hybrid power now the only powertrain option. The interior really is starting to show its age though and it’s not nearly as slick or up to date as some rivals. That said the S-Max still provides plenty of interior space, with seats configurable in any arrangement you please and a substantial 285 litres of space in the rear when laden with a full complement of passengers.
What’s more, given that the UK market is increasingly shunning diesel, it’s good to know that the petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is capable of returning a decent 44mpg — not bad for a car of this size.
- If you liked our article on the best seven-seat cars to buy in 2023, you might also be interested to read the best compact cars to buy in 2023
- You might also like to see our guide to the car makers’ electric vehicle plans
- Here are five of the best luxury cars to buy
Keyword: Driving.co.uk’s guide to the best seven-seat cars to buy in 2023