The minivan was once the vehicle of choice when it was necessary to transport more than five occupants. However, three-row SUVs significantly changed this picture, eating into minivan sales in the early 2000s. That trend has continued to this day, evidenced by the fact that there are multiple 7-seater SUVs for sale in 2026 but only a handful of minivans. If you need to seat seven, these are the best SUVs for the job. Our list includes models from Audi, Lincoln, Toyota, and others.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available; models without BuzzScores have not yet been fully tested by our team. Rivian R1S SUV The best 7-seater SUV on our list, with a BuzzScore of 9.0 out of 10, is the Rivian R1S SUV. This all-electric SUV can be a rugged off-road model with drive modes like "Rock Crawl," "Rally," and "Soft Sand," a simple family-hauler, or a supercar-beating drag racer with up to 1,025 horsepower in the Quad trim level. The R1S seats up to seven people inside, regardless of trim level. Those in the third row get up to 38.6 inches of headroom and 32.8 inches of legroom. Folding down the second and third rows expands the cargo space to 104.7 cubic feet."Every R1S rides on independent air suspension with adaptive dampers and automatic ride-height leveling. Reviews of the pre-facelift R1S criticized it for a hard ride, which has been addressed with this new model. The suspension rides smoothly over bumps, especially in Soft Mode, but we found this setting to allow too much body motion on certain highways."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Lincoln Navigator A more luxurious 7-passenger SUV that we hold in high regard is the Lincoln Navigator. It earns an 8.9 out of 10 on the BuzzScore scale. The Navigator is fairly expensive; there are three available trims that start with the Premiere at $91,995, then the Reserve costs at least $101,995, and the Black Label starts at $119,525. Depending on your configuration, this SUV can seat seven or eight occupants. Rear-seat occupants will love this model, as those in the third row can stretch into 43.5 inches of legroom and 37.4 inches of headroom. Cargo space is also plentiful, with up to 107 cu. ft. behind the front row."Lincoln calls the new Navigator a "spa on wheels," and with massage seats in the first and second rows as well as Digital Scents that waft through the air vents, it's hard not to agree with that billing. There's even a new Rejuvenation mode that reclines the seat, and plays a calming video on the massive screens. This is one of Lincoln's best interiors ever, and one of the most luxurious cabins at any price."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Lexus TX The Lexus TX is a 7-seat SUV with a luxurious interior at any trim level. This Lexus model certainly focuses on luxury, but it's also a large body-on-frame SUV with some rugged off-road and towing capabilities. Lexus provides the TX with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains across a vast selection of trims and variants. The cheapest version is the TX 350, at $55,640; the cheapest hybrid is the 500h F Sport Performance at $69,160, and the PHEV starts at $79,510 for the 550h+ Luxury trim. No matter which trim you choose, it will always have a maximum of seven seats, with those in the third row getting 33.5 inches of legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom. Cargo space reaches 97 cubic feet behind the front row."The layout is ergonomic and comfortable. We particularly like the configurable cupholders, which can be removed to create more storage space and can accommodate large water bottles with ease."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Acura MDX Built on the same platform as the Honda Pilot is the more luxurious, sportier, and better-looking Acura MDX SUV with 7 seats. Buyers can choose from a handful of trims, with most finding power from a 3.5L V6, but the most expensive variant, the Type S Advance, gets a 3.0L turbo V6 and a host of other sporty upgrades. If you're looking for a simpler Acura to haul up to seven people around in, then the base model will suffice for $51,800. No matter which trim you end up in, the third row will have 29.1 inches of legroom and 36.2 inches of headroom."The sports seats are pure Acura - they feel thick, supportive, and comfortable with plenty of adjustment in the Type S. The third row is cramped, but unless you're looking at a full-size SUV, that's always the case. The second row is a pleasant place to be, and with plenty of headroom and legroom for a couple of large adults."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Toyota Grand Highlander Toyota offers a wide variety of family vehicles that range from the Corolla Cross to the RAV4, and the largest of the bunch is the Sequoia. However, if the full-size Sequoia is too big and expensive, you can step down to the Grand Highlander. Its base model starts at $41,660 before destination and options, and its top hybrid trim level costs at least $59,575. Most trims have an available bench seat for up to eight occupants, but opting out of that option leaves room for seven people. Either way, those in the third row have 33.5 inches of legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom, while cargo capacity behind the first row reaches 97.5 cubic feet."Getting into the third row is pretty easy, too, requiring a lever pull to slide the middle seats forward in one motion. There is a large gap to access those rear seats and even a special footwell cutout to make it easier to step up into the vehicle."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV The most luxurious model among all the 7-seater SUVs on our list today is the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV. Buyers can choose among three trims/variants, including the base model GLS 450 4Matic for $90,250, the more luxurious GLS 580 4Matic for $116,150, and the sportiest version, the AMG GLS 63, which starts at $151,050. No matter how you spin it, all three versions seat seven people with an optional six-seat configuration. Third-row passengers have 34.6 inches of legroom (headroom is TBA). Cargo capacity behind the front row reaches 84.7 cubic feet. GMC Yukon One of the best SUVs with seating for 7 is the GMC Yukon. This full-size three-row SUV is built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Tahoe, but comes with a more luxurious interior and nicer styling all around. It's powered by the same 5.3L V8 as standard in most trims, but a 6.2L V8 and 3.0L diesel I6 are available. While the Yukon can technically seat up to nine people in its base trim, and up to eight in most other versions, the Denali, Denali Ultimate, and AT4 Ultimate come with seven seats as standard. The third row of these models has 34.9 inches of legroom and 38.2 inches of headroom. Cargo capacity behind the front row reaches 122.8 cubic feet."Body-on-frame vehicles usually feel compromised on the road, both in terms of ride comfort and handling. GMC has managed to minimize these attributes to the point where the Yukon feels perfectly comfortable tackling a trail, or blasting down the left lane of a highway. Wearing all-terrain tires doesn't seem to impact road noise too drastically, as we could still have a conversation at highway speeds without raising our voices."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Audi SQ7 Another sportier model, and the best 7 passenger SUV that Audi has to offer, is the SQ7. This German sports SUV has room for up to seven people inside, but we especially enjoy its driving experience. Under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque; combined with standard AWD, the SQ7 can sprint to 60 mph in four seconds flat. On our test drive, we found the third row to be fairly cramped. That said, third-row passengers have 29.2 inches of legroom and 35.9 inches of headroom. Folding down the second and third rows opens up 68.1 cu. ft. of cargo space."...the SQ7 loses some legroom in the second row of seating to help make room for the tight third row. As we mentioned in our regular Q7 and Q8 review, the Q7 needs a longer wheelbase to become a three-row crossover for a large family. As it stands, the third row has no air vents and is too cramped to expect kids to get into every day."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Genesis GV80 The largest model in Genesis' lineup is the GV80 SUV - a three-row midsize model that competes with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and BMW X5. It's available in both regular SUV and coupe forms, with the coupe featuring a sloped roof in the back. However, our model of choice has a traditional SUV shape for better third-row headroom and cargo space. The base model, the 2.5T RWD, starts at $57,700, but you'll have to upgrade to the 2.5T Advanced AWD for the cheapest seven-seat configuration at $68,600. In this model, the third row has 34.4 inches of headroom and 30.3 inches of legroom. As for cargo space, the GV80 can fit up to 71.7 cu. ft. behind the front row."The absolute standout feature of the GV80 is the interior. It’s what makes this SUV look and feel like a luxury car from the moment you open the door. It doesn’t matter which trim you go for because the full lineup is nicely appointed. It’s not a matter of whether you want luxury, but of just how much luxury will make you happy."- Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz Toyota Highlander Toyota returns to this article with another seven-seat SUV; the Highlander is similar to the Grand Highlander that we talked about earlier, but it's a bit smaller and less expensive. It's available in seven trims, including four gas and three hybrid variants. The cheapest gas model is the 8-seater XLE for $45,570, but you'll have to spend at least $47,640 for the XSE if you want seven seats. All trims come with standard all-wheel drive for safety and peace of mind. Passengers in the third row of seven-seat models have 28 inches of legroom and 36.1 inches of headroom, while cargo space expands to 84.3 cubic feet with the back two rows folded down. Characteristics Of 7-Seater Cars Most buyers looking at a 7-passenger SUV want more than just a spacious hauler for their family. Luckily, there are a number of relatively affordable options for shoppers on a budget, too. The majority of these larger crossover SUVs are marketed towards those who want the best for their loved ones. Here are some of the key qualities of SUVs with 7 seats: Size: While not every seven-seater needs to be a full-size SUV, the top contenders are usually on the larger side. This gives them the space they need to give everyone enough room to get comfortable over long trips. The midsize or compact crossovers that can squeeze in seven are usually only sufficient for a quick trip or moving a gaggle of toddlers. Accommodations: Naturally, you need to ensure there is enough room for all your passengers. But space alone does not make for luxury. These cars are designed for long drives, so comfortable seat cushions and upholstery are essential. Safety: If you’re going to be hauling the kids around, you will need to ensure their well-being is always placed first. Most of these family-oriented SUVs have impressive safety ratings, but it’s the available driver-assistance technology that appeals most. Systems such as blind-spot monitoring and forward collision avoidance are becoming the norm, and crossovers that lack them just won’t cut the mustard. AWD is also usually standard, making these vehicles ideal for dealing with rain or snow. Entertainment: Unless you enjoy threatening to turn the car around every fifteen minutes, you’ll probably want a distraction for the kids. Even the most affordable of these cars usually have an optional rear-seat entertainment system. Even if you don’t spring for this, many receive pretty comprehensive infotainment suites, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and often Wi-Fi as standard. Hyundai Why Choose An SUV With 7 Seats? There are loads of SUVs on sale in the US, but new 7-seat SUVs don’t usually come cheap. This means you need to carefully consider the pros and cons of such a large purchase: Pros Most can fit up to seven in relative comfort Seats are generally very comfortable Plenty of standard features Comprehensive infotainment suites Multiple high-luxury brands Excellent cargo space Cons Very few have truly spacious third rows Limited cargo space behind third row Many three-row SUVs are thirsty Very few are truly cheap What is the best seven-seater car? The best 7-seat SUV for you boils down to your specific needs. In terms of pure value for the money, the Kia Sorento Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe are hard to beat for the price. There are plenty of other honorable mentions, though, such as the Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade, or the Lincoln Navigator. Are there any seven-seater electric variants? Now that EVs are starting to really take off, automakers are scrambling to make sure they have something in every segment and category. This means you no longer have to settle for a hybrid when trying to save on fuel and moving seven people at the same time. Still, there are only a few electric SUVs with 7 seats in the USA at the moment. These include the Mercedes-Benz EQB, Rivian R1S, and Cadillac Escalade IQ. Apart from excellent mpg returns, they are both packed with modern features. However, they do compound the already present issue of a high price tag with the extra cost of an electric powertrain.Sources: Rivian, Lincoln, Acura, Lexus, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Genesis