Six and seven-seater cars are pretty common these days, usually large enough to comfortably accommodate big families and all their luggage.
But what if you need even more room? When you need that extra bit of space for family holidays, you're an airport transfer provider, or an executive chauffeur service, eight-seater cars really come into their own. Those extra seats mean the difference between riding together in comfort and the inconvenience of splitting the group across multiple vehicles.
Fortunately, there are several good eight-seat vehicles to choose from in the UK new and used car market. Popular brands such as Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën and even Mercedes-Benz all produce spacious, practical examples designed to carry larger groups with ease.
Typically, purpose-built MPVs only have room for seven, so it's up to van-based people carriers to bring along eight occupants.
- Ford Tourneo Custom
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class
- Citroën SpaceTourer
- Land Rover Defender
- Peugeot E-Traveller
- Volkswagen Transporter
- Renault Trafic Passenger
- Toyota Proace Verso
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life
- Nissan Primastar Combi
- Frequently asked questions
Ford Tourneo Custom
Ford models are practical and offer fantastic value for money, that's why the Ford Tourneo Custom, based on the ever-popular Ford Transit Custom Van, is a strong eight-seat contender. Space inside the Tourneo Custom is massive; it will swallow eight seats, eight people and all their luggage with relative ease, making this literally one of the most practical vehicles you can buy. There's a nine-seat option too, should you need it.
It's quiet and comfortable inside, with a dashboard layout and infotainment system that will be familiar to buyers of regular Ford cars. Plus, it has a solid choice of powertrains. As well as a torquey diesel, for those who want a greener emissions profile, the Ford Tourneo Custom is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an all-electric variant, offering up to 236 miles of range.
The Ford Tourneo Custom Active models are ones to cast your eye on if you regularly venture off the beaten track. With extra body cladding, full-length roof rails, all-weather tyres and an optional mechanical limited-slip differential, it's as close to an eight-seater SUV as you're going to find in the UK.
Search New Ford Tourneo Custom Search Used Ford Tourneo CustomMercedes-Benz V-Class
You’d be forgiven for not immediately thinking “minibus” when you hear the name Mercedes-Benz, but the German brand has actually been in the eight-seater market for more than two decades with its practical V-Class.
Plush and executive are the two words that best describe the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. It's an upscale take on the traditional MPV, and while it was primarily designed to transport dignitaries and celebrities in relative anonymity, it's also well-suited to family life, offering comfortable, spacious seating.
The eight seats can be rearranged into several different configurations, so you can turn the second row of seats to face the third to play a family board game, then pull over and turn them back the other way when you lose. Handy.
It comes as an all-electric version known as the EQV, which is great for inner-city transportation, while the smooth diesel powertrains work well for long-distance trips, thanks to that excellent German engineering, with an average fuel economy figure of 38mpg.
It's easy to confuse the V-Class with the Mercedes Vito eight-seater, but that's a more commercial vehicle offering transportation for workers, with fewer creature comforts. However, it could be one to check out if you want the eight seats and to slice the budget in half. In short, the V-Class leans into comfort and refinement, while the Vito focuses on pure practicality and value.
Search Used Mercedes-Benz V-ClassCitroën SpaceTourer
Citroën is a brand well known for its people carriers, with the Grand C4 Picasso having served as one of the UK's most popular seven-seaters for many years, and the new Citroën C3 Aircross also offering seven seats in certain specs. But what if you need eight, or even nine seats? That's where the Citroën SpaceTourer comes in.
Available with either a diesel engine or as the all-electric e-SpaceTourer, this may well be one of the comfiest eight-seater van-based people carriers out there, having benefitted from what Citroën calls its 'Advanced Comfort® programme'. This system is designed to put road comfort at the forefront with advanced suspension for a smooth ride, plush interiors, and an intuitive layout, creating a cocoon within the vehicle.
Because all seats are independent, they feature reclining backrests and armrests to keep passengers comfortable on long journeys. They slide forwards and backwards, too.
Also worth noting, the choice of powertrain depends on how you plan to use it; the diesel suits long-distance touring, while the electric version is better for shorter hauls and city driving with its respectable 143-mile range.
If a Mercedes-Benz V-Class is just too pricey but you want a high-spec interior that looks after you and your passengers, then a SpaceTourer is worth a look.
Search New Citroen SpaceTourer Search Used Citroen SpaceTourerLand Rover Defender
Although most cars on this list are MPVs, the Land Rover Defender 130 is the only SUV with the option for 8 seats. Although not as roomy as its MPV counterparts, the Defender 130 can go where most can't and is a great option if you're off adventuring into the countryside or you live out in the sticks, and have a large family.
It's quite boxy, but that's ok, as you'll need all the space to fit all eight people in. Its rugged looks give you a hint of its nature, not really for city driving, but more of a countryside rambler. There are two seats up front, with two rows of three behind them for your family. Plus, a half-decent boot space of 389 litres with a full haul.
If you’re after the strongest of fuel economys, you might want to look elsewhere as the Land Rover Defender 130 is a thirsty SUV, and is offered with a range of petrol and diesel mild-hybrids (MHEV) alongside a thunderous V8. Opting for the 296bhp diesel engine gives you the best fuel economy, giving a solid 30 to 36mpg depending on how lead-footed you are.
The Land Rover Defender 130 isn't the most economical eight-seater, especially in V8 form. However, what you do get is its off-road advantage, plush interior, and ability to seat eight with ease, making it an option for those who live or spend time in the great outdoors.
Search Used Land Rover DefenderPeugeot E-Traveller
Peugeot's take on the shared EMP2 platform with the Citroen SpaceTourer is the E-Traveller, an all electric everyday MPV capable of reaching 219 miles WLTP on a single charge providing all the benefits of electric power including a smooth, silent drive and efficient acceleration. The inclusion of regenerative braking helps to recharge the battery during deceleration at three different levels for optimal range.
The intuitive technology doesn't end at the drivetrain as the Peugeot E-Rifter is packed with the latest advanced driver assistance systems including lane keep assist, driver attention alert and traffic sign recognition among others. Additionally the E-Traveller features Peugeot's innovative i-Cockpit that is a staple across the Peugeot range including the smaller 208 and up to larger models like the 5008, the I-Cockpit makes the driving experience as comfortable as possible through multiple refinements such as a customisable heads-up display and a compact steering wheel that enhance visibility.
The interior features a modular set up capable of being tailored to your needs whether that be hauling seven passengers, being your office away from home thanks to the sliding table function or providing accesiblity through the range of door options available. meaning there is a Peugeot E-Traveller perfect for you.
For everyday school runs, office trips and weekend getways the Peugeot E-Traveller is an excellent way to transport larger families without compromising on technology and comfort.
Search New Peugeot Traveller Search Used Peugeot TravellerVolkswagen Transporter Shuttle
If interior space is your thing, then the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle could be right up your street, offering room for eight with ease. With shared underpinnings from the Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen's unique style, you get a very practical, very comfortable eight-seater with lots of useful kit, including rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and sliding doors for easy in-and-out access.
With car-like handling, the Transporter Shuttle smoothly takes to the road, offering a refined ride for whichever seat you find yourself in. There are powertrain options as well, giving you a choice of strong diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and an all-electric version for those with charging infrastructure.
If you're after pure vintage styling, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz might appeal: a reinterpretation of the original Volkswagen Bus from the late 1950s in electric form, but it only comes as a five-, six-, or seven-seat option. That's where the Transporter Shuttle comes into its own.
Although it doesn't have the ID. Buzz's head-turning looks and retro charm, the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle carries Volkswagen's understated character, offering practicality, comfort and reliability in a smart eight-seater package.
Search Used Volkswagen TransporterRenault Trafic Passenger
Renault is another brand with a great reputation for building brilliant family movers, with cars like the (now-discontinued) Grand Scenic leading the charge over the years.
There's still a way to buy a great brand-new Renault people carrier, however, and that comes in the form of the Trafic Passenger. Based on the well-regarded Trafic van, it's primarily designed for taxi duties, but thanks to its level of refinement (particularly in top-spec Space Class models), it's well-suited to family life as well.
For those who like driving comforts, the Trafic Passenger features a solid level of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including intelligent speed assist with traffic sign recognition and overspeed alert, lane departure warning, and driver attention and drowsiness warning, among others. These are ideal if you've never driven something as large as the Trafic before.
The boxy shape accommodates passengers in a 2-3-3 seating layout, with useful features such as ISOFIX child-seat anchor points and a top-hinged rear tailgate that keeps you dry when you're loading up in inclement weather.
What’s more, the Trafic was originally awarded a 4-star Euro NCAP rating, but following the addition of extra ADAS equipment, it was upgraded to a full 5 stars. That makes the Renault Trafic Passenger a strong choice if you want a safe, practical and reliable eight-seat MPV for transporting friends and family around.
Search New Renault Traffic Passenger Search Used Renault Traffic PassengerToyota Proace Verso
Reliability has always been a key feature of Toyota's, old and new. And it certainly doesn't stop with the Toyota Proace Verso, an MPV that offers six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-seat configurations that will perfectly suit your lifestyle.
With older models available with a full diesel-only line-up, the newer Toyota Proace Verso EV marks a clear shift in direction, offering an all-electric powertrain exclusively. This means Toyota has moved completely away from traditional fuel people carriers, offering only a fully zero-emission version. Its range is just over 200 miles, making it still practical on long journeys, but it really comes into its own when heading into the city or more urban driving.
The diesels offer excellent mpg for an MPV of this size, and the smallest 1.5-litre diesel engine delivers a respectable 40.3 to 43.4mpg depending on how you drive.
The compact version can fit eight people in at a squeeze, but if you're regularly full-loaded, it's worth going for the medium or long family versions. It features a flexible rail-based seating system in which the eight seats can be adjusted by sliding them back and forth. Plus, if you suddenly need to move a sofa, they can be lifted out altogether.
This flexibility, blended with Toyota’s reputation for reliability, delivers an eight-seat MPV that slots easily into everyday family life.
Search Used Toyota Proace VersoVauxhall Vivaro Life
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life is one of the better-looking eight-seater vehicles out there, with a familiar front-end design that actually looks very smart. As you'd expect, practicality is massive, with eight-seater versions just the start; there's even a nine-seat variant of the Vivaro Life, should you find an additional seat handy.
Out on the road, the 1.5- and 2.0-litre diesel engines pull well, even fully loaded, with decent fuel economy. Or you can opt for the fully electric Vivaro Electric, offering a range of 143 miles with the 50kWh battery and an official WLTP range of up to 219 miles with the larger 75kWh battery, making this version the obvious choice if you regularly take long weekend excursions.
Although it shares its platform with the Peugeot Traveller and Citroën SpaceTourer, the Vivaro Life comes across as the more practical, value-focused version of the three, with many home-grown buyers thanks to Vauxhall's presence in the UK.
Search New Vauxhall Vivaro Life Search Used Vauxhall Vivaro LifeNissan Primastar Combi
If you ever wanted an eight-seater car with a multifunctional space, the Nissan Primastar Combi might be the answer. With the ability to fold or remove the two rows of rear seats, you can convert your eight-seater people carrier into a practical five-seater car with plenty of luggage space, or a van for moving furniture.
It comes in two lengths, with the L2 offering much more luggage space when fully loaded with passengers, and a single diesel powertrain in four outputs, from an entry-level 111bhp right up to a 172bhp powerhouse, which makes long-distance driving easy and comfortable.
Upfront, the cabin is designed to be like that of a car, offering premium soft-touch materials, an 8-inch touchscreen and Apple Car Play® and Android Auto™ connectivity, making the whole driving experience of the Primastar Combi a delight.
With its ability to configure the seating to meet your particular day, and the car-like experience in the cabin, the Nissan Primastar Combi is a go-to choice for both family journeys and business use.
Search Used Nissan PrimastarFrequently asked questions
An eight-seater car is designed for people who need flexible space for passengers and luggage alike, making it ideal for larger families or anyone who regularly travels with groups.
It allows up to eight people in a single vehicle, including the driver, which can be especially useful for families with children, grandparents, or friends joining the same journey.
For a family of eight, the best car is typically an eight-seater people carrier or large MPV, designed to comfortably accommodate all passengers while providing enough space for luggage and everyday practicality.
The 'best' option is not just about seat count, but also about how flexible the seating is, offering configurable seating layouts and how much boot space remains when fully occupied.
Several MPVs and people carriers, such as the Ford Tourneo Custom, Vauxhall Vivaro Life, Nissan Primastar Combi, and Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle, are available with nine seats as standard, making them ideal for large families, group travel, airport transfers, and workforce transport.
Discover your next eight-seater with Evans Halshaw
With their exceptional versatility, spacious interiors, and family-friendly practicality, it's easy to see why eight-seater cars are a popular choice across the UK. Whether you're planning a staycation or managing the school run, an eight-seater makes every journey more comfortable and convenient, which is always a good thing.
Ready to find the right model that suits your lifestyle? If you're looking for eight-seater cars in the UK and are thinking of buying one, we have a great selection of new and used cars from leading manufacturers, so you can discover a vehicle that fits your lifestyle and budget. Start your search today and drive away with the perfect family car.
