Why buy a 7-seat hybrid?
Hybrid 7-seater cars make a lot of sense for large families or those who simply want the extra space that larger cars can provide, but also seek a car that's economical to run.
7-Seater hybrid SUVs are the most abundant in terms of choice, but an MPV may be more of a suitable option for you.
The choices below are primarily full hybrid and plug-in hybrid 7-seaters, but 7-seat mild hybrids can be found too. It would be a good idea to first learn about the differences between them, so that you can make a decision as to which type of hybrid is the best for your individual needs.
Kia Sorento Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid
Kicking off with a Kia is always a good option, as they produce some of the most convincing hybrid and electric cars on the market.
None more so than the excellent most recent generation of Kia Sorento, which is actually available as both a full hybrid and plug-in hybrid, so the choice is yours.
Full hybrid versions are capable of 40+ mpg, and the 227bhp means 0 to 62mph in a handy 8.7 seconds. Plug-in hybrid Sorentos can actually travel 35 miles using electric power only, transitioning to hybrid power when the batteries run low for a maximum fuel economy figure of 176.6mpg.
Toyota Prius+
The little-known Toyota Prius+ is actually a very clever and useful family car. Using the Prius name, the Prius+ is of course a full hybrid that's very efficient and was sold in the UK between 2012 and 2020, undergoing a facelift in 2015.
Average fuel economy should be into the 50mpg range, although the official WLTP figure is 47mpg. With only 134bhp, the Prius+ is not a powerful car, but the low running costs and legendary reliability of the Toyota hybrid powertrain should be enough to keep you interested.
There aren't shed-loads of used examples out there, but if you can find one, they're worth a look. You'll be getting a practical, spacious and super economical family MPV.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid
Sharing a platform with the excellent Kia Sorento, the Santa Fe has all of the same great traits of that car, with a sprinkling of Hyundai styling on top.
The identical full petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are also available, so it's really only about which one you prefer the look of, or which one you can get the best deal on.
One top tip for maximum fuel economy is to go for the Premium model, which has smaller 17-inch wheels and achieves 2mpg more than the Ultimate version, which is fitted with 19-inch wheels.
Lexus RX L 450h
Lexus are another one of the leading brands when it comes to hybrid technology, and in 2018 they launched the RX L 450h, a longer, 7-seat version of the popular RX 450h.
What is the Lexus RX? Certainly a left-field choice in the world of luxury SUVs. That by no means makes it a bad car though, with a wonderfully crafted interior, remarkable reliability and tremendous levels of refinement and comfort.
The 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine might sound like it's going to be thirsty, but paired with the brand's advanced hybrid system average fuel economy is actually rated at 47.1mpg. An impressive figure for a car of this size and weight.
Volvo XC90 2.0h T8 Twin Engine
Volvo have been on a sustainability and environmental push for a while now, and that is borne out by the sheer volume of hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of their model line-up.
As you might have guessed from the "Twin Engine" nomenclature, this version of the popular XC90 luxury SUV has two distinct sources of power. The first is a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 320bhp, with the electric motor adding 81bhp of its own for a startling total of 401bhp. That makes it the fastest car in this list, with a 0 to 62mph time of just 5.6 seconds
The XC90 T8 can travel up to 27 miles on EV power alone, before switching to petrol/electric hybrid mode. Official fuel economy is 134.5mpg, but in reality, and when not in full EV mode, mpg will be in the mid 30s.
BMW X7 xDrive 40d MHT
Continuing the theme of luxury 7-seat hybrid SUVs, the X7 bucks the trend slightly by going for a diesel mild-hybrid setup in a bid to reduce fuel consumption (which, incidentally, the XC90 is also available with).
With a 3.0-litre engine capacity and the turbocharger working seamlessly with the 48V mild hybrid system, oodles of power and torque are delivered in effortless fashion.
Fuel economy in the mid 30s is pretty decent for a car of this size; the X7 is one of the largest and most spacious 7-seat SUVs you can buy.
Find your perfect 7-seater hybrid at Evans Halshaw
An increasing number of car makers are producing excellent 7-seater hybrid cars now, leaving you with a lot more choice than you would have had even a year or two ago.
Popular brands such as Kia, Hyundai and Toyota are joined by luxury manufacturers in BMW, Lexus and Volvo in offering 7-seat hybrid cars, and all of them can be found at Evans Halshaw.
