Why should you buy a 7-seater?
Sometimes five seats just aren’t enough, and plenty of families reach a point where they need to carry more passengers. The good news is that a 7-seater no longer means one kind of car. Buyers have steadily moved away from the traditional people carrier towards the seven-seat SUV, so today the same seven seats come in everything from a raised SUV like the Kia Sorento to a proper people carrier such as the Ford Tourneo Connect.
Most of the time, a 7-seater does its work as a roomy five-seater. The third row folds into the floor or lifts out altogether when you don’t need it, and that flexibility is a big part of the appeal. Now, there are also different hybrid or all-electric versions to suit how you actually drive, too.
What types of 7-seater cars are there?
A 7-seater is a seating layout you’ll find across several very different car shapes, which is why the choice is so wide. These are the main types:
7-Seat SUV
The most popular route to seven seats today gives you a raised driving position for a commanding view of the road, and plenty of family-friendly kit. The third row is usually best suited to children on longer journeys.
MPV or People Carrier
Purpose-built for carrying people, their boxy shape and upright seating give you the most usable third row for the money.
Estate-Style 7-Seater
Lower and longer than an SUV, these blend estate proportions with an occasional third row. A sensible middle ground if you want the space without the height.
Van-Based People Carrier
Derived from vans, so you get sliding side doors and the biggest interior of any type here as they often seat seven with room to spare.
Frequently asked questions
The most accurate answer depends on how often you’ll actually use that third row. If it’s an everyday thing, you’ll want genuine space back there, but for the occasional trip a smaller model will do the job for less. The Hyundai SANTA FE is consistently rated highly for its interior space and long warranty, with room for adults in all three rows, and if you’d rather go electric the Kia EV9 is a popular choice, offering a big range and a seven-year warranty of its own. It’s always prudent to check the latest safety ratings and reviews for any model you’re considering.
For sheer interior space, van-based people carriers are hard to beat. The Citroën Berlingo in its longer XL form offers over 1,000 litres of boot space with five seats in use, expanding to a van-like capacity with all the rear seats folded. Among SUVs, the Peugeot 5008 is one of the most practical, with a generous boot, but bear in mind that in most 7-seat SUVs the boot shrinks to around city-car size once all seven seats are up.
The Dacia Jogger is the UK’s cheapest new 7-seater by some margin, but if you’d like something a little different, the Citroën C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Frontera both offer a third row as a cost option, keeping them among the more affordable new choices. The used market is where the real savings are, and a few years of depreciation can put a spacious family 7-seater within a modest budget bracket.
Most 7-seaters are front-wheel drive as standard, with four-wheel drive usually offered as an option on higher trims. If you want the extra traction, there’s plenty of choice. The Nissan X-Trail, for example, is available with Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system. Whether you need 4x4 really depends on how you drive - if you tow a caravan or regularly tackle snow or muddy tracks then a four-wheel drive earns its keep. If not, a front-wheel drive model will handle everyday family life perfectly well, and it’ll usually be cheaper to buy and run.
Prices for a new 7-seater start well under £20,000 and climb past £50,000 for a large electric or premium SUV, so there’s something for most budgets. One thing to really take into consideration is running costs, both in terms of fuel consumption and tax rates as vehicles over a certain price threshold pay an added supplement for a fixed period of time.
Why should you buy a car from Evans Halshaw?
As part of one of the UK's largest automotive retail networks, we have an extensive range of both new and used cars within our group inventory. Having partnered with over 20 of the world's best-known manufacturers, you're also able to access exclusive benefits, schemes, and offers, to ensure you're getting the greatest value when browsing for your next vehicle.
With over 100 locations nationwide, we serve customers up and down the country, and aim to build lasting relationships with everyone that visits our site. From experiencing a car for the first time, through to long-term care for your vehicle, our stores are well-equipped to take the hassle out of vehicle ownership from start-to-finish, allowing you to enjoy every minute behind the wheel.
So, if you're interested in exploring your next vehicle, please get in touch with your nearest Evans Halshaw retailer where an advisor will be on-hand to support your journey.
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