7 of the best large family cars

Seven of the best large family cars

TL;DR: What are the best large family cars to lease?

Short on time? Here’s the shape of the list.

The Peugeot E-5008 is the one if you want seven seats and zero emissions; the Volvo XC90 if you want premium and practicality in one package.

If boot space is the priority, go for the SKODA Superb. The Hyundai Tucson is the one for engine flexibility; the JAECOO 7 if you want the most kit for your money.

Finally, the Renault Scenic E-Tech blends electric car technology with automotive nostalgia, while the Dacia Bigster gives you the most amount of car for your cash.

Family life doesn’t come with a handbook

One minute you’re doing the school run, the next you’re playing Tetris with a pushchair, three bags of football kits, and a week’s worth of shopping.

And you’re losing.

The right car makes a dent in all of that. Not just because it’s big, but because it’s been designed with the kind of real-world practicality that makes the never-ending logistics of family life a bit more manageable.

Personal car leasing is a smart way to get there.

You get access to the latest models – with the safety tech, efficiency credentials, and cabin space to match – without having to tie yourself to a depreciating asset.

But it can also be a minefield to sort through, and another task to add to your never-ending list.

So, we’ve done the shortlisting for you.

Below, you’ll find seven of the best large family cars on the market, with a mix of sizes, powertrains, and price points, so you can find the one that fits your life.

What to look for in a family car

Every family is different, so there’s no universal answer.

But as a starting point, here’s what’s worth prioritising:

• Boot capacity: 400 litres or more for everyday use, more if you’re regularly loading up for holidays
• Shape: Taller, boxier cars generally offer more headroom throughout
• Rear seats: Check for flexibility and where the ISOFIX points are positioned
• Five doors: Non-negotiable with young children in tow
• Safety: Check the Euro NCAP rating, and look at the child occupant score specifically

Peugeot E-5008/5008

Seven-seat electric SUVs at a competitive price are like quiet motorways on bank holidays. Rare, and you never know when you’ll find one.

The Peugeot E-5008 is both.

It has seven seats as standard across every trim, and offers a long-range version with up to 413 miles (WLTP Comb) – further (and cheaper to lease) than the Kia EV9.

Inside, the panoramic i-Cockpit, generous passenger space, and impressive build quality make it feel more expensive than the price tag suggests. Boot space runs from 348 litres with all seven seats up to a vast 916 litres in five-seat mode.

Not ready to go full electric?

The Peugeot 5008 is just as good, but runs on petrol instead.

The ride is comfortable, there’s a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version with up to 48 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb), and the boot space and all seven seats remain standard throughout.

Browse our latest Peugeot 5008 or Peugeot E-5008 lease deals

Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is the most straightforward family car on this list.

It’s large, it’s premium, and it has seven seats as standard – something not all rivals offer.

A 2025 update brought revised styling and a new Android-based infotainment system. Plus trim and above get air suspension, making already-comfortable motorways trips even more so.

Second-row legroom beats out most rivals, and even with all seven seats occupied there’s still space for a couple of large bags in the boot.

The T8 PHEV is the one to go for if you’re looking for a company car that doubles as a family wagon. Along with the Peugeot 5008, it’s one of few seven-seat plug-in hybrids on the market, with an electric range of 44 miles (WLTP Comb).

Browse our latest Volvo XC90 lease deals

SKODA Superb

The SKODA Superb is, to put it simply, superb.

A 645-litre boot, cavernous rear passenger space, a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and a starting price that undercuts equivalent premium executive estate cars.

Physical rotary dials for the climate control, heated and massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control, and wireless charging are all standard from entry-level trim.

The Superb doesn’t try to be exciting.

It just gets everything right.

The 1.5-litre petrol mild-hybrid is the engine to go for. Responsive enough, returns 54mpg, and has the most sensible combination of cost and performance in the range.

Browse our latest SKODA Superb lease deals

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is one of those rare family SUVs that works for a wide range of buyers, without feeling like it was designed by committee.

Space is a real strength.

Two six-footers can sit comfortably in the rear with the front seats pushed well back, and the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats are more versatile than the 60/40 arrangement you get in many rivals.

Boot space reaches up to 620 litres in non-hybrid form, putting it among the biggest in the family SUV class.

Engine choice runs from standard petrol to full hybrid to plug-in hybrid, with an electric-only range of 43 miles in PHEV guise (WLTP Comb). The full hybrid will be the sweet spot for most people.

It’s smooth, quiet around town, and consistently returns competitive real-world economy figures of around 40mpg.

A five-star Euro NCAP rating and a five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty round things off well.

Browse our latest Hyundai Tucson lease deals

JAECOO 7

JAECOO is a subsidiary of Chery, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, and the JAECOO 7 makes a clear statement of intent.

Generous specification at a price that undercuts the established names.

Faux-leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, a powered tailgate, and a 540-degree camera system are all standard on entry-level Deluxe trim.

Rear passenger space is impressive, and the double-glazed windows keep wind noise down on the motorway.

If you’re after as much car for your money as possible, the PHEV is the version to go for.

With an official electric-only range of 57 miles (WLTP Comb), charging speeds of up to 40kW, and pricing that undercuts rival PHEVs, it makes the argument for a JAECOO 7 lease a strong one.

The ride is on the firm side and the infotainment has its quirks, but the PHEV’s refinement and running cost potential are worth writing home about.

Browse our latest JAECOO 7 lease deals

Renault Scenic E-Tech

The Renault Scenic is a name that a generation of UK families grew up with.

The original defined practical family motoring in the late nineties – and the E-Tech reboot is a strong reimagining.

The 87kWh battery and 215bhp motor deliver an official range of up to 381 miles (WLTP Comb).

Rear head and legroom are a step up on rivals like the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y, with the 545-litre boot fitting seven carry-on suitcases. Physical climate controls are also a welcome touch in a class that increasingly buries everything in glass.

The Scenic is tuned for comfort over pace.

The ride is supple, motorway refinement is strong, and the brake pedal takes some adjustment. But it does have a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and a starting price that undercuts many other rivals.

Plus, that sense of nostalgia that Renault are doing so well.

Browse our latest Renault Scenic E-Tech lease deals

Dacia Bigster

The Dacia Bigster makes no attempt to be anything other than what it is.

A large, practical, affordable family SUV.

And within those terms, it’s very good.

The Mild Hybrid 140 version offers 677 litres of boot space – cavernous, and almost more than you’ll ever need.

Standard-fit 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, remote boot levers, a height-adjustable boot floor, and physical climate controls all point to a car that’s been thought about practically, not just positioned affordably.

If your priority is how much car your money can lease, the Bigster makes a very strong case for itself.

Browse our latest Dacia Bigster lease deals

Seven very different cars, one shared ambition: Making family life a bit less chaotic from the driver’s seat.

Whether you’re after seven seats, a massive boot, the lowest running costs, or just something that doesn’t feel like a compromise, there’s something on the list that fits.

Frequently asked questions

Is a seven-seater the best kind of family car?

A seven-seater is a good option if you regularly need to carry more than five people, but plenty of five-seat cars are just as practical for most families – especially where boot space, comfort, and daily usability are the priority.

The best family car depends on how you use it.

What body style works best for families?

SUVs and estates are consistently strong performers for families, with a good balance of space, practicality, and driving ease.

A well-specced large hatchback can work, if the boot is generous and there are five doors.

How do I check if a car is safe for children?

The Euro NCAP rating is the most reliable independent source.

Look at the overall score, but also check the child occupant protection category specifically, as scores can vary between the two.