Thinking of upsizing? These seven-seaters are among the best in their class

TL;DR: What are the best family seven-seater SUVs?

There's a seven-seater to suit every budget and priority, from value-led options through to premium picks with all the trimmings:

  • Electric: Peugeot E-5008, Kia EV9
  • Budget: Chery Tiggo 8, Dacia Jogger
  • Mainstream: SKODA Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Premium: Volvo XC90, BMW X7

The best seven-seater SUVs for you and your family

When your family's growing, one of the first things you'll need is a bigger car.

A hatchback might see you through one or two kids. But once you're past that — especially if you're working with a three-door car — space runs out fast.

That's when people start looking at SUVs, crossovers, MPVs, or saloons.

But if you need ultimate space, a seven-seater is the answer.

And fear not — seven-seaters aren't the boxy, uninspiring MPVs of years past.

Today's options are stylish, practical, and packed with the tech and comfort your family actually wants.

We've put together the best seven-seater SUVs you can lease.

Peugeot E-5008

Peugeot E-5008

Peugeot E-5008

Where French design meets electric practicality: Meet the Peugeot E-5008.

As the UK's cheapest seven-seat electric SUV, the E-5008 doesn't need to shout about its price to get noticed.

Its swooping silhouette, Pixel LED headlamps and floating rear spoiler already do that job — this is a car that looks the part before you've even opened a door.

Step inside and Peugeot's Panoramic i-Cockpit takes over, wrapping a curved 21-inch display around the driver for a genuinely premium feel.

It's a cabin that rewards a bit of exploring, even if some of the touchscreen menus take a moment to get used to.

On the road, the E-5008 is lighter than rivals like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai IONIQ 9, and it shows. It's more agile, more composed over bumps, and still manages a comfortable, quiet cruise at motorway speeds.

Range is where the E-5008 really earns its keep. The longest-range model offers up to 413 miles (WLTP Comb), with power reaching as much as 325hp depending on the version you choose.

Need a top-up? A 20–80% charge takes as little as 30 minutes.

Seven seats come as standard, and while the third row is best kept for kids on shorter trips, the rest of the cabin doesn't disappoint. With all seats in place, you get 348 litres of boot space, rising to a generous 916 litres with the rearmost row folded away.

Add in up to eight years of cover through Peugeot Care, and the E-5008 makes a strong case for itself as one of the most sensible seven-seat EVs on the market.

Browse our latest Peugeot E-5008 lease deals

Kia EV9

Kia EV9

Kia EV9

Meet the EV that won not one, not two, but three awards in 2024: What Car? "Best Electric" car, and a double win at the 2024 World Car Awards.

The Kia EV9 doesn't do things by halves.

It's Kia's biggest, boldest, and most ambitious model yet — a full-size electric SUV built to prove that seven-seat practicality and premium presence aren't mutually exclusive.

Every EV9 runs on the same 96kWh battery, but how far it takes you depends on the version you choose.

The entry-level Air offers the longest range at up to 349 miles (WLTP Comb), while opting for all-wheel drive brings that down to around 313–316 miles in exchange for extra traction and performance.

Need to top up on the move? Ultra-fast charging adds up to 154 miles in just 15 minutes.

Inside, the EV9 is built around space.

Seven seats come as standard, with a six-seat layout available higher up the range, swapping the middle bench for a pair of swivelling captain's chairs.

The third row won't quite match the second for outright legroom, but it's genuinely usable for kids and shorter adults, not just an occasional fold-down afterthought.

With all seven seats in place, you still get 333 litres of boot space, expanding to a cavernous 2,318 litres with the rear rows folded flat.

On the road, the EV9 leans into comfort over excitement.

It's composed, quiet, and settled at motorway speeds, even if its sheer size — this is a genuinely huge car — means it's happiest out of tight car parks and narrow streets.

For those who want more urgency, the range-topping dual-motor versions offer serious pace, with 0-62mph in as little as 4.6 seconds.

Every EV9 comes with Kia's seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, plus a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, so peace of mind is very much part of the package.

Browse our latest Kia EV9 lease deals

Chery Tiggo 8

Chery Tiggo 8

Chery Tiggo 8

Proof that you don't need to spend a fortune for seven-seat family motoring, the Chery Tiggo 8 has quickly become one of the most talked-about SUVs on sale, and it's not hard to see why.

Named Carwow's Car of the Year for 2026, and with Chery picking up Best Value Brand honours the same year, the Tiggo 8 has built its reputation on giving families a lot of car for comparatively little money.

The plug-in hybrid Super Hybrid version is the one to go for, combining a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for 204PS combined.

Officially, that's enough for 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and up to 56 miles of electric-only driving, with a total range of up to 750 miles (WLTP Comb) when the petrol engine joins in.

Charging is straightforward too, with a 20 to 80% top-up taking around 20 minutes.

Inside, the Tiggo 8 punches well above its price tag.

Soft synthetic leather, a 15.6-inch touchscreen and, on Summit trim, a 12-speaker Sony sound system all help the cabin feel far more premium than the price suggests.

Space in the first two rows is generous, and while the third row is best reserved for kids or shorter trips, that's true of most seven-seaters in this class.

Boot space with all seven seats in place is on the smaller side at 117 litres, though folding the third row away opens things up to a much more usable 494 litres.

On the road, comfort is the priority.

The soft suspension soaks up bumps easily, making the Tiggo 8 a relaxed companion for the school run or a long motorway haul, even if it's not the most exciting car to drive down a country lane.

Safety-wise, the Tiggo 8 holds a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and every model comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, plus an eight-year battery warranty on the Super Hybrid.

For families who want space, kit and price all working in their favour, the Chery Tiggo 8 is hard to look past.

Browse our latest Chery Tiggo 8 lease deals

Dacia Jogger

Dacia Jogger

Dacia Jogger

The Dacia Jogger is currently the cheapest seven-seater on the market.

Prices start comfortably below £20,000, making it the obvious first stop for families who need genuine seven-seat practicality without the premium price tag.

Even fully loaded, the range-topping Extreme trim barely creeps past £24,000 — a figure some rivals don't even manage as their starting price.

Don't let the value price fool you into thinking you're compromising on much.

The Jogger is a proper seven-seater, not a squeeze, with decent head and leg room even in the third row, and enough space up front that nobody's fighting for elbow room.

The rearmost seats are even fully removable, not just fold-flat, giving you genuine flexibility between carrying people and carrying cargo.

Engine choice is simple: A 108bhp turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, or a 153bhp hybrid if you want a bit more power and considerably better efficiency, with the hybrid returning over 60mpg in official tests.

Neither is quick, especially with a full load of passengers on board, but that's not really the point of a car like this.

It's built to be easy: Easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to live with.

Practicality is where the Jogger really shines.

Boot space starts at a useful amount with all seven seats in place, growing significantly once the third row is folded or removed entirely, right up to a cavernous maximum with every rear seat out of the way.

The Expression trim brings a solid list of kit as standard, including keyless entry, cruise control, LED headlights, an eight-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and a reversing camera.

The Jogger carries a one-star Euro NCAP rating.

That might sound alarming, but in this case it's less about how the car performs in a crash and more about safety-assist technology gaps. This has since been addressed with updated kit which will likely score higher on the next assessment.

For families who want space without the price tag that usually comes with it, the Dacia Jogger remains one of the easiest seven-seaters to justify.

Browse our latest Dacia Jogger lease deals

SKODA Kodiaq

SKODA Kodiaq

SKODA Kodiaq

Winner of the 2026 Auto Express Large SUV of the Year, the SKODA Kodiaq continues to prove that you don't need flashy badges to deliver genuine family SUV excellence.

Seven seats come as standard on SE L trim and above, with the entry-level SE offering them as a modest option — so it's worth checking which version you're looking at if a third row is non-negotiable.

One configuration that doesn't offer seven seats at all is the plug-in hybrid Kodiaq iV, since its battery takes up the space where the rearmost seats would normally sit.

If you'd rather stick with something more traditional, there's a broad spread of petrol and diesel options too, including a 190bhp four-wheel-drive diesel capable of towing up to 2,300kg.

Practicality is where the Kodiaq really earns its reputation.

With all seven seats in place, you get 340 litres of boot space, expanding to a genuinely vast 2,035 litres with every seat folded flat. That’s among the best of any seven-seater on sale.

The third row itself is better suited to kids than adults, but that's a small trade-off for the sheer amount of load-lugging ability on offer elsewhere.

Inside, SKODA's "Simply Clever" touches are everywhere, from configurable smart dials to a screen cleaner tucked away in the glovebox. It's a genuinely thoughtful cabin, even if some of the climate control dials feel a touch flimsy underhand.

That's good news if you're leasing, too: Since lease pricing is based on how much a car is expected to depreciate, a Kodiaq that holds its value well should translate into more competitive monthly payments than a rival that's expected to lose value faster.

For families who want space, value, and genuine towing capability all in one package, the SKODA Kodiaq remains one of the smartest choices in its class.

Browse our latest SKODA Kodiaq lease deals

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe

Once an ugly and laughable attempt at a 4x4, the Hyundai Santa Fe has transformed into a bold, boxy SUV that turns heads wherever it goes.

With its distinctive H-shaped LED lighting and unapologetically chunky styling, this is a seven-seater that stands out from the crowd rather than blending into it.

Every Santa Fe comes with seven seats as standard, and unlike some rivals, the third row here is genuinely usable for adults, not just an occasional seat for kids.

Prefer a bit more room to stretch out? The range-topping Calligraphy trim swaps the middle bench for two individual captain's chairs, creating a six-seat layout instead.

Under the bonnet, every Santa Fe has some electric power.

The standard hybrid combines a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for 239PS, while the plug-in hybrid steps things up to 284bhp, making it the quickest Santa Fe in the range with 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds.

There's no diesel and no fully electric version here. If you want zero-emission Hyundai seven-seat motoring, that's what the Ioniq 9 is for.

Inside, the Santa Fe feels genuinely special.

Dual curved 12.3-inch displays span the dashboard; Hyundai's Digital Key 2 lets you lock, unlock and even approach-unlock the car using just your phone; and Calligraphy trim adds a genuinely unique touch with a UV-C sanitising tray in the glovebox (a first for a production car).

Practicality is a strong suit too, with a spacious 725-litre boot and four ISOFIX mounting points split across the second and third rows, plus 12 cup-holders dotted throughout the cabin. There's no excuse for anyone going thirsty on a long trip.

Safety-wise, the Santa Fe achieves a five-star Euro NCAP rating with the Smart Sense+ Pack fitted (standard on Ultimate trim and above), backed up by ten airbags as standard.

For families who want a seven-seater that looks as good as it drives, the Hyundai Santa Fe delivers something genuinely different from the usual SUV crowd.

Browse our latest Hyundai Santa Fe lease deals

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90

Crowned Best seven-Seater at the Autotrader Drivers' Choice Awards 2026, the Volvo XC90 continues to prove that Swedish sophistication and genuine family practicality go hand in hand.

You get all seven seats no matter which engine you choose. Where cars like the Audi Q7 often sacrifice the third row to make room for a plug-in hybrid battery, the XC90 keeps its full seven-seat layout across the entire range.

There are two powertrains on offer:

  • The mild-hybrid B5: Delivering 250hp and a 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds
  • The plug-in hybrid T8: Delivering 449bhp combined and a 0-62mph time in just 5.4 seconds

The T8 also offers up to 44 miles of electric-only range for those able to plug in regularly.

Signature T-shaped "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights greet you outside, while an 11.2-inch portrait touchscreen running Google-based software takes centre stage within.

It's a cabin that feels considered rather than cluttered, with genuine comfort for passengers in all three rows — even six-footers in the back can travel without complaint.

Boot space starts at 247 litres with all seven seats in place, rising to 680 litres in five-seat mode and a huge 1,950 litres with everything folded flat.

Towing capability is another strong point, with both powertrains rated to pull up to 2,400kg.

Safety has always been at the heart of Volvo's identity, and the XC90 continues that legacy with a full suite of active and passive safety technology as standard, including the brand's enhanced City Safety system.

For families who want genuine seven-seat flexibility wrapped in understated luxury, the Volvo XC90 remains one of the most complete choices in its class.

Browse our latest Volvo XC90 lease deals

BMW X7

BMW X7

BMW X7

The BMW X7 isn’t just big, it makes a bold statement.

As BMW's largest model, the X7 sits at the crossing point of two very different worlds — the seven-seat SUV and the true luxury car — and it manages to excel at both simultaneously.

This is a car built for families who don't want to compromise on space, comfort, or presence.

Three engines are on offer:

  • xDrive40i petrol: Delivering 381hp and 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds
  • xDrive40d diesel: Delivering 347bhp and 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds
  • M60i: With a 4.4-litre V8 delivering 523bhp, capable of 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds

Where the X7 truly sets itself apart though is in the third row.

It's widely regarded as one of the most spacious rearmost rows in the entire seven-seat class, easily accommodating a couple of six-footers in genuine comfort — a real rarity at this size.

Five-zone climate control is even available, letting third-row passengers set their own temperature.

With all seven seats in place, there's still room for a couple of suitcases, and folding the rearmost row down opens up a genuinely enormous 750-litre boot.

Step inside and the X7's interior quality speaks for itself with precisely crafted materials and a meticulous build quality that few rivals can match short of a Bentley Bentayga.

A curved 14.9-inch touchscreen pairs with a 12.3-inch driver display, while options like the Sky Lounge panoramic sunroof and a thunderous Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system push the luxury further still.

BMW's Digital Key even lets you leave your physical key at home, unlocking and starting the car from your phone or smartwatch.

BMW placed sixth out of 30 manufacturers in the latest reliability survey, ahead of several premium rivals, and every X7 comes with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty as standard.

For families who want maximum space and genuine luxury in one package, the BMW X7 is hard to beat.

Browse our latest BMW X7 lease deals

Which seven-seater is best?

There's no single answer — it depends on what your family needs most.

If budget is the priority, the Dacia Jogger and Chery Tiggo 8 prove that seven-seat practicality doesn't have to come with a premium price tag.

For electric power, the Peugeot E-5008 and Kia EV9 both deliver genuine long-range usability without compromising on space.

Families who want a dependable all-rounder will find it in the SKODA Kodiaq or Hyundai Santa Fe.

And those after the last word in comfort and presence should look to the Volvo XC90 or BMW X7.

If we had to pick just one, the Hyundai Santa Fe stands out as the strongest all-round choice with seven genuinely useable seats, a boot that swallows the weekly shop with ease, and styling that turns heads without tipping into showy territory.

It manages to feel special without asking you to stretch into premium SUV pricing.

Whichever model fits your family best, one thing's certain: Leasing is the smart way to get behind the wheel of any of these seven-seaters, letting you drive a brand-new model without the commitment or depreciation risk of buying outright.

Don't need seven-seat practicality, just SUV space?

Beth Twigg

Beth Twigg

Beth is our Content Marketing Manager, tasked with creating great articles to keep you both entertained and informed. She has two years previous experience, but has been writing and scribbling for much longer.