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Our top 7 seven-seater cars for big families

Our top 7 seven-seater cars for big families

With a big family, it can be hard to pick the right 7-seater car for your needs. That's why we've done it for you with our list of the best 7-seater family cars.

When you have a big family, it can be hard to find the time to shop around and properly consider all the seven-seater car models currently available.

So, to help save you time in your already hectic schedule, we’ve gone ahead and done the legwork for you by picking out our top 7 seven-seater cars that are perfectly designed to accommodate a growing family.

Zuto is a credit broker, not a lender. Representative 20.9% APR.

1. Volvo XC90

Offering a package of sleek style, generous size proportions, a robust safety kit, and a relaxing driving experience, the Volvo XC90 is an excellent choice for those in need of a roomy SUV, and considered among the best cars for a big family.

This car earned the 2015 Auto Express Car of the Year Award and continues to outperform more recent competitors, with hundreds of drivers securing Volvo XC90 finance through Zuto each year.

It’s currently one of the few SUVs on the market that can accommodate three child seats in the middle row of seating while comfortably offering enough room for teens and adults in the back. Even with all seven seats up, the latest XC90 model can still hold up to 451 litres of luggage. That’s more than most MPVs!

But the good news doesn’t stop there. With all of the seats down, the XC90’s boot space increases to a whopping 1,856 litres, making it perfect for a trip to IKEA to replicate this motor’s Swedish design in your home.

As we’ve mentioned, Volvo was extremely generous with the safety kit installed in this SUV. Perhaps most importantly, the airbags protect passengers in all three rows of seating by deploying the full length of the cabin in the event of an accident. It also received an incredible 97% adult protection rating and 87% child protection rating during Euro NCAP crash testing, giving it a well-deserved overall 5-star rating.

However, the Volvo CX90 is fairly expensive compared to other SUVs on the market, starting at £45,750 new and around £11,000 for a used 2015 model.

Volvo’s warranty is also only 3 years, with a 60,000 mileage restriction that means used car buyers aren’t likely to have much coverage at all. Owners have also reported problems with the electric mirrors and diesel engine models. So, when buying used, make sure you test the electric mirrors and start the engine a few times while test-driving.

But, these issues aside, the Volvo XC90 is still a solid choice when it comes to 7-seater family cars.

2. Land Rover Discovery (Sport)

The Land Rover Discovery is the most upmarket and compact SUV to make our list of best cars for big families, and thousands of drivers are able to secure Discover finance through Zuto each year. Its sleek design makes it look more like the stunning Range Rover Evoque than a member of the Land Rover family.

The Discovery Sport provides supremely comfortable seats, top-notch interior materials, and a luxurious cabin experience with suppressed road and wind noise. And it also scored five stars in the Euro NCAP crash safety tests.

The Discovery Sport is fitted with Land Rover’s Terrain Response System, which adjusts the car’s traction to help with driving in different conditions including snow, sand, and rocks. This can come in handy if you need to pick up the kids in snowy or remote conditions.

However, at the same length and width as a Volkswagen Golf, this SUV is also well-suited as a regular 5-seater with two occasional passengers, rather than a well-used seven-seater SUV every day of the week.

On top of this, while the rear two seats are easy to access, with its rear doors opening almost 90 degrees, the lack of space means these seats are only really suitable for adult passengers on short journeys.

Owners have also reported problems with the air suspension. So, if you choose to buy a used Discovery Sport then make sure this is checked when you test drive it.

Like the Volvo XC90, the luxury and prestige of this SUV does command a relatively high price tag, typically £13,700 for a 2015 model, but it also holds its value very well on the used car market. Experts predict that it should retain between 50-55% of its value after 3 years and 36,000 miles, making it a solid investment for those looking for a long-lasting and reliable SUV.

3. Peugeot 5008

Prioritising space and price over fancy gadgets and dashboards, the Peugeot 5008 is popular among Zuto customers, with hundreds of drivers securing finance each year. It makes the most of the space it has while being half the price of most luxury SUVs currently on the market – typically £7,000 for used 2016 models.

The Peugeot 5008 is specifically designed to give you plenty of options for where to put those bulky child seats, offering three separate middle-row seats. The gap between each means you can easily accommodate three small children without issue, and they’re all equipped with ISOFIX points for added safety.

Each of these seats can also be adjusted and folded individually, allowing you to arrange the interior of your car to your liking, whether you’re trying to accommodate multiple passengers or large amounts of luggage. No wonder it’s considered among the best cars for big families!

And if safety is your concern, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Peugeot 5008 scored a full five-star rating in the official Euro NCAP safety testing, coming equipped with both automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning systems.

However, the Peugeot 5008 isn’t able to offer as much passenger space and comfort as other larger SUV options, with the third row of seats being mainly for children and having limited cabin space. Though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; its smaller footprint certainly makes finding a suitable parking space easier.

The Peugeot 5008 is also not the most reliable of SUVs, ranking 22nd out of 30 car makers, and while it does come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, this is not ideal for those looking to buy a used model.

4. Kia Sorento

Winner of the best family car 2022 at the Carbuyer Car of the Year awards, the Kia Sorento delivers practicality and comfort in equal measure, putting it high on our list of the best 7-seater cars for family needs. And Zuto customers tend to agree, with hundreds securing Sorento finance each year.

The Kia Sorento puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to functionality, offering users an incredible 2,011 litres of practical boot space when the back row of seats are down. Naturally, the second row is adjustable as well, ensuring everyone can sit comfortably when the car is full.

The interior of the Kia Sorento is no slouch either, coming with a modern infotainment system that even includes a set of sensors that can detect traffic passing in your blind spots. And for those who’re environmentally conscious, you can also find hybrid models.

With four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox coming as standard, the Sorento has no issue tackling everything from difficult terrain and heavy traffic. However, this does increase the price of all models, meaning it’s not the cheapest of SUVs straight out of the box.

Like many of the other cars on our list, the Kia Sorento performed excellently in its Euro NCAP testing, receiving 5 stars, and those seeking a used version of this car will be pleased to hear it comes with a 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty. It’s also remarkably good when it comes to reliability, with second-hand users finding minimal issues.

All that being said, while many standard models come with seven seats, the back-row seating is very much for children. Tall adults and teens in particular are likely to find seating uncomfortable on long journeys.

Coming in at around £8,100 for 2015 models, the Kia Sorento is well worth considering if you’re after a 7 seater car with a big boot.

5. Hyundai Santa Fe 7dr

The Hyundai Santa Fe is another capable and practical SUV, but one that lacks some of the fun and comfort provided by other models that made our list. With that being said, it’s still both spacious and flexible, and hundreds of Zuto customers choose Santa Fe finance each year.

The second and third rows of seating fold completely flat to reveal a huge 1,615-litre boot space that can accommodate most types of luggage, and the second row can even be slid forwards and backwards to provide more legroom for tall teens and adults - or more boot space when needed.

On top of this, the Santa Fe features tons of other storage areas throughout the interior, including a large cubbyhole between the front seats that can come in handy for storing toys or bottles needed on any journey.

All Santa Fe’s also come well-equipped with air conditioning, rear parking sensors, and all-wheel drive. Models sold in the UK have even been specifically designed with suspension for handling harsh British roads, improving balance on twisty lanes, gravel, and mountainous trails.

This model also comes with Hyundai’s generous 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and 20,0000-mile service intervals to protect against any problems, making it a sensible choice for large families who like to travel.

As a final added bonus, the Santa Fe is less pricey than other SUVs on our list, with a used 2015 model typically costing £8,100. And while this might make it one of Hyundai’s most expensive models, this is offset by the Sante Fe achieving a five-star performance in Euro NCAP crash testing and benefiting from Hyundai’s strong reputation for reliability.

6. Audi Q7

Versatility is the first word that springs to mind when looking at the Audi Q7. More than capable of seating seven people in lavish comfort, the Q7 comes with a range of useful driving features as well as offering versions with mild hybrid assistance. That’s why almost 1,000 Zuto customers choose Q7 finance each year.

Despite its size, the Q7 handles much like a standard-sized car, offering a smooth and manoeuvrable drive while still being an excellent choice for those who need a towing- or off-road vehicle.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the Q7 was recently named the 2nd most reliable SUV on the market, despite the low ranking of the Audi brand overall. Like the rest of our list, it scored 5 stars on Euro NCAP testing and is generally considered to be one of the safest SUVs available.

But the benefits of this all-rounder come at a cost. When it comes to 7 seater cars with a big boot, the Q7 is lacking. Even with the rear seats down, the maximum amount of space you’ll have to work with is 865 litres.

Alongside this, the third row of the Q7 is not nearly as spacious as other SUV models. Adults are likely to find themselves quite cramped, making the Q7 ill-suited for long journeys with multiple passengers.

While the Q7 certainly has a lot to offer, even with all its benefits, it fails to reach the top of our list of the best cars for big families due to its sharp price point – a typical used 2015 model will cost £15,300.

7. Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq might be Skoda’s first large SUV, but it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to form and function. Fully capable of standing up to the other well-established competitors on our list, the Kodiaq comes with a comfortable cabin and generous boot despite its small size.

Seven seats come as the baseline cabin arrangement in all versions of the Kodiaq, except for the starting model, though with the addition of front and rear parking sensors (and a reversing camera), narrow parking is a breeze.

The Kodiaq comes in both diesel and petrol versions, both of which are pleasant and easy to drive if a little bit firm. But where the Kodiaq really shines in on bumpy roads. Its seats and suspension are designed to provide comfort over excessive style, making it great for off-road driving, with some models even coming with a turbocharged engine for that extra punch.

And none of this comes at the expense of boot space, of which the Kodiaq has an ample 2,005 litres of room with the seats down. It scored 5 stars for safety in the Euro NCAP tests, though it is considered to be safer for adults rather than children.

Unfortunately, while a small cabin width gives it a narrower footprint, this lack of width means that the interior can feel rather cramped. The middle seat of the second row can’t be offset in any way, making it hard to fit three child seats side-by-side. Euro NCAP testing also confirmed that the rear seats aren’t approved for belted safety seats, which may be a concern for some drivers.

Other issues found by users include a low engine torque when using the lower gears, making the Kodiaq less-than-ideal for anyone looking to use their SUV as a towing vehicle on holiday.

The Kodiaq is certainly a competitive SUV, but it’s better suited for drivers wanting sizable boot space rather than a dedicated family travel vehicle. And with a used 2019 model typically costing £18,900, there are certainly cheaper alternatives.

And there you have it, with these seven SUVs to hand you should hopefully have a better idea of the kind of 7-seater family car you’re looking to buy. Of course, you don’t have to buy a car upfront. If price is an issue, you might want to consider car finance from Zuto.

Our expert team is ready to help you with all your finance needs, including if you need bad credit car finance. Get in touch with us today or head over to our help and advice section for more information.

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