Over the last decade, seven-seat cars have undergone a significant transformation.
While they were traditionally designed as MPVs, like the now departed Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan, today's best seven-seaters are predominantly fashionable SUVs.
But no matter how sharp they look, the general ethos of a seven-seater hasn’t changed: ferry the family, swallow shopping and occasionally moonlight as a van for Ikea flatpacks.
Our top 10 list features cars with varying characteristics: some offer a third row best suited for occasional use alongside massive boots, while others comfortably accommodate a group of adults without needing Tardis-like magic. Some combine all of these aspects to great effect.
Our top pick for the best seven-seater on sale today is the Dacia Jogger, which stands out thanks to its unbeatable value and immense practicality that few others can match.
Close behind is the Kia EV9, an electric option boasting an excellent interior, good third-row space and a substantial range.
While seven-seaters are gradually disappearing from the UK market, there’s still a solid list of options you can add to your shortlist. So read on, as we dive into the top 10 best seven-seaters on sale today.
Best for: Value
It's perhaps no surprise that the biggest breath of fresh air in the seven-seater market for a while has come from Dacia.
The Dacia Jogger is a fully equipped people mover, but more importantly, it will cost you less than the price of a mainstream supermini - and is the cheapest car on this list.
Straddling the lines between estate, MPV and SUV, the Jogger contains enough space for seven adults, although the third row is best left to children on longer journeys.
With the rear seats lowered or removed completely, there's up to 2094 litres of carrying capacity available, plus several nearly packaged storage compartments tucked away around the cabin.
Driving the Jogger is a mixed bag, but it's not bad. There's a supple, languid gait to its ride, while its turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol triple is a smooth and willing accomplice.
Light and accurate steering combines with a subtly raised seating position to make the Jogger easy to place on the road, and while it can roll like a drunk when cornering hard, the grip is strong and the handling always remains faithful.
It's far from a scalpel-sharp street fighter, but there's enough character in the way the Jogger goes about its business that it really should be considered if you're in the market for seven seats.
Read our Dacia Jogger review
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Take out that VW and replace it with the Ford Tourneo Custom.
Once you put those side by side (and drive for a few hundred miles), you will never choose the VW again. (Power usability, comfort, infotainment, versatility, price, gearbox, noise, dealer experience, faults and problems, cost, MPG,...)
Probably also because it's infotainment had rebooted on you at least 10 times.
I have driven multiple VW multivans/transporters and Ford Custom's or Tourneo customs. But now Ford has upgraded it's tech, there is absolutely no reason to buy the VW (or the Mercedes V for that matter). And thats before even comparing the prices...