Best electric cars with seven seats 2024
If you need room for a large family or frequently ferry friends or kids around, a seven-seater makes sense. And there's a growing number of electric seven seaters.
Electric cars are in big demand at the moment but when it comes to ferrying around large families or taking the kids out with their friends there isn’t as much choice on the electric car market.
It’s no surprise, really, as seven-seaters are generally larger cars and as a result they’re often bigger and heavier, which has an adverse effect on their overall electric range. That means for many buyers, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid SUV may be a more sensible option.
The good news is that there is a growing number of larger electric vehicles coming onto the market. And with some models exceeding 200 miles in range and others reaching 300 miles from a full charge, the prospect of electric family motoring is taking off.
Regardless of budget, it’s important to have a good idea of what you need your seven-seater to do. Major considerations to keep in mind are electric range and how usable you need the rearmost seats to be – electric car or not, a third row of seats often only brings enough space for small children. Here are the best electric cars with at least seven seats that you can buy today.
Best electric seven-seater for value for money
Our pick: Citroen e-Berlingo Flair XL
Read our full Citroen Berlingo review
Since the formation of Stellantis brought Vauxhall into the same company as Citroen and French stablemate Peugeot, the scope for electrified vehicles has become much bigger for the three brands.
The latest small van-derived people carrier has been on sale in EV form since 2018, first as a Citroen e-Berlingo, but with the other two brands following suit with the Vauxhall Combo e-Life and Peugeot e-Rifter.
M models only have five seats, so XL versions should be top of your list if you need all seven – and the good news is that there’s plenty of space. The vehicles all use the same 50kWh battery (which can do over 150 miles from a full charge) and a 138PS electric motor. Specifications are similar across the board, too.
Best electric seven-seater for everyday practicality
Our pick: Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life
Read our Vauxhall reviews
If you’re in need of a little more space than from your van-based seven-seater, then the Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life, Citroen e-SpaceTourer and Peugeot e-Traveller are a size up.
While the van-based body does limit dynamic capability, the benefit is even more space, with a choice of eight or even nine seats.
You can expect the same electrics as the smaller vehicles underneath, including the battery, which in this heavier and larger vehicle will do around 130 miles before it runs flat. That may not be enough for everyone and you will need to plan for longer journeys, but it’s easily sufficient for most school runs and family days out.
Best electric seven-seater for sheer space
Our pick: Mercedes EQV 300 Sport Premium
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With eight seats, the Mercedes EQV – based on the Mercedes V-Class luxury people carrier – is one of the most practical luxury electric cars you can buy, while it also benefits from a range of over 200 miles per charge.
The flip side is that it’s very expensive. A new one costs over £80,000 and with no many used examples around, there aren’t any second-hand bargains to be had.
Every version gets a high-tech media system borrowed from other cars in the range like the popular Mercedes A-Class, as well as electric sliding doors and a handy split tailgate. The boot space isn’t huge, but there’s plenty of additional storage under the rear seats, so fitting a family and their entire luggage shouldn’t be a problem.
Best electric seven-seater for those who don't want a big car
Our pick: Mercedes EQB 350 AMG Line 4Matic
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If you like the idea of owning a Mercedes, but don’t want to pay as much as you would for a Mercedes EQV – or don’t want to drive a van – the Mercedes EQB could be a solid choice. The rearmost seats are smaller than in a van, as is the case with any seven-seater SUV, so they’re best used only by children.
Prices start at around £20k less for a new one, with a 66.5kWh battery pack that will do even more miles than the Mercedes EQV – around 250. It’s also pretty punchy, with 231PS or 296PS, and both ‘300’ and ‘350’ models get four-wheel drive for added traction in slippery conditions.
100kW rapid charging is supported, which could be better - there are other electric cars available that accept 150kW or more. But the 11kW AC charging could make a difference to those plugging into free charging points like those found in supermarkets and shopping centres, where many other EVs are limited to just 7kW.
Best electric seven-seater for attracting attention
Our pick: Tesla Model X Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive
Read our full Tesla Model X review
The Tesla Model X caused a stir when it was launched due to its ‘falcon wing’ rear doors, which open upwards even in tight spaces. Inside, it’s similar to the smaller Tesla Model S. However, a pair of seats in the rear makes this a full seven-seater, unlike the small ‘jump seats’ that were in early Tesla Model S cars.
First-generation Tesla Model X models come with a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, while later versions got a landscape screen. There are various hardware upgrades, new battery tech and a revised design, but going for an older Tesla Model X should not put you off, because every car from the brand gets over-the-air updates to keep things like Autopilot working smoothly.
If you can stretch to a 90kWh ‘Dual Motor’ or 100kWh ‘Performance’ version, range anxiety shouldn’t be too problematic. Earlier 75kWh models will probably struggle to go a full 200 miles from a full charge. If you want a new model, they are currently only available as left hand drive though.
Best electric seven-seater for urban use
Our pick: Nissan e-NV200 Combi Acenta 80kWh
Read our Nissan reviews
Functional it may be, but the Nissan e-NV200 Combi has a lot of appeal, even if it is slightly let down by its somewhat sluggish acceleration and average interior packaging.
The fact remains that if you want a relatively affordable electric car with seven seats, it is a proven option. Knee room might be a tad tight, but thanks to the height of the rear seats, the fact they recline and the impressive amount of headroom, most should be comfortable when travelling in the rear row.
Performance is adequate at best – 14 seconds to 62mph and on to a top speed of 76mph – but don’t expect to achieve the 120-mile range if you drive at full throttle. For urban use, though, you won’t find another seven-seat EV anywhere near as affordable.
Best electric seven-seater for trendsetters
Our pick: Volkswagen ID. Buzz 77kWh
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Very much the in vogue electric car of the moment, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is finally here, and the company hopes it will live up to the legend its styling echoes – the original Volkswagen Type 2.
It uses the same 77kWh battery found in more expensive Volkswagen ID.3, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5 models, but has the lowest range of all at around 200 miles thanks to its heavier bodywork. It’s not quick, but fortunately the Volkswagen ID. Buzz does feature the more powerful 207PS electric motor, which is the best choice in the other ID models.
Not all Volkswagen ID.Buzz models are seven-seaters, either, so make sure you include the seven-seat option in your search parameters. Our main gripe is the touchscreen media system, which can be a little buggy and slow. Volkswagen has also been slow to deliver over-the-air software updates in its other ID models.
Best electric seven-seater for sheer excess
Our pick: Mercedes EQS 450+ 4Matic
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The Mercedes EQS is the German company’s rival to the Tesla Model X and comes with a price tag to match – you’ll need £130,000 for a new one and that’s for the entry-level version. A top-spec seven-seater will set you back £153,000.
Based on the Mercedes EQS Saloon, it’s unsurprisingly brimming with luxury. Every version gets four-wheel steering and air-suspension, plus it can be specified with the optional ‘Hyperscreen’ set-up, which places a third display in front of the passenger as well as the usual touchscreen media system and digital driver’s display.
Expect up to 380 miles of range from the most expensive model and 200kW charging delivers a 70% top-up in around half an hour. It’s a great car, but the pricing means you’ll end up a member of a very exclusive club.
Best electric seven-seater for understated luxury
Our pick: Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor
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It may be over £90,000 for a new one, but the Volvo EX90 looks like good value when compared with electric models from Mercedes and Tesla. Plus the Swedish firm’s subscription service means you may well be able to lease one within your monthly budget.
Based on the fabulous Volvo XC90 SUV, which has always been one of the leading cars in its class, the Volvo EX90 is a plush and superbly well-equipped offering with a serene cabin and impressive passenger space.
It has a responsibly sourced interior, too, using renewable materials where possible and repurposed Scandinavian forest wood. It will do 363 miles on a charge and take on superfast charging with no issues, breaking down many of the barriers to electric car ownership for a number of buyers. It’s not cheap, but it’s a fantastic car and one that redefines the luxury seven-seat EV.