You don’t have to settle for a car that is uncomfortable or ugly just so you can accommodate your family of six. The truth is that there are many fashionable, roomy, and useful options available, particularly in the market for used cars. These are some excellent options to look at, regardless of whether you’re thinking about an EV, hybrid, SUV, or MPV.
Best Large Family Cars
Below is a selection of 6 or 7-seat vehicles that blend practicality, comfort, and style without being overly bulky. If you’re not sure how many seats a vehicle has, you can run a free HPI check using Full Car Checks to get all the details.
Best Electric Option: Mercedes EQB
The Mercedes EQB offers a refined, fully electric option for big families. It’s roomy enough for adults in the back, and even with all seats occupied, the boot delivers around 465 liters of space. You’ll get up to 253 miles on a charge from the 66.5 kWh battery—plenty for commuting and school runs. It’s also surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight spots, with an 11.4 meter turning circle, and it boasts twin 10-inch infotainment screens for modern flair and ease of use.
Premium Electric Excellence: Tesla Model X
If you’re in the market for something that’s iconic and full of features, the Tesla Model X fits the bill. With its dramatic upward-opening rear doors, loading children in car seats is a whole lot easier. There’s safety tech galore, and the giant 17-inch touchscreen handles infotainment and car controls seamlessly. Look for as much as 358 miles range per charge, so it’s perfect for road trips as well.
Best Hybrid Cars for Fuel Efficiency
Prefer not to go fully electric? These hybrid models provide a wonderful balance of economy and usefulness.
Don’t underestimate Dacia. The Jogger is affordable yet spacious, seating seven with ease. Even with all seats in place, there’s about 160 liters of boot space, and fuel economy hits up to 56.5 mpg—impressive for its size.
The Kia Sorento, as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, provides a sophisticated experience with such features as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with several USB slots. Fuel economy varies between approximately 38 mpg for the hybrid and an incredible up to 176 mpg in certain PHEV models. It feels robust and roomy, with enough tech to keep the whole family happy.
Best SUVs for Family Life
Looking for top-tier SUVs that pack space, comfort and reliability? Here are two favourites:
Elegant, safe, well built—and with seating for seven. The XC90 features a 9-inch touchscreen, parking sensors, and often a 360-degree camera on mid-spec models. It also supports up to six ISOFIX child seats, making it a fine pick for families. You’ll still get around 40.9 mpg on diesel engines, and with 302 litres boot space when all rows are up, it’s genuinely practical.
Modern, spacious and refined, the Santa Fe handles long journeys with ease. It seats seven comfortably and expands the boot to around 1,625 liters when the rear seats fold flat. Inside, you get dual 12.3-inch screens, plus a separate climate control display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and generous rear seat tech turn long journeys into something a bit more comfortable.
Best MPVs for Families: VW Touran & Ford S-Max
MPVs remain a strong choice for families because they focus on passengers, flexibility and usability.
A tried-and-tested seven-seater, the Touran feels smaller than it is—straightforward to drive, easy to get car seats in and out, and comes with tech like an eight-inch infotainment system. Boot capacity begins at 137 litres but increases to more than 900 litres when the rear seats are folded back. Quality and practicality are solid throughout.
A great blend of space and drivability, the Ford S-Max offers a sporty personality compared to more van-like alternatives. It seats seven comfortably, with around 285 liters of boot space, rising to 700 liters when seats are stowed. Diesel variants can deliver up to 47 mpg, making this a sensible, family-friendly everyday driver.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to drive a big, ungainly people carrier just to seat six—or even seven—people. From sleek electric SUVs like the EQB or Model X, to practical hybrids like the Jogger or Sorento, and reliable MPVs like the Touran or S-Max, there’s a great option to match your lifestyle. Keep in mind space, seats, fuel type and tech, and most importantly—test drive them with your family on board.
Whatever you select, the correct car must make family life slightly easier and more pleasurable. Let me know if you would like assistance in comparing models in more detail or locating deals in the UK market!