Best 7-seater hybrid cars: Top picks for 2025
The best seven-seater hybrids are cheap to run and spacious inside. Take your pick from SUVs, MPVs and even a van.
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The best seven-seater hybrid is exactly what it says on the tin – a car with seven seats powered by hybrid tech. And the best seven-seater hybrid car can be the ultimate family vehicle, designed to carry up the whole family and, in an ideal world, with plenty of luggage space to boot.
What is a Seven-Seater Hybrid Car?
In smaller models, the two rearmost seats might be best suited to children and teenagers, but the biggest seven-seater hybrid cars could have room for adults in the back, making them incredibly versatile.
On top of that practicality, you can make huge savings on running costs with a hybrid. The added electricity gives a boost to the engine, making it more efficient, so it sips less precious fuel.
Like with other types of car, you can get a seven-seater as a mild hybrid (with a small battery to provide some power and reduce emissions), full hybrid (with a slightly larger battery for a mile or so of electric-only motoring) or plug-in hybrid (with an even bigger battery and generally at least 20 miles of electric range), depending on what’s best for you.
To help you pick the best seven-seater hybrid for you, here are our top picks.
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Best 7-Seater Hybrid Cars in 2025
Here are the best hybrid seven-seater cars of 2025, each offering unique advantages in comfort, technology and efficiency. And you can choose from SUVs, MPVs and even a van-based model.
Dacia Jogger
Nissan X-Trail
Peugeot 5008
Volvo XC90
Volkswagen Multivan
Hyundai Santa Fe
Ford Galaxy
Dacia Jogger
 "Dacia Jogger front three quarters")
Our pick: Dacia Jogger TCe 140 Hybrid Extreme
The Dacia Jogger is an insanely practical, budget-friendly option for those who have outgrown their hatchbacks. It looks more like an estate than an SUV but has the added benefit of two additional rear seats across all models.
Key to the Jogger’s success are two factors – its rock-bottom price (a mid-spec hybrid model will cost you around £23,000 new and several thousand pounds less used, and its impressive hybrid system.
Dacia claims it’ll do around 80% of town driving without needing to use the petrol engine thanks to the 1.2kWh battery, and that it’ll go up to 43mph just with electricity. Official figures stand at 56.5mpg as a result.
Because the hybrid model is only available for mid-range Expression cars and above, you’ll get things like rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Nissan X-Trail e-POWER
 "Nissan X-Trail")
Our pick: Nissan Qashqai e-POWER Tekna
The Nissan X-Trail with its e-POWER setup – also available in the beloved five-seat Qashqai – is a real standout option thanks to its unique hybrid system. It might just be the best seven-seater hybrid SUV just because of how it drives.
e-POWER uses an electric motor to drive the wheels, so you get EV-like performance and a refined drive. The e-Pedal driving mode is a really close recreation of the one-pedal driving you get in EVs, too.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine just acts as a generator to charge the car’s battery and keep the 204hp motor going. And, since you don’t need to charge the X-Trail, you can drive it as you would any other hybrid.
Be aware that you can get the X-Trail with five or seven seats, so use our handy search filter tool to make sure you’re finding a seven-seat hybrid model.
There are also 213hp four-wheel-drive versions, badged e-4ORCE, for added grip if you need it.
Peugeot 5008
 "Peugeot 5008")
Our pick: Peugeot 5008 1.2 Hybrid GT
In a game of word association, we’d say Peugeot is best known for building very stylish cars. The French brand also makes cars that are a pleasure to drive, even in the case of its biggest car, the 5008.
Our pick would be the third-gen model, introduced in 2024. The 195hp plug-in hybrid has seven seats, all the grunt you’ll need from a family car and the 21kWh battery is good for nearly 50 miles of electric-only driving.
Older mild hybrid 5008s are also best in class if you’re on a tighter budget. Its 136hp, 1.2-litre setup is perfect for nipping around town, where you should be able to do around 20-50% of short trips with the engine off, especially when you coast up to lights rather than brake.
Whichever 5008 you go for, you’re getting a stylish, premium interior for a fraction of the price of luxury brands. Third-gen models even have a huge 21-inch curved display and so-called i-Toggles, which are trick touchscreen shortcut buttons that you can customise.
Volvo XC90
 "Volvo XC90")
Our pick: Volvo XC90 T8 R-Design
For drivers seeking luxury and cutting-edge safety features, the Volvo XC90 remains a top choice. And it’s a nice chunk cheaper than the fully electric EX90 but with much of the same appeal.
You can pick up petrol and diesel models, many of which have mild hybrid assistance for improved fuel economy, but we’d spend our money on a plug-in hybrid model.
From launch in 2015, the second-gen XC90 came with a plug-in option. It had a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine and an 11.6kWh battery to provide 26 miles of electric-only range.
Look for a newer, 2021-onward model for the bigger 18.8kWh battery for more than 40 miles of electric range and even cheaper running costs.
All models have an easy-to-use and smart-looking touchscreen, but the larger 11.2-inch display in 2025-onward models is even more intuitive.
Volkswagen Multivan
 "Volkswagen Multivan")
Our pick: Volkswagen Multivan 1.4 eHybrid Life
Sometimes, when you’re looking for a seven-seater, all you need is space. That’s where the VW Multivan comes in.
Unlike seven-seater cars, the row of three is actually in the back, so the two independent seats in the middle row can be more versatile. Spin them around to face the third row for a cosy space for everyone in the back, or remove all five rear seats entirely to load your Multivan full of equipment – great for a tip run.
Don’t be put off by its van-like design – it’s as car-like as it gets inside. There’s a 10-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a secondary display for the digital instrument cluster. You also get conveniences like adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
Besides efficient petrol and diesel engines, there’s also a plug-in hybrid model, badged eHybrid. It has a 218hp system output and a range of around 30 miles thanks to a 13kWh battery pack.
Hyundai Santa Fe
 "Hyundai Santa Fe front")
Our pick: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi PHEV Premium
It’s been on sale for several years now in one form or another, but the Hyundai Santa Fe continues to impress with its stylish design, excellent build quality and premium touches.
To make best use of your cash, go for a fourth-gen model on sale between 2018 and 2023. This lets you get the plug-in hybrid with plenty of kit for a big saving on a brand-new example.
Top-spec Premium SE cars get heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, self-levelling suspension, parking sensors all around and a 360-degree parking camera.
You’d be forgiven for thinking we were describing a Mercedes S-Class with all those features.
Whether you go for this model or the newer, boxier fifth-gen Santa Fe, take your pick from full hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Kia Sorento is also worth looking at – it’s very similar mechanically since Hyundai and Kia are part of the same company.
Ford Galaxy
 "Ford Galaxy")
Our pick: Ford Galaxy 2.5 FHEV Titanium
Talk about a blast from the past, the Ford Galaxy was one of the most popular people carriers long before SUVs were cool. And while you can’t get one brand-new anymore, there are plenty of great used examples.
Designed for families, it has a generous amount of space across all three rows and stacks of headroom thanks to its boxy design.
In its later years on sale, Ford added a 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid to the Galaxy. It’s the same one as you get in the Kuga, and it should offer diesel-like fuel economy figures.
If you like the idea of a hybrid Ford but the Galaxy is a bit too big, have a look at the S-Max. You can get the Galaxy’s smaller sibling with the same 190hp self-charging hybrid system, but it’s lower and sportier, giving it a nicer driving experience while keeping the all-important seven-seat setup.
How to Choose the Right 7-Seater Hybrid
Like with any car, choosing your perfect seven-seater hybrid is about finding the right balance of a few different things. Here are a few tips to get your search started.
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Budget
Choose how much you want to spend buying or financing your car, and don’t forget to factor in running costs (e.g. maintenance and fuel economy).
There’s no good going for the cheapest car you can find only for it to cost loads to keep it on the road when a slightly more expensive model would be more cost-effective.
For example, you could spend a bit more to get a plug-in hybrid for better electric-only range. On a 7p/kWh overnight tariff, you could charge the Peugeot 5008 for around £1.50 and drive 50 miles on electric power – a £6-7 saving each time, which will soon add up over the course of a year.
Performance Needs and Driving Style
Thinking about how you’ll use your seven-seater hybrid should help you make the right call, such as whether it’ll be city-driving or going on adventures.
Some, like the Peugeot 5008 and Dacia Jogger, are more compact and better suited to driving narrow city streets, and others, like the Volvo XC90 and Hyundai Santa Fe, are a bit more rugged and better at handling the slippery grass of campsites. And then there are premium models like the Volvo XC90 that eat through motorway miles with a buttery smooth ride.
Most hybrid seven-seaters have a fairly low centre of gravity thanks to the batteries, so they might not lean as much as conventional SUVs, but you can look out for sportier setups and more power, like in the XC90, if that’s what you’re after. The T8 PHEV setup in that popular SUV has around 400hp.
Brand Reputation and Warranty
Do a bit of research about the reputation of the brand(s) and model(s) you’re looking at to make sure they’re reliable – customer satisfaction reports are usually a good bet.
Warranty is also an important thing to consider, especially since manufacturer warranties are transferrable because they’re for the car, not the buyer. Kia and Hyundai are two examples of brands with strong cover.
Other things to look out for include:
Build quality, which VW is known for
Safety, which is Volvo’s forté
Low maintenance costs, which Fords tend to benefit from
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are 7-Seater Hybrids More Expensive Than Petrol Cars?
Seven-seater hybrids usually cost more to buy than their petrol or diesel counterparts because of the battery tech.
However, thanks to lower running costs – especially for plug-in hybrids – the total cost of ownership can be pretty similar or even cheaper.
How Long Does a 7-Seater Hybrid Battery Last?
Hybrid batteries are pretty dependable, and most manufacturers offer eight-year warranties on their batteries, but many owners report even longer lifespans.
Can a 7-Seater Hybrid Tow a Trailer?
Plenty of seven-seater hybrids can tow a trailer, but there are some that can’t. Your best bet is to research the specific model you’re looking at.
For example, the Volvo XC90 PHEV can tow up to 2,350kg – it’s not quite as much as the diesel’s 2,700kg, but it’s enough for a decent-sized caravan.
Conclusion: Is a 7-Seater Hybrid the Right Choice for You?
Used hybrids and used seven-seaters are an excellent choice for families or anyone needing extra passenger space combined with strong fuel efficiency.
Whether you’re drawn to the luxury of the Volvo XC90, the versatility of the Volkswagen Multivan or the sheer affordability of the Dacia Jogger, there’s a model to suit every need.