8 Best Vehicles for a Family of Seven (SUV & Minivan)
As the number grows to seven in the household, larger SUVs become the logical choice for space and comfort, plus sufficient luggage space for all on a road trip.
But if you desire maximum interior room, a minivan is the ideal family hauler.
Best SUVs for a Family of 7
#1 Kia Telluride
Kia makes affordable vehicles that are big of value, and its relatively new midsize three-row SUV entrant, the Telluride, is excellent news for large families on a more modest budget.
The Kia Telluride has a spacious, high-quality interior and an impressive list of standard features for its occupants’ convenience and enjoyment, making it an excellent vehicle for a family of seven in the midsize SUV category.
Despite its lowest-in-class starting price of under $35k, its overall competence is impressive and tops the segment in many aspects:
- Refined driving experience – responsive V6, strong brakes, and stable steering that lightens at low speeds and weighs up as the speed increases and when turning.
- Thoughtful features – advanced driver aids come standard, plus a host of climate and tech features for the first to the last-row occupants.
- Roomy interior – roomiest of all three-row midsize SUVs.
- Massive cargo capacity – 21 cubic ft. with the rear seats up and a cavernous 87 cubic ft. when you fold the middle and final-row seatbacks.
- Comfortable and quiet cabin – the second-row accommodation is generous, while the third row is easy to access.
The fuel economy is understandably average for its heft, although the regular gas requirement will put a smile on your face when the time comes to refill.
If a value-for-money purchase is high on your priority list, the similarly-sized and equally affordable Hyundai Palisade (in the vehicles for a six-pax family post) is a compelling alternative for comparison.
#2 Honda Pilot
If you have two or three pre-teen kids in the family, a slightly smaller but more fuel-efficient may appeal.
The Honda Pilot is a capable three-row SUV all-rounder for a family of six, accommodating up to 8 passengers in a space-efficient cabin.
While it rides as comfortably as its Kia rival, Pilot’s total interior room is slightly less and the cargo capacity marginally lower, resulting in a tighter final row.
Still, the third row is big enough for teens and average-sized adults.
#3 Chevrolet Suburban
Three rows are necessary for large or extra-large families, but a large 3-row SUV offers appreciably more passenger room than a midsize one with the same seating capacity.
Enter the Suburban, a large three-row SUV and Chevy’s largest SUV, which is a step above the Tahoe in size.
The Chevrolet Suburban rides on a rugged truck platform with a maximum occupancy of up to nine and is one of the largest in the class, making it the best large SUV for a family of seven.
Having seven passengers means you can opt for two individual captain’s seats in the middle row or a three-across bench to seat the extra guest on occasion.
While midsize three-row SUVs typically carry a V6 engine, the Suburban’s V8 offers plenty of pulling strength when you maximize the vehicle’s capacity.
If you want to ensure the family travels as comfortably as possible, opt for a 2021 or newer model with Magnetic Ride Control and adaptive air suspension, as they better insulate the cabin from road imperfections.
#4 GMC Yukon
While the Yukon is similar to the Tahoe, the GMC Yukon XL rivals the Chevrolet Suburban in more ways than one, offering generous passenger and cargo space.
It is also a truck-based SUV with a 300-plus-horsepower V8 under the hood (over-400-hp is an option), which means it can tow (above 8,000 lbs) as capably as it hauls a seven-person family in great comfort.
Despite the more robust truck-based platform, the latest Yukon adopted an independent rear suspension design that enhances its overall ride quality when combined with the adaptive dampers and air suspension.
The cabin is quiet too, making longer journeys for seven less tiring where conversations are possible when the vehicle cruises at higher speeds.
The regular Yukon’s cargo capacity is a generous 25 cubic ft. behind the rear seats and 123 cubic ft. with those seats folded; upgrade to the Yukon XL, and you get infinitely more room: 134 cubic ft. and 144 cubic ft., respectively.
Best Minivans for a Family of 7
#5 Chrysler Pacifica
Options are relatively limited in the minivan market, so your decision will be easier with fewer to compare. Still, it is no less challenging as all class rivals are solid choices.
All minivans on this list can seat at least seven, so they are worth considering.
Still, if the idea of a vehicle (almost) eliminating the use of fuel and running exclusively on electricity appeals, the plug-in-hybrid Chrysler Pacifica, with its 32-mile range on a single charge, will best suit your family of seven.
Although the PHEV is costlier than the gas-only model, the $10k-plus extra initial outlay will repay you quickly if you mainly cover short daily commutes.
The Pacifica’s solid crash safety credentials will put your mind at ease, with impeccable safety ratings since its debut in 2017.
The list of IIHS awards the Pacifica received:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2019 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2018 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
#6 Honda Odyssey
While all minivans are superior people movers, the Odyssey is the strongest all-rounder if you’re after a conventional gasoline-powered model.
It tops the segment in interior roominess and maximum cargo space with the seats folded, plus it provides an enjoyable driving experience despite its heft and length.
The Honda Odyssey is the best minivan for seven-member families wanting the ultimate balance in power, gas-only efficiency, comfort, and cabin quietness.
External noise intrusion is the lowest among minivans, and it offers ample room and in-cabin features for all occupants to travel long distances in quiet relaxation.
The Honda Odyssey is a safe minivan with arguably the most impressive list of IIHS awards:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2019 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2018 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Honda Odyssey | – |
| 2016 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2015 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2014 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2013 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2012 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2010 Honda Odyssey | – |
| 2009 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2008 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
#7 Kia Carnival
A relatively new entrant, the Kia Carnival debuted in 2022 and offered budget-minded large families an affordable people hauler without breaking the bank.
At under $35k for the base model, the Kia Carnival is the cheapest minivan for a family of seven – although it can accommodate eight with the optional seating configuration.
Climbing in and out for the rear passengers is straightforward given the spacious interior, and the driver enjoys excellent visibility, thanks to the large front, side, and back windows.
It comes in second behind the Honda Odyssey in cargo capacity with the rear seats in place or folded.
#8 Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna should make your shortlist if you want a family hauler with one of the best non-EV fuel efficiency.
Since it adopted the hybrid powertrain as standard in 2021, the Toyota Sienna has been the most frugal minivan for a seven-strong family, returning an impressive over-35 mpg overall, when most gas-only models hardly reach the mid-20s.
Another massive plus for the Sienna is its inexpensive all-wheel-drive trim that is several thousand dollars cheaper than its Chrysler rival.
Like most minivans, Toyota Sienna is a safe family vehicle:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2019 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2018 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2017 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2016 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2015 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2014 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2013 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
| 2012 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
| 2011 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
Minivan or SUV for a Family of 7
A family with seven members is above-average size, so the more space and higher seating capacity the vehicle has, the better.
In the minivan vs. SUV contest to find the best vehicle for a family of seven, the minivan emerges victorious, beating the SUV in maximum occupancy and storage volume.
Case in point: an 8-seater Honda Odyssey minivan has over 155 cubic ft. behind the driver’s seat; an 8-seater three-row Chevy Suburban SUV has 144 cubic ft.
Still, the difference between the longest minivan and the largest SUV is minimal, and other priorities may define your choice.
If you have towing duties and off-road ventures for your family mover, a large SUV will meet your needs more ably than a minivan.
References:
https://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale
