Modern seven-seater SUVs provide an excellent blend of powerful performance, comfortable and spacious interiors, innovative technology, and robust towing capacity. These vehicles offer more than brute strength and generous space, enabling drivers to bring more passengers and cargo on board when heading to their favorite destinations. Their size and versatility make them convenient family cars for those with busy lifestyles. If you are in the market for the best seven-seater SUV, the guide below will ease your search.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 features striking body lines with spacious seating for seven passengers, without much difference to its Volkswagen counterparts. It offers a perfect balance of elegance and capability. The vehicle comes with the legendary all-wheel-drive system coupled with an optional supercharged V-6 engine and automatic transmission. This combination delivers an impressive 329 horsepower.
The vehicle can tow a maximum of 7,700 pounds with effortless maneuverability, thanks to its top-view parking camera system. Being a high-end vehicle, the safety of the Audi Q7 is a priority. The impressive safety features include collision avoidance technology and Audi pre-sense with pedestrian detection, among others.
The traffic jam assist makes it easy to navigate through traffic. You can also enjoy some of your favorite music during traffic like never before with the Bang and Olufsen advanced sound system with audiophile-grade experience.
Pros
- Spacious and comfortable
- High-end safety technology
- High-quality interior setting
Cons
- Quite pricey
- Options are expensive
Infiniti QX80
The Infiniti QX80 offers much confidence in its clear-cut curves and sculptured body lines beyond the full-sized stature. The model is engineered to provide great power while increasing fuel economy. The vehicle comes with a standard 5.6 liter V-8 engine that delivers 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The power enables the vehicle to tow a maximum of 8,500 pounds, which is by far the most powerful SUV on this list.
To support this stringent towing capacity, the Infiniti QX80 comes with dedicated Tow Mode transmission settings and rear auto-leveling suspension. With this, you can certainly bring all your gears to your next adventure with this beast. You will also like the luxurious interior, which includes the semi-aniline leather seating surfaces, flat-folding and reclining third-row seats, temperature control system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and much more.
The Infiniti QX80 also features a host of various innovative technologies that make driving safer. For instance, the Adaptive Front-Lighting System helps boost visibility around curves and intersections by sensing your steering and headlights turning directions. You will also like the Around View Monitor System with moving object detection that makes it easy to maneuver tight places.
Pros
- Seats up to eight passengers
- Powerful towing capacity
- Advanced technology
Cons
- High fuel consumption
Mercedes GLS
The Mercedes GLS is your go-to passenger SUV to take for any challenge. The vehicle provides unrivaled comfort while keeping your family safe. The GLS, like other SUV vehicle types, offers a choice between the 362 horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine and the 483 horsepower bi-turbo V-8 engine. Both engine types come with efficient 4matic all-wheel drive that offers precise road traction regardless of the prevailing weather conditions.
As you may know, Mercedes is focused on providing unbeatable comfort. As for the Mercedes GLS, your passengers will enjoy the self-leveling height-adjustable air suspension. The system also works in tandem with the trailer stability assist in reducing swaying while towing.
The Mercedes GLS has a standard power liftgate, power-folding rear seat, and spacious storage cargo capacity that accommodates up to 85 cubic feet cargo. It also offers outstanding connectivity to any smartphone, in-car internet, and remote start. If you had a long, tough day, this car can help you unwind with its heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats.
Pros
- Heated and massaging front seats
- All-wheel drive
- Easy connectivity
- Spacious cargo space
- Economic fuel consumption
Cons
- Pricey
- Expensive optional features
BMW X7
If you are searching for a third-row seven-seater SUV with athletic driving dynamics and luxurious experience, the BMW X7 should be your vehicle of choice. The vehicle comes fully equipped with standard power-folding third-row seats. Other outstanding amenities include the four-corner air suspension, BMW live cockpit with professional navigation, incredible 13-inch touchscreen display, dynamic damper control, and much more.
Like other high-end seven-seater vehicles, the BMW X7 is available in two engine types: the 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder engine and the potent 4.4-liter TwinPower V-8 engine. The xDrive intelligent drive system gives BMW X7 drivers undoubted confidence to tackle tough terrain and inclement weather conditions.
On the interior, BMW X7 drivers are greeted with optional multi-contour leather seats that can conform to everybody with endless positioning options. What’s more is that the surround-view parking system gives drivers a bird’s eye view of both sides of the vehicle and area behind. There are also Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity and wireless charging included to keep your passengers’ electronics fully charged and entertained throughout.
Pros
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Wi-Fi connectivity and wireless charging
- Four-corner air suspension
- Dynamic damper control modes
Cons
- A bit expensive
Ford Expedition
Ever since its inception, Ford has maintained its classy and luxurious production. Like its Ford Explorer counterpart, Ford Expedition suits the arising needs of growing families. The vehicle comes with various engine choices. The standard model features a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. The other choices include the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and the 3.3-liter hybrid powertrain.
Regardless of the engine choice, the Ford Expedition has a robust power that enables it to achieve its maximum 5,600-pound towing capacity. With such power, users can bring all the necessary gear for a lengthy adventure without worries. It seats seven passengers with extensive rear-seat legroom, heated and cooled front passenger seats, and impeccable interior highlights.
The SYNC 3 infotainment system is an optional feature for the Ford Expedition, Ford Explorer, and other SUV models from Ford. However, if included, the SYNC 3 comes with high-speed performance, capacitive swipe capability, enhanced voice recognition, pinch-to-zoom functionality, and navigation. For a seamless driving experience, the vehicle leverages the available 360-degree camera with a split-view display. Through this, drivers can view all sides of the vehicle from the 8-inch LCD touchscreen.
You will also like the Terrain Management System that allows drivers to select from the seven preset modes for optimized driving dynamics on various road conditions. With all these, the Ford Expedition is a good choice for families that are always on the go.
Pros
- Multiple trim levels
- Spacious third-row legroom
- Comfortable passenger seats
- 360-degree camera
Cons
- Optional infotainment system
Lexus GX
The Lexus GX is a ready vehicle for all your driving escapades. Whether it’s enjoying the smooth urban landscape or tough, rugged terrains, this vehicle takes you everywhere with unbeatable comfort and style. This vehicle was built for adventure. It comes with a 4.6-liter, V-8 engine that gives off 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. With such power, it can tow approximately 6,500 pounds with great confidence, thanks to its trailer sway control system that detects and reduces excessive trailer movement.
If you are all about luxury, you will enjoy relaxing in its serene interior that offers up to 10-way power-adjustable front seats, optional power flat-folding third-row seats, and three-zone climate control. Like other high-end SUVs and luxury vehicles, the Lexus GX has unrivaled connectivity with its integrated smartphone app, vehicle service monitoring, and push-button roadside assistance.
Despite seating up to seven passengers, the Lexus GX offers crowd-pleasing amenities such as the dual-screen entertainment system and premium sound audio system. Apart from its design, you will certainly stand out from the crowd with this vehicle’s sports design package, including dark tail lamp housings, 18-inch metallic alloy wheels, and chiseled front fascia.
Pros
- High towing capacity
- Cozy interior
- Crowd-pleasing features
- Power reclining and folding-flat third-row seats
Cons
- High fuel economy
- Very pricey
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot resembles Toyota SUVs in its midsize sleek-profiled body with a versatile design boasting of spacious seating that accommodates up to eight passengers and 83.9 cubic feet of cargo. The Intelligent Variable Torque Management System, coupled with the vehicle’s 280 horsepower 3.5 V-6 engine, enables users to discover new terrains with comfort. The Pilot can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds with the dual position reversible cargo lid that provides sufficient space for tall items.
If you are a fan of watching the miles fly by when on a road trip, the Honda Pilot provides this in plenty, thanks to its optional panoramic roof. Passengers can also enjoy the high-definition entertainment system that connects via Bluetooth. Unlike other vehicles with difficult access to third-row seats, the Honda Pilot has easy and convenient access facilitated by the easy-to-reach one-touch buttons.
The integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features enable drivers to access plenty of information, including Google Maps functionality and other popular applications.
Pros
- Multi-angle rearview camera
- Climate control system
- Dual-position reversible cargo lid
Cons
- Relatively small legroom
Best Seven-Seater SUV Buying Guide
With the wide array of seven-seater full-size SUVs available on the market, you may find it overwhelming to settle on one. Apart from the seven-seating capacity, you should consider several other factors to make a purchase decision. Below are the key purchase considerations.
- Rear Seat Accessibility
Since all seven-seater SUVs have a three-row seating arrangement, you should consider how the passengers will access these seats. There are typically two common mechanisms to access the third row. The first is the sliding rail system, where the upper side of the second-row seats fold forward, and the base slides forward. This style is considered less labor-intensive but doesn’t give the largest entry and exit aperture, which is required during loading and unloading.
The second option is the flip-and-fold mechanism, which offers wide access and a common method of access for a minivan. However, this method is heavier to engage, and passengers risk injuries with every thud. Note that such seats rely on a claw and anchor type arrangement to secure safely in its space.
- Price
This is probably what brings the most difference between the various seven-seater SUVs. Five-seater vehicles are comparably cheaper than seven-seater models. Besides, various seven-seater vehicles are available at varying price tags, which is determined by the features of the vehicle. That said, always check your budget and search widely to find the best model that suits your budget.
- Ventilation
Packing seven passengers into one vehicle might result in some stuffiness. Therefore, consider various ventilation systems in the vehicle. Doing this will leave your passengers comfortable throughout the journey.
Wrap Up
Choosing the right car is certainly the hard part of any vehicle buying process. This becomes even more challenging if you are specifically looking for a seven-seater SUV. Different manufacturers, including Toyota, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, and Volkswagen, have varying models with different features. With the best ones outlined above, put into consideration several factors to settle on your best car of choice. You should also keep in mind the service costs since you will have to maintain the car afterward.
