Overview
For many families, the most important consideration when purchasing a new SUV is its seating capacity. For these people, the inability to fit each of their family members in their vehicle at the same time is a deal-breaker; as a result, seven-passenger SUVs are popular with large families.
Nearly all the models in the seven-passenger SUV class offer extra room and prioritize the comfort and safety of the passengers. However, a handful of models offer a superior balance of features and price. These vehicles are the best choice for families who need to stretch each dollar as far as possible. Here are some seven-passenger SUV models that provide excellent value for money.
Table of Contents
2022 Toyota Highlander
The 2022 Toyota Highlander, starting at $36,420, is one of the more popular seven-seaters on the market. One of the standout attributes of the Highlander is its body size. While it still provides ample room for seven, its body is smaller than most other seven-seater SUVs, facilitating easier driving on tight city streets.
The interior of the three-row SUV is reasonably family-friendly. The first two rows are spacious and comfortable, and the third row is perfect for smaller children or pets. Considering the expansive storage space level, it is amazing that the Highlander can fit so much into a comparatively-small package.
Another reason the Highlander is so popular is its fuel economy. The base model Highlander offers a solid 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway, while the available hybrid powertrain increases these numbers to a fuel-efficient 36 and 35.
2022 Kia Sorento
The 2022 Kia Sorento lands on our list of the best-value seven-seater SUVs with a starting price of $29,950, the lowest of any vehicle on our list. Kia has packed a ton of useful features into this affordable seven-seater, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment center and a premium audio system powered by Bose.
For families that require extra seating, a major consideration is vehicle safety. Fortunately, the 2022 model comes standard with a range of safety features – including blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking – often reserved for more expensive trim packages. The range of safety and luxury features that come standard in the budget-priced Sorento make it a fantastic choice for families.
2021 Honda Pilot
Another popular seven-seater SUV is the Honda Pilot, and the 2021 model year version is one of the better values in the automobile market. Starting at $32,250, the Pilot is affordable but doesn’t skimp on the features.
The Pilot has become popular among families due to its intelligent cabin design, comfortable seating, and ample storage space. It is also practical. For example, the second-row seating folds down for enhanced cargo space with the push of a button. These engineering decisions should put the Pilot on any family’s radar.
Honda’s safety and driver assistance suite is one of the most comprehensive on the market, and the vast majority are standard on the Pilot. Standard features, including brake assist, a multi-angle rearview camera, collision mitigation technology, a road departure mitigation system, and forward collision warning systems, will help keep your family safe.
2021 Hyundai Palisade
For a 7-passenger SUV starting at $32,675, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade is luxurious. Starting with one of the most intuitive dashboard layouts in the midsize SUV class, the Palisade has been designed to make your life easier.
The interior is among the best in the class, earning the Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice Award for 2021. But beyond the interior, the Palisade also offers a solid drivetrain and excellent safety features. Under the hood, the Palisade boasts a 3.8-liter V6 engine that provides 291 horsepower, an outstanding level of performance for a large SUV. The newly-upgraded suspension also provides a smooth ride for passengers.
From a safety standpoint, the Palisade received Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ honors in 2021 and a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These honors were earned mainly due to three class-leading standard features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse
For some families, the level of cargo space is an important consideration when choosing a vehicle. The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is one of the best 7-passenger SUVs on the market in this regard.
With 23 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats, there will be ample storage space even with the vehicle at full, seven-passenger capacity. However, the Traverse boasts an incredible 98 cubic feet of storage with its two rear rows folded down, the most storage space of any vehicle on this list.
Starting at $33,700, the Traverse also offers other attractive features to improve its value further. Unlike many other seven-seaters, the Traverse’s long body provides more than enough room for adults in the third row of seating. With a newly-standard selection of active safety features, an intuitive infotainment system, and a quick V6 engine, the Traverse is one of the best seven-seater values on the market.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
When it comes to seven-seaters, customers often have to sacrifice some level of luxury to keep the price in an affordable range. However, with the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, drivers can get the best of both worlds.
Starting at $34,895, the Grand Cherokee L is one of the more expensive SUVs on this list; despite this, it is still a great value, as the Grand Cherokee L provides a superior level of luxury compared to most other models.
With compartmentalized four-zone climate controls, heated and ventilated seats in the front two rows, and a 10.3-inch passenger-side dashboard screen, drivers will think they’re in a luxury SUV. And with an impressive 6,200-pound maximum towing capacity, the Grand Cherokee L is an excellent choice for adventurous families.
2021 Subaru Ascent
The 2021 Subaru Ascent is another excellent choice for families searching for a seven-passenger midsize crossover. With its practical cabin design that features connectivity and cupholders for each of its seven seats, the Ascent has become one of the most popular family vehicles on the market.
Beyond the cabin design, the Ascent has become a top choice for families due to its standard safety features. Starting at $32,295 and receiving an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating in 2022, the Ascent is one of the safer seven-seaters in its price range.
A large arrangement of automated driver assistance features comes standard on the Ascent, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Ascent even offers standard all-wheel drive, typically relegated to higher trim levels on other models. As a result, the safe and sensible Ascent is a leading choice for families that need extensive seating.
Find Your Ideal SUV with SUViews
With so many seven-passenger SUVs on the market, choosing the model that stretches your dollar the farthest is difficult, but SUViews can help make your decision easier. Our reviews and vehicle recommendations can help you choose a ride like an industry insider. So before you shop, read our in-depth reviews.
