Compare the best 7-seater 4x4s
High-quality 7-seater 4x4 cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Best 7-seat 4x4s of 2024
The difference between a 7-seater 4x4 and a 7-seater SUV is a pretty subtle one, but in essence a 4x4 car will be more capable off road, and offer more rugged looks. Plus while some SUVs are two-wheel drive, all four wheels in a 4x4 vehicle will be driven by the engine, bolstering traction when the going gets tough or slippery.
And while for many people after seven seats and a raised driving position an SUV will tick all the boxes, some people need, or hanker for, both the ability to carry six passengers, and a car with the ability to venture off beaten tarmac path from time to time.
Only a 7-seater 4x4 will do at this point, and our trusted car reviewers are more than up for the challenge of finding you 10 to choose from. It's fair to say 7-seat 4x4s are a bit of a niche proposition, though, so while we have 10 options for your delectation here, there's not a huge amount more choice on the market if you require a vehicle like this - though do check out our rundown of the best 7-seat SUVs if you don't need full go-anywhere capabilities.
But without further ado, below are the 7-seat 4x4s that have impressed our road-test team for their comfort, on-road manners, interior design and much more, besides.
What's good
What’s not so good
It's fair to say that Land Rover's reimagining of a Defender for the modern age has been a success. All the go-anywhere ability and rugged looks you could shake a walking pole at, together with plenty of creature comforts and refinement.
And, if you go for the longer 110 or 130 models instead of the smaller 90, you'll also get seven seats - actually in the case of the 130 you'll get eight, thanks to three seats in the rearmost row.
And, if you go for the longer 110 or 130 models instead of the smaller 90, you'll also get seven seats - actually in the case of the 130 you'll get eight, thanks to three seats in the rearmost row.
What's good
What’s not so good
The Range Rover marks the second out of three vehicles from Land Rover to feature in our rundown, but when a brand is as geared around off-road ability as this, it's hard to argue against its inclusion.
The fact the full-fat Rangie is capable of going places few other cars can manage (though a Land Cruiser probably has an edge) while showering its occupance in the utmost luxury is a testament to today's vehicle designers and engineers - though you do pay for this privilege, as a new Range Rover is a six-figure car.
The fact the full-fat Rangie is capable of going places few other cars can manage (though a Land Cruiser probably has an edge) while showering its occupance in the utmost luxury is a testament to today's vehicle designers and engineers - though you do pay for this privilege, as a new Range Rover is a six-figure car.
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What's good
What’s not so good
Okay, so the Kodiaq is arguably more of an SUV than an outright 4x4, but it is available with four-wheel drive, and its chunky looks and properly lofty driving position make it more of an off-roader than many cars of its type.
The rearmost back seats aren't as spacious as the Discovery's, but everywhere else the Kodiaq screams practicality. Plus with just under 20cm of ground clearance, if you stick a set of mud + snow or all-terrain tyres on it, you're likely to get where you need to go.
The rearmost back seats aren't as spacious as the Discovery's, but everywhere else the Kodiaq screams practicality. Plus with just under 20cm of ground clearance, if you stick a set of mud + snow or all-terrain tyres on it, you're likely to get where you need to go.
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It may be more geared around outright luxury than the rugged Defender, but with a dedicated off-road mode, four-wheel drive and a relatively assertive style compared to some of Mercedes' sleeker SUVs, the full-size, seven-seat GLS is well worth considering if you're in the market for a car of this kind.
And if you don't need all seven seats in place, dropping the rearmost row sees the boot offer an impressive 890 litres of luggage space, while those up front get some seriously impressive technology, features and plush materials; there's even a pair of grab handles on the centre console if you need need to get going in the rough stuff. Cheap, all this certainly ain't, and this becomes even more so if you opt for the super-luxe Maybach GLS - which you may be disinclined to take on off-road inclines.
And if you don't need all seven seats in place, dropping the rearmost row sees the boot offer an impressive 890 litres of luggage space, while those up front get some seriously impressive technology, features and plush materials; there's even a pair of grab handles on the centre console if you need need to get going in the rough stuff. Cheap, all this certainly ain't, and this becomes even more so if you opt for the super-luxe Maybach GLS - which you may be disinclined to take on off-road inclines.
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While by no means a cheap car, the Kia Sotento looks a positive bargain in the compay of the GLS, and you certainly won't be slumming it inside, as Kia has come on light years recently when it comes to quality, design and overall appeal.
The Sorento is the firm's largest SUV, and it has a do-anything charm that's all of its, while torque-vectoring four-wheel drive helps the engine put its power down as effectively as possible. Diesel Sorentos are popular vehicles for caravanners, while there's a plug-in hybrid version if you'd like the advantages of both petrol and electric power.
The Sorento is the firm's largest SUV, and it has a do-anything charm that's all of its, while torque-vectoring four-wheel drive helps the engine put its power down as effectively as possible. Diesel Sorentos are popular vehicles for caravanners, while there's a plug-in hybrid version if you'd like the advantages of both petrol and electric power.
What's good
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The Land Rover Discovery may not have been the smash-hit the newer Defender is, but it still has a huge amount to recommend it. Because while the Defender's cabin is more utilitarian than some might like, the Discovery is something of a halfway house between the Defender and the ultra-plush Range Rover.
The Discovery is also brilliantly packaged, so while the rearmost chairs in some seven-seaters are only really suitable for children, or adults on in short bursts, the Disco can genuinely fit seven adults, with some space left over for luggage, too.
The Discovery is also brilliantly packaged, so while the rearmost chairs in some seven-seaters are only really suitable for children, or adults on in short bursts, the Disco can genuinely fit seven adults, with some space left over for luggage, too.
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The Santa Fe is a sister car to the Kia Sorento, so you get the same strong attention to detail and interior space, together with a generous warranty (five years/unlimited mileage for the Hyundai, seven years/100k miles for the Kia).
The Santa Fe is also an impressively comfortable car, with a relaxing, confidend driving experience, plus plenty of equipment throughout the range.
The Santa Fe is also an impressively comfortable car, with a relaxing, confidend driving experience, plus plenty of equipment throughout the range.
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We squeeze the Nissan X-Trail in towards the bottom of our top 10 both because it's a little tight in the rearmost seats, and because it's not as adept in the rough stuff as some of the cars in this rundown - though it can be had with four-wheel drive, and has 10mm more ground clearance than the Skoda Kodiaq.
In addition to this, the X-Trail's interior is pretty plush and has plenty of equipment, while on-road refinement is stong, and the hybrid e-Power version has a clever petrol-electric powertrain.
In addition to this, the X-Trail's interior is pretty plush and has plenty of equipment, while on-road refinement is stong, and the hybrid e-Power version has a clever petrol-electric powertrain.
What's good
What’s not so good
The Land Cruiser is an old-fashioned car, and this is no bad thing (books are old fashioned these days, after all). Because while the body of most modern off-roaders is part of the vehicle's underlying structure, the iconic Toyota comprises 'body-on-frame' construction. This means it's not quite as sharp to drive as some rivals (though it's perfectly pleasant), but also means it's near enough unstoppable both in terms of its off-road competencies, and with regard to dependability and general toughness.
Buy a Land Cruiser today an it'll still be going years or decades in the future, while strong residuals make it a sound investment. Oh, yes, as well as being able to go almost anywhere, if you choose the Active or Invincible 7 Seat model, you'll be able to take half a dozen friends with you on your adventures.
Buy a Land Cruiser today an it'll still be going years or decades in the future, while strong residuals make it a sound investment. Oh, yes, as well as being able to go almost anywhere, if you choose the Active or Invincible 7 Seat model, you'll be able to take half a dozen friends with you on your adventures.
What's good
What’s not so good
As with the Land Cruiser, the Rexton utilises body on frame construction, meaning its on-road manners may not be as polished as some SUVs, but its off-road capabilities are more significant as a result. The Rexton also gets seven seats as standard, while equipment levels are pretty decent for the price; all versions get heated/ventillated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital dash display, for example. Plus if you're after a tow vehicle the Rexton can pull up to 3.5 tonnes (though you'll need to upgrade your driving licence to pull this much).
There's only one engine (a 2.2-litre diesel with an eight-speed automatic gearbox), while interior quality could be better and the suspension is a little unsophisticated, with the Rexton feeling rather unsettled even on smooth roads.
There's only one engine (a 2.2-litre diesel with an eight-speed automatic gearbox), while interior quality could be better and the suspension is a little unsophisticated, with the Rexton feeling rather unsettled even on smooth roads.
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