Characteristics of 7-passenger Hybrid SUVs
It takes a lot to meet the needs of an entire family, especially when there are so many passengers to consider. The best 7-passenger hybrid SUVs need to tick a lot of boxes to make the cut:
- They need to have enough interior space to comfortably seat all occupants
- They must come with plenty of standard safety tech
- They should have enough infotainment features to keep the whole family happy
- They ought to have sufficient cargo capacity for daily errands even with all the seats up
- They naturally need to save you enough on fuel to be worth the extra investment
What to Consider When Buying a Seven-seater Hybrid SUV
Considering its love of SUVs, the US has its fair share of hybrid SUVs with 7 seats to choose from. Still, you have to ask yourself if they are the right choice for you, so consider the pros and cons:
Pros
- The ability to fit up to seven or eight people
- Impressive fuel economy returns
- Models with all-electric range are particularly efficient
- Exceptional safety standards
- Loads of cargo room when treated as a five-seater
Cons
- Large size can make them difficult to drive
- Rear-most seats can be a little tight
- Higher starting MSRPs
FAQs
What are the best 7-passenger hybrid SUVs?
Unsurprisingly, it is the hybrid SUVs based on 7-seat gas models with the best ratings that place in the top spot. As such, you can expect to see familiar names like Kia Sorento and Volvo XC90 Recharge on this list.
How much does a good 7-seater hybrid SUV cost?
The 7-seat hybrid is a combination of two of the most expensive qualities in a vehicle: practicality and an advanced powertrain. Luckily, the latter helps offset this a little, since it is focused on reduced fuel consumption. Still, the price is going to be quite high, and even a mainstream model like a Kia Sorento Hybrid costs close to $40k, while more luxurious examples such as the Volvo XC90 Recharge are well over $60k.
What seven-seater hybrid SUV gets the best gas mileage?
Most modern hybrids are of the plug-in variety, so pure fuel economy is only one side of the equation. You also have to look at all-electric range, which often has a larger impact on the overall fuel bill of a PHEV. With that being said, while the Volvo XC90 has a slightly higher range of 35 miles to a charge, the Kia Sorento PHEV has a significantly better overall fuel economy of 79 MPGe, and it runs on cheaper regular gasoline.
Are 7-passenger hybrid SUVs reliable?
While it is true that hybrid vehicles are slightly less reliable than their gasoline counterpart, due to their more advanced powertrains, we have reached the point where the difference is minimal. So long as you are buying from a brand that is known to prioritize reliability, you can rest easy.