Best 7 Seater Electric SUVs in 2024

Widespread EV adoption is on the rise, and there are now over 80 different EVs for sale in the US. A 2023 poll from Reuters tells us that nearly a third of Americans are now interested in buying an electric vehicle.

However, one of the most efficient things an electric vehicle can do is move more people per charge. This is where the EV industry in the United States has some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is that many EV manufacturers in the US focus on creating 5 seat luxury sedans or SUVs, making bigger and more expensive EVs without adding room for more people. The good news is that this trend is starting to change.

Let’s take a look at the 7 seater electric vehicle SUVs currently available in the US in 2024. We’ll also list a few upcoming 7-seater EV SUVs for 2025. Finally, we’ll talk about the best way to find a great 7 seater electric SUV in the online marketplace (spoiler: it might be harder than you think!).

Which Electric SUVs Have 7 Seats?

Is there an electric 7 seater car? Technically, no, or least not currently in production. EVs that are classified as cars tend to have 5 seats (or less).

We do know of one exception: for a short period of time, the Tesla Model S could be configured with two extra child-sized jump seats in the trunk. You can still find a used Model S 7 seater on the market, sometimes for less than $30,000. But while the Model S was rumored to be bringing the 7 seater option back in the 2020’s, we’ve yet to see a new Tesla Model S with 7 seats.

So far, consumers in the US are also left without options regarding electric vans that seat 7 or more. However, there are a few electric SUVs that come with that necessary third row as an option.

7 Seater Electric SUVs: The Ultimate List

Let’s take a look at the top 5 electric 7 seater SUVs with a third row on the market in 2024:

1) Tesla Model Y

The Model Y makes the top of our 7-seater electric SUV list thanks to its average pricing and wide availability. A new 7-seater Model Y has a $50,990 price tag ($47,990 + $3,000 for the 7 seat option) and does currently qualify for the full Federal Clean Vehicle Credit.

As the most popular EV in the US (and now best-selling car in the world, surpassing the Toyota Corolla), the Model Y is also one of the most available (by the numbers). And while not all Model Ys have 7 seats, quite a few 7 seater Model Y’s are out on the road and in the used market, making them one of the easiest 7 seat electric SUVs to locate on a tight buying schedule.

We also love the safety ratings that Tesla has achieved with the Model Y, especially with the added passenger load. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given excellent reviews of the Model Y since it first came out in 2021 and has awarded the Model Y their Top Safety Pick+ Award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also given the Model Y top marks over the years, with 5-star safety ratings across the board.

The one downside that we’ve noted in the Model Y with 7 seats is that the third row is tight. While it may be comfortable enough for children and smaller adults on shorter rides, the 7 seat Model Y may be too cramped for comfort on long road trips.

It’s also worth noting that the 7 seat option is only available on the Model Y Long Range variant at this time.

For an extended review of the Model Y (and how it compares to the 7 seater Model X), see our article “Tesla Model Y 7-Seater Explained.”

2) Rivian R1S

With pricing that lands it in the middle of its two Tesla 7 seat competitors, Rivian’s R1S features both comfort and performance with an eye towards providing families with what they actually need for a more active lifestyle. The R1S is also a recipient of the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, though it’s worth noting that this was earned for units produced after January of 2023.

The R1S is also eligible for the Federal Clean Vehicle Credit.

The R1S provides larger groups with a real road trip option that is off-road capable and comes with up to 7,000lbs of towing capacity added in (tow hitch included). Additionally, the already generous storage capacity for the R1S can be augmented with roof rack storage. And with plenty of legroom in the third row even for adults, the R1S gets the top spot on our list in terms of passenger room.

One feature that makes the R1S a standout for growing families is that the second and third rows are designed to fit children’s car seats. With the exception of the middle seat in the second row, the second and third row seats all have LATCH car seat connectors. However, the 2nd row middle seat is still large enough to hold a car seat with a traditional belt connector. Of all the 7-seater electric cars we’ve looked into, no other model can accommodate that many car seats at once.

The biggest disadvantage of the 7 seater Rivian R1S is a lack of availability compared to the more popular Tesla models. Current reservations for a new R1S are expected to take until late 2024 for fulfillment (though some pre-built configurations may only take 1-6 weeks). And since the R1S only started delivering to consumers in late 2022, there are only a few used R1S on the market and the price remains well over MSRP.

3) Tesla Model X

Next up is the Model X which has been sporting 7 seats longer than any other EV on this list. The family-friendly Model X comes with a steep price tag: the current 7-seater Model X going for $83,490 ($79,990 + $3,500 for 7 seats) straight from Tesla’s online configurator.

However, because it has been out for more than 5 years, you can also find a used Model X at a much more budget-friendly price. And since it has been on the market this long, the Model X actually shows us a track record of long, reliable battery life. Newer EVs, fresh on the market, have yet to show us whether their battery packs can really live up the hype.

The iconic falcon-wing doors on the Model X have considerable pros and cons for a 7 seat vehicle. On the plus side, those doors make access to the second and third rows much more convenient (if you’ve ever had to move children’s seats in and out of a car, you know how important ease of access can be). Plus, they look awesome.

The downside of the doors is that the Model X can’t use a roof rack, which in some cases (especially with all seven passengers loaded for a long vacation) is vital for either extra equipment or storage capacity.

We mentioned this earlier, but if you are considering the 7 seat Model X, you can check out our previous Tesla 7-seater article for an extended discussion on the 7 seat Model X vs the 7 seat Model Y.

4) Mercedes EQS SUV

While the price for a new Mercedes EQS SUV puts it over and above even a new Tesla Model X, the EQS SUV remains competitive with its range. And while we put it lower on this list, one thing that makes the EQS SUV a standout from the rest of the third-row crowd is its luxury.

The Rivian may have more room than the EQS SUV and the Model Y may be a better bargain, but Mercedes does plush interiors, quality materials, and user-friendly tech remarkably well. Along with the option for real NAPPA leather seating upholstery, you can add massaging seats and heating options (you can even heat the second row seats!). These options do add to the already large price tag, but if luxury features are more important to you than budget, the EQS SUV is a great choice.

The downside to the EQS SUV is that adding $1,250 for a third row of seats only gets you a 7 seater built for short excursions or smaller passengers. The third row is noticeably cramped, though access to it via the convenient, powered 2nd row isn’t too difficult to manage.

It’s also worth noting that a frunk is noticeably absent on this Mercedes design (that space is taken up by an air filtration system), meaning that your overall trunk space is a meager 6.8 cubic feet when the third row is in use. For reference, 6.8 cubic feet is about 2 medium-sized suitcases worth of cargo. Whether or not a roof rack is available for the EQS SUV is unclear, but we would assume that option might make the small cargo area easier to manage.

5) Mercedes EQS EQB

Like the Mercedes EQS SUV, the EQS EQB is high on luxury but a bit short on leg room in the third row. However, the price point of the EQB puts it in direct competition with the 7-seater Model Y. Some key differences between the two involve interior design and range.

In its favor, the interior comfort of the EQS EQB (while not nearly as decadent as the EQS SUV) is still Mercedes-style top-notch. For those who don’t like Tesla’s modern minimalism, the EQB does have more physical control features and added textiles for interest.

However, while it still has decent range, the EQS EQB doesn’t even come close to the range provided by the 7-seat Model Y.

If you are looking for an alternative to Tesla for an EV that seats up to seven passengers, Mercedes also has an exceptional safety record. We expect the same focus on safety of their EV line as their other offerings.  However, at the time of writing none of the EQS lineup has been rated by the NHTSA OR IIHS.

6) VinFast VF9

We hesitate to rate the VinFast VF9 on our list without spending more time watching this brand perform in the US (a newcomer from Vietnam). However, the 7 seat VF9 EVs specs do put it up with the R1S and Model X in terms of space for passengers. Pricing for the VF9 starts at about $83,000 for the Eco trim, comparable to the Rivian R1S. Range for the VinFast VF9 is estimated at about 272 miles, which is a bit on the low side.

We’d like to take more time to understand VinFast’s safety features and performance ratings before making more judgments about the brand, but it’s worth a mention since there are so few 7 seater electric cars on the market today.

New: 7 Seater Electric SUVs in 2024

Rankings for these 7-seaters are pending! We’re going to save full reviews of these 2024 7-seater EVs for another article, but we’d like to mention them briefly here:

2024 Kia EV9

While details for Kia’s EV9 electric SUV are still pending, this 7 seater electric SUV is expected to match the Rivian R1S and Model X for passenger space while also coming in at a much lower price point. As it has already hit dealership lots, we expect to see more details soon.

2024 HYUNDAI IONIQ 7

Another 7 seater electric SUV with details still pending, the Hyundai IONIQ 7 also plans to address the lack of space currently available in EVs with third rows. Built on the same platform as the Kia EV9, the IONIQ 7 will be a comfortable people mover with an anticipated range of around 300 miles. We expect to see the IONIQ 7 offered in early 2024 (and hitting production by the 3rd quarter of 2024).

2025 VW ID.Buzz

Volkswagen recently announced that the ID.Buzz will be released in the US as a 7 seat, long wheelbase version of the EV. While we will start seeing the ID.Buzz advertised soon, the actual production vehicle will not go on sale until 2024 and may not be delivered until 2025. Still, this version of the ID.Buzz could fill a gap in the US electric vehicle industry as the first “electric minivan” for the masses.

2024 Volvo EX90

With nods to the minimalist interior designs of Tesla, the 2024 Volvo EX90 electric SUV is stylistically sleek and modern. The EX90 will be available with a third row and, according to Volvo, these seats were designed for adults. Range will be competitive, though still not as good as the less-expensive Model Y. Reservations for the EX90 are currently open (though you cannot reserve a specific customization right away), and Volvo expects to be able to provide delivery sometime in late 2024.

2025 Lucid Gravity

We’re glad to finally see the Lucid Gravity finally getting ready to hit production. With the same dedication to high performance, exceptional range, and luxurious interior characteristics as the Lucid Air (and the Sapphire), the one truly surprising thing about the Lucid Gravity is the price. Lucid estimates that the base cost of the Gravity will be under $80,000, putting it in direct competition with the Model X. However, given Lucid’s age-old rivalry with Tesla, maybe the price isn’t much of a surprise after all. We’ll be sure to update you on the Gravity’s stats when it arrives.

Where to Find a 7 Seater Electric SUV Today

If you’ve ever waded through car reviews to try and find out how many seats a make/model has, you know how difficult it is to find seating numbers amid praise for an EV’s energy efficiency, epic sound system, or lux seating material. That essential third row seat frequently goes un-advertised.

Many online listing sites make the search for a 7 seater electric SUV even harder than reviews. On most traditional car sites, you may have to click through each individual vehicle just to see if that third row is present.

We hate wasting time as much as you do, so we added a filter for seating capacity right into our listings. You can narrow down your search by number of seats, make and model, seller distance, and much more.

The best part? We see used 7-seater electric SUVs listed all the time, with some ready to head to your driveway as soon as you and the seller can make arrangements (we’ve seen it happen in less than 2 weeks). Even the Rivian R1S, which you still need to be on a reservation list to purchase new, can be found here, available now!

Check out our used EV listings to find the best deals on 7 seat EVs today!