As a car buyer you’ll have no problem locating a car to seat 5 people and in today’s market, even 7-seater cars are commonplace but if your passenger carrying requirements exceed that magic 7-person limit, the options start to dwindle. There just aren’t that many 8-seater cars out there.
If you are seeking a vehicle to carry eight people in comfort, you’ll need to move away from the traditional 7-seater MPVs and SUVs that most customers turn to and look instead towards 8-seater van-based people carriers.
Before you turn your nose up and consider buying one of your wouldbe passengers a bike for Christmas, it’s worth remembering that vans have become a lot more refined and car-like over recent years. As a result, an MPV based on a commercial vehicle isn’t the hardship it once was.
Far from it, many of the latest 8-seater solutions offer ride comfort, technology quotas and design features to rival passenger cars. On top of that, you get outstanding interior space courtesy of the commercial vehicle origins of these MPVs that means you can sit eight fully-grown adults in comfort or take five passengers and a huge haul of luggage.
So there’s a lot to be said for today’s top 8-seater cars and below you’ll find details of the top models on today’s market…
1. Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle
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The popular Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle continues to build on the successful recipe that has made Volkswagen the go-to choice for 8-seater vehicles in recent years. The latest T6 Transporter is sharp looking and has a classy, well-made interior. The Shuttle can be specified in either short or long wheel base form with the longer model adding additional boot space behind the rear seats.
Four performance levels are available from the 2.0-litre TDI engine providing a power range from 83bhp to 201bhp. All but the range topper manages 47.1mpg and has CO2 emissions of 155g/km. Engines come with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG auto.
Available in S and SE trim, the Shuttle is loaded with standard equipment including Bluetooth, ESP and ABS braking and Automatic Post-Collision Braking that aims to prevent a secondary collision after an accident. Buyers wanting even more by way of luxury can splash out on the 6-seater Caravelle model with its business-class interior.
2. Ford Tourneo Custom
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The Tourneo Custom is a good-looking spacious vehicle with plenty of equipment and has over 30 possible seat configurations.
Based on the platform of the excellent Transit Custom, it’s one of the best van-based people carriers on the market to drive. With good brakes and sharp steering and a torque vectoring system to help it make best use of its power in corners, it has car-like driving qualities.
The interior design will be familiar to Ford passenger car owners and still looks modern. Zetec specification is available from around £32,000 and gets twin sliding side doors, heated windscreen, privacy glass, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights, cruise control and air conditioning. Titanium spec adds 16in alloys, body colour bumpers and door mouldings, alarm and rear compartment air conditions with prices starting from over £33,000.
The 2.2-litre engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox and will return 46.3mpg while emitting 172g/km of CO2.
3. Vauxhall Vivaro Combi
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This is the second-generation of the Vauxhall Vivaro and offers 3 rows of seating in a fresh looking package. There is a modern interior which is a little too dominated by grey plastics but offers loads or storage space.
The Vivaro is available in both short and long wheelbases form with prices starting at just over £27,000.
Power comes from a 1.6 CDTi diesel mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, developing 94bhp. It returns 44.8mpg and has CO2 emissions of 164g/km. There is a 123bhp bi-turbo version available for an additional £800.
Standard equipment includes six-way adjustable drivers seat, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and tinted glass. The Vauxhall is offered with a 4-year warranty, 4-year free servicing and 4-year roadside recovery.
4. Renault Trafic Passenger
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Developed on the same platform as the Vauxhall Vivaro Combi, the Trafic Passenger is also available with an eight-seat setup in short and long wheelbase formats.
The Trafic Passenger offers three engine variants of the 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine, all with a six-speed manual gearbox. The pick of the range develops 123bhp, returns 44.8mpg and has CO2 emissions of 149g/km.
There are two trims levels available, Business and Sport. The Business gets a DAB radio, USB socket and AUX input with sliding doors on each side of the vehicle. Sport trim adds automatic headlights and wipers, a 7in touchscreen sat-nav, rear parking sensors and cruise control.
The Renault comes with a 4-year warranty and 4-years roadside assistance. Prices start from just over £26k for a SWB 95 Business.
5. Mercedes Vito Tourer
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The Vito is a hugely practical vehicle, offering enough room for 8 adults and their luggage. Engines are refined while the van-based people carrier manages to deliver car-like handling. Entry-level models are basic and prices soar as you ascend the range.
There are many configurations available with the Vito as is comes in three body lengths, has five engines variants and two trim levels. The range starts at £25,686 and rises to £38,508.
The pick of the engine range for economy is the 2.2-litre diesel producing 187bhp, returns 47.1mpg and has emissions of 158g/km.
Trim levels are Pro and Select. Pro level has plastic flooring, tinted glass and electronic stability control. Pro adds carpets, 16in alloy wheels, air-conditioning, headlight assist and automatic wipers.
Mercedes also offers the luxury V-Class people carrier, which is based on the Vito platform and available from £41,000.
Now check out our pick of the van sector on the best panel vans and best small vans pages...