A panel of motoring journalists from Auto Express has crowned the Dacia Jogger as the best seven-seat car currently available in the United Kingdom. Despite being one of the most affordable options on the market, the Romanian vehicle secured the top spot, outperforming more expensive rivals such as Land Rover and Toyota models.
Dacia Jogger: The Affordable Champion
The Dacia Jogger, priced from £18,995, impressed reviewers with its generous boot space even when all seven seats are in use. It was lauded for being "affordable" and for offering "strong residual values." However, the car received criticism for its one-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which the reviewers acknowledged "might be off-putting" for some buyers. They also noted inconsistent brake feel on the hybrid version and a cabin that felt "cheap" inside.
The review team stated: "The Dacia Jogger is nothing less than the most affordable seven-seater car on the market, and by a country mile too. At its lowest price point, you need to spend considerably more to get the next cheapest model on this list and it clearly stands out against its rivals, winning numerous of our in-depth twin tests."
Skoda Kodiaq: A Strong Second Place
Claiming second position was the Skoda Kodiaq SUV, priced at £39,995. The Czech vehicle earned praise for its value for money, large boot, and "clever cabin options." However, it was marked down for not being the "most eye-catching," having "flimsy rotary dials," and offering a "fidgety ride" when equipped with larger wheels.
The reviewers concluded: "All Kodiaqs are an absolute doddle to drive. Not exciting, and the ride isn't perfectly smooth, but few cars of this type are so easy to get on with, with predictable responses to every control."
Hyundai Santa Fe: Third Place with Distinctive Design
The Hyundai Santa Fe, priced at £49,090, took third place. The Korean SUV was commended for its spacious second and third rows, generous equipment levels, and "eye-catching" design. Criticisms included a "ponderous" driving experience, a "rough" engine note, and a high price compared to rivals.
The reviewers noted: "The latest Hyundai Santa Fe has taken a huge leap in terms of design, from generic to distinctive. It may have narrowly lost out to the Skoda Kodiaq above in our head-to-head twin test, but it shouldn't be discounted."
Reach Plc's Christopher Sharp also reviewed the Santa Fe, stating: "Is the Hyundai Santa Fe perfect? No. I do feel the amenities of the third row of seats should be moved to the second row, or at least the second row should have the same options as the third. The haptic touch pads should be replaced by buttons, and the four cylinder engine sounds very stretched when it's revved hard or charging the battery. There were several occasions when I was in town at sub 20mph speeds and the battery is 50 percent, but the engine is still charging it and I thought 'Why isn't it waiting until the battery is at 20 percent to start charging?' In the grand scheme of things these are only very little problems to consider; and it has changed my mind that SUVs aren't all leaning too much towards the S side of the acronym. If you're looking for a capable family SUV that isn't German or British, give this a look."
