When you’re expecting your third (or fourth) child, the pressure to upgrade to a 7-seater can feel overwhelming. Friends and family start suggesting you “need a bigger car”, dealership adverts suddenly seem to follow you everywhere, and the school run logistics are keeping you awake at night.
But before you commit to a 7-seater, have you actually crunched the numbers? The true cost of upgrading your vehicle goes far beyond the sticker price. When you factor in depreciation, insurance premiums, fuel costs, and the dozens of hidden expenses that come with running a larger vehicle, the financial picture looks quite different.
Let’s break down the real costs of buying a 7-seater in 2026 versus keeping your current car and fitting a Multimac car seat system.
The cheapest 7-seater currently available in the UK is the Dacia Jogger, which starts at around £19,000 for the basic model. However, most families looking at 7-seaters are considering mid-range options like the Peugeot 5008 (from approximately £35,000), Hyundai Santa Fe (from £45,000), or the Kia EV9 (starting at £66,000).
Compare this to a Multimac system, which ranges from £2,000 to £3,000 depending on whether you choose a 3-seater or 4-seater model. Even with professional installation and accessories like The Road Coat (£59) or the Plug-In Buckle (£69), you’re looking at a maximum outlay of around £3,500.
The difference? You could save anywhere from £15,500 to £62,500 on the initial purchase alone.
Here’s where the costs really start to stack up. New cars lose value the moment you drive them off the forecourt, but 7-seaters face particularly steep depreciation in their first few years.
According to recent industry data, MPVs retain approximately 70% of their value after three years and 36,000 miles, whilst SUVs perform slightly better at around 71%. This means a £35,000 Peugeot 5008 will be worth roughly £24,500 after three years, representing a loss of £10,500.
Meanwhile, your Multimac retains significant value, particularly if maintained properly. Through Multimac’s Pre-Loved scheme, second-hand units sell for a substantial portion of their original price, and because they’re built to last from birth to 12+ years, families often recoup their investment when selling to other multi-child households.
Three-year depreciation comparison:
Car insurance in the UK has become a significant household expense, with the average comprehensive policy costing £726 per year as of January 2026. However, 7-seaters often command higher premiums due to increased passenger capacity.
Insurance companies calculate premiums based on potential personal injury claims. A 7-seater naturally carries more passengers than a 5-seater, which means greater exposure to injury claims in the event of an accident. Industry forums report families seeing their insurance costs jump by £200-£500 annually when switching from a standard family car to a 7-seater.
With a Multimac, you keep your existing vehicle and therefore your existing insurance group. There’s no premium increase simply because you’ve expanded your family. Your car seat configuration doesn’t affect your insurance cost at all.
Annual insurance savings: £200-£500 per year
Larger vehicles consume more fuel. It’s basic physics. A 7-seater SUV like the Hyundai Santa Fe achieves around 39-41mpg for the hybrid versions, whilst the Peugeot 5008 diesel variants claim up to 60.8mpg. Compare this to keeping your current efficient family car, which might achieve 50-65mpg depending on the model.
For a family covering 10,000 miles annually at current UK fuel prices (approximately £1.45 per litre for petrol), the difference between a 7-seater averaging 40mpg and your current car averaging 55mpg works out to around £400 annually.
Electric 7-seaters like the Kia EV9 present a different calculation. Whilst charging costs less than petrol, the upfront purchase price (from £66,000) and higher insurance premiums (EVs typically cost 25-40% more to insure than equivalent petrol/diesel vehicles) significantly impact the overall cost equation.
Annual fuel cost difference: £300-£500
Here’s something dealerships won’t tell you about 7-seaters: they don’t fit in standard parking spaces comfortably. At over 5 metres long for many models, you’ll struggle with multi-storey car parks, parallel parking on narrow residential streets, and even your own garage.
Families report needing to upgrade parking arrangements, pay for larger parking bays in city centres, or even move house to accommodate a larger vehicle. Whilst these costs vary enormously by location, they’re real expenses that many families don’t anticipate.
Keep your current car with a Multimac, and you avoid all of these hassles entirely.
Larger vehicles mean larger tyres, more expensive brake pads, and higher servicing costs. A full set of tyres for a mid-size 7-seater SUV can easily cost £600-£800, compared to £300-£500 for a standard family hatchback or estate.
Road tax also varies. Whilst newer vehicles fall under the flat-rate system, older 7-seaters registered before April 2017 can face significantly higher VED charges based on CO2 emissions. Electric 7-seaters currently benefit from zero road tax, but this changes from April 2026 when EVs will start paying the standard rate.
Multimac requires virtually no maintenance beyond the occasional upholstery cleaning. The aluminium frame construction means no wear on moving parts, and the R129 certification ensures it meets the highest safety standards throughout its lifespan.
Let’s look at a realistic five-year comparison for a family choosing between upgrading to a 7-seater or keeping their current car with a Multimac.
Scenario: Mid-Range 7-Seater (e.g., Peugeot 5008 at £35,000)
Scenario: Keep Current Car + Multimac
Actual savings: £38,482 over five years, or £7,696 per year.
Cost isn’t everything. Some families genuinely need a 7-seater for reasons beyond child car seats – perhaps regular grandparent transport, car-pooling commitments, or work requirements. But if your sole reason for considering a larger vehicle is fitting multiple car seats, the Multimac solution deserves serious consideration.
You keep the car you love. Whether that’s a sporty BMW 3 Series, a practical VW Golf, or even something unexpected like a Maserati GranTurismo, Multimac has proven it can fit in vehicles you’d never dream could accommodate three or four children.
You maintain manoeuvrability. Your current car still fits in your garage, slots into that tight parking space outside your house, and handles the narrow lanes on the school run without breaking a sweat.
You avoid unnecessary consumption. In an era where sustainability matters, keeping your current vehicle rather than manufacturing a new one is the environmentally responsible choice. Multimac’s UK manufacturing and Pre-Loved scheme support this approach.
The financial case for Multimac over a 7-seater upgrade is compelling for most families. Unless you genuinely need additional seating beyond car seats, you could save tens of thousands of pounds over the years when your children need car seats.
That money could fund family holidays, house deposits, university savings, or simply provide financial breathing room during the expensive years of raising multiple children. The choice ultimately depends on your specific circumstances, but armed with the real cost comparison, you can make an informed decision rather than being pressured into an expensive upgrade you might not actually need.
Ready to see if Multimac works for your vehicle?
Use our quote builder to find out which Multimac model fits your car, get an accurate price including professional installation, and discover how much you could save by keeping the car you love whilst safely accommodating your growing family. You can also check our fitting compatibility to see certified installers in your area who can professionally fit your Multimac system.
Unit 11 Octagon Business Park, Miller Street,
Birmingham, West Midlands B6 4NF
