All-electric SUVs aren’t a new thing on the market anymore. These days, we can see a lot of them on the road but what’s a new thing is that these vehicles are slowly becoming real family haulers. So far, most EV models were compact and not particularly comfortable, though there were some exceptions, particularly from Tesla. Nowadays, we already have a couple of 7-seaters in this segment but what’s more exciting is that several brand-new models in the next year or two.
That’s the reason why we’ve decided to make a list of the best electric 7-seaters for 2021-2022. We included not just the best upcoming models, but also models that are already available. Also, the list includes both premium and mainstream brands, as well as both typical crossovers and truck-based SUVs. Finally, please keep in mind that some of the models are currently familiar only as 5-seaters but we have strong reasons to believe that additional rows will come soon, even though officials are completely quiet in some cases.
To cut the story, we present to you our list of best electric 7-seaters for 2021 and 2022:
2022 BMW iX
BMW is one of the rare premium brands that has been offering electric vehicles for years. Of course, we are talking about a small i3 model, as well as about the i8 supercar. It’s finally time for an electric crossover. The new model already came in the form of a concept, a few years ago, as the Vision iNext concept.
The aforementioned concept received mixed reviews about the styling, so we presume that the serial model will be a little bit different. At this point, it’s hard to talk about details, but we are pretty sure we won’t see those suicide doors in the production version. On the other side, the large grille may keep a similar shape.
In terms of size, the new model will be quite similar to the company’s best-seller, the X5. Given the size and the fact that electric vehicles are pretty generous with interior space, we expect to see the new model with three rows of seats. At this point, we are still waiting to hear officials on this matter, but the latest rumors call such a scenario a certain thing.
When it comes to powertrain, details are still a secret. Still, we presume the new model will aim at models like Tesla Model X, both in terms of performance and range. The latter is particularly interesting, as the latest reports suggest more than 400 miles on a single charge.
The new model is about to arrive sometime in the second half of 2021, while the details about price are yet to come.
2022 Bolinger B1
Those who prefer old-school super boxy aesthetics will definitely like the new Bollinger B1, even though such drivers usually aren’t fans of electric vehicles. This one will be completely different compared to the competition, thanks to the styling that looks like it came via time machine, directly from WW2.
The same story is on the inside. The rendering photos show an ultra-rudimental layout, with virtually no modern thing on the dash and around. Still, we expect that the production version will be slightly different, offering a touchscreen interface and built-in navigation, since it’s hard to imagine that anyone would buy a new vehicle without such things. Considering that this model measures nearly 119 inches in wheelbase, we are pretty sure that a three-row version will be in the offer, even though the officials are still quiet on this matter.
When it comes to the drivetrain, we expect to see different configurations, with different output and range. At this point, we know just one version, which will use a dual-electric motor setup, with one motor for each axle. The total output will go around 615 horsepower. That will be enough for a 0-60 sprint in about 4.5 seconds. This version will be able to make around 200 miles on a single charge, reports say. Also, you may count on a max towing capacity of 7.500 pounds and more than 5.200 pounds of max payload.
The 2022 Bollinger B1 will arrive later in the year. The latest reports suggest a starting price of around 60.000 dollars.
2022 GMC Hummer
GM will bring a whole plethora of all-electric vehicles in the following years and the 2022 GMC Hummer is one of the most anticipated. The legendary off-roader has always been a terrible gas guzzler but times have changed. Now, this nameplate will be used for an efficient, environment-friendly vehicle, which will come both as a pickup truck and SUV.
The pickup truck version will come first and will closely resemble the original design. The SUV model won’t be an exception and given the size, we have no doubt it will come with three rows of seats. The interior design will be particularly interesting. It will feature much better quality than before and a dashboard full of screens and other hi-tech goodies. Furthermore, the company says the cockpit was inspired by the Apollo 15 lunar rover and we can definitely see the resemblance.4
When it comes to the drivetrain, we know that the most capable version will feature 1.000 horsepower, which will be enough to move this huge SUV from zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds. The company also claims max torque of 11.500 lb-ft, but we believe that a real-life number is rather around 1.100 pound-feet. In any case, this version should be able to tow around 10.000 pounds. This variant will come first, while the less-powerful options will come soon after.
The initial model will come this fall and it will cost around 110.000 dollars. Other versions will come soon after and once the lineup is complete, base models will probably go around 75.000 dollars.
2021 Tesla Model X
Without any doubt, this is the most famous name on the list. Despite it has been around for nearly six years, it is still very competitive in every aspect. Based on the Model S sedan, it offers impressive performances, a class-leading ranger and several other impressive characteristics. Some of the things that come to mind are a long list of advanced tech and safety features, a large cargo area etc.
For the 2021 model, Tesla made a few changes. The biggest one is the drop of a mid-level model called the Long Range model. So, there are just two versions in the offer now.
The base one is called Long Range Plus and it offers 371 miles of range on a single charge. Also, it is a pretty fast car, even though we are talking about a base version. It needs just 4.4 seconds to hit 60 mph.
The Performance model also came with improvements in terms of max range and now can make 341 miles on a single charge. On the other side, the drivetrain setup remains the same, so you may count on impressive acceleration. When the Ludicrous Mode is engaged, this mid-size crossover needs just 2.6 seconds to hit 60 mph.
The 2021 Tesla Model X is already on sale and it features a starting price of 81.200 dollars.
2021 Tesla Model Y
While the Model X has been around for years, the Model Y is still a pretty fresh model in the segment. For the second production year, the company brings a 7-seat version, as two-rows were only available so far. Therefore, the Model Y earns its place on the list with ease, considering that it is amazing in various aspects, starting from strong performances, an intuitive infotainment system, a long list of features and many more.
Other than the additional rows of seats, things haven’t changed too much for the 2021 model. Of course, the overall layout remains the same, based on the popular Model 3. The overall layout remains the same, whether it’s about mechanics or aesthetics.
On the other side, there is a big novelty in terms of drivetrain, as there is a new version in the offer. It is called Standard Range and it is a new entry-level model, which comes with a single electric motor on the rear axle and offers around 244 miles. Obviously, its strongest point will be its price, which will go around 43.200 dollars.
The Long Range model remains the same. It costs around 51.200 dollars and it offers a max range of impressive 315 miles. It is also quite fast, considering that it needs just around 4.8 seconds to hit 60 mph.
Finally, there is the Performance model, equipped with more powerful electric motors. It needs just 3.5 seconds to hit sixty and also offers a quite respectable max range of 290 miles. The starting price goes around 61.200 dollars.
2022 Rivian R1S
This startup company came up with two amazing electric vehicles. The first one is a pickup truck, which comes as the R1T, while the SUV iteration comes as the R1T model. Both models feature the same mechanics, you may count on a genuine SUV, which has a lot of capabilities to offer. One of the key features will be its seating capacity, as this model will come standard with three rows of seats and the ability to accommodate seven passengers.
In terms of drivetrain and battery, you may count on several versions. Three battery packages will be in the offer, with either 105, 135 or 180 kWh of capacity. The smallest one will provide around 250 miles on a single charge, while the mid-range battery should be capable of providing 300 miles on a single charge.
Models with the 180-kWh battery will probably feature the max range of 400-plus miles. This version will also feature the most powerful setup, consisted of two capable electric motors, with a total output of 794 horsepower. This will be enough for a 0-60 spring in just 3.0 seconds. The max towing capacity will go around 7.500 pounds. When it comes to a more basic version, the least expensive model will go from zero to sixty in about five seconds, which is also pretty respectable.
Delivers will start in summer, probably in July. When it comes to the price, base models will cost around 70.000 dollars.
2023 Volvo XC90
Most manufacturers use completely new nameplates for their brand-new models but Volvo is too special for that. Instead, the Swedish manufacturer won’t make an all-electric SUV on purpose, but rather just an electric version of its popular mid-size SUV. Of course, we are talking about the XC90, which is about to receive a complete overhaul next year.
At this point, we know that the new XC90 will ride on the second generation of the familiar SPA platform. The new architecture will be capable to store more energy, so besides hybrid models, the all-electric version will come as well. On the other side, the diesel and pure gasoline-powered version won’t be in the offer anymore.
At this point, we don’t much about the design characteristics of the new 2023 Volvo XC90 but most reports suggest evolutionary changes for this occasion. On the other side, we know for sure that the next generation will offer autonomous driving. The hardware is read and it will be installed in all models, while software will be ready later and it will be downloadable via Volvo’s infotainment system.
The all-electric XC90 is expected to arrive sometime in 2022.
2022 Skoda Enyaq iV
For the end of our list, we left something that’s more our desire than expectation. The first electric crossover from Skoda has been presented recently and it currently comes with “just” two rows of seats. However, it comes with Skoda’s typical design approach, which means most sheet metal for the money. Although a compact SUV, it big enough to accommodate one more row of seats, so we could easily see the same thing we saw with the Kodiaq, which offers three rows of seats, even though it’s a compact crossover.
When it comes to drivetrain, we know there will be several versions in the offer. The base model will come as iV 50, with a 52-kWh battery pack and one electric motor that puts out around 150 horsepower. The iV 60 will come with a 62-kWh battery, which obviously means longer range, as well as with a more powerful 180-hp electric motor.
As you may presume, the iV 80 will feature an 82-kWh battery pack, with a single-electric motor of 204 horsepower. The AWD model will be good for about 265 horsepower and will feature the same 82-kWh battery. This variant will come as Enyaq x80.
The first models will come later in the year, as a five-seater. The three-row version is still just a rumor
