So far, electric cars with more than five seats have been the absolute exception. But the range of practical family electric vehicles with plenty of space and three rows of seats is currently growing rapidly, as the five examples presented show.
For many years, the most important aspect in the decision to buy an electric car was the range. It is now almost infinitely scalable, and thanks to better charging infrastructure and fast-charging technology, fear of range is no longer such a big issue. Now the focus is gradually shifting more to the functionality of the vehicles. The e-car no longer only has to drive far, but also be able to transport several people or a lot of luggage if necessary. That is why the number of seven-seaters with electric drives on the German market is currently growing. Some are already available, others are freshly launched.
Vinfast VF9
One of the eagerly awaited newcomers is the Vietnamese manufacturer Vinfast, which plans to launch the VF9, a 5.12 meter long SUV with three rows of seats and either 6 or 7 seats, on German roads this year.
In addition to a stately body and plenty of space, the VF9 offers large batteries. There is a smaller format with 92 kWh for a range of up to 438 kilometers. Alternatively, 123 kWh are also possible, with which you can travel almost 600 kilometers. In both cases, there is a two-motor all-wheel drive with 300 kW/408 hp, which allows a sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.
Relatively fast charging is also possible: the batteries can be charged from 10 to 70 percent in 35 minutes. Vehicles are to go to customers before the end of this year. The VF9 can be reserved on the German Vinfast website. Currently, a price from 62,250 euros is mentioned for the version with a rental battery, which then costs 150 euros per month. If you want to own the battery in addition to the car, you have to budget at least 82,250 euros.
THE WORLD OF Tang
Another brand that is also new in Germany is BYD from China, which will be appearing this year with the three electric models Atto 3, Han and the seven-seater SUV Tang. A presale price of 72,000 euros has just been announced for the latter.
In return, the 4.87 meter long SUV offers a two-motor all-wheel drive with 380 kW/517 hp system output, which accelerates the Tang to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The SUV drives at a maximum of 180 km/h and, thanks to the 86.4 kWh battery, also travels 400 kilometers on one charge. Although the Tang offers a total of seven seats, the rear two are more like emergency seats that are difficult for adults to reach.
Maxus Mifa 9
The Mifa 9 from Maxus is much more generous. Maxus is a subsidiary of the Chinese SAIC group, which has been offering commercial vehicles in Germany for some time. Next year, the offer is to be expanded to include the 5.27-metre-thick Mifa 9 car van, in which guests will find comfortable space even in the third row of seats.
In other respects, too, the thick ship relies on superior comfort, especially in the top version with two massive lounge chairs. These have fixed side walls with armrests, from which a tablet can be conjured up. The air conditioning, massage function and seat position can also be adjusted via a control display integrated into the armrest. If the footrest is folded forward and the backrest is folded back, the passenger can even stretch out in a relaxed manner. The Mifa 9 is properly motorized with 180 kW/245 hp, while the battery is quite large with 90 kWh and a range of over 400 kilometers. The new Maxus should be available next year, prices should start above 60,000 euros.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
If you don’t want to wait for the big electric seven-seater from Asia, you can already find what you are looking for at Mercedes. Since the end of 2021, the Swabians have been offering the EQB, a 4.68 meter compact electric SUV that can be ordered with an optional third row of seats despite its moderate length. However, only small people should sit on these, because these are also emergency seats. Anyone who places more value on maximum trunk volume can also get the EQB as a five-seater, which offers up to 1710 liters of storage space.
There are also three drive versions to choose from. The entry marks the 250 with 140 kW/190 hp front-wheel drive. Alternatively, there are the all-wheel drive versions 300 and 350 with 168 kW/228 hp or 215 kW/292 hp. The more powerful variant can sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. A 66.5 kWh battery is standard, and in the case of the 250 it should allow a range of 472 kilometers. Prices start at around 49,650 euros.
Opel Combo-e Life
Another relatively inexpensive alternative that has also been available for some time is the Combo-e Life from Opel, which has technically identical sister models from Citroen and Peugeot. All are characterized by a 100 kW/136 hp electric motor and a compact 50 kWh battery that allows a range of up to 285 kilometers.
The combo, which costs at least 43,000 euros, can be ordered in the 4.40 meter long version Life or as the 4.75 meter long Life XL with a luggage compartment of up to 2693 liters. For both body variants, a third row of seats with two individual seats is available for an extra charge – in the Life for 600 euros, in the XL for 750 euros.