The cheapest 7-seater cars in Israel: Which one is better?

Even at a time when more 7-seater models are sold in Israel than ever before, their prices are higher than ever. The Chinese Chery Tiggo 8, in the less popular petrol version, starts at NIS 185,000. The popular Mitsubishi Outlander costs from NIS 191,000. The Škoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008 are already well above NIS 200,000.

In recent months, two such cars have arrived in Israel, trying to reverse this trend, and surprisingly they come from Europe. The Dacia Jogger, launched three years ago in a manual version that did not succeed in our automatic market, is now offered in an automatic version and even a full hybrid at NIS 175,000. Over a year ago, a single shipment at the same price was mostly sold to taxis; now it is available for full retail without a price change. In this way, the Romanian SUV rides on two market trends: 7 seats and petrol-electric hybrid.

Opel’s showrooms have welcomed the Frontera, with a mild hybrid system, at an even more market-shaking price of NIS 157,000 for the three-row version (there is also a 5-seater version at NIS 145,000).

The Frontera is the first in a series of Stellantis group models intended to respond to the success of cheap Dacia models in Europe, and a counterpart from Citroën, the C3 Aircross, has already been sold in Israel at the same price, along with a Fiat version along the way. The first customer: The Defense Ministry, which ordered hundreds of Fronteras for majors with large families.

Did Dacia, Opel, and partners really create a consumer revolution here for large families, or just for families with many children who need rides to classes and trips?

The Jogger is part mini-van, part crossover, aided by prominent roof rails to emphasize its dual identity. It is simple and tall, with a length of 4.55 meters, width of 1.78 meters, height of 1.63 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.90 meters.

The Frontera is more attractive and crossover-like, especially in the two-tone version tested (an additional NIS 1,900), but it is significantly shorter, although wider and taller. 4.39 meters long, 1.80 meters wide, 1.66 meters high, and a wheelbase of 2.67 meters.

Since being acquired by Renault and becoming its low-cost brand, Dacia has been a symbol of simplicity to the point of frugality in the cabin. The Jogger is much better equipped than previous Dacia models, but there are plenty of hard, less pleasant plastics, though still an improvement over earlier models.

The driver’s environment is modern: Window switches are now in the doors, there is a multimedia screen, and even Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. However, the screen is relatively small (8 inches), low-resolution, and slow, with apps only connected via cable, not wirelessly. The audio system is also quite basic. The front seats are comfortable, and their adjustment is already standard, without the saving features of previous Dacias.

In Opel, there is a 10-inch multimedia screen and a digital instrument cluster of the same size, both with fairly basic displays. The atmosphere is simple; it is not a luxurious German car as you would expect today, more like an efficient and durable car in the spirit of the 1980s, including even a key ignition, something we rarely see in a new car. This shows that Opel also cut costs to reach this price. At least there is a start button and wireless phone charging.

So there is not much, but what exists works well. The seating position is high, front seats are comfortable and supportive. In both cars, due to the cost-saving trend, there is no problem with ergonomics: All important operations are done via physical switches, simple and clear, without taking eyes off the road.

The differences expand in the rear seats, where Dacia starts to score points. The rear doors are large and ease access to the spacious seat, even for adults, with a nearly flat floor. The third row is quite surprising, and unlike many crossovers in the 200-250,000 shekel range, it can truly accommodate adults in terms of space. The seats there are low, but comfort and knee room are reasonable. Yes, the Jogger is more spacious in the third row not only than the Tiggo 8 but also the Škoda Kodiaq. The third-row seats can be folded for a larger trunk.

But here too, savings are noticeable: There are no air vents for the second and third rows, and there are only two power outlets, one USB-C, and a 12V, joining two front USB-Cs.

In Opel, the rear seat is very spacious for legs and head and also quite comfortable and slightly wider than in Dacia. But the third row offers very limited space, less than in the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail, suitable only for children due to seat height and minimal knee room.

Opel also lacks air vents for the second and third rows. There are two USB-C outlets in the second row and one more in the third.

Even with all seats in use, Dacia still has a capacity of 212 liters. In Opel, hold on tight, there is only 40 liters in this situation, less than several glove compartments in other cars, but at least there is a spare wheel. In both models, capacity can be increased by folding one or both seats.

Dacia already has autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping, but in the European crash test, the Jogger received a poor score of one out of five stars. This was in 2021, and since then it has gained pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure control, a speed limiter, and driver alert systems now required by European standards, but the absence of these affected its score at the time. On the other hand, it also did not excel in passive safety.

Opel has not yet been tested. It is also lacking in this area compared to other new 7-seaters, lacking adaptive cruise control and emergency braking in reverse, but it has a blind-spot warning that the Jogger does not.

Dacia: 8-inch multimedia system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, smart key, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Opel: 10-inch multimedia screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charger, reversing camera, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Dacia has a hybrid unit from Nissan, offered in the Jogger and other Renault models, based on a 1.6-liter petrol engine, with a combined output of 140 hp and a 6-speed automatic (complex arrangement of 4 for petrol and 2 for electric). In the second half of 2026, a slightly updated Jogger will arrive with a reinforced hybrid unit already launched in Bigster, based on a 1.8-liter engine with 155 hp, improving fuel consumption.

Opel has a 1.2-liter turbo petrol engine, assisted by an electric motor, producing a total of 145 hp. This is not the same Piortec engine of Stellantis models with the failing timing belt. It has a 6-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.

The Jogger is stronger but 100 kg heavier, which is noticeable on the road. Performance is okay, and the ride is pleasant, but in a full car, don’t expect agile overtakes or climbs. Opel is more agile, thanks to the faster transmission and is also quieter.

On a calm intercity drive, the Jogger achieved 18 km/l and Opel 15.7 km/l. After the more demanding test section, average consumption dropped to 12.5 km/l in the Jogger and 11 km/l in the Frontera. In daily driving, expect 16-18 km/l from Dacia and 13-14 km/l from Opel. Both figures are good for petrol 7-seaters. The Chery Tiggo 8 plug-in can also achieve 30-35 km on a charged battery, but the 20-30,000 shekel price gap does not pay off in the usual three-year ownership.

The Jogger is the more comfortable of the two, good at absorbing bumps even in the city. Surprisingly, it is also decent in curves and does not sway excessively. However, it is bumpier at low speeds and over speed bumps, noisier, and its brakes are less powerful.

Opel is less comfortable in the city but still acceptable. Outside the city, it is okay, but surprisingly good on challenging roads, maintaining the line well, with precise and better steering. Combined with better performance, it results in a surprisingly German-feeling and quieter car.

Both competitors are the cheapest in the group, but it is easy to feel where money has been saved. Compromises are clear: Equipment, safety (mainly Dacia), quality, and noise insulation. Apart from safety compromises, it is acceptable for offering a cheap car for families wanting to save costs, or employees whose employer provides a 7-seater at the cost of a 5-seater.

At their price, one could buy a one-year-old used Tiggo 8 plug-in, a two-year-old Outlander or Kodiaq, or a four-year-old Santa Fe or Sorento, obtaining quality cars that retain value better but have higher maintenance costs. But many who receive a company car do not have this choice and are limited to a new car.

Opel is better on the road and the driver’s environment is preferable. Despite cost-saving efforts, it gives the feeling of a legitimate German car spacious for five. But it is less economical and less spacious than the Jogger and may struggle to serve a large family with frequent trips with 4-5 children, even if a rooftop cargo box is installed. Its third row is excellent for families occasionally needing extra child seats. It is also more convenient for parking, being 16 cm shorter.

Dacia is less premium, with a more compromised driver environment. It is slower, comes with lower safety, and is also more expensive in the list price by NIS 18,000, though in recent months it has been regularly offered at a discount of NIS 8,000-10,000, reducing the price gap. Mainly, it is the only one of the two that can serve as a true 7-seater, and its fuel economy alone is worth about NIS 2,000 per year. Therefore, it is not perfect, but it wins this comparison test.