11) 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Third-Row Legroom: 31.4 in. | $31,775 | USN Interior Score: 7.8/10
The all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade offers an upscale cabin and a healthy complement of standard niceties and high-tech safety systems. It seats up to eight passengers and has spacious first- and second-row seats. The Palisade’s third row is easy to access, thanks to its standard one-touch power system. While its third row doesn’t have as much room as some rivals, adults will have enough room back there for short trips.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade has a first-rate infotainment system, as well as five USB ports and air vents for all seats. Leather seats, heated and ventilated seats, power-folding third-row seats, second-row climate control, wireless device charging, third-row USB outlets, a household-style power outlet, and the Driver Talk in-car intercom are available. This midsize SUV’s cargo capacity is good for the class, and there’s an extra storage compartment underneath the cargo floor along with an available hands-free liftgate. To top it off, the Palisade delivers a supple ride and earns excellent crash test ratings.
10) 2020 Kia Telluride
Third-Row Legroom: 31.4 in. | $31,890 | USN Interior Score: 8.1/10
Kia launched the Telluride as a brand-new midsize SUV for the 2020 model year. It has a lot in common with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade. The Telluride provides two roomy rows of seats, a third row that has enough space for adults, and a large cargo area. This Kia also features great safety scores, an attractive interior, and a smooth ride.
2020 Kia Telluride
The Telluride comes packed with standard features and advanced driver assistance aids. Synthetic leather seats, a responsive infotainment interface, six USB ports, and power-sliding-and-folding second-row seats come standard. Notable upgrades include genuine leather upholstery, rear-passenger automatic temperature control, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, a power liftgate, wireless phone charging, and the Driver Talk intercom. We named the Telluride the winner of our 2020 Best 3-Row SUV for Families award.
9) 2020 Dodge Durango
Third-Row Legroom: 31.5 in. | $31,590 | USN Interior Score: 8.3/10
Aside from its adult-friendly third row, the 2020 Dodge Durango’s primary strengths include potent available engines, good predicted reliability, and intuitive standard infotainment technology. This midsize SUV seats up to seven passengers, and has a reasonable amount of cargo space. The third row is optional in the base model and standard in all other trims.
2020 Dodge Durango
The Durango hasn’t been redesigned for many years. It lags behind rivals when it comes to crash test ratings, interior refinement, handling, and fuel economy. However, the Durango offers a coddling ride and class-leading towing capacity. It’s light on standard features, but niceties like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and multiple active safety technologies are available.
8) 2020 Kia Sorento
Third-Row Legroom: 31.7 in. | $26,990 | USN Interior Score: 7.0/10
The 2020 Kia Sorento has a bit more third-row legroom than the larger Kia Telluride, but it’s short on cargo space. The Sorento is the winner of U.S. News’ 2020 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award. Its premium cabin provides well-cushioned seats for seven passengers, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, and a terrific touch-screen infotainment system.
2020 Kia Sorento
The Sorento’s other positive traits include its low starting price, stellar safety scores, first-rate predicted reliability, and pleasant ride. Several advanced safety aids are available, along with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and a wireless device charger. The Sorento’s base four-cylinder engine delivers adequate power and returns good gas mileage, though a stronger, fuel-efficient V6 is available.
7) 2020 Subaru Ascent
Third-Row Legroom: 31.7 in. | $31,995 | USN Interior Score: 7.9/10
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is the only mainstream three-row SUV to come standard with all-wheel drive, and it still returns above-average fuel economy. It provides well-balanced ride and handling characteristics, and earns top-notch results in crash tests. The Ascent has a sizable cargo hold and generous space for up to eight people. Its high-quality cabin offers supportive seats in all three rows. The third row is also easy to access, and it provides enough room for adults on brief trips.
2020 Subaru Ascent
The Ascent comes standard with a full suite of safety systems, a rear-seat reminder, four USB ports, and a user-friendly infotainment interface. You can opt for niceties like leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, second-row climate controls, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a power liftgate.
6) 2020 Honda Pilot
Third-Row Legroom: 31.9 in. | $31,650 | USN Interior Score: 8.0/10
Honda’s 2020 Pilot is a tried-and-true family-friendly SUV. It’s well-rounded thanks to its capable performance, comfortable cabin, and balanced ride and handling. The Pilot may not be as agile, reliable, or feature-filled as some rivals, but it’s safe, well-built, fuel-efficient, and versatile. This midsize SUV features roomy and supportive seats in all three rows, as well as more cargo space than many rivals.
2020 Honda Pilot
The Pilot comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems. In terms of standard niceties, you get a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. However, many features are available, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, one-touch second-row seats, a power liftgate, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
5) 2020 Buick Enclave
Third-Row Legroom: 33.5 in. | $40,000 | USN Interior Score: 8.6/10
The 2020 Buick Enclave seats seven passengers and has a third row with impressive legroom, but it’s still only adequate for adults on shorter trips. The third row is easy to access due to the standard second-row sliding seats. In addition, the first two rows are spacious and comfortable, and cargo volume is above-average for a midsize SUV. The Enclave isn’t as upscale or sporty as some classmates, though its interior is nicely cast, its acceleration is peppy, and it provides a gentle ride. It earns a good predicted reliability rating, but its safety scores are lower than competitors’.
2020 Buick Enclave
Notable standard features include up-to-date infotainment technology, heated front seats, six USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, rear parking sensors, and a hands-free power liftgate. You can choose from a host of available safety aids, along with leather seats, heated second-row seats, ventilated and massaging front seats, a power-folding third-row, wireless device charging, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet.
4) 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
Third-Row Legroom: 33.5 in. | $29,800 | USN Interior Score: 9.0/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse has a lot in common with the Buick Enclave since they share the same General Motors platform. However, the Traverse will save you about $10,000 and can seat up to eight people. In addition to its relatively roomy third-row seats and large cargo area, this Chevrolet features an intuitive infotainment interface, good gas mileage, and a smooth ride. It’s not very agile, though, and its interior isn’t fancy.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse comes equipped with six USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a straightforward infotainment touch screen, and Chevrolet’s Teen Driver monitoring system. Available features include a rear-seat entertainment system, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, wireless device charging, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and multiple active safety technologies.
3) 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
Third-Row Legroom: 33.7 in. | $31,545 | USN Interior Score: 8.5/10
Volkswagen’s 2020 Atlas is one of the few three-row SUVs with adult-sized seats in all three rows. It also features a cavernous cargo hold and respectable towing capacity. Despite its hefty footprint, the Atlas returns good gas mileage and drives much like a smaller vehicle. This midsize SUV doesn’t feature classy cabin materials or engaging driving dynamics. However, it does earn outstanding safety scores, offers plenty of easy-to-use technology, and provides a coddling ride.
2020 Volkswagen Atlas
The Atlas is equipped with a handful of key driver-assistance aids, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also comes with a touch-screen infotainment system and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Appealing niceties are available, such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a power liftgate, and a 115-volt household-style power outlet.
2) 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
Third-Row Legroom: 34.5 in. | $51,700 | USN Interior Score: 8.0/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is a large SUV with seating for up to eight passengers and tons of cargo space. Its elegant cabin has room for adults to stretch out in all three rows. However, reviewers note that the third row is not as roomy as you might expect for such a massive vehicle. In addition, the second-row seats don’t slide, so you can’t adjust the seating space. The third row is not as easy to access as it is in rival SUVs, either.
2020 Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban features potent engines and decent handling, but its ride is rough over uneven pavement and its predicted reliability rating is average. It comes standard with a user-friendly touch-screen infotainment system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a household-style power outlet, and GM’s Teen Driver system. Plenty of desirable features are available, including leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, a universal garage door opener, a power liftgate, wireless device charging, and a rear-seat Blu-ray entertainment system. Many active safety systems are available as well.
1) 2020 Ford Expedition
Third-Row Legroom: 36.1 in. | $52,810 | USN Interior Score: 8.5/10
The Ford Expedition finishes at the top of our large SUV ranking, and is the winner of our 2020 Best Large SUV for Families award. It’s the priciest vehicle on our list, but it boasts a luxury-grade interior, three adult-sized rows of seats, and an enormous cargo area. Moreover, the Expedition features a robust turbocharged engine, terrific towing capacity, impressive fuel economy, composed handling, and a serene ride.
2020 Ford Expedition
Standard niceties in the Expedition include an outstanding touch-screen interface, a Wi-Fi hot spot, four USB ports, a universal garage door opener, Ford’s MyKey teen driver system, and a full complement of advanced driver assistance technologies. The Expedition has a healthy list of available options, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding second-row seats, two third-row USB ports, wireless device charging, a hands-free power liftgate, a household-style power outlet, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Minivans
Minivans have fallen out of favor with the rise of crossovers and SUVs. They don’t offer the ground clearance, utility, or towing capacity of most SUVs. In addition, only one minivan on the market today can be outfitted with all-wheel drive – the Toyota Sienna. However, if your top priority is passenger space – and more specifically, third-row accommodations – a minivan is hard to beat.
Adding to the minivans’ third-row advantage, these vehicles are typically cheaper than SUVs, arguably safer (less prone to rollover accidents), and reasonably fuel-efficient. Minivans also provide much larger cargo holds than almost all SUVs, and they’re also easier to enter and exit due to their sliding side doors.
For comparison, the Honda Odyssey has 38.1 inches of third-row legroom, 144.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, and 32.8 cubic feet of room behind its third row. The roomiest SUV on the market today – the Ford Expedition – offers 36.1 Inches of third-row legroom, 104.6 cubic feet of maximum total cargo capacity, and 20.9 cubic feet of space behind its rearmost row of seats.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Did you find a three-row SUV on our lists that satisfies your priorities and fits your budget? If not, visit our three-row SUV ranking to compare the competition. While you’re at it, check out our minivan ranking, too.
Once you’ve made your decision, be sure to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find a dealership in your area offering the lowest pre-negotiated prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of over $3,000 of their new vehicle.
11 SUVs With the Best Third-Row Seats
- 11) 2020 Hyundai Palisade: Third-Row Legroom: 31.4 in. | $31,775 | USN Interior Score: 7.8/10
- 10) 2020 Kia Telluride: Third-Row Legroom: 31.4 in. | $31,890 | USN Interior Score: 8.1/10
- 9) 2020 Dodge Durango: Third-Row Legroom: 31.5 in. | $31,590 | USN Interior Score: 8.3/10
- 8) 2020 Kia Sorento: Third-Row Legroom: 31.7 in. | $26,990 | USN Interior Score: 7.0/10
- 7) 2020 Subaru Ascent: Third-Row Legroom: 31.7 in. | $31,995 | USN Interior Score: 7.9/10
- 6) 2020 Honda Pilot: Third-Row Legroom: 31.9 in. | $31,650 | USN Interior Score: 8.0/10
- 5) 2020 Buick Enclave: Third-Row Legroom: 33.5 in. | $40,000 | USN Interior Score: 8.6/10
- 4) 2020 Chevrolet Traverse: Third-Row Legroom: 33.5 in. | $29,800 | USN Interior Score: 9.0/10
- 3) 2020 Volkswagen Atlas: Third-Row Legroom: 33.7 in. | $31,545 | USN Interior Score: 8.5/10
- 2) 2020 Chevrolet Suburban: Third-Row Legroom: 34.5 in. | $51,700 | USN Interior Score: 8.0/10
- 1) 2020 Ford Expedition: Third-Row Legroom: 36.1 in. | $52,810 | USN Interior Score: 8.5/10
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Not a Bad Seat in the House With These SUVs
Many three-row SUVs have far-rear seats that don’t comfortably accommodate adult passengers. While this may suffice for families with young children, it makes the vehicle less practical overall. In addition, if you plan on keeping the SUV for a good length of time, your children are going to grow. Eventually, that cramped third row isn’t going to cut it.
Luckily, a few midsize and large SUVs have spacious third rows that offer all-day comfort. This means even taller adults will have room to stretch out and ride back there on longer road trips. However, most of the roomiest third rows are not that accommodating. Instead, they offer a respectable – though not spectacular – amount of space and comfort for adult passengers. If you need an abundance of third-row space, you’ll have to be very selective about which SUV you choose or consider a minivan instead (more on that later).
We’ve pored over our three-row SUV rankings to find vehicles with the most spacious third rows. However, it’s important to note that we didn’t include SUVs with low interior scores since a roomy third row isn’t as desirable if it's uncomfortable and made of low-quality materials. All the three-row SUVs on our list boast a U.S. News interior score of at least seven out of 10, though most score much higher. Moreover, the vehicles on our list all have respectable overall U.S. News scores and perform well in our rankings.
In the event of a tie in the category of third-row legroom, the vehicle with the higher U.S. News interior score will take the higher position on this list.
Continue reading to learn about today’s SUVs with the roomiest third-row seats.