15) 2018 Dodge Durango
$29,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The 2018 Dodge Durango makes the list with 119.7 total inches of combined rear headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. It seats up to seven passengers and has excellent cargo space. As is typical for 3-row SUVs in the midsize class, the third row is best for kids.
15) 2018 Dodge Durango
Our midsize SUV ranking has the Durango scored about halfway down the list. For 2018, all Durango models come standard with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Durango can haul in a few ways. In addition to its generous interior cargo space, it can tow up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped. The new-for-2018 Durango SRT model comes with a 6.4-liter, 475-horsepower V8 that can launch the SUV from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
14) 2018 Kia Sorento
$25,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
Our ranking of midsize SUVs is highly competitive, but the 2018 Kia Sorento rises to a spot near the top with its spacious seating areas, top-notch interior materials, above-average predicted reliability score, and outstanding safety marks. It is the winner of our 2018 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award.
14) 2018 Kia Sorento
The optional third row provides more space than rival crossovers and is roomy enough for two kids. Its rear seat is fitted close to the rear hatch, however, so if you’re using the third row, you won’t have much space to carry cargo.
Opt for one of the Sorento’s available four-cylinder engines and you’ll get fuel economy that bests many rivals. In its most efficient configuration, the Sorento is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.
13) 2018 Ford Explorer
$32,140 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
The 2018 Ford Explorer comes standard with three rows of seating, plus ample cargo room behind the third row. Like most midsize 3-row models, the back seat is best left to kids. For ease of use, Ford offers a power-operated rear cargo hatch and power-folding third-row seats.
13) 2018 Ford Explorer
Though the Explorer lacks the third-row shoulder room of some rivals, it has an average amount of legroom and headroom for the back row. It is available in a six-passenger setup with second-row captain’s chairs, which makes accessing the back row much easier than with the standard seven-passenger configuration’s rear bench seat.
In our ranking of midsize SUVs, the Explorer holds a spot in the middle of the pack.
12) 2018 GMC Acadia
$29,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10
The 2018 GMC Acadia is a typical midsize SUV with little to make it stand out in a field of competent rivals. It can seat up to seven, or six when outfitted with optional second-row captain’s chairs. That’s down from the eight passengers the Acadia could carry before its latest redesign.
12) 2018 GMC Acadia
Like the rear seats you’ll find in most rivals, the Acadia’s rear seats are best left to kids or small adults. When you’re not using the second or third rows, the seats fold fully flat for easy cargo carrying.
Every GMC Acadia model comes with a touch-screen infotainment system that supports an onboard Wi-Fi hot spot, a 4G LTE data connection, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Its innovative rear seat alert system prompts you to check the back seats to ensure you don’t leave a child or pet behind. It holds a spot about three-quarters of the way down our ranking of midsize SUVs.
11) 2018 Ford Flex
$30,285 | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10
The 2018 Ford Flex is truly a crossover between a traditional station wagon and an SUV. It features the easy entry and exit of a car, but with more interior room. The Flex seats seven in three rows.
11) 2018 Ford Flex
The Ford Flex has some of the best third-row headroom of any vehicle in the midsize SUV class. Even with all the seats in place, it still has 20 cubic feet of cargo room. The Flex is available with a twin-turbo V6, which should be your choice if you are planning to carry full loads of passengers or cargo. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is available.
In our ranking of midsize SUVs, the aging Flex earns a spot about three-quarters of the way down the list. It lacks the standard features and fuel economy ratings of many rivals.
9) 2018 Infiniti QX60 (tie)
$43,300 | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10
We’re starting to get into the part of our listing of best third-row seats where the back row is comfortable enough for adults. The 2018 Infiniti QX60 not only has a roomy third row, but leather upholstery comes standard. Cargo room behind the third row is tight, however.
9) 2018 Infiniti QX60 (tie)
The QX60 is propelled by a 295-horsepower V6 that sends its power to the wheels via a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is an $1,800 option. It earns a spot in the lower quarter of our ranking of luxury midsize SUVs.
In the competition for our 2018 Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money award, the QX60 was a finalist.
9) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS (tie)
$69,550 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
Passengers in all three rows of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS are treated to the luxury car experience. While, of course, the first two rows are the most comfortable, there’s plenty of room in the third row for adults. It has some of the best third-row legroom and headroom you will find.
9) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS (tie)
While all GLS models feature excellent build quality, the base trim comes standard with MB-Tex leatherette upholstery. High grades of real leather are available on all GLS trims. The GLS holds a spot near the top of our ranking of luxury large SUVs.
All GLS models come standard with all-wheel drive and either a seven- or nine-speed automatic transmission.
8) 2018 Nissan Pathfinder
$31,040 | U.S. News Score: 7.7/10
With its overall rating, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t stand out in the competitive midsize SUV market, but there are some things that it does very well. It seats seven, with the ability to carry adults in the third row when necessary. A sliding second row makes getting to the third row easy.
8) 2018 Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder comes standard with automatic three-zone climate control, so second- and third-row passengers can find a temperature that is comfortable. There are six USB ports standard, though none are well-located for third-row passengers.
For 2018, automatic emergency braking comes standard on all trim levels. A rear seat reminder system alerts you when it thinks you might have left a child or pet in the back seat. The 2018 Pathfinder earns a spot in the bottom quarter of our ranking of midsize SUVs.
7) 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
$30,750 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
Not only does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas feature ample room for two adults in its spacious third row, but it's easy to get back there without the gymnastics required in other models. The second-row seats tilt and slide, making extra room available for passengers in the third row. Cloth seating surfaces come standard, with leatherette and real leather upholstery available.
7) 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
The Atlas includes enough space behind the back row for 20.6 cubic feet of cargo, which is more than most rivals. All Atlas models come standard with support for Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink, and Android Auto. Top-trim models get an 8-inch infotainment touch screen and a 12.3-inch customizable instrument panel display.
Our ranking of midsize SUVs has the Atlas scored about halfway down the list.
5) 2018 Buick Enclave (tie)
$39,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 Buick Enclave earns a spot near the top of our ranking of midsize SUVs with a luxurious interior that has plenty of room for adults in all three rows. It features captain’s chairs in the second row and three-across seating in the third row for a total seating capacity of seven.
5) 2018 Buick Enclave (tie)
With sliding center-row seats and a wide gap between the captain’s chairs, it’s easy to reach the third row. The base model comes with cloth seats, while upper trims feature leather upholstery. The crossover’s extra-quiet cabin makes it easy to carry on conversations between different rows.
All Enclaves come with an 8-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a high-speed data connection. Second- and third-row occupants get their own zone with the standard three-zone automatic temperature control.
5) 2018 Honda Pilot (tie)
$30,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
In most trims, the 2018 Honda Pilot seats eight in three comfortable rows. Even the third row is roomy enough for many adults. Though the Pilot’s third row lacks the legroom of some models, its shoulder and headroom are excellent. Sliding second-row seats make it easy to access the third row and get comfortable.
5) 2018 Honda Pilot (tie)
The Pilot has more complete sets of LATCH hardware than most rivals, making it easier to install child seats. There’s even a set of anchors and tethers on the passenger side of the third row.
In its top-tier Elite trim, the Pilot replaces the second-row bench seat with captain's chairs. It reduces the seating capacity to seven but makes the third row easier to access through the gap in the second row.
Our midsize SUV ranking has the Pilot scored near the top of the class.
4) 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
$29,930 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
Depending on how you outfit the interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, it will seat either seven or eight, with the seven-passenger configuration offering easy access to the spacious third row. While the Traverse may look sleek on the outside, it has loads of room for both passengers and cargo inside.
4) 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
There’s 23 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, which is more than you’ll find in some larger SUVs. In addition to a host of advanced connectivity features, every Traverse comes with six USB ports and tri-zone automatic temperature control. Chevy’s Teen Driver system allows parents to monitor their kids’ driving and set limits on what they can do with the crossover.
In our ranking of midsize SUVs, the Traverse holds a spot halfway down the list.
3) 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
$50,200 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
The Suburban name is one of the longest-running car names in America. For decades it has been applied to a truck-based SUV that excels at carrying people and their stuff. The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban continues the tradition with a seating capacity of up to nine, with three rows of bench seating.
3) 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Most Suburban models are set up with front-row captain’s chairs and either a bench or captain’s chairs in the second row. Even with all three adult-friendly rows of seating in place, there’s still 39 cubic feet of cargo room available.
Other models from General Motors feature similar dimensions and arguably more luxury than the well-equipped Suburban offers. The 2018 GMC Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali, and 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV all have three spacious rows of seating and loads of cargo room.
In our ranking of large SUVs, the Suburban holds a midpack spot. The Yukon is a couple of positions lower.
1) 2018 Ford Expedition (tie)
$51,790 | U.S. News Score: 9.4/10
Ford completely redesigned the Expedition for 2018, and the new model has quickly risen to the top of our ranking of large SUVs. The 2018 Ford Expedition is tied with its Lincoln Navigator sibling for the largest third row of seating in any SUV class.
1) 2018 Ford Expedition (tie)
The Expedition seats eight with a second-row bench or seven when fitted with captain’s chairs. Unlike the Suburban, there’s no option for a front-row bench seat and nine-passenger seating. The Expedition comes in two body styles, with the longer Expedition Max capable of fitting 36 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row. The standard Expedition can hold 20 cubic feet of stuff behind the third row.
When properly equipped, the redesigned Expedition can tow a class-leading 9,300 pounds. That’s enough for a large travel trailer or boat. The Expedition is the winner of our 2018 Best Large SUV for Families award.
1) 2018 Lincoln Navigator (tie)
$72,055 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10
The completely redesigned 2018 Lincoln Navigator can coddle up to eight passengers in its opulent interior. Its third row is roomy enough for adults to be comfortable, though probably not as pampered as the front-row occupants on their 30-way power-adjustable seats.
1) 2018 Lincoln Navigator (tie)
Like the Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator is available in two lengths, with the longer Navigator L featuring 34 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat. Every Navigator comes with a 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6, which provides plenty of power to haul the massive SUV around. It can tow up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped.
The standard drivetrain is rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive available for $2,655. Even with its impressive dimensions, the new Navigator is capable of achieving an EPA-estimated 23 mpg on the highway – good for the class. It holds the top spot in our ranking of luxury large SUVs.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Third-row cargo capacity isn’t the only factor buyers should look at when considering a new SUV. You can explore our rankings of new cars to see how models compare across a wide variety of attributes, including efficiency, predicted reliability, and safety.
When you are preparing to buy or lease, be sure to visit our new car deals page to see the latest in automaker-supported cash back and financing deals. Lease customers should take a look at our lease deals page, where we show the best lease offers manufacturers have available.
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15 SUVs With the Best Third-Row Seats
- 15) 2018 Dodge Durango
- 14) 2018 Kia Sorento
- 13) 2018 Ford Explorer
- 12) 2018 GMC Acadia
- 11) 2018 Ford Flex
- 9) 2018 Infiniti QX60 (tie)
- 9) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS (tie)
- 8) 2018 Nissan Pathfinder
- 7) 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
- 5) 2018 Buick Enclave (tie)
- 5) 2018 Honda Pilot (tie)
- 4) 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
- 3) 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
- 1) 2018 Ford Expedition (tie)
- 1) 2018 Lincoln Navigator (tie)
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SUVs With Roomy Third Rows
SUVs with three rows are great options for growing families, allowing the vehicles to carry up to seven, eight, or even nine passengers. Those last rows, however, are not all created equal. Some are only suitable for small kids, and many require acrobatic skills to access.
We’ve crunched all of the numbers, including third-row headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, to come up with the total amount of space offered to rear-seat passengers. Note that we continually update our U.S. News scores as new data becomes available, so the scores you see on the following pages may not match the ones you see on the individual review pages.
Buyers looking for 3-row SUVs should also consider the amenities offered to each row, including USB ports, ventilation controls, and child seat hardware. Keep in mind that having the ability to carry seven or more passengers means you also need the cargo space to carry their stuff.
Explore the following pages as we count down the 3-row SUVs with the most space for third-row passengers.