16) 2018 Lexus GX
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $52,155
The 2018 Lexus GX is an aging model that offers outstanding off-road capability and high towing capacity. The luxury midsize SUV comes with a beefy 4.6-liter V8 engine, which makes it quick off the line.
The GX seats seven in three rows. The second row has a 40/20/40 split, while the third-row bench seat has a 50/50 split. The GX has an optional power-folding third row. Adults can fit in the back row but may not be comfortable after a full day riding there.
15) 2018 Lincoln MKT
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10 | $43,530
Designed more for comfortable cruising than performance, the 2018 Lincoln MKT is a luxury midsize SUV that has two engine options, precise steering, and strong brakes. All-wheel drive is available.
The MKT has a user-friendly infotainment system and comfortable first- and second-row seats. The third row of seating can fit adults, but the MKT’s sloping roof means taller individuals won’t have enough headroom. The standard second-row seats feature a 60/40 split, while third-row seats feature a 50/50 split. A power-folding third row is available. This seven-seater also has abundant cargo space.
14) 2018 Cadillac Escalade
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $74,695
The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is a luxury large SUV that has gotten a new, smooth-shifting transmission for this model year. Its strong V8 engine gives it excellent towing capacity and it comes with either rear- or four-wheel drive.
The model seats seven on leather upholstery. Its first- and second-rows have generous head- and legroom, but the standard-wheelbase model does not afford the same luxury to the third row. Opt for the longer Escalade ESV for additional third-row space and cargo space. A power-folding third-row seat comes standard. The second row comes standard with captain’s chairs, but a bench seat is available.
12) 2018 Infiniti QX80 (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $64,750
The Infiniti QX80 has been refreshed for 2018, getting new features and styling. The luxury large SUV’s standard 5.6-liter V8 engine is capable, delivering excellent acceleration. It comes with standard rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive is available. The QX80 doesn’t pass on the road’s imperfections to the cabin.
Leather and wood dominate the cabin of the QX80. Seating for seven is standard, but a bench second-row seat is available, which brings the capacity to eight. It’s easy to get into the back seat, but its a space only suitable for children and small adults.
12) 2018 Infiniti QX60 (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $43,300
The 2018 Infiniti QX60 is a luxury midsize SUV that has smooth acceleration and achieves above-average fuel economy. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is available. The QX60 rides well on city streets and is easy to steer.
The finely outfitted cabin of the QX60 seats seven. All three rows of seating fit adults and are generally comfortable – a rarity for the class. The second-row seats can slide and recline, even when a child’s car seat is installed. The third-row features a 50/50 split and the second-row has a 60/40 split.
11) 2018 Lexus LX
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $90,380
The 2018 Lexus LX is one of the costliest luxury large SUVs you can buy. New for 2018, buyers can opt for the 3-row or 2-row model. The LX’s V8 engine is plenty powerful and the SUV is composed on winding roads and doesn’t pass on the road’s imperfections to the cabin.
The cabin of the LX is filled with premium materials and has seating for eight in the 3-row model. The LX’s first two rows of seating are comfortable and spacious, but the third-row is smaller and is best for children and small adults. A power-folding third-row seat comes standard.
9) 2018 Land Rover Discovery (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10 |$54,285
The Land Rover Discovery has received a number of updates for 2018, just one year after it debuted. New this year, the turbodiesel engine is available on all trims, a 10-inch touch screen comes standard, and a head-up display is available. The luxury midsize SUV continues to offer impressive off-road capabilities, and it comes standard with four-wheel drive.
The quiet cabin of the Discovery is filled with top-notch materials. A third row of seating is optional but adds two additional full LATCH child-seat connectors. Seating in all three rows is comfortable and spacious. Owners can choose to use their smartphone to control the lowering and raising of the third row of seats.
9) 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10 |$70,625
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a capable off-roader with new interior and exterior styling for the 2018 model year. The Range Rover Sport’s lineup of engines is powerful, and each is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard with full-time four-wheel drive, and the SUV’s optional air suspension adjusts the vehicle’s height as necessary to tackle tough terrain.
The cabin of the Range Rover Sport is filled with high-quality materials. It has an optional third row, which increases capacity to seven from five, but seating there is cramped. Two adults can comfortably fit in the second row, but the third row is best left for small children.
7) 2018 Volvo XC90 (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $59,540
The Volvo XC90 has gotten some tech upgrades for 2018, making this three-row luxury midsize SUV even more attractive to buyers. The SUV now comes standard with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The three available powertrains in the XC90 are competent and fuel-efficient. The XC90 is planted through the corners and its steering is responsive.
Two rows of seating come standard, but buyers can opt for a third-row seat, which raises the car’s capacity from five to seven. While the first and second rows have spacious and comfortable seats, the third row is best for children and small adults.
7) 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser (tie)
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $84,315
The Toyota Land Cruiser is an aging luxury large SUV, but its design and engineering still stand the test of time. It’s very capable off road and is equipped with a V8 engine that delivers powerful performance. Unlike nearly every other vehicle on the market today, the Land Cruiser comes in only one configuration, with no trims or packages available.
The Land Cruiser comes standard with leather seating for eight. The first two rows offer spacious and comfortable accommodations, though the third row is best left to children and small adults. The third row does not stow flat, rather splitting in half and folding with one section to each side of the vehicle.
6) 2018 Tesla Model X
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $85,500
The Tesla Model X is a well-rounded electric vehicle that delivers blazing acceleration and an engaging driving experience. Its standard all-wheel drive keeps the luxury midsize SUV planted on the roads, and it has responsive steering.
The interior of the Model X is filled with premium materials. Its front seats are spacious, but long-legged passengers may wish there was more space in the second row, while only children will comfortably fit in the optional third row. The back-seat folds flat, allowing for more versatile cargo space.
5) 2018 Acura MDX
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10 | $44,200
The 2018 Acura MDX is the winner of our Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money award. It has great safety scores and delivers a smooth ride, above-average fuel economy, and an engaging driving experience. For 2018, Acura updated the SUV’s infotainment system and added new standard features.
The MDX seats six or seven depending on whether or not you opt for captain’s chairs in the second row. Its interior is filled with mostly premium materials. Adults will find the first- and second-row seats plenty spacious and comfortable, but the third row of seating is best left to children. The third row folds flat, allowing for more cargo space.
4) 2018 Audi Q7
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10 | $49,900
The 2018 Audi Q7 is a classy luxury midsize SUV with the performance chops to keep a driver engaged. It was a finalist for our Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families award. For 2018, the model got a few upgrades, including a new turbocharged four-cylinder base engine and standard proximity keys.
The Q7 seats seven in a premium cabin. Adults will be comfortable in the first and second rows, but space is at a premium in the rear seat. The second row features a 35/30/35 split and the third-row seat splits 50/50. A power-folding third row comes standard.
3) 2018 BMW X5
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10 | $58,900
The 2018 BMW X5 is the winner of our Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families award. It offers strong engines, an engaging drive, and a smooth ride. The X5 is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. For 2018, all models come standard with a rearview camera.
The luxury midsize SUV comes standard with two rows of seating. A third row is optional, increasing capacity from five to seven. Adults will be comfortable in the first and second rows, but only children can fit in the third row. The available plug-in hybrid powertrain constrains the amount of cargo space because of its battery.
2) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10 | $69,550
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS is a refined luxury large SUV that has a powerful engine lineup and an above-average predicted reliability score. It hasn’t received any major changes for 2018. The GLS delivers a smooth ride and an engaging drive. It is composed through the corners.
The GLS has seating for seven in three rows. Adults can fit in all three rows of seats, but they will most likely be more comfortable in the first two rows. The second and third rows fold to deliver versatile cargo space. The GLS comes equipped with a standard power-folding third row.
1) 2018 Lincoln Navigator
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10 | $72,555
The redesigned 2018 Lincoln Navigator is a luxury large SUV that’s the best 3-row luxury SUV you can buy. It has a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood that is paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. It is more fuel-efficient than many of its competitors.
The modern cabin of the Navigator is filled with premium materials that are attractive. Adults will be comfortable in all three rows of seating. Opting for captain’s chairs brings the seating capacity down to seven from eight. The Navigator has more cargo space than nearly every other SUV in its class.
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Did something on this list catch your eye? See how each SUV ranks among its closest competition in our new SUV rankings. Also, check out our best lease deals and financing deals pages, where we’ve made a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
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The Best Luxury 3-Row SUVs: Photos and Details
- 16) 2018 Lexus GX - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10 | $52,155
- 15) 2018 Lincoln MKT - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10 | $43,530
- 14) 2018 Cadillac Escalade - U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10 | $74,695
- 12) 2018 Infiniti QX80 (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $64,750
- 12) 2018 Infiniti QX60 (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10 | $43,300
- 11) 2018 Lexus LX - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10 | $90,380
- 9) 2018 Land Rover Discovery (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10 |$54,285
- 9) 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10 |$70,625
- 7) 2018 Volvo XC90 (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $59,540
- 7) 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser (tie) - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | $84,315
- 6) 2018 Tesla Model X - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10 | $85,500
- 5) 2018 Acura MDX - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10 | $44,200
- 4) 2018 Audi Q7 - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10 | $49,900
- 3) 2018 BMW X5 - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10 | $58,900
- 2) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS - U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10 | $69,550
- 1) 2018 Lincoln Navigator - U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10 | $72,555
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Here Are the Top Luxury SUVs With a 3rd Row in U.S. News Rankings
Sport utility vehicles are some of the most desired vehicles on dealer lots. They’re great for families and empty nesters, and they even serve many business transportation needs. Those looking for the option to have seating for up to eight often choose 3-row SUVs.
The best 3-row SUVs (like the Lincoln Navigator pictured here) offer spacious seating, the latest convenience technology, abundant cargo space, strong engines, high safety scores, and plenty of advanced safety features, like automatic emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
Despite all of the luxury vehicles on this list having three rows, the comfort of those rows varies. Many have third rows that offer a reasonable amount of leg-, head-, and hiproom, but some have occasional-use third rows that are cramped for adults. Most third-row seats can be folded to create additional storage space, though not all fold flat.
U.S. News & World Report continuously updates its scores as new information becomes available. Because of this, the scores on this list may not match the current overall score you see on our site.
In some of the vehicles on the following pages, you have to pay extra for a third-row seat. The prices listed on the following slides are for the vehicle with the optional third row.
Read on to see the best 2018-model-year 3-row luxury SUVs. (If you’re interested in non-luxury 3-row SUVs, click here.)