2020 Nissan Pathfinder
$31,680 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.2/10
We’re kicking things off with the Nissan Pathfinder, a midsize SUV with seating for up to seven people. While this placement on our list means the Pathfinder comes in last place, this Nissan remains a solid choice thanks to its combination of value, cabin space, cargo room, and standard features. These include safety items such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and rearview camera.
Even the base trim level comes with tri-zone climate control, push-button start, four USB ports, and satellite radio. Unfortunately, the third row has limited legroom and should only be occupied by adults for short trips. The dash design is also quite dated. On the plus side, the 284-horsepower V6 is strong and gets the Pathfinder down the road with ease.
2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10
The GMC Acadia is a midsize SUV that provides a comfortable ride and plenty of room for those seated in the first or second row. Life gets a lot more constricted in the third row, however. With the third row occupied, cargo space dwindles to only 12.8 cubic feet, which is poor for the midsize SUV segment.
While the base 193-horsepower four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic is adequate, the two optional engines deliver much better performance. These include a 230-horsepower turbo-four and 310-horsepower V6, with both coupled to the same gearbox and offered in front- and all-wheel-drive formats. Keep in mind, opting for these motors adds to the price, and upscale Acadia trims easily spike above $40,000.
2020 Toyota Highlander
$34,600 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10
The newly redesigned Toyota Highlander has an upscale look and feel to it, which is reflected by a base price that’s higher than any other SUV on this list. Not helping matters is that the Highlander’s third row is cramped and ill-suited to adult passengers for any length of time. To its credit, while it has a higher starting price, the Highlander is loaded with standard features like an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, tri-zone climate control, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active-safety technologies.
Let’s not forget to mention the Highlander’s punchy 295-horsepower engine and supple ride. Unfortunately, staying anywhere close to a $30,000 budget cap will mean ignoring pretty much all options.
2021 Subaru Ascent
$32,295 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Subaru Ascent is a sure-footed and family-friendly SUV that boasts standard all-wheel drive and a lengthy list of active safety features on every trim level. Don’t let the low ranking on this list fool you – the Ascent delivers a composed ride and the 260-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder offers plenty of performance for everyday driving.
While the third-row seating isn’t the most spacious among midsize SUVs, the abundance of cupholders (19 in total) and six USB ports (four come as standard) will help make occupants happy – and apparently well hydrated. Visibility from the driver’s seat is also excellent, and lends an airy feel to the cabin.
2021 Honda Pilot
$32,250 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
The Honda Pilot is a relaxed and capable midsize SUV with seating for up to eight people. The cabin is nicely finished, though some rivals ultimately offer more premium-looking materials. A worthwhile upgrade is the 8-inch touch screen infotainment system which comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation.
Thankfully, the third row in the Pilot is usable by adults, and cargo space behind the rear seats measures in at a handy 16.5 cubic feet. So, not only can you haul more people in the Pilot, you won’t have to jettison groceries or suitcases to make room for everyone. The standard Pilot comes in front-wheel-drive format with a smooth and fuel-efficient 280-horsepower V6 engine. When properly equipped, the Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
$24,945 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that does a lot within its limited dimensions. Unlike key rivals that include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Tiguan offers a third row on all but the SEL Premium R-Line trim (and even then, it’s optional for $595). The caveat is that the Tiguan’s third row is best suited for kids, as the stretch-out room back there is awfully confining for adults. Also, with every seat occupied, total cargo capacity shrinks to only 12 cubic feet behind the rearmost seat backs. Yet simply having this extra seating available in a pinch might help seal the deal for many compact SUV shoppers.
The base Tiguan comes with front-wheel drive and a somewhat sluggish 184-horsepower four-cylinder engine (the only engine option across the lineup, unfortunately). All-wheel drive is either optional or standard on every trim level.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse
$29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Chevrolet Traverse is not only kind to your wallet – it also won’t spark feuds between family and friends when deciding seating positions. Credit the adult-friendly third row, which offers more than enough space for modest road trips. The Traverse also offers superb amounts of cargo room. With the third row occupied, there’s still 23 cubic feet of trunk space available.
Dynamically speaking, the Traverse won’t wow anyone with its handling prowess, but it holds its own in the midsize SUV crowd. The 310-horsepower V6 and nine-speed automatic help this Chevy get up to speed without issue. There is a lengthy lineup of active-safety features, but unlike many of its rivals, the Traverse makes you climb trim levels and tick option boxes to get many of them.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Volkswagen Atlas is extremely spacious inside, with a third row that easily accommodates adult passengers. There will be no pinched toes, constricted elbows, or strained necks for anyone seated back there. Better still, with a full house of seven people onboard, the Atlas manages to offer an outstanding 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the third row down, and cargo capacity expands to a cavernous 55.5 cubic feet. If you have lots of people and stuff to carry, the Atlas definitely deserves a look.
In terms of performance, the standard 235-horsepower turbo-four is okay for most SUV shoppers, but isn’t particularly exciting. There is an optional 276-horsepower V6, but this drives the price far beyond $30,000 and isn’t that big of an improvement in terms of straight-line speed.
2020 Kia Sorento
$26,990 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
The Kia Sorento does a great job of making you feel like you’ve spent thousands more on your midsize SUV. Inside, you’ll find an extremely user-friendly infotainment system, plenty of space in the first and second rows, and quality materials used throughout the cabin. Things get a little less rosy in the third row, where the available space is more suitable for kids than grown-ups. Cargo room is also smaller than what you’ll find in many direct rivals.
Minus these two demerits, the Sorento is a capable and easy-to-drive SUV that comes loaded with standard features like a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker stereo. You can also climb trim levels and add options without worrying that the sticker price will go soaring far beyond $30,000. The base front-wheel-drive powertrain includes a 185-horsepower four-cylinder, though the optional 290-horsepower V6 delivers much brisker performance.
2020 Dodge Durango
$31,590 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
The Dodge Durango is a midsize SUV notable for delivering big when it comes to ride comfort and passenger room. The third row is adult-friendly in terms of the space occupants have back there. While this row isn’t standard on the base SXT trim level, it can be added as an option, and is standard on all other trim levels.
Standard features include a 7-inch touch screen for the UConnect infotainment system, tri-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera. The entry-level powertrain is a 295-horsepower V6 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While there are two choices of potent Hemi V8 engines on offer, they push the Durango’s sticker price well north of $30,000.
2021 Hyundai Palisade
$32,525 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
For a relatively new model, the Hyundai Palisade is already a highly accomplished three-row SUV. What helps set the Palisade apart from rivals is the sheer volume of space inside, not to mention the prodigious lineup of standard comfort and safety features.
Adults will be comfortable in the third row, and getting back there is made easier by second-row seats that tuck out of the way with the push of a button. A smooth ride and classy cabin are paired with a refined 291-horsepower V6. Front-wheel drive is standard, though all-wheel drive is available.
2021 Hyundai Palisade
$32,525 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
For a relatively new model, the Hyundai Palisade is already a highly accomplished three-row SUV. What helps set the Palisade apart from rivals is the sheer volume of space inside, not to mention the prodigious lineup of standard comfort and safety features.
Adults will be comfortable in the third row, and getting back there is made easier by second-row seats that tuck out of the way with the push of a button. A smooth ride and classy cabin are paired with a refined 291-horsepower V6. Front-wheel drive is standard, though all-wheel drive is available.
2021 Kia Telluride
$31,990 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
Nearly everything we said about the Hyundai Palisade rings true for our champion, the Kia Telluride. It should come as no surprise to learn these two SUVs share the same platform, 291-horsepower V6 engine, and eight-speed transmission. Like its mechanical twin the Palisade, the Telluride has an elegant and roomy cabin with seating for up to eight people.
With the third row occupied, there is still 21 cubic feet of trunk space available. Even the base Telluride comes with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six USB ports, keyless entry, remote start, and a sizable suite of active-safety features. Also, like the Palisade, the Telluride isn’t the most nimble midsize SUV you’re going to come across. But the smooth suspension, wealth of interior space, and punchy powertrain make up for this one minor complaint.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To find out even more about these SUVs, or any vehicle you’re presently considering, be sure to visit our new car rankings. Once there, you’ll find everything you need to know about pricing, cargo space, engine options, towing capacity, and features available on all trim levels.
When you’re beginning to narrow down your search, go visit our best lease deals and purchase deals pages. These are constantly updated with a wide range of manufacturer-backed offers for every type of vehicle and car shopping budget.
When you’re finally ready for your new vehicle, the next step is to use the U.S. News Best Price Program. Whether you’re buying or leasing, shoppers who use this feature save an average of more than $3,000 of the cost of their vehicle acquisition.
The Best New 3-Row SUVs Around $30,000 in 2020
- 2020 Nissan Pathfinder: $31,680 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.2/10
- 2020 GMC Acadia: $29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10
- 2020 Toyota Highlander: $34,600 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10
- 2021 Subaru Ascent: $32,295 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
- 2021 Honda Pilot: $32,250 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
- 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan: $24,945 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
- 2021 Chevrolet Traverse: $29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
- 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: $31,545 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
- 2020 Kia Sorento: $26,990 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
- 2020 Dodge Durango: $31,590 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
- 2021 Hyundai Palisade: $32,525 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
- 2020 Mazda CX-9: $33,890 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
- 2021 Kia Telluride: $31,990 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
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Get More Seating for Less Money
Finding that perfect SUV often means searching for one that can accommodate all the people in your life, not to mention the amount of stuff they need to bring along for the ride.
But having enough seating and cargo space doesn’t have to break the bank, so to speak. In fact, there are more than a dozen models that offer a third row for around $30,000. The best part is that you won’t have to go without the comfort and safety features many people deem essential in a new vehicle. Cupholders? One of the SUVs listed here as 19 of them. Plenty of USB outlets, ample cargo space, and dual or tri-zone ventilation controls are also available in many of these models. All of these can help make long family road trips a much calmer, saner, and more comfortable experience for everyone.
We’ve listed these three-row SUVs in ascending order, based on their U.S News overall score in our rankings. In the event of a tie, the vehicle with the lower base price will take the higher ranking position.
Keep reading to see which affordable three-row SUVs pulled ahead of the pack.