15) 2019 GMC Yukon
$49,500 | U.S. News Overall Score 6.9/10
The 2019 GMC Yukon is known for its upscale and quality cabin, as well as a smooth ride from its upgraded suspension. However, the Yukon can be a little bumpy with only the basic suspension, and its third row seating and storage space are rather cramped compared to other eight-seater SUVs.
The 2019 Yukon gets about 15 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. As for storage, the trunk has 15.3 cubic feet of space, but with the two rows of back seats folded down you can maximize up to 94.7 cubic feet of storage.
The 2019 Yukon has either a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission, or a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and a 10-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 8,500 pounds.
14) 2019 Lexus LX
$91,230 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.0/10
The 2019 Lexus LX has a powerful engine, is a capable off-roader, and it’s known for its terrific predicted reliability rating. As for shortcomings, the 2019 LX has a smaller than average cargo capacity, below-average handling and ride quality, and it’s infotainment system is not as user-friendly as some.
The 2019 LX gets 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. It has a 383-horsepower V8 engine and, when properly equipped, the LX can tow up to 7,000 pounds.
13) 2019 Nissan Armada
$46,790 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.4/10
Newly equipped with driver assistance features, the 2019 Nissan Armada has a powerful engine, composed handling, and a good predicted reliability rating. The downsides include an outdated infotainment system, low gas mileage, and a subpar cargo capacity compared to other eight-seat SUVs.
The 2019 Armada gets about 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. It drives with a powerful 390-horsepower V8 engine, and can tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.
The 2019 Armada offers 16.5 cubic feet of storage in the trunk, which can expand to about 95 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
12) 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser
$85,165 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.5/10
Known for its stellar off-road capability and its comfort, the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser offers generous standard features. With no notable changes to the 2019 model, some of the Land Cruiser’s downfalls include below-average fuel efficiency along with a cramped cargo hold and third row. However, it does have a good predicted reliability rating.
The 2019 Land Cruiser gets 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. It comes with the 381-horsepower V8 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive.
As for cargo, there is 16.1 cubic feet of space in the trunk area that can be increased to 81.7 cubic feet by folding the seats to the side. It can tow up to 8,100 pounds when properly equipped.
11) 2020 Chevrolet Suburban (Tie)
$50,800 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.6/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban’s standard seating setup is for eight people, with two front bucket seats and two sets of bench rows. It also has an optional front-row bench that adds one extra seat.
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is known for its upscale cabin, engine power, handling, and class-leading spacious cargo bay of 39.3 cubic feet in the trunk to 121.7 cubic feet when all seats are folded down flat. The Suburban ranks in the middle of our large SUV rankings because of its harsh ride quality over uneven pavement and less-than-top-notch third row seating space compared to other vehicles in the same category.
The 2020 model has not received many changes since the 2015 redesign. However, some of the 2019 and 2020 models include a little extra muscle with a newly added 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine option. The standard 2020 Suburban comes with a 5.3-liter V8 engine; the 6.2-liter V8 option is only available on higher-trims. This SUV can tow up to 8,300 pounds when properly equipped.
11) 2019 Toyota Sequoia (Tie)
$48,700 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.6/10
Spacious with supportive seats, the 2019 Toyota Sequoia has plenty of cargo and cabin space, standard active safety technology, and a good predicted reliability rating. As for the cons, this SUV has an outdated infotainment system, low gas mileage, a below-average towing rate, and a cabin with low-rent qualities.
The 2019 Sequoia gets about 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. It comes with a 381-horsepower V8 engine that can tow up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped.
The Sequoia has almost 19 cubic feet of storage space in the back, but that increases to a whopping 120 cubic feet when the back seats are folded.
9) 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
$48,000 | U.S. News Overall Score 7.7/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe has a user-friendly infotainment system, potent engines, and a good predicted reliability rating.
However, the Tahoe’s cons include a tight third row, unimpressive cargo space, and low-quality rides over bumpy roads. Although the models have not significantly changed since the 2015 redesign, the 2018 model added a 6.2-liter V8 engine option that comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2020 Tahoe base model comes with an optional first-row bench seat that can increase the seating capacity to nine people, but the third row is known to cramp legroom for adults. It comes standard with a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.
This SUV gets about 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway with the standard engine, and 14-22 mpg with the stronger engine. It can also tow up to 8,600 pounds.
8) 2020 Subaru Ascent
$31,995 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.0/10
The 2020 Subaru Ascent’s airy interior is stocked with safety and tech features, offering a large cargo area along with a balanced ride and handling. New in the 2020 model, rear-seat reminders now come standard – although the third row itself is somewhat scant for space.
The 2020 Ascent gets about 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Its cargo bay carries 17.8 cubic feet of storage behind the back seat, and can carry up to 86.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It does have a floor cubby, as well.
The 2020 Ascent comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The engine has 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, and the standard model can tow up to 2,000 pounds, although the upgraded models can tow 5,000 pounds.
7) 2020 Honda Pilot (tie)
$31,550 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.1/10
The capable and comfortable 2020 Honda Pilot offers a laid-back driving experience along with a spacious cabin, but its shortfalls include a less-than-modern infotainment system and interior.
The 2020 Pilot gets about 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Although there are not many changes since the beginning of the 2016 generation, the new 2020 model has a new Black Edition range-topping trim.
The 2020 Pilot offers about 16.5 cubic feet of storage in the trunk, but maxes out at 83.9 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. It comes with a 280-horsepower V6 engine and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
7) 2020 Chevrolet Traverse (Tie)
$29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.1/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse doesn’t have the most glamorous interior, features, or agility, but it is known for being quite spacious, offers a smooth ride, and has a user-friendly entertainment system. This SUV can get about 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system, a new addition on the 2020 model replacing the previous MyLink, includes a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Available upgrades include an 8-inch touch screen, 10-speaker Bose system, and more. As for cargo space, there are 23 cubic feet of storage in the back, which can expand to 98.2 cubic feet with all of the back seats folded down.
The Traverse has a 310-horsepower V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
5) 2019 Toyota Highlander
$31,830 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.2/10
The comfortable, quiet 2019 Toyota Highlander has a stylish cabin crafted with first-rate materials and many advanced safety features that come with the standard model. The optional V6 engine is very fuel-efficient, and the 2019 model newly offers exterior upgrades. As for pitfalls, the 2019 Highlander’s four-cylinder engine is so-so on the standard model, and it has a fairly confining third-row seat.
The 2019 Highlander gets about 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. It has 13.8 cubic feet of storage in the cargo space, but can store up to 83.7 cubic feet of gear by folding both rear rows down.
The 2019 Highlander comes with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, which can tow up to 1,500 pounds. The optional upgrade includes a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds.
4) 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
$36,970 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.3/10
The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a classy cabin, a strong and fuel-efficient powertrain, a number of standard safety features, and an excellent predicted reliability rating. Although the 2019 model did not see any major changes, the downsides to this hybrid vehicle include a tricky infotainment system and low agility.
The 2019 Highlander Hybrid gets about 29 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. It does have all wheel drive, and generates 306 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 engine and three electric motors. When fully equipped, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
In the back, this hybrid can hold 13.8 cubic feet of gear. That number can be increased to 83.7 cubic feet by folding down the two rows of seats.
3) 2020 Hyundai Palisade
$31,550 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.4/10
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade comes equipped with a long list of high-tech safety features in its standard model, and is known as a sleek ride with upscale cabin style that includes comfortable seats. Although the 2020 model is all new, it only has so-so handling and acceleration.
This SUV has between 18 to 86.4 cubic feet of storage – but also has an extra storage compartment beneath the cargo floor. Those figures are some of the best in the midsize SUV class.
The 2020 Palisade gets about 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. It comes with 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine that’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
2) 2020 Ford Expedition
$52,810 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.5/10
The 2020 Ford Expedition features a high starting price and can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. However, it’s often chosen for its turbocharged engine, spacious seats and storage area, upscale interior, towing capacity, and fuel economy. Newly added to the 2020 model is the Co-Pilot360 as standard, a King Ranch trim, and a Black Accent package for the XLT trim.
The standard Expedition comes with 20.9 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row, which can be expanded up to 104.6 cubic feet with the back two rows of seats folded down. According to the similar 2019 Expedition statistics, this SUV can get 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The 2020 Expedition can tow up to 9,300 pounds properly equipped – the best capability in the category.
1) 2020 Kia Telluride
$31,690 | U.S. News Overall Score 8.6/10
The 2020 Kia Telluride is a brand new model that offers a smooth ride, large cargo area, numerous safety features, and a handsome interior. This SUV’s only downside is its agility. The Telluride is less maneuverable than some rivals.
This SUV has 21 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, but with the seats folded can hold up to 87 cubic feet.
The 2020 Telluride gets about 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. It has a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine that can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
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The Best 8-Passenger SUVs of 2019
- 2019 GMC Yukon
- 2019 Lexus LX
- 2019 Nissan Armada
- 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser
- 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2019 Toyota Sequoia
- 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2020 Subaru Ascent
- 2020 Honda Pilot
- 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2019 Toyota Highlander
- 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- 2020 Hyundai Palisade
- 2020 Ford Expedition
- 2020 Kia Telluride
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These SUVs Have Enough Space for Two Families
A reliable SUV is a vehicle of choice for people looking to seat eight passengers, whether it’s for that special family ski or boating trip, or just a regular game day with the kids’ sports team. While many midsize crossover SUVs such as Audis and Mercedes seat five to seven people in general, there are several nice alternatives that can seat eight people – or even up to nine.
Here are 15 of the best eight-seater SUVs, according to their overall U.S. News & World Report scores. It’s important to note our scores are updated as new information becomes available to give you the most updated rankings, so the scores seen in this article might not exactly match those seen in our SUV rankings and reviews.