8 Best 3-Row SUVs

These Are the Best 3-Row SUVs on the Market Right Now

If a five-passenger vehicle doesn’t meet your needs anymore, it’s time for an upgrade, and we’ve already started your research. We narrowed down the SUV market to models that are offered with three rows, and used our rankings to find the best. These models do well in our rankings thanks to family-friendly attributes such as high safety scores and good reliability ratings. Other important factors include smart and easy-to-use technology features for security, comfort, and entertainment, and good performance reviews from critics. If you’re shopping for a new three-row SUV, the following options are your best bets.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Toyota Highlander

MSRP: $30,630 (Details Below)

With a base price of $30,630, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is considered one of the best values in the class. The Highlander offers good reliability and safety, plenty of standard active safety features, and three rows of seating for a total capacity of eight passengers. Higher trim levels come with a pair of captain’s chairs that reduces seating to seven. However, critics caution that many buyers will want to upgrade to a more powerful engine.

• Read the 2017 Toyota Highlander Full Review
• See 2017 Toyota Highlander Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Toyota Highlander

Max Cargo Space: 83.7 cubic feet (Details Below)

The Highlander’s cargo space is about average for the class. There’s 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.3 behind the second row, and 83.7 in total. The second and third row benches feature a 60/40 split and fold flat to help accommodate cargo loading. There’s also a hidden compartment for extra storage in the rear cargo area and plenty of storage spaces throughout the cabin. 

• Read the 2017 Toyota Highlander Full Review
• See 2017 Toyota Highlander Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Honda Pilot

MSRP: $30,595 (Details Below)

The 2017 Honda Pilot is one of the best options for buyers who need a third row that can accommodate adults. The Pilot’s base price of $30,595 is a little higher than some competitors, but the Pilot includes a V6 engine as well as a third row in all trim levels. The top-of-the-line Elite trim swaps out the second row for captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven.

• Read the 2017 Honda Pilot Full Review
• See 2017 Honda Pilot Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Honda Pilot

Max Cargo Space: 83.9 cubic feet (Details Below)

In addition to its generously-proportioned passenger seating areas, the Pilot also has plenty of cargo room. There’s 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 feet behind the second row, and 83.9 cubic feet when all rows are folded down, making the Pilot one of the most practical vehicles in the class for families who carry a lot of stuff.

• Read the 2017 Honda Pilot Full Review
• See 2017 Honda Pilot Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Kia Sorento

MSRP: $30,190 (Details Below)

The Kia Sorento, winner of our 2017 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award, is a popular option in the midsize SUV class. Though its overall score isn’t quite as high as the class leaders, its affordability makes it a great value. The 2017 Kia Sorento starts at $25,600, but the third row is optional. The cheapest model with a third row comes in at $30,190.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Kia Sorento

Max Cargo Space: 73 cubic feet (Details Below)

The functional yet comfortable Sorento provides ample passenger space in the first and second rows, but the optional third row is best reserved for children. With the third row in place, there’s 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is low for the class. However, there’s about 38 cubic feet with the third row folded down and about 73 cubic feet when all seats are folded down, figures which are about average for the class.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Dodge Durango

MSRP: $29,995 (Details Below)

Though the 2017 Dodge Durango has a mid-pack ranking, thanks mostly due to mediocre safety scores and average reliability, critics say it’s a good option for buyers who value performance, since a V6 engine comes standard and a V8 is available. The Durango starts at $29,995, but the third row only becomes available at the SXT Plus trim level, which starts at $32,595. Higher trim levels include the third row as standard.

• Read the 2017 Dodge Durango Full Review
• See 2017 Dodge Durango Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Dodge Durango

Max Cargo Space: 84.5 cubic feet (Details Below)

The Durango is easily one of the more spacious vehicles in the class. Reviewers praise the third row, which they say is more comfortable for adults than most competitors. This SUV also has competitive cargo figures: 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.5 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. 

• Read the 2017 Dodge Durango Full Review
• See 2017 Dodge Durango Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

MSRP: $30,800 (Details Below)

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has a starting price of $30,800, which is average for the class, and includes a powerful V6 engine, which gives it an edge over some competitors. The Santa Fe includes three rows of seating, for seven passengers, and a pair of captain’s chairs is available in the second row. (The Santa Fe Sport, which is reviewed with the Santa Fe, offers only two rows.)

• Read the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

Max Cargo Space: 80 cubic feet (Details Below)

The Santa Fe is one of the less-spacious options to make the list of the best SUVs with three rows. Reviewers caution that the rear row of seating is very tight, and that cargo space is below average for the class. The cargo area behind the third row comes in at 13.5 cubic feet, there’s 40.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and there’s 80 cubic feet with all seats folded down. 

• Read the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Buick Enclave

MSRP: $39,065 (Details Below)

The Buick Enclave has a relatively steep MSRP of $39,065 for the class, and comes with an engine that critics say struggles under load. However, don’t disregard this midsize SUV just yet. The Enclave also offers comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, good cargo capacity, and strong safety and reliability ratings.

• Read the 2017 Buick Enclave Full Review
• See 2017 Buick Enclave Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Buick Enclave

Max Cargo Space: 115.2 cubic feet (Details Below)

Though the Enclave is a bit dated — last refreshed in 2013 and last redesigned in 2007 — its cabin still holds luxury appeal. Adults can fit comfortably in the back row, and the second row can be configured with a bench or captain’s chairs. The Enclave can accommodate 23.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear row, 68.9 cubic feet with the rear row folded down, or 115.2 cubic feet with all seats folded down, for one of the best cargo capacities in the class.

• Read the 2017 Buick Enclave Full Review
• See 2017 Buick Enclave Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe

MSRP: $47,215 (Details Below)

Need a powerful, family-friendly SUV with seating for up to nine passengers? The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is probably your best bet. Though the Tahoe is expensive compared to most vehicles already mentioned here, with an MSRP that starts at $47,215, it comes with a 355-horsepower V8 engine and is much larger than most of these SUVs. Amongst its peers, the Tahoe is actually quite competitive. 

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Photos
• See Large SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe

Max Cargo Space: 94.7 cubic feet (Details Below)

The Tahoe can seat up to nine people, by changing out the first row bucket seats to a bench, or as few as seven, with captain’s chairs in the second row. Yet, the third row is cramped, critics say, and the bench is uncomfortable. There’s 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which is low for a large SUV, 51.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 94.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. 

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Photos
• See Large SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

MSRP: $28,700 (Details Below)

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is one of the most affordable SUVs that comes standard with three rows, starting at $28,700. However, some of the Traverse’s cost-saving measures are evident, resulting in a rank about midway through the midsize SUV class. Critics say the Traverse’s biggest drawbacks are poor fuel economy and hard-to-use tech features. High safety and reliability scores mean it’s still a solid choice, though.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

2017 Chevrolet Traverse

Max Cargo Space: 116.3 cubic feet (Details Below)

Reviewers say that, though the third row of seating is easy to access, it can get uncomfortable on long trips. Second-row captain’s chairs are available to open up the space a bit more. The Traverse does offer excellent cargo space for the class: 24.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 70.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 116.3 cubic feet when all seats are folded down.

• Read the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Full Review
• See 2017 Chevrolet Traverse Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

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