20) 2020 Nissan Armada
$47,100 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.1/10
It’s a similar story with the Nissan Armada. The Armada can make quick work of a rough trail, thanks to its powerful V8 engine and available four-wheel drive system. It has a solid reputation for reliability as well. That said, it offers a brittle ride quality and low gas mileage, and its interior and tech features are a decade old.
The Armada comes standard with eight seats. Second-row captain’s chairs are available, which reduce the seating capacity to seven.
19) 2020 Nissan Pathfinder
$31,680 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.2/10
The seven-seat Nissan Pathfinder is starting to look and feel dated as well. Its interior styling and materials are unremarkable, and it lacks a few features that are common in modern SUVs, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also receives a below-average predicted reliability rating.
Still, it’s worth a look. The Pathfinder has a spry V6 engine, good fuel economy, and a roomy interior. It also comes standard with many safety features, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
18) 2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.3/10
The base model GMC Acadia sneaks just under the $30,000 mark, and it offers quite a lot of value. The Acadia has a user-friendly touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, comfy first- and second-row seats, a smooth ride quality, and safety features like blind spot monitoring. The standard engine also yields great fuel economy for a three-row SUV − 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Unfortunately, this engine isn’t exactly a powerhouse and upgrading to one of the zestier four- and six-cylinder engines raises the price by a few thousand dollars. The Acadia comes standard with seven seats; five-seat and six-seat layouts are available.
17) 2020 Ford Explorer
$36,675 | U.S. Overall Score: 7.4/10
Ford redesigned the Explorer for 2020. This new Ford Explorer model has airy seating space, lots of cargo room, and a ton of standard tech and safety features. It also offers composed handling, a lineup of powerful turbocharged engines, and − for the first time ever − there’s a Ford Explorer Hybrid model.
It’s not all good news though. The Explorer’s interior looks rather cheap for its price point. All models are outfitted with six seats as well, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you plan on seating seven or eight.
16) 2020 Toyota Highlander
$34,600 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10
Toyota redesigned the Highlander for 2020. This new Toyota Highlander model is pricier than the outgoing version, but its improvements are largely worth it. The Highlander sports top-notch cabin materials, an intuitive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a vast array of standard safety features. The Highlander is comfortable to drive and it’s fitted with a punchy yet fuel-efficient V6. It also rates highly for predicted reliability.
Some things don’t change though. The Highlander’s third row is still pretty cramped and best reserved for kids. An eight-seat layout is standard, while a seven-seat layout is available.
15) 2020 Subaru Ascent
$31,995 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Subaru Ascent is quickly becoming one of the brand’s best-selling models. This midsize SUV has a spacious eight-seat interior, composed handling, and standard all-wheel drive. It’s powered by a zippy turbocharged four-cylinder engine that yields an efficient 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The Ascent is also a good pick when it comes to safety. It rates highly in crash testing, and even the base model comes loaded with lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
14) 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
$51,700 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Chevy Suburban is one of the biggest SUVs on this list, and it maximizes that space well. The Suburban offers seating for seven, eight, or nine passengers, depending on configuration. Its vast cargo hold can fit up to 121 cubic feet of appliances, plywood, or dorm room essentials. The Suburban’s 355- and 420-horsepower V8 engines ensure it can hustle around town and tow quite capably too.
As you might imagine though, the Suburban isn’t very thrifty at the gas pump. It returns a best of 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
13) 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
$24,945 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
The smaller Volkswagen Tiguan offers a mix of value and practicality that few competitors can match. This is one of the only compact SUVs that has seven seats. The VW also has an impressive 73 cubic feet of cargo space, and a cabin that wouldn’t look out of place in an entry-level Audi. The Tiguan also earns praise for its user-friendly touch screen and comfortable ride quality.
Best of all, it starts at just under $25,000, making it one of the most-affordable SUVs with three rows. Just don’t expect to fit any adults in the third row. It’s spacious enough for kids only.
12) 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
$31,545 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Volkswagen Atlas is one of the newest arrivals to the midsize SUV class. It can seat seven passengers comfortably and provide a vast 96 cubic feet of cargo space, when those rear seats aren’t in use. The Atlas also has a user-friendly touch screen, lots of standard safety features, and great driving dynamics that balance a comfortable ride with surprisingly agile handling.
The Atlas comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, though we suspect most drivers will prefer the extra muscle from the optional V6.
11) 2020 Buick Enclave
$40,000 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Buick Enclave toes the line between luxury and affordable. The Enclave boasts an elegant seven-seat interior, posh upgrades like massaging front seats, lots of available safety and tech features, and up to 97 cubic feet of cargo space. It also stands out for its smooth and composed ride quality, even on rough roads.
Just watch the price tag. The Enclave’s $40,000 starting price is already at the high end of the midsize SUV class, and it can quickly pass $50,000 with options. All models are outfitted with a 310-horsepower V6 engine.
10) 2020 Honda Pilot
$31,550 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Honda Pilot doesn’t have a particularly stylish or modern interior, but if you can look beyond that, this SUV has a lot to offer. The Pilot is packed with standard safety features, from forward collision warning to lane keep assist. It rides smoothly on rough roads and its 280-horsepower V6 has more than enough muscle to zip the Pilot up to speed.
Unlike most rivals, the Pilot’s third-row seats can even fit adults comfortably. The Pilot comes standard with eight seats; a seven-seat configuration is available.
9) 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
$29,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Chevy Traverse is another midsize SUV that offers quite a lot of value. The Traverse starts at just under $30,000, and it offers seating for up to eight and an expansive 98 cubic feet of cargo space. It also rides smoothly and includes popular standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Notably, all models are equipped with a 310-horsepower V6.
8) 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
$49,000 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Chevy Tahoe is essentially a shorter version of the Suburban. It’s similarly styled, offered with comparable tech and safety features, and available with the same V8 engine options.
The biggest differences are cargo room and price. The Tahoe has 94 cubic feet of cargo space, which is 27 cubes less than the Suburban, but it’s also priced lower by around $2,700. Take a peek inside both models to see which you prefer.
7) 2020 Dodge Durango
$30,495 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
There’s no mistaking the Dodge Durango for any other SUV. The Durango has a menacing physique, from its chiseled front fascia and pumped-up fenders to its wraparound tail lights. It backs up that tough appearance with brawny V6 and V8 engines, as well as hefty towing ability. The finer details are less impressive though. The cabin design looks a bit long in the tooth. Still, the Durango rates above-average for predicted reliability.
The entry-level Durango comes standard with five seats. All higher trim levels are outfitted with a six-seat or seven-seat layout.
6) 2020 Kia Sorento
$26,690 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
We named the Kia Sorento as the winner of our 2020 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money award, due to its combination of quality and value. The Sorento rides comfortably on rough pavement. It has an upscale interior with room for seven passengers, as well as an easy-to-use touch screen and a healthy array of standard features. The Sorento also rates highly for predicted reliability, and it’s covered by Kia’s excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
A four-cylinder engine comes standard and it packs enough punch for everyday commuting. For zestier acceleration, opt for the available V6.
5) 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
$38,200 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
The redesigned Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers all the refinement and practicality of the regular Highlander, but with a level of fuel efficiency that’s almost unbelievable for a midsize SUV.
Its four-cylinder hybrid system gets an EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. That’s thriftier than some compact cars. An eight-seat layout is standard; a seven-seat layout is available.
4) 2020 Mazda CX-9
$33,890 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
There’s certainly a lot to like about the Mazda CX-9. It has clean-cut exterior styling, a luxurious interior with room for seven, and many standard tech and safety features. It’s quite pleasant to drive too. The suspension soaks up bumps and dips comfortably, yet still keeps the SUV stable around turns. Its turbocharged engine has plenty of punch as well. The only real drawback? The CX-9’s third-row seats are snug, so they’re best reserved for smaller kids.
3) 2020 Hyundai Palisade
$31,775 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
The all-new Hyundai Palisade is similarly refined. The Palisade has an elegant and library-quiet interior, a polished ride quality over rough pavement, and a generous array of standard and available features. It can even comfortably fit seven or eight occupants, thanks to its roomy third row. All models are outfitted with a 291-horsepower V6 engine.
2) 2020 Kia Telluride
$31,690 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
The all-new Kia Telluride claims the second spot on this list, and for good reason. The Telluride has a stylish eight-seat interior with luxury-grade materials. It rides quite comfortably on rough road surfaces, and its 291-horsepower V6 engine provides plenty of muscle for everyday driving. The Telluride is also equipped with a ton of standard tech and safety features, especially for its price.
A large cargo area, an excellent safety score, lengthy warranty coverage, and a solid predicted reliability rating round out the Telluride’s many highlights. It’s a must-see if you’re shopping for a three-row SUV.
1) 2020 Ford Expedition
$52,810 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
The Ford Expedition balances its high starting price with exceptionally high capability. The Expedition packs a powerful yet efficient twin-turbo V6, helping the SUV hustle up to speed easily yet also tow up to 9,300 pounds, when properly equipped.
There’s generous seating space for eight passengers and up to 121 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded. The Expedition comes standard with a large suite of active safety features as well. The cabin materials could be a bit nicer for the price, but for most shoppers it’s worth the tradeoff.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you’re interested in learning more about any of the previous SUVs, or just more vehicles in general, take a look at our new car rankings.
Once you’ve decided on the right car, truck, or SUV for you, be sure to peruse our new car deals and lease deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
The U.S. News Best Price Program can save you money on your new car. Shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their vehicle.
Best Three-Row SUVs of 2020
- 2020 Ford Expedition
- 2020 Kia Telluride
- 2020 Hyundai Palisade
- 2020 Mazda CX-9
- 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- 2020 Kia Sorento
- 2020 Dodge Durango
- 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2020 Honda Pilot
- 2020 Buick Enclave
- 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
- 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2020 Subaru Ascent
- 2020 Toyota Highlander
- 2020 Ford Explorer
- 2020 GMC Acadia
- 2020 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2020 Nissan Armada
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These Family-Friendly SUVs Have Room to Spare
SUVs have soared in popularity over the last decade, and it’s easy to see why. Today’s sport utility vehicles are comfortable to drive, increasingly fuel-efficient, and packed with tech and safety features. The best of the bunch are also quite maneuverable and luxuriously appointed.
Of the many styles and options available, SUVs with three rows are especially popular due to their versatility. Most are just as capable of ferrying the kids to school as they are hauling a new washer and dryer home from the hardware store.
So, how do you find out which SUV is right for you? We’ve put together this list of the best three-row SUVs, based on their U.S. News overall scores, in order to make the decision simpler.
We regularly update our SUV rankings as new information becomes available, so keep in mind that the scores you see on the following slides may not exactly match those on our review pages.