Prospective buyers of cars with third row seating have plenty of options to choose from. A three-row SUV or van provides a convenient way to haul your family and all your cargo for long trips or just quick excursions. The best car for you will depend on your needs, so in no particular order, here is a list of the best vehicles with third row seating (based on sales):
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Ford Explorer
This SUV provides a quiet and relaxing atmosphere when traveling. On top of that, the Ford Explorer comes with generous cargo space. This midsize SUV includes 3 rows as standard with seven seats with a bench seat across the middle for model years 2017-2019. You can also go for captain’s chairs, allowing you easier access to the third row though it reduces seating capacity to 6.
What makes the Explorer a good buy is that the base trim already is equipped with lots of amenities and the top of the line trim offers everything you can dream of in an SUV. For model years 2017-2019, the Explorer includes a 290-horsepower V6 that has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. You can also opt for the 280-horsepower EcoBoost four-cylinder option.
For 2017-2019 model years, the Ford Explorer comes with these standard features: cruise control, rear climate controls, bluetooth capability and rearview camera.
Dodge Journey
This SUV is perfect for those who like to travel, especially the 2017-2019 model years. It has plenty of thoughtful nooks and crannies for the extra storage you would need to enjoy a trip to the beach. On top of that, its standard all-wheel drive makes it capable of handling tough terrain. Its athletic handling plus a suspension that can cushion you and your passengers from road bumps also make the Dodge Journey an appealing option for those who are looking to accommodate more passengers without sacrificing an engaging drive experience.
This SUV is available in four trim levels and offers a little something for everyone. But the highly recommended trim is the base SE trim which includes cruise control, a 4.3-inch touchscreen display and 6-speaker sound system, USB port, and sliding and reclining 2nd row seat.
Toyota Highlander
The 2nd-gen of the Toyota Highlander was introduced in 2014 and it got a refresh in 2017. Model years 2017-2019 offers a standard 2.7L four cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A lively 3.5 V-6 is also available on the entry level trim and standard on all of the other 5 trim levels.
It boasts of an enormous 83.7 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third row seats are folded down. This makes it ideal for carrying your fur babies comfortably. All Toyota Highlanders of model years 2017-2019 come with a 6-inch touchscreen, windshield wiper de-icer, five USB ports sprinkled through the cabin and a rearview camera. The Toyota Highlander is definitely one of the best cars with third row seating.
Nissan Pathfinder
This midsize SUV that can seat up to seven is also an off-roader. The Nissan Pathfinder has been around since 1986 and has never been better for 2017-2019 model years. It is one of the top SUVs with third row seating. The base trim already offers a nice set of interior amenities such as a sliding and folding second-row seat, and a 60/40-split reclining.
On top of that, all properly equipped 2017-2019 Pathfinders are capable of towing an estimated 6,000 pounds with the base 3.5L V6 engine. If you want to avail of more driver-assist features, go for the SV trim. For model year 2019, Pathfinders come standard with adaptive cruise control. This versatile SUV will definitely give you an engaging drive anywhere you want. A rear-privacy glass, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel and eight-way power driver seat.
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is being powered by a 193 horsepower, 2.5 four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for its 2017-2019 models. This is all you need for this family-friendly vehicle. The driver and the passengers will love the spacious cabin and enjoy the six-speaker stereo on this SUV. GMC also provides a variety of upgrades for Acadia for a more tailored to your needs experience.
This SUV comes with a generous cargo space to carry your groceries, beach gear, sports equipment and still have plenty of room to chat and enjoy quick excursions around the town or long trips with family and friends. The 2017-2019 GMC Acadias come standard with rear-seat alert, daytime running lamps, tire fill alert and 7-inch infotainment display.
Infiniti QX60
For a more luxurious ride, you may want to check out Infiniti QX60. This midsize luxury SUV comes standard with a 3.5L V6 with 295 horsepower for model years 2017-2019. It also caters to those looking for hybrids, with its 2017 models with 2.5L hybrid engine that produces 250 horsepower. This SUV comes standard with FWD and AWD is available as an option. Other standard features are: tri-zone automatic climate control, sunroof, eight-inch central touchscreen display, 60/40-split folding second row and 50/50-split folding third row, and driver assistant features like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.
What is the cheapest SUV with 3rd row seating?
Going for a bigger vehicle does not need to be expensive, here’s a list of the cheapest 2020 cars with third row seating.
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
Price: $24,945
This compact SUV provides comfort and enough space for a family. All front-wheel drive models come standard with a third row, and can be added as well to AWD models. It has supportive seats and cloth upholstery. All models come with a 6.5-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-fi hot spot and Bluetooth. Other standard features include rear cross traffic alert, rear view camera and blind spot monitoring.
2020 Kia Sorento
Price: $26,690
This SUV produces enough power for a smooth, easy-ride. The Kia Sorento has a spacious and sophisticated cabin with soft-touch materials and stain resistant cloth upholstery. It comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display (Kia’s UVO infotainment system), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a rearview camera. You can also add other safety features and driver assistance features like pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors and lane departure warning.
2020 Chevy Traverse
Price: $29,800
This midsize SUV is ideal for a growing family with its roomy interior and affordable price tag. It also provides a smooth ride. Sure, it is less luxurious than others, but the Traverse can accommodate up to eight people and gives a lot of room for cargo. It comes standard with Chevy’s user-friendly MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen display, a Wi-Fi hot spot and 6 USB ports. All Traverse models come with the Chevy Teen Driver system, a rearview camera and rear seat reminder. Also available as options are: a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
Price: $31,775
This SUV with a robust V6 engine is perfect for a family. Inside, it comes with cloth upholstery, quality materials and power-folding 2nd row seats. All 2020 Palisades come with an 8-inch touchscreen, 5 USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features also include lane keep assist, a rear view camera and forward collision warning.
2020 Honda Pilot
Price: $31,550
This midsize SUV comes with eight seats and provides a balanced and cushioned ride. The Honda Pilot provides a generous amount of cabin space, quality interior materials and comfortable seating. The Pilot’s standard technology pales in comparison to its rivals with only 2 USB ports, bluetooth, 7-speaker audio system and a 5-inch display for its infotainment system. One of the highlights of the Honda Pilot is that it comes with a Honda Sensing suite of safety equipment: adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera and forward collision warning.
2020 Subaru Ascent
Price: $31,995
This midsize SUV is fun to drive and takes pride with its smooth handling and standard AWD. It is affordable yet its cabin has premium quality materials, cloth upholstery and second-row captain’s chairs are available as an option. It also boasts of a long list of standard technology: Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 USB ports. The Subaru Ascent also comes standard with the brand’s Eyesight Driver Assistance Package: adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, sway and lane departure warnings.
Cars with Third Row Seating Luxury (Segment)
As there is an increase in demand for crossovers, the number of luxury SUVs has increased as well. Many of them seat only five, but the number of luxury cars with third row seating is also increasing rapidly. Here are some of them:
2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Some might not agree that GMC is a luxury brand, but the GMC Yukon Denali is undeniably on the same level of luxury and style of a luxury SUV. Similar to its cousin, the Cadillac Escalade, and rival Lincoln Navigator, the Yukon Denali has two wheelbase lengths: long and longer. The Yukon Denali XL, the lengthier version, comes with a 6.2L V8 engine with 420 hp paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that helps fuel economy pretty decent for a vehicle with its weight. When properly equipped, the Yukon can tow up to 7,900 pounds. This luxury SUV’s interior comes with attractive materials and sophisticated design, and the cabin is quiet and comfortable.
2019 Infiniti QX80
This truck-based traditional SUV does everything in a big way. It comes with a big engine, a 400-hp 5.6L V8 and a big 26-gallon gas tank. It also has a huge cabin space with the first two rows offering first-class accommodations. The third-row seats are not so bad either. But this is not for auto-crossing.
2019 Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover has been leading the game when it comes to offering extremely capable SUVs for decades even before most luxury brands entered the scene, and its expertise is definitely manifested in the Discovery. It also provides high luxury and is extremely capable on and off the tarmac. It is curvaceous and unique, departing from the utilitarian funkiness of its past generations. The Discovery comes with 2 engine options: a supercharged gasoline-fueled V6 and a turbodiesel V6. The cabin is full of real wood and leather, and the third row provides enough room for adults to be comfortable. Ride quality is also great.
2019 Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade gives a different take on the three-row SUVs compared to other car-based crossovers from luxury import brands. This SUV is based on GM’s full-size truck platform, and utilizes body-on-frame construction dating back to the heyday of the American car industry. It is up to you to determine if that is good or not, but one thing for sure, its cabin is quiet and comfortable, and the third row is also well-thought. The V8 engine is impressive. It is paired with an 8-speed transmission which helps in fuel economy. It is also capable of towing serious loads.
2019 Acura MDX
This midsize luxury SUV is so popular that it made Lexus develop a long-wheelbase three-row version of its RX just to be its rival. Although the Acura MDX is not as big as its rivals, its space is well-thought of, making good use of the space it has. This SUV is also the one that fits the bill if you are looking for a three-row vehicle that is actually engaging to drive. The high tech V6 engine performs well with the nine-speed transmission, which allows smooth acceleration and impressive fuel economy. Before Acura often got negative feedback on having interiors that looked like humble Hondas. But these days, it is a different story as Acura stylists have done better, though the interiors are more functional than posh. The ride is a bit firm but the handling is decent. It definitely gives you a lot of value for its cost.