Every 3-Row SUV for 2024 and 2025 Ranked (2024)

The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of only two compact SUVs with a third row, but the two-person bench is only available in front-wheel drive form. All-wheel-drive Tiguans, meanwhile, make do with two rows of seats. Regardless of drivetrain, the Tiguan is on the pokier side. That said, the SUV's functionality and simplicity may win you over.

• Base price: $30,305
• C/D rating: 9/10

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The Mitsubishi Outlander is an outlandish choice among compact SUVs. Though based on the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi's biggest SUV features a distinct design, an available plug-in hybrid powertrain, and a two-person third row. On top of all that, the Outlander includes a five-year/60,000-mile warranty and two years of covered maintenance.

• Base price: $30,015
• C/D rating: 8/10

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The Mercedes GLB-class’s delivery van body assures an airy, tall space and great sightlines for the first two rows. The available third row is a largely useless addition, as it offers little legroom. With the rearmost row up, the GLB's cargo room takes a major hit, as well.

• Base price: $45,800
• C/D rating: 8.5/10

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The Land Rover Discovery Sport is a generally disappointing option. With a base price nearly $10,000 higher than that of the Mercedes GLB and a cheap-feeling interior, this little Land Rover is a tough pill to swallow. Its small third row offers little in the way of passenger space and is best used in a pinch.

• Base price: $50,075
• C/D rating: 6/10

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The Kia Telluride remains one of the best three-row mid-size SUVs available today. And even newer competition can't kick this aging SUV from its throne. There's a reason the Telluride earned a spot on our list of 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2024.

• Base price: $37,585
• C/D rating: 10/10

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The Grand Highlander fixes the standard Highlander's biggest issue: its cramped third row. That said, the Grand Highlander is also a physically larger vehicle, making it a bit less wieldy than its smaller sibling. A turbo four-cylinder comes standard, but we recommend stepping up to the more powerful hybrid model that complements the turbo four with battery-electric power.

• Base price: $44,465
• C/D rating: 10/10

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The Mazda CX-90 almost lands itself in the luxury segment with its available turbocharged inline-six and plug-in hybrid powertrains, rear-drive-based chassis, and beautifully trimmed interior. As a whole package, the CX-90 is a fine three-row SUV, especially when loaded to the gills like the one that took the top spot in our latest three-row comparison test.

• Base price: $40,970
• C/D rating: 9.5/10

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The Hyundai Palisade is the Kia Telluride's fraternal twin, but its looks, inside and out, are decidedly different. We think the Telluride has an advantage where looks are concerned, but the Palisade is still a great choice if your local Kia dealership is out of stock.

• Base price: $38,045
• C/D rating: 9.5/10

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Jeep's latest Grand Cherokee comes in two forms: two-row Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L. The latter doesn't just offer more seats, it also adds more space courtesy of its longer wheelbase and size. The rumble from the SUV's available 5.7-liter V-8 is unlike anything else in the segment (save for the Durango), though the standard V-6 is no sleepyhead either. Available air springs afford the Grand Cherokee L more than 10 inches of ground clearance, something that ought to appeal to three-row mid-size SUV buyers who prioritize off-pavement performance.

• Base price: $41,830
• C/D rating: 9/10

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GRAND CHEROKEE L

The latest Honda Pilot brings powertrain improvements, a more macho design, and modern tech to the Japanese automaker's more than two-decade-old nameplate. Those who dabble in light off-roading will gravitate toward the TrailSport trim that brings extra off-pavement capability to this people mover.

• Base price: $38,485
• C/D rating: 8.5/10

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The Kia Sorento is one of the smaller vehicles in the mid-size three-row SUV segment. Still, it's a handsome and comfortable SUV that offers a variety of powertrain choices, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

• Base price: $33,365
• C/D rating: 8/10

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The Nissan Pathfinder is a jack of many trades but a master of none. Its attractive styling, ergonomic interior design, and reasonable price make it a strong contender on paper. Yet, chintzy interior materials, a middling driving experience, and a coarse V-6 engine continue to hold the Pathfinder back from truly going toe-to-toe with segment leaders.

• Base price: $37,470
• C/D rating: 8/10

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The Toyota Highlander features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain is also available and pairs car-like fuel economy with reasonable power. Though we like its ergonomic dashboard design and comfortable ride, we remain unimpressed with the Highlander's interior space. Its third row is tight and cargo space behind it is minimal. Fortunately, the bigger Toyota Grand Highlander exists to give solace to Toyota fans looking for a mid-size SUV with an adult-sized third row.

• Base price: $40,665
• C/D rating: 8/10

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HIGHLANDER

The Ford Explorer is a smooth-riding three-row with solid powertrain options. A 300-hp 2.3-liter inline-four engine and 10-speed automatic are standard. If that's not enough, the 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 in the Explorer ST models rockets the SUV to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. A hybrid powertrain is also available. While the Explorer impresses on paper, it falls short in reality as evidenced by its fourth-place finish in a recent five-vehicle comparison test. Other three-row SUVs simply offer more features and nicer interiors for the same amount of money.

• Base price: $38,455
• C/D rating: 7.5/10

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The Dodge Durango is essentially a three-row muscle car, pairing decent handling with a comfy ride. An 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. A 10.1-inch screen is optional. The third row is decently roomy and allows the Durango to seat seven. Though we prefer the SUV with a V-8 under the hood, respectively, even the base V-6 offers enough grunt to move the Durango with reasonable gusto.

• Base price: $43,265
• C/D rating: 7/10

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The Volkswagen Atlas gets a thorough update for 2024, ditching the old V-6 engine along the way. A 269-hp turbocharged four-cylinder is the only engine available. Though the Atlas lacks the verve and driving engagement of segment leaders such as the Mazda CX-90 or Kia Telluride, the Volkswagen still packs its perks. Notably, there's plenty of space within the cabin of this three-row model.

• Base price: $39,420
• C/D rating: 7/10

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ATLAS

Despite the arrival of a new Traverse for 2024, the prior generation SUV lives on, now bearing the name Traverse Limited. We've yet to drive the new Traverse, which means we can't give it a ranking—hence why it's not on this list. We've spent plenty of time with the outgoing model, though, and can confirm it's one of the best mid-size SUVs out there for customers who prioritize outright space. If you're willing to sacrifice a bit of cargo room, though, then we suggest looking at one of the Traverse Limited's competitors.

• Base price: $35,915
• C/D rating: 6/10

  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAVERSE LIMITED

If you've outgrown the Forester and Outback, then you may want to take a look at the Subaru Ascent. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the line, as is an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment setup. Power comes courtesy of a turbocharged flat-four engine—just like lower-level Porsche 718 models! Unlike the Porsche, the Ascent offers no manual or dual-clutch automatic transmission options. Instead, Subaru employs a CVT to push the engine's 260 horsepower to the Ascent's standard all-wheel-drive system. Though the Ascent is far from a penalty box, the three-row SUV lacks the polish that makes this segment's top-ranked models so sought after.

• Base price: $35,740
• C/D rating: 6/10

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Buick once touted the Enclave for its “QuietTuning,” and for some time, it was among the quietest three-row SUVs. These days many SUVs are reasonably well-damped and hushed, so the Enclave’s biggest selling point is being a slightly nicer previous-generation Chevrolet Traverse.

• Base price: $45,295
• C/D rating: 5.5/10

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It's been more than a decade since the Toyota 4Runner was given a major update. No surprise, then, that its rugged body-on-frame chassis and five-speed automatic transmission are old-school. Seating for five comes standard, but a two-person third row is optional. The 270-hp V-6 that's in every 4Runner is a reliable workhorse, but it's also a thirsty one.

• Base price: $41,600
• C/D rating: 4/10

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