Yahoo Autos Best 3rd Row SUVs of 2024
If you plan on using a vehicle's third row a lot, let us at least make the suggestion that a minivan would be a smarter bet than anything you're going to see on this list of best three-row SUVs. Their third rows are bigger, more comfortable and easier to get to. The kids will definitely be happier. Here are our two top choices.
OK, now that that's out of the way, we totally get why minivans are totally depressing and that if the kids want to be happier, they can buy their own darn vehicle. You're buying, you're driving, you're being seen in it and you'd rather have a three-row SUV. Fair enough. Luckily, there are more choices than ever and they're really good. The best do a particularly good job of being family friendly without looking like a drab transportation appliance, although really, you can't go wrong with any of the mainstream three-row SUVs. Now, some of the luxury choices are a bit suspect, including those that are otherwise very appealing but have cramped third-row seats (the Genesis GV80 comes to mind). We're focusing on three-row SUVs here, so having a usable third row is a must.
In this list, we have broken things down into four sub-categories:
Best Three-Row Crossover | Best Full-size Three-Row SUV
Best Luxury Three-Row SUV | Best Flagship Luxury Three-Row SUV
Note that we define crossovers as SUVs since most buyers use the terms interchangeably, but acknowledge that "crossover" is literally a vehicle with a car-like unibody structure as opposed to the truck-like, body-on-frame construction that traditionally has defined "SUV." In other words, we consider all crossovers SUVs, but not all SUVs are crossovers (specifically those in the full-size segment and some in the flagship luxury segment).
Best Three-Row Crossover SUV
Hyundai Palisade
Why it stands out: More third-row and cargo space; well-executed tech; high-style interior
Could be better: No hybrid or performance version
Read our full 2023 Hyundai Palisade Review and follow updates on our long-term Palisade test
The Hyundai Palisade is mechanically related to the Kia Telluride, and choosing between this pair of masterfully executed family haulers could basically come down to a coin flip. Or, more realistically, which you think looks better. For its part, the Palisade has a more luxurious vibe, which is most obvious in its Limited and Calligraphy trim levels that could easily compete with actual luxury-brand SUVs. The main reason for this is the stylish, well-made cabin that not only looks great, but boasts useful storage, user-friendly infotainment tech and more space than nearly every competitor — bigger kids and even adults will be perfectly comfortable in the third row, and you can fit more stuff behind the raised third row. Hyundai's driver assistance and safety tech is also among the best-executed in the industry. If there's a major hole in its game, it's the lack of a hybrid powertrain or a more powerful version.
Kia Sorento
Why it stands out: Unique size; efficient engines including two hybrid choices; high-end cabin; well-executed tech
Could be better: Less standard power than similarly priced midsize models; hybrids are extra-hard to come by
Read our full-line Kia Sorento Review or specifically our Sorento PHEV review
The Kia Sorento basically has the exterior dimensions of a two-row midsize SUV, but manages to sandwich in a third row for those who could foresee needing one on occasion, but not frequently enough to warrant driving around a bigger, thirstier and pricier vehicle like Kia's Telluride. It's basically for those who don't necessarily think that bigger is better. And for its part, the Kia Sorento is appealing for myriad other reasons. Completely redesigned for 2021, it features revised styling in keeping with but not copying the successful Telluride. There are even slightly different styling flavors, including the sportier SX Prestige and more rugged X-Line that can now be paired with most trim levels (pictured above left). Inside, material quality is elevated, the design is handsome and technology is not only abundant, but user friendly. The same well-executed driver assistance and safety features that so impress in the Palisade and Telluride are also available in the Sorento. Perhaps most significantly, however, is that the Sorento is one of the very few three-row SUVs offered as a hybrid. Its 37 mpg blows away the V6-powered competition, and there's an exceptional plug-in hybrid choice (pictured above right) that we'd whole-heartedly recommend except for the extreme difficulty you'll have in finding one.
Kia Telluride
Why it stands out: More third-row and cargo space; well-executed tech; well-made interior; doesn't look like a family hauler
Could be better: No hybrid or performance version available
Read our full Kia Telluride Review
If you've already read the above description of the Hyundai Palisade, you've already been briefed about its mechanical commonalities with the Telluride and that they share the same fundamental strong points: space, technology, quality and value. They also do so to an extent that outpaces their competitors. Of the two, the Kia Telluride has received the greater share of accolades, largely because its styling seems to resonate with more people. Basically, style is the tie breaker. There's more than a whiff of Range Rover to its blocky proportions and restrained detailing (although Kia did tart it up a bit for 2023 and removed the Rover-like "Telluride" written across the hood). Basically, the Kia Telluride doesn't look like a three-row family hauler despite being one of the best three-row family haulers. Win-win.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Why it stands out: Best fuel economy in its segment by many miles; high-end interior
Could be better: Cramped third-row seat; less cargo space than rivals
Read our full 2023 Toyota Highlander Review
The Telluride and Palisade might be excellent, class-leading three-row crossovers, but their fuel economy is simply average for the segment at 21 mpg combined. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, gets 35 mpg combined. That difference is as massive as it seems. Besides the environmental benefits, you will save an average of $850 per year at the pump with the Highlander Hybrid, according to the EPA. When you consider it costs only $1,400 more than a comparable V6-powered Highlander, you're looking at an incredibly quick payback time considering today's gas prices. True, it has only 243 horsepower, which means it's on the slow side for the segment and can feel pretty strained if you find yourself doing lots of highway passing, but considering how most people drive their three-row family haulers, we think the 13-mpg advantage will more than make up for that. Besides its fuel economy, though, the recently redesigned Highlander is appealing in its own right with Palisade-rivaling interior quality, composed ride and handling, and ample feature content. If there's reason for pause, it's the rather cramped third-row seat that is more comparable to the Sorento's than the Telluride's. Clearly then, you have to be willing to sacrifice max three-row space for max fuel economy. We're guessing many buyers will find that acceptable.
Best Full-Size Three-Row SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon
Why it stands out: Fuel-efficient diesel engine; more third-row space than large crossovers; luxurious interiors
Could be better: Many driver assistance features not available on lower trims
Read our full 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Review and our GMC Yukon Review
The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban have long been best-selling full-size SUVs, but those sales didn't reflect its strength relative competitors. A switch to an independent rear suspension for the all-new generation for 2021 has radically transformed it, however. The third-row in the Tahoe and its GMC Yukon twin go from nearly uninhabitable to one of the biggest in any vehicle. Cargo space has ballooned, including in the extended length Suburban and Yukon XL, and the cargo floor is lower. The ride and handling have also been dramatically improved. Besides the suspension-related improvements, there's a unique diesel engine option that gets you crossover-like fuel economy, and a fully competitive interior. The GMC Yukon even gets its own interior design for the first time, but it's exclusive to the Denali trim level. Add it all up, and you get a full-size SUV family that we can now recommend.
Ford Expedition
Why it stands out: Silky smooth V6 with class-leading torque and fuel economy; bigger third-row than GM SUVs (barely)
Could be better: Less attractive and luxurious interior than Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon
Read our most recent Ford Expedition Review and read about the significant updates made for last year's Expedition
Until the Tahoe/Yukon were redesigned, recommending the Expedition was an easy choice. Now, the playing field has largely been leveled between the two, with the scales tilting toward the GM SUVs in terms of interior design and quality, infotainment features, and the available diesel engine. While it can't do much about the latter, at least the Expedition got an updated interior for 2022. Ford also still has the bigger, more comfortable third-row seat, though, plus the piece de resistance: its silky smooth 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 that produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque (and it goes up to 440 hp and 510 lb-ft in the Expedition Timberline pictured above left). Besides that being class-leading torque, it's horsepower also blows away most competitors, including GM's 5.3-liter V8 found in most trim levels. Better yet, it's fuel economy is better than the GM V8s and significantly better than the Jeep Wagoneer's gas-guzzlers (although those are replaced with a far-more competitive engine in the extended-length Wagoneer L). In other words, just because the Expedition's been around a while doesn't mean you should ignore it.
