Best 3-Row SUVs of 2023 and 2024

With its mix of quality, practicality and available performance, the Sorento is an enticing option if you're looking for a small SUV with above-average versatility. Only the elevated price tag on the top-of-the-line model could be a deterrent.

The latest Outlander SUV has a smooth ride, comfortable front seats and lots of space for people and cargo. It looks pretty sharp, too. Slow acceleration is its only major drawback.

With optional seating for seven and lots of advanced safety and technology features, the Volkswagen Tiguan earns a top rank among a small group of compact three-row SUVs. A thirsty engine and stumbling transmission hurt the Tiguan's overall appeal compared to other compact SUVs.

The Kia Telluride is our top pick for a midsize three-row SUV. Its upscale cabin is quiet, comfortable and thoughtfully designed. It comes packed with standard features and tech, and it even has adult-friendly third-row seating. For the money, there are few more appealing ways to move seven or eight people.

The Hyundai Palisade is putting its competition on notice. Packed with value, comfort, and capability throughout its trim levels, the Palisade is a great pick for a three-row family SUV.

The Grand Highlander is larger than a regular Highlander but also gets a number of tweaks that help make it one of our top recommendations for a midsize three-row SUV. It has one of most adult-friendly third rows you'll find and still scores high for fuel efficiency, comfort and technology. The Grand Highlander is, indeed, pretty grand.

The Mazda CX-90 is undeniably luxurious and outperforms just about everything else in its class with its sharp handling and quick acceleration. Though third-row space and cargo capacity are a bit lacking, the CX-90 is otherwise a highly recommended pick for a three-row SUV.

The latest Honda Pilot is comfortable and plenty spacious for its front and middle-row passengers. But it lags behind class leaders in third-row room and cargo space, and its tech is a half-step behind the curve. Some competitors deliver more bang for your buck.

The Toyota Highlander gets high marks for its superb comfort, responsive acceleration, and above-average fuel economy. But if third-row-seat space is important to you, the Highlander's accommodations can't compete with the top SUVs in this segment.

The Mazda CX-9 is one of the best, and best-looking, three-row crossovers on the road. It's a pleasure to drive and offers a loaded feature list and an upscale interior. Notably, there's less cargo and third-row space than you'll find in some competitors.

The Enclave is a close cousin of the Chevrolet Traverse but slightly dressed up. It's a well-rounded three-row SUV with excellent interior space. But it doesn't strike us as a vehicle people aspire to own, especially not at the asking price.

The Ford Explorer has uncommonly good balance and poise. It's not the roomiest three-row SUV, but its standard infotainment and safety tech offerings are competitive, and the available engines are strong. The Explorer is mainly held back by subpar interior material quality and high pricing.

The Nissan Pathfinder is spacious and pleasant to drive and packed with in-car tech and driver aids, too. The Pathfinder may not be the most exciting choice, but it is great for hauling people and cargo in relative comfort.

As a three-row SUV, the Toyota 4Runner struggles due to its cramped third row seat. But if you need that extra measure of versatility, you could do worse than a three-row 'Runner.

The Dodge Durango does things a little differently, carrying on with an aging but proven formula. Excellent towing capacity, available V8 power and a roomy interior are bundled up with healthy helping of attitude.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L supplies generous room for passengers and outmatches competitors with its off-road and towing capabilities. But it's also less comfortable than some of its rivals.

The GMC Yukon is a great pick for a large SUV. It boasts a comfortable ride, roomy interior, an easy-driving demeanor and plenty of towing capability.

The modernized Chevrolet Suburban has a smooth ride and a massive cargo space, plus heaps of available technology. You can also choose from a trio of powerful engines. There is no getting around its size, however.

The Ford Expedition marries excellent design with a capable truck platform. It can seat up to eight and tow more than 9,000 pounds. Inside, the Expedition can be outfitted with all the features and toys you'd expect from a luxury vehicle.

The redesigned Tahoe has big improvements in ride comfort, technology and convenience features. But overly firm seats and a puzzling interior layout mean there's less useful storage than you might expect for such a big vehicle. Still, family haulers don't get much more modern and capable than this.

The Toyota Sequoia stands out with its powerful hybrid powertrain, bold style, and impressive towing and off-road capabilities. Unfortunately it's a bit expensive and compromises heavily on rear passenger comfort and cargo space.

The Armada certainly looks the part of a modern full-size SUV, and its V8 has plenty of power. But overall it lacks the refinement we've come to expect in this class.

The Audi Q7's combination of performance, comfort, high technology and value is hard to beat. With an impeccably built interior and sharp reflexes on the road, the Q7 is rewarding to both drivers and passengers. It could stand a bit more cargo and third-row passenger space, though.

The Acura MDX is a pragmatic choice, with a standard third-row seat and generous feature content at an attractive price. There are more luxurious and sportier options, but the MDX does just about everything well.

The new Aviator could be a prime pick for a three-row luxury SUV. Its distinctive styling, upscale interior and available hybrid model are big improvements compared to Lincoln SUVs of the recent past.

The Land Rover Discovery stands out with its luxurious interior and above-average off-road performance. A difficult-to-access third-row seat and bus-like driving position are the Disco's main drawbacks.

An upscale sibling to the Nissan Pathfinder, the QX60 is a comfortable and quiet people mover. It lags behind competitors in terms of technology, though, and there's none of Infiniti's appreciation for performance to be found here.

The Cadillac XT6 is a sharp-looking midsize three-row SUV. Appealing tech features and a comfortable cabin impart good initial impressions, but its drivability is underwhelming, and it's a bit overpriced.

The Lexus GX 460 exudes solidity, but it's saddled with dated technology, a thirsty engine, limited cargo space and seats that are less comfortable than you'd expect. Also, the aggressive lower bodywork impedes the GX's otherwise standout off-road capabilities by limiting ground clearance.

The Mercedes GLS is a fancy people- and gear-hauler that combines luxury DNA with a princely ride, remarkable performance and a commodious interior.

The Navigator is built to impress, from its incredible tow rating to its plush interior, expansive cargo space and full suite of modern technology features. This is a very convincing luxury ride.

BMW's biggest SUV, this three-row X7 strikes an optimal balance of luxury, performance and refinement that should please shoppers, drivers and passengers alike.

A luxury-infused truck with presence, the Cadillac Escalade is for people who want to tow, carry a bunch of people and impress the valet, all in the same day.

The Defender is a compelling SUV in any guise, and the 130 simply stretches an already winning formula. With more cargo capacity than the 110 and the option to accommodate up to eight people, the 130 is versatile and still has plenty of the off-road ability we've come to expect from Land Rover.

The Grand Wagoneer excels at carrying a full load of passengers and luggage while allowing you to have a trailer in tow too. It also delivers on Jeep's reputation for off-road capability. But it falls short of rival large luxury SUVs in regards to quality, comfort, technology and value.

The Infiniti QX80 has robust fundamentals, with a powerful V8, a sophisticated suspension and strong brakes. At the same time, this aging model lacks some of today's expected technology features.

The Lexus LX 600 is an impeccably built and impressive piece of machinery whose strengths lie primarily in off-roading. But the LX fails to provide the genuine modern luxury experience you'd expect from a vehicle that costs this much. Most buyers' needs will be better served by other vehicles.

The Alpina XB7 is one of the most expensive and powerful vehicles BMW has to offer. It's comfortable, well appointed, and loaded with just about every feature you could ask for. But it doesn't feel all that much better than a regular X7.

The Cadillac Escalade-V, with its supercharged V8 engine, is quicker than a regular Escalade but also produces an unholy and intoxicating racket pretty much all the time. Even though its interior doesn't feel as premium as some of its competition, there's a lot of technology baked into the V's cabin with attractive screens and the latest safety features from GM, including the available hands-free Super Cruise system.

Much like art or high fashion, you're either going to "get" the BMW XM or you won't. The clever engineering that underpins the XM is the vehicle's saving grace, as the styling, performance and luxury elements defining the rest of this M model are simply not enough to justify the experience on their own.