Top-Rated SUVs With Captain's Chairs

If you're shopping for a three-row SUV and willing to sacrifice a bit of utility for extra comfort and versatility, consider an SUV with second-row captain's seats. Also called captain's chairs, the stately term refers to a pair of full-size seats in the second row instead of the typical three-across bench-style seating offered in most three-row SUVs. In most SUVs, captain's seats are optional or are standard on higher trim levels.

Here we've picked the 12 best SUVs, according to our Edmunds ratings, across a wide range of starting prices. And while a few models, such as the Audi Q7, offer middle seats you can remove at home with simple tools, here we've focused on SUVs that offer captain's seats as a factory feature.

• Small SUV with captain's seats
• Midsize 3-row SUVs with captain's seats
• Large SUVs with captain's seats and third-row
• Honorable mentions
• Pros and cons of SUVs with captain's seats

Small SUV with captain's seats

Kia Sorento

The Sorento is one of today's smallest SUVs offering captain's chairs. Sized between a compact and midsize SUV, the Sorento blends quality, practicality and performance in a budget-friendly package. A caveat: Captain's chairs are only available starting with the EX trim, which costs $39,505, a hefty leap from the base price. That said, the EX is our recommended pick since it also adds heated seats, more tech and a punchier engine. The Sorento's corporate counterpart, the Hyundai Santa Fe, is also worth a look. It's nearly identical to the Sorento in size and offers similar features, but with a distinctly different style. It's also nearly identical in our rankings. Captain's chairs are only available on the top Calligraphy trim, though, which starts at $48,345.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Standard on the EX trim and higher; unavailable on LX and S trims
Edmunds Rating: 8.2 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $39,505

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Midsize 3-row SUVs with captain's seats

Kia Telluride

The Telluride impresses with its upscale cabin, generous set of standard features, and impressive technology. It earned three consecutive Edmunds Top Rated awards after its 2020 debut, and it has been a finalist in nearly all of our annual contests since. Although the base price is appealing, you'll need to get the S trim as your least expensive way into the captain's chairs.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Unavailable for LX base trim; standard on S, EX X-Line and higher; optional on EX and SX
Edmunds Rating: 8.4 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $40,805

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Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander is larger than the standard Highlander, and the extra size gives it a very adult-friendly third row, while second-row captain's chairs on most trims offer easy access to the back and a little more room to stretch out. Typical of something wearing the Highlander badge, the Grand Highlander is also available as a hybrid, which earned Edmunds Top Rated SUV honors for 2025.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Standard on all but LE base trim
Edmunds Rating: 8.2 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $45,600

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Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is the Telluride's corporate counterpart. It offers the same engine and basic features but offers its own twist on a midsize SUV, with slightly more luxurious styling and positioning. The Palisade's second-row captain's chairs feel nicer and more comfortable than the front seats in some rival SUVs. You'll need to move up to the SEL trim to get them (they come standard), which comes in around $41,445 — still less than the Telluride.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Standard on all but SE base trim
Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $41,445

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Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 evolved from the CX-9, the latter one of our long-time three-row SUV favorites not only for its style and upscale interior but also for its agile driving feel. If you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, it's the one for you, especially now that the biggest Mazda rides on a rear-wheel-drive platform. The CX-90's sleek profile sacrifices some cabin space, but captain's chairs come standard on two upper trims and are a no-cost option on most others. (A second-row bench seat otherwise comes standard.)

Captain's chairs on all trims? Standard on Premium Plus and S Premium; no-cost option for all but base trim
Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $42,675

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Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is one of today's roomiest midsize three-row SUVs, not only for passengers but also for cargo. And while it lacks some power, it offers plenty of legroom and room to sprawl out. If you want captain's chairs, you'll need to get the ruggedly styled Peak Edition or one of the SEL trims, then select the optional seat package ($695). That reduces seating to six passengers while lifting the starting price to nearly $49,000 (Peak Edition).

Captain's chairs on all trims? Optional for Peak Edition and SEL trims
Edmunds Rating: 8.0 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $48,775

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Lexus GX

The recently redesigned GX is the latest to top our list of best midsize three-row luxury SUVs, sharing the top spot with the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. The GX's combination of bold design, rugged capability, and traditional Lexus comfort and polish give it an edge here, though, as do its optional heated captain's chairs ($440) that are available on all but the base trim. This choice reduces passenger capacity to six, but unlike the Acura, the GX's captain's chairs are fully integrated and don't require removal of a middle seat.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Optional for all but base trim
Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $71,090

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Large SUVs with captain's seats and third row

Mercedes-Benz GLS

The Mercedes-Benz GLS sets the standard for luxury three-row SUVs. Its blend of style, technology, power and serenity consistently places it in our top picks and makes it easy to recommend to anyone looking for a large luxury SUV. It's pricey, but you won't need to pay extra for captain's seats; they're a no-cost option for all models.

Captain's chairs on all trims? No-cost option for all trims
Edmunds Rating: 8.6 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $90,350

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Lincoln Navigator

Redesigned for 2025, the Navigator remains Lincoln's top luxury offering and a standout in the class. We haven't yet rated this latest Navigator — the most recent model scored 8.4 out of 10 — but with its strong turbo engine, updated technology and amply sized three rows, we expect it to continue its winning ways. Captain's chairs no longer come standard but are optional on the base model. However, it does require that you also get the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package ($750), plus the $2,750 for the dual captain's chairs option. They're pricey but also offer power adjustability, heating, ventilation and massage features.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Optional for Reserve; standard on Black Label
Edmunds Rating: N/A
Starting MSRP, including destination: $105,690

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Chevrolet Suburban

"Go big or go home" could be the Suburban's mantra. It's one of the biggest SUVs on the road today. A smooth ride, massive cargo space, and a trio of powerful engines make it a family staple, especially for those who need towing power. The Suburban offers captain's chairs starting on the LT trim (Chevy calls them "second-row bucket seats"). They're a $370 option bundled within the pricey Comfort package ($2,585), raising the price to nearly $70,000. They come standard on the Premier trim ($78,795) and above. For a few more luxury touches, consider the Suburban-equivalent GMC Yukon XL. Or for a more manageable size, consider the Suburban's smaller Tahoe counterpart, which also offers captain’s chairs.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Available on all but base trim LS
Edmunds Rating: 7.6 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $69,780

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Ford Expedition

Like the Lincoln Navigator, the Ford Expedition has also been redesigned for 2025 (both SUVs share similar underpinnings) with new styling, updated tech and a new off-road-focused Tremor trim level. We haven't yet rated the new Expedition, but we expect its new large-screen infotainment and nifty split tailgate to lift it higher than its last rating of 7.6 out of 10. The Expedition's prodigious towing capacity won't change, nor will its cavernous interior with available captain's chairs starting on the Active base trim (formerly called the XLT). The catch? They're bundled with the $4,215 Active Touring Edition package, which brings the price to around $69,000.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Optional for Active base trim; standard on Platinum trim and above
Edmunds Rating: N/A
Starting MSRP, including destination: $68,730

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Toyota Sequoia

The burly Toyota Sequoia offers a standout V6 hybrid powertrain with both an impressive towing capacity (9,000-plus pounds) and decent fuel economy of 22 mpg combined. However, third-row space is scarce and the Sequoia tends to ride rougher than its rivals. Captain's chairs are standard on most trims and optional ($350) on the Limited trim.

Captain's chairs on all trims? Standard on Platinum, TRD Pro and Capstone trims
Edmunds Rating: 7.4 (out of 10)
Starting MSRP, including destination: $71,270

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Honorable mentions

These models also offer captain's chairs, but either fall outside our top picks or don't yet have an Edmunds Rating. They're still worth looking into if none of the vehicles on this list stood out to you. They include:

BMW X7: Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Land Rover Range Rover Long Wheelbase: Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Tesla Model X: Edmunds Rating: 8.1 (out of 10)
Honda Pilot: Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)
Toyota Highlander: Edmunds Rating: 7.9 (out of 10)
Ford Explorer: Edmunds Rating: 8.0 (out of 10)
Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Edmunds Rating: 7.7 (out of 10)
Nissan Pathfinder: Edmunds Rating: 7.7 (out of 10)
Dodge Durango: Edmunds Rating: 7.6 (out of 10)
Jeep Grand Cherokee: Edmunds Rating: 7.4 (out of 10)
Lincoln Aviator: Edmunds Rating: 7.7 (out of 10)
Land Rover Discovery: Edmunds Rating: 7.6 (out of 10)
GMC Yukon: Edmunds Rating: 7.8 (out of 10)
Volvo XC90: Edmunds Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)
Infiniti QX60: Edmunds Rating: 7.3 (out of 10)
Chevrolet Tahoe: Edmunds Rating: 7.4 (out of 10)
Cadillac XT6: Edmunds Rating: 7.3 (out of 10)
Infiniti QX80: Edmunds Rating: 7.8 (out of 10)
Lexus LX: Edmunds Rating: 7.0 (out of 10)
Lexus TX: Edmunds Rating 7.9 (out of 10)
Buick Enclave: not rated
Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV: not rated
Chevrolet Traverse: not rated
Nissan Armada: not rated
Subaru Ascent: not rated

Pros and cons of SUVs with captain's seats

Pros: The main benefit of captain's chairs is their ability to slide and recline, offering more room to spread out. They also offer easy access to the third row. In most captain's chair configurations, an open aisle provides a clear path to the rearmost seats, which can be a boon not only for passengers hopping in and out of the car but also for parents tending to spills and sibling squabbles. Some arrangements, typically in pricey luxury models, also offer a center console with cupholders and storage; that's usually an optional feature when you select a captain's chair setup.

Cons: The big downside of captain's chairs is less capacity, typically reducing your three-row SUV to a six- or seven-passenger layout. And since most captain's chairs are optional and only available on higher trim levels, they usually add cost. For parents dealing with more than one car seat, losing a middle seat — especially one within convenient reach of the front row — might be a deal-breaker. But if you prefer an SUV with a more luxurious, lounge-like feel or want your kids to be able to settle in the third row without your help, opting for second-row captain's chairs is the way to go.