Best Family Suv with 3rd Row

So many Suvs in the market from small to midsize, crossover and large size, always hard to choose which one would be best for family of more than five persons, therefore to make it easy before choosing, here the best family Suv with 3rd row seating capacity.

All Suvs 2019-20 list taken after number of essential evaluation

  • Performance
  • Durability and reliability
  • Comfortable for more than five
  • Resale & Volume of sale
  • Safety and security & Other Features

Statistics also show the number of increase, some of them shows extraordinary result and few of them shows adequate increase.

  • Chevrolet increase of 15.70 percent is a strong growth and it continued to go that pace from last 5 years that results clearly an indication how good vehicle is in the market of USA.
  • Similarly pilot and highlander and Kia Sorento sale results consistent with the expectation of company planned sale.
  • Atlas is in 3rd place due to many high end features, styling and designing made him the most attractive Suv in USA in 2018-19.
  • Mazda CX-9 was a finalist for the 2017 World Car of the Year Award, car and driver named him the best midsize SUV in its annual 10 Best Trucks and SUVs for 2017 and 2018.
  • Kia Telluride sales in 2019 are at above par against big competitors, a lot of features, looks and lots of space for 8 person made him one of a best family Suv.
  • Enclave is consistent from last 5 years with little upward sale trend.
  • Expedition is among the best spacious Suvs for 8 persons, quite comfortable and smooth drive, but lacks styling, interior quality and most important high price tag for high trim level, despite of these issues it got a huge number of increased from last year which is quite impressive and interesting.

1.    2019 Chevrolet Traverse

This mid-size SUV is spacious enough to accommodate a big family yet doesn’t compromise on style. It offers technology to help keep you connected and safety for more confidence as you travel along. Because no matter where you’re going, the ride makes all the difference.

Traverse puts your comfort front and center. There’s seating for up to eight† and thoughtfully designed details like available leather-appointed seating surfaces and premium stitching. Plus, the convenient enhanced Smart Slide® second-row seat allows for easy access to the third row.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Incredibly spacious throughout the entire cabin provide plenty of leg room for adults and children alike
  • Supple amount of room in the cargo area, even with the third row in place
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on even the Traverse’s base trim
  • Seating throughout the Traverse is quite comfy
  • Chevrolet Traverse offers a cozy ride quality

Cons

  • Handling capabilities do not stack up too well against its competitors
  • Visibility is Limited
  • Interior materials look, at best, questionable and mediocre

Technical Specification

  • 310 hp @ 6800 rpm
  • 266 lb-ft of torque @ 2800 rpm
  • Variable Valve Timing and Spark Ignition Direct Injection
  • Includes Stop/Start technology that, under certain conditions, automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and the brake pedal is pressed; the engine restarts on its own when the brake is let up
  • 9-speed automatic transmission
  • EPA Fuel Economy Est – City 18.0 Mpg
  • EPA Fuel Economy Est – Combined 21.0 Mpg
  • EPA Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 27.0 Mpg

Price:

$29,800 up to $52,095

2.    2019 Honda Pilot

The 2019 Pilot makes getting there a whole lot of fun. With impressive power, dynamic style and versatility inside and out, the Pilot is ready for every one of your daily adventures.

Honda Sensing® is an intelligent suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies designed to alert you to things you might miss while driving.

Its spacious cabin includes three rows of adult-sized seats (uncommon in the midsize SUV class) and a higher cargo capacity than many competitors. These attributes helped make it a finalist for our 2019 Best 3-Row SUV for Families award. There are also plenty of standard active safety features and an available infotainment system that’s improved for 2019.

On the road, the Pilot is capable and comfortable, making it easy to drive. However, many class rivals have better predicted reliability ratings.

Honda Offers 2WD to AWD with 4 variants starts from LX, EX, EX-L and Touring, in addition to this all variants have a single V6, 3.5L engine.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Impressive selection of available comfort and safety features
  • Outstanding space efficiency provides ample passenger and cargo room
  • Excellent driving manners and fuel efficiency for a vehicle its size
  • Plentiful power that gets generated by the standard 3.5-L V6 engine

Cons

  • Touchscreen controls can be finicky
  • Third-row seat can be a bit tricky to access
  • The biggest drawback is the 9-speed’s inability to swiftly and fluidly switch between gears
  • Material quality isn’t awful, but it’s pretty average

Specification

  • V-6 displacement: 3.5 l/212hp (net @ rpm)
  • 280 @ 6000 torque (net @ rpm)
  • 262 @ 4700 transmission
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – City 20.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 22.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 27.0 Mpg

Price:

$31,550 up to $46,650

3.    2019 Volkswagen Atlas

This VW’s many attributes include a generous amount of passenger and cargo room, a long list of standard tech and safety features, and a user-friendly infotainment system. It also handles like a much smaller vehicle.

Inside, the Atlas is roomy, but we wouldn’t call it luxurious. Here’s where Volkswagen’s European sensibilities come back in full force. The interior is pretty basic, save for the touchscreen infotainment display — but even that’s hobbled (read on to find out how).

But those crafty Germans have thought of everything, including adequate legroom and headspace, easy access to third row seating with a fair amount of legroom, and a total of 17 cup holders (no, really).

New for 2019 is a standard safety package across all trim levels, something VW has done across many of its higher-end models this year. Every model now gets blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, heated exterior mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.

Atlas scores quite well is in drivability. Sure, it’s going to drive like a truck — it’s built like one — but even on rough roads you’ll feel barely a thing. Using sport mode, the steering gets noticeably tighter, and while the pick-up-and-go of the Atlas leaves a little bit to be desired, it makes it feel a little more car-like in its handling.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Three rows of spacious seats
  • Lots of cargo space
  • Intuitive infotainment system
  • Many previously available driver assistance features now standard

Cons

  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Some cheap cabin materials

Specification

  • V6 Cylinder Engine Type
  • Regular Unleaded V-6 Displacement
  • 3.6 L/220 Horsepower (Net @ RPM)
  • 276 @ 6200 Torque (Net @ RPM): 266 @ 275
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – City 17.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 19.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 23.0 Mpg

Price:

$30,895 up to $48,395

4.    2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has pleasant styling for a roomy mid-size SUV. It is about as long as a mid-size car and thus is fairly easy to maneuver.

A good upscale for family of 7 peoples, tight third seat is best left to small kids. Putting eight full-sized people in the Highlander Hybrid with a second-row bench seat would be a squeeze.

Highlander Hybrid model, the left-hand gauge constantly jumps around from CHG (Charge) to Eco (Economy) and PWR (Power) depending on the driving conditions. That can be a bit distracting if you’re not used to driving one of Toyota’s hybrids.

The three-row Highlander Hybrid AWD comes in various trim levels. I tested the top-line $45,510 Limited Hybrid V-6 AWD-i. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 and a high-torque electric drive motor-generator to produce 306 horsepower. It comes with an electric on-demand AWD system with AWD-i as standard.

A good suspension, all-wheel-drive system and large tires on 19-inch chrome wheels help keep it planted on the road. The ride is generally smooth, although sharp freeway bumps cause mild jolts.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Highlander Hybrid Limited is fuel-efficient and comfortable
  • One of the things drivers and passengers love best about the Toyota Highlander is that it offers a smooth and quiet ride
  • Long list of standard safety features, and the 2019 Toyota Highlander is no exception to this rule, the Highlander hosts the Toyota Safety Sense bundle, which includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and the pre-collision system
  • The V6 option certainly makes up for it. It comes as an option for the base LE trim and is standard on all of the other trim levels
  • 8-speed automatic transmission seems to be what really gives the Highlander such a nimble feel to it
  • Well-crafted storage compartment to fit your everyday needs

Cons

  • Quarters are cramped in the third row. Children can squeeze in just fine, but adults will certainly have a tougher time keeping their knees from banging the backs of the second row of seats
  • Best to just skip straight over the base engine on the LE and go for the V6. The standard engine is a 2.5-L 4-cylinder that is only capable of putting out 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is nowhere near the amount of power required to get this vehicle up and moving
  • Use of Apple carplay in three of its vehicles this year (the Corolla, RAV4, and the Avalon), the Highlander will not come equipped with smartphone app integration
  • Drivers might have with the 2019 Toyota Highlander is that some of the controls along the dash and on the touchscreen display monitor might be difficult to reach, especially for those with a short wing span

Specification

  • 5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 w/ two electric drive motors (1 front, 1 rear)
  • Power 231 hp @ 5,800 rpm
  • Torque 215 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm

Price:

$37,320 up to $45,510

5.    2019 Mazda CX-9

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 crossover is the biggest vehicle in the Japanese automaker’s lineup, and the only one to offer a third row of seating. It has only one powertrain option, but offers a wide variety of other content across various trim levels.

Each trim gets a little something new, too. Sport now offers an optional Sport Package, costing $1,290, with heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, heated mirrors, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

Moving up to the Touring trim, the only other change is a frameless rear-view mirror. The Grand Touring trim gets a new 7-inch info screen in the instrument panel, along with new power-folding side mirrors and a 360-degree camera system.

CX-9 has all of that to a certain degree but it’s one of the smallest in its segment in terms of third-row space and cargo capacity, so it may not be for every family.

As said it is one of the smallest Suvs in its segment but more than enough space in third row for kids, however it may not be best fit for adults, however the design, affordability, styling couldn’t  be ignored.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Best-looking vehicle in its class. Mazda’s signature “Kodo” design cues are obvious on the CX-9, and extend from the triangular grille and slim headlights up front to the narrow taillights and sloping roofline out back
  • There’s ample high-quality leather on the door panels and dash, and soft plastics elsewhere. Color patterns like the two-tone black and tan in this tester make the premium cabin look more appealing
  • Power from the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine arrives abruptly; the 250 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque move the CX-9 with purpose. With all-wheel drive, the CX-9 is grippy in the corners
  • Mazda estimates a 0-60 miles-per-hour time of about 7.2 seconds

Cons

  • CX-9 doesn’t have as much room as some of its competitors. The 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 71.2 cubic feet with the third row folded flat are wimpy, comparatively
  • Mazda’s infotainment system was merely acceptable when new – now it’s outdated
  • The Mazda CX-9’s maximum 3,500-pound tow rating is among the lowest in class

Specification

  • 250-hp4, SKYACTIV®5-G 2.5T 4-cylinder engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo
  • SKYACTIV®5-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – City 20.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 21.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 26.0 Mpg

Price:

$35,125 up to $46,410

More List of Best Family Suv with 3rd Row

6.    2019 Kia Sorento

2019 Sorento, Kia takes some passenger car cues and upsizes everything. The Sorento is a high-riding, boxy crossover SUV, but it cuts a dashing shape outside. Inside, it’s a little more ordinary unless ordered in earth tones.

Sorento gains new front and rear bumpers this year that hardly change its personality. This crossover’s grille is SUV-big without Escalade ostentation. Swept-back headlights flank the chrome-heavy grille.

Kia does offer LED headlights on high-spec variants. Below on most trim levels sits a four-light LED fog light housing that adds more visual interest. From the side, the Sorento is ordinary, although new wheel designs for 2019 brighten things up.

A 7.0-inch touchscreen sits high on the dash, with climate controls arranged below. Toggle-style switches for the available heated and cooled seats look good on higher-spec variants, but serve as a reminder that you could have paid more for more on L and LX trims.

The base 2.4-liter inline-4 puts out a modest 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and it’s only offered only on L and LX trims with a 6-speed automatic.

The 2019 Kia Sorento has a classy feel inside and excellent front seats that belie its reasonable price tag. Unfortunately, the second row sits low to the floor and the third row comes up short against direct rivals that are larger outside.

LX V6 trim level as the gateway to the lineup. At 290 hp and 252 lb-ft, the V-6 engine offers considerably more grunt and pairs well to a new 8-speed automatic with two more cogs than last year’s model.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Upmarket feel inside and out
  • Terrific ride quality
  • Responsive, natural steering
  • High value
  • Solid, quiet fee

Cons

  • Second row sits too low
  • Turbo-4 engine bites the dust for 2019
  • Don’t bother with the base engine

Specification

  • 3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Premium Varaint
  • Displacement 3,342 cc DOHC with dual CVVT
  • 290 hp @ 6,400 rpm
  • 252 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – City 22.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 22.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 29.0 Mpg

Price:

$26,290 up to $46,490

7.    2020 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Kia Telluride is a crossover SUV that uses its blocky styling to stand out in a sea of homogeneous three-row family haulers.

Kia finally offers a vehicle with room for growing families. The Telluride is the largest crossover sold by Kia, and it’s available in LX, S, EX, and SX trim levels. Base versions cost about $33,000, while fully loaded versions cost about $45,000.

Inside, the Telluride has a clean look with either an 8.0- or 10.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment that protrudes from the low dashboard. The Telluride’s infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and all three rows have at least one USB port.

There’s more room behind the third row in the Telluride than in most of its competitors, but much of that space is above the window line. Still, with the third row folded, the Kia offers 46 cubic feet of cargo.

Every Telluride comes standard with active safety tech such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control. High-trim versions offer a few more goodies such as a blind-spot camera that displays in the instrument cluster and automatic high-beam headlights.

The Telluride’s V-6 provides good but not ample power and works well with the 8-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride’s best attribute might be its supple suspension, even with the optional 20-inch wheels.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong standard V6 with sufficient towing power
  • Roomy interior for large families or groups
  • Plenty of standard high-tech safety features
  • Standard high-tech safety features
  • Strong V6 engine with good fuel economy
  • Quiet smooth ride

Cons

  • The third-row seating is not roomy
  • No available powertrain upgrades
  • Touchscreen and feature controls require the driver to reach
  • No Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Specification

  • Horsepower @ RPM291 @ 6000
  • 8 L/231
  • Transmission: 8-Speed Sportmatic Automatic -inc: Electronically-controlled, Idle, Stop & Go (ISG)
  • Torque @ RPM262 @ 5200
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – City 20.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 23.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 26.0 Mpg

Price:

$39,090 up to $41,495

8.    2019 Buick Enclave

The Enclave is Buick’s full-sized SUV featuring four trim levels, offering both front- and all-wheel drive versions.

Base model Enclave comes with three-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, cloth seating, heated power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED headlights, remote start, a power hands-free liftgate, a 4G LTE mobile hot spot, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers and integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Essence adds perforated leather seating, an air ionizer, and the Driver Confidence active safety package.

Step up to the Premium trim for a 10-speaker Bose audio system, heated power side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, the Driver Confidence II active safety package, automatic high-beams, power-folding third row seats, a 120-volt power outlet, and memory settings for the driver’s seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel.

Top-level Avenir includes 20-inch aluminum wheels, a wood- and leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite navigation, a wireless charging pad, a power dual moon roof, an 8.0-inch information screen in the instrument cluster, a rear camera mirror, and top-down surround view.

Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars).

The 2017 Enclave was rated good by the IIHS, receiving an acceptable rating for its hard-to-find lower child seat anchors.

The Buick Enclave seats up to seven passengers across three rows. Front/mid/rear legroom measures 41.2/38.9/33.5 inches, respectively.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quiet cabin offers more room than most class competitors
  • Smooth ride quality with good driving dynamics for such a large vehicle
  • Capable handling
  • Responsive powertrain

Cons

  • Interior materials not as luxurious as the best in the premium midsize SUV class
  • Some testers dislike unconventional operation of gearshift lever

Specification

  • Engine: V6 3.6 Liter
  • Hydra-Matic 9 Speed Automatic with Manual Mode
  • HP 310@6800
  • Economy Est – City 18.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 20.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 26.0 Mpg

Price:

$40,995 up to $56,795

9.    2019 Ford Expedition

This crossover can accommodate up to eight passengers in comfort, haul lots of cargo as needed, and tow your boat or trailer weighing up to 9,300 pounds when properly equipped. When it comes to delivering the capability you need, the Ford Expedition is the full-size technology-forward SUV that can do it all.

The Expedition’s powerful turbocharged V6 engine (375 horsepower, or 400 hp for the Platinum trim) also gives the SUV impressive gusto and makes it one of the quickest in the class. The 10-speed automatic transmission helps to make the most of this engine’s power and aids fuel economy. Premium fuel is needed to get the most power from this engine, though.

The crossover feels like a smaller vehicle when it is negotiating corners and tight quarters, thanks to its electric power steering. Its independent suspension with adaptive shocks and three driving modes enable it to deliver a composed ride in a variety of conditions. There are packages available for better towing and off-road performance.

The Expedition makes full use of its massive wheelbase and gives every passenger ample room and comfort to spare. But it’s not all perfect. The center console is a bit button-heavy, and the thick roof pillars hamper outward visibility.

The SUV’s standard safety features include a rearview camera and parking sensors. Forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, active lane control, and a surround-view camera are available as options.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Huge interior with plenty of passenger and cargo space
  • Quick acceleration from strong V6 engine
  • Comfortable front seats
  • Tows more than similarly sized crossover SUVs

Cons

  • Soft brake pedal feel diminishes driver confidence
  • Large size and slow steering make it cumbersome to drive
  • Not as quiet on the highway as some other SUVs
  • Maximum power output dependent on premium unleaded

Technical Specification

  • 5L EcoBoost V6 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology
  • 10-Speed Automatic Transmission with SelectShift® Capability 4×4
  • 375 hp @ 5000 rpm
  • Economy Est – City 16.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Combined 24.0 Mpg
  • Epa Fuel Economy Est – Hwy 20.0 Mpg

Price:

$53,545 Up to $77,070

About The Author

Avatar for Ibrar Ayyub

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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