SUVs and Minivans With the Best Third-Row Seats

These models offer comfort and access for seven passengers or more

Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports Autos Editor.

By Jon Linkov
Autos Editor

Updated September 30, 2025

interior of 2024 Kia EV9 showing three rows of seating with grey fabric — The three-row Kia EV9.

Large three-row vehicles offer the flexibility to transport the whole family—and then some. But just because an SUV or a minivan has a third row doesn’t necessarily mean those extra seats are comfortable or practical. Our testing shows that many third rows are difficult to access and too snug for most adult passengers.

In this article

Best Third-Row Seats: Minivans Midsized SUVs Luxury Midsized SUVs Large SUVs

Minivans

Midsized SUVs

Luxury Midsized SUVs

Large SUVs

Vehicles With the Worst Third-Row Seats

The 10 models below have the worst third-row accommodations for adults, with the worst model at the top of the list. Many are quite excellent vehicles, and their third-row seat may be well-suited to children. But buyers looking for maximum versatility for the whole family should scramble into that rearmost seat before buying.

• Toyota Highlander
• Rivian R1S
• Volvo XC90
• Lexus GX
• Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
• Lincoln Aviator
• Ford Explorer
• Audi Q7
• Kia Sorento
• Acura MDX

How to Find the Best Third-Row Seat

If you’re buying a vehicle specifically for its third row, follow our advice:

Consider a minivan. They’re designed to maximize passenger space (which is why they top this list) and have significantly better fuel economy than most three-row SUVs.

Test-drive with the family. If possible, have the people who might be using the third row get into and out of the vehicle to experience it.

Think about the future. Even if your kids and their friends fit comfortably in the third row now, they might outgrow it, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.

Check our reviews for child car seat fit. Some third rows make it harder to install car seats than others, and a few two-row vehicles can fit three car seats safely across the back seat.

Jon Linkov

Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.