SUVs and Minivans With the Best Third-Row Seats
These models offer comfort and access for seven passengers or more
Large three-row vehicles offer the flexibility to transport the whole family—and then some. But just because an SUV or minivan has a third row doesn’t necessarily mean those extra seats are comfortable or practical.
Our testing shows that many third rows are hard to access and too snug for most adult passengers. In fact, even some vehicles with a high Overall Score have third rows that are best-suited for kids.
If you’re buying a vehicle specifically for its third row, here’s our advice:
• Consider a minivan. They're designed to maximize passenger space 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 in and out of the car to find out what it's like.
• Plan for 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 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.