SUVs with 3rd Row Seating

Sports utility vehicles, often referred to as SUVs, are readily associated with off-roading due to the fact that they are equipped with a four-wheel drive system which makes driving in difficult terrains a smooth sail. At the same time, these vehicles are also known to offer ultimate comfort in terms of luxury, style and space; and that explains why they are more often seen on roads - instead of off-road environment. Change in the consumer's taste has contributed to the emergence of new trends in form of crossover SUVs and luxury SUVs. In fact, luxury SUVs are in great demand nowadays, and the popularity of vehicles like Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade speaks volumes about it.

Seating Capacity of SUVs

Seating capacity of the vehicle is one of the most important attribute that you take into consideration when buying a new vehicle. SUVs are basically classified into three main groups - full-size SUV, compact SUV and mini SUV. Depending on the arrangement of seats i.e. how many seats are there, an SUV can carry four to eight passengers comfortably. While a two row seating SUV can carry four-five passengers, a three row SUV can house six-eight passengers at a time.

SUVs with 3rd Row Seating

If you intend to buy an SUV with the capacity of seven or eight passengers, i.e. SUVs with 3rd row seating, you should ideally opt for one of the numerous full-size SUV models in the market. Even though there exist some compact SUVs which offer 3rd row seating as a standard or an optional feature, you are likely to face leg space issue in these models. The third row in most of the compact SUVs is cramped or only has two seats, which means you are more or less likely to use it for children. In full-size SUVs, on the other hand, there is enough room for adults to sit in the third row comfortably. That being said, it isn't surprising that some of the best SUVs with 3rd row seating are actually full-size SUVs.

The 3rd row seating is an optional feature in SUV models like the Toyota RAV4, BMW X5 and Kia Sorento, and a standard feature in models like Chevorolet Traverse and Toyota Highlander. Acura MDX, produced by the Japanese automaker Acura, was the first car based SUV (crossover SUV) with 3rd row seating feature. While power-folding seats is on offer in numerous SUVs today, it was Ford Expedition which was the first to offer power fold-into-the-floor rear seats. The only problem with such folding seats though, is that you lose on your cargo space when you fold them.

List of Best SUVs with 3rd Row Seating

Before you proceed any further, you need to understand that the passenger carrying/seating capacity is just one of the numerous factors that have to be taken into consideration when buying an SUV. This is a factor which you are likely to ignore, unless you have a large family consisting of six to eight members. While most of the third row seating SUVs provide foldable seats which make room for cargo, it is better to opt for an SUV with two row seating and dedicated cargo space if you have a small family or if you have to carry things with you while traveling. If you still feel that a 3rd row seating SUV is what you want, here is a list of most reliable SUV models, which come with third row as a standard or an optional feature, that you would like to go through.

SUVs with 3rd Row Seating

Acura

Acura MDX

Audi

Audi Q7

Buick

Buick Enclave

BMW

BMW X5 (Second Generation)

Cadillac

Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac SRX

Chevorolet

Chevorolet Suburban

Chevorolet Tahoe

Chevorolet Traverse

Citroën

Citroën C-Crosser

Daihatsu

Daihatsu Terios

Dodge

Dodge Durango

Dodge Journey

Fiat

Fiat Panda

Ford

Ford Territory

Ford Flex

Ford Explorer

Ford Expedition

Ford Everest

Ford Escape

GMC

GMC Acadia

Great Wall Motor

Great Wall Hover

Honda

Honda Pilot

Honda Element

Hyundai

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Veracruz

Infiniti

Infiniti QX

Jeep

Jeep Commander

Kia Motors

Kia Sorento

Land Rover

Land Rover Defender 110XS

Land Rover Discovery

Lexus

Lexus LX

Lexus GX

Lincoln

Lincoln MKT

Lincoln Navigator

Mazda

Mazda CX-9

Mazda Tribute

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Outlander

Nissan

Nissan Armada

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Patrol

Nissan Qashqai

Peugeot

Peugeot 4007

Subaru

Subaru Tribeca

Toyota

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota Highlander

Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota Sequoia

Toyota RAV4

Volvo

Volvo XC90

The problem with third-row SUVs is the space crunch faced by people occupying the third row and, in some cases, the second row. In such circumstances, it is better to do thorough research before deciding on whether you would want to buy an SUV with third row seating or a two row seating SUV will be enough for you.