There have never been so many choices for seven-seat SUVs. Gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric — you can get real room for seven with rugged capability and more style than any minivan could ever offer.
Forget about keeping the best seats for the driver and front passenger. Some of our picks offer even more comfortable and feature-rich rear seating. You can bet your kids and other passengers will thank you. Or, they’ll at least have to pretend that they’re not happy on that long road trip.
These top three-row SUVs offer some of the best amenities and legroom, so everybody rides in style.
Evolution of the 7-Seater SUV
In the ’60s and ’70s, station wagons were the family hauler of choice. Some even had rear-facing folding seats in the tailgate for a little extra room. Indeed, many memorable family road trips played out in the wagon.
But as time went on, car companies realized there was an unsatiated demand for third-row seating, especially for families with more than two kids looking to spread out. Third-row seating started as a minivan feature, but as the minivan faded from favor, the seven-seater SUV came into its own.
Today, you don’t have to look far to find a long list of mid- and full-size SUVs that offer third-row seating. In fact, some of the bigger SUVs can even accommodate eight passengers.
Many SUVs also have decent luggage space, even with the third row occupied. And there’s the option to fold, stow, or otherwise remove the back-row seats when you don’t need them.
Nowadays, the latest models come packed with features — not just for the one who calls “shotgun.” Depending on the model, riders can enjoy entertainment centers, heated and ventilated seats, and enough personal space to stop sibling fights over who’s touching who. Surprisingly, your family might actually show some enthusiasm about a road trip when you have a seven-seater SUV to drive.
Yes, these family taxis do have a few downsides. First, given their size, they aren’t precisely sporty or incredibly fun to drive. Their breadth and width can also make them difficult to park and maneuver. Although many modern camera aids and parallel parking wizardry give you a fighting chance even if you aren’t a pro driver. SUVs also tend to have terrible fuel economy until the new era of EVs rescues the seven-seater SUVs from terrible mpg.
But at the end of the day, these three-row SUVs offer you the chance to bring along your favorite people and pets on all your driving adventures. If you’re going to have a third row, you might as well put it to good use.
The 11 Best 2025 3-Row SUVs
- Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL
- Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator
- Genesis GV80
- Kia EV9
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- Land Rover Range Rover LWB
- Lexus LX 600
- Rivian R1S
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Toyota Grand Highlander
2025 Chevrolet Suburban / 2025 GMC Yukon XL
The Chevy Suburban and near-identical GMC Yukon XL have long been the people-hauler of choice for folks looking for generous second- and third-row legroom. Plus, with the duo’s best-in-class max cargo volume of 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat, you have the flexibility to haul passengers or gear, depending on your use case. The monstrous LS can even seat up to nine people when optioned with the front bench seat.
The Suburban and Yukon XL offer trim grades for nearly every buyer’s need, from utilitarian to off-roader to luxury. Were you thinking of taking the family on rough-and-tumble adventures? Opt for the Z71 trim package to outfit your Suburban with recovery hooks, a skid plate, and all-terrain tires riding on 20-inch wheels. Want the ultimate in big-SUV luxury? Yukon XL Denali Ultimate has your name on it.
The standard engine is a 5.3L V8 that musters a healthy 355 horsepower. Available for bigger jobs are a 420-horsepower, 6.2L V8, and a 305-horsepower, 3.0L Duramax diesel. All engines pair up with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Busy bodies planning to haul a trailer or camper must add the Max Trailering package for up to 8,200 pounds of towing capacity.
For 2025, Chevrolet has added new tech like Boat Ramp Assist, connected cameras with security record mode, and a new cabin with a larger screen. Using Super Cruise makes it a lot easier and safer when crushing miles on the open highway on top trims of the beast. Strength and capability aside, this seven-seater SUV is the way to go if you crave cavernous cargo and passenger space.
With a starting MSRP expected to be around $60,000, the 2025 Suburban and Yukon XL pricing sits mid-pack in class.
2025 Ford Expedition / 2025 Lincoln Navigator
Ford’s answer to the seven-seater SUV is the Expedition, which can seat up to eight people, depending on your configuration. Comfort is king in Ford’s flagship SUV, featuring available heated and ventilated second-row seats, something rarely found for front-row passengers in other cars.
With 36 inches of legroom for the third row, there’s more than enough space for optional power-reclining seats. Should you need to haul gear instead of people, the second and third rows can fold down to accommodate up to 121.5 cubic feet of cargo space or the equivalent of four queen-size mattresses.
With 10 trim levels to choose from, ranging from the luxurious Platinum to the off-road-ready Timberline and the performance-oriented Stealth Performance Edition, the Expedition can be kitted out to fit your driving style — and your weekend expedition goals. Add on the Trailer Tow Package, and you can drag up to 9,200 pounds.
The base 2025 Ford Expedition XL STX has a starting MSRP of around $56,000 and an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in combined driving. If you want that same utility but with a luxury wrapper, check out the Lincoln Navigator. It gets the same truck bits but with a much higher-grade interior full of leather and wood. It also has more luxury options and delivers serious coddling to all seven (or eight) occupants, starting from around $83k.
2025 Genesis GV80
Luxurious, beautifully crafted, impressive build quality, and an abundance of tech describe the 2025 Genesis GV80 in a nutshell. It’s amazing how much value is packed into the GV80 compared to other top-shelf seven-seater SUVs in its class. The classy and distinguished full leather interior features added touches like a Lexicon 14-channel audio system, a sizable 14.5-inch high-def LCD infotainment screen, and tri-zone climate control.
Third-row, seven-passenger seekers only have one choice of trim: the range-topping 3.5T V6 AWD Advanced+. In particular, your third-row passengers only get 30.3 inches of legroom and are likely going to prefer shorter trips. However, if you occasionally utilize the third row and want a luxury SUV that isn’t going to break the bank, the GV80 doesn’t sacrifice any creature comforts.
The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission send 375 horsepower to all four wheels. Combined city and highway will get you 20 mpg as per EPA estimates. With a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the GV80 isn’t a heavy-duty hauler but can trailer a small load if the need arises.
Luxury doesn’t come cheap, but the GV80 does undercut a lot of its rivals. For 2025, the Genesis GV80 Advanced model starts at $73,800.
