We get it: Minivans aren’t the coolest vehicles on the block. You can’t buy a V8-powered minivan, after all. You can buy a V8-powered SUV—several, in fact—and there are many great choices for families with other powertrain options as well. Today’s three-row SUVs deliver the passenger and cargo space, the safety equipment, and, often, the off-road capabilities that people want from their family vehicle.
Three-row SUVs aren't known for offering the most reasonable starting prices, however, so we’ve gathered a list of the best models for people needing the extra rows of seating. While full-size SUVs from Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC have been mainstays in the three-row SUV segment, the market is packed with great family haulers that may lack the towing capacity of a full-size SUV but offer more cubic feet where it counts and more capability than a crossover.
The Best 7-Passenger SUVs of 2023
- Acura MDX
- Honda Pilot
- Hyundai Palisade
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- Kia Telluride
- Lincoln Aviator
- Mazda CX-90
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Subaru Ascent
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Grand Highlander
Acura MDX
Best for: Families who want a sporty, upscale experience without breaking the bank
Though Acura did add an MDX Type S to the range for 2024, the automaker didn’t change much for the base model, and that’s a good indication that the SUV was quite solid to begin with. It’s a powerful 3-row SUV with a standard V6 engine and an available twin-turbo V6 that puts down a whopping 355 horsepower in the MDX Type S. The regular model gets a 3.5-liter engine making 290 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) are standard, but Acura also offers all-wheel drive (AWD).
The MDX’s cabin looks and feels premium, and higher trims bring opulent materials. The rear seats are spacious, but the third row should be reserved for children, and only on short trips at that. There are plenty of standard features, including dual-zone climate control, leather seating surfaces, and more. The standard 12.3-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster offer great features and easy-to-use navigation.
Honda Pilot
Best for: Families who want the most space possible without making the jump to a minivan
The Honda Pilot, along with its long-time rival, the Toyota Highlander, is a mainstay in the three-row SUV segment. Like the Highlander, the Pilot has made its way through a few design iterations over the years, culminating (for now) in a full redesign just last year. The 2023 model carries over for 2024 with little change, and that’s fine by us, because its rugged new looks accompanied new tech and comfort features that keep it highly competitive.
Most variants of the Honda Pilot come with eight seats, but some get captain’s chairs for second-row seats that cut capacity to seven. Even if you do opt for bench seats in that middle row, third-row access remains easy thanks to the second row’s stowable center seat, which creates a convenient pass-through.
The Pilot’s tech was updated for 2023 with a 7-inch touchscreen and 7-inch digital gauge display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with Bluetooth and multiple USB inputs. The top Elite model steps up to a 9-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch gauge cluster.
Hyundai Palisade
Best for: Families who want an upscale but affordable SUV with a beautiful interior
Another just-refreshed option is the Hyundai Palisade, which got a styling overhaul for 2023, resulting in a beefier appearance. The interior got a new touchscreen and more material options. It continues to be powered by a 3.8-liter V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. And, like the Telluride, the Palisade is a smooth cruiser with a serene interior and a comfortable ride. The SUV is also offered with clever features, such as a smart hands-free liftgate with quick open and other tricks. Even so, its V6 doesn’t make it the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class.
Inside, the Palisade dazzles with intricately stitched leather upholstery, gorgeous finishes, and a large infotainment screen. Dual-zone climate control is now standard for 2024, and Hyundai has also introduced a Calligraphy Night Edition for those who want a black leather interior and black exterior trim. The build quality and features list are impressive for a vehicle in the Palisade’s price range, often approximating interiors you might see from BMW or Lexus, and beyond a few awkward spots inside, it's an excellent effort for a first-generation model. With such wonderful vehicles to use as a basis, it’s likely that at least one of Genesis’s Hyundai-based SUVs will make this list when they land in the near future.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Best for: Families who want rugged off-road capabilities with a heaping side of luxury
The Grand Cherokee L joined Jeep’s lineup in 2022 as the first three-row Grand Cherokee in history. Jeep offers the vehicle in a whopping six trims that range in price from around $42,000 to more than $72,000 before options. Buyers looking for more luxury can step up to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, which bring Land Rover Range Rover-level interior quality at a surprisingly stout MSRP.
Though it's slightly larger than the standard Grand Cherokee, with a longer wheelbase, the L still gets the same two powertrain choices. That means a V6 engine with 293 horsepower or a V8 engine with 357 horsepower. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear- or four-wheel drive (RWD or 4WD).
Though cloth upholstery is standard on the 2024 Grand Cherokee L, higher trims come decked out with quilted leathers and even massaging seats for the front passengers. Beyond adding a third row seat, the L brings good legroom to second-row passengers. The SUV is well-equipped out of the box, offering an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a load of advanced safety features which include adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, and more.
Kia Telluride
Best for: Adventurous families who want upscale finishes and technologies
The Kia Telluride consistently scores well and earns high rankings from CarGurus expert reviewers, and it has been a hot seller since its introduction for the 2020 model year. In many cases, new inventory is spoken for before it’s even loaded on the transporter for delivery. Like its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride got a 2023 model styling update with a new grille, bumper, and headlights. Kia didn’t just nail the style; the automaker also nailed the execution, the packaging, and the pricing of its newest SUV. While the Telluride is only slightly larger than the Kia Sorento, it manages to feel significantly larger inside, with roomy front seats and a spacious second row.
Reading the specs, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there’s nothing special going on here. The Telluride looks an awful lot like many other models on this list, but there’s more than meets the eye. Motivation for all Telluride SUVs comes from a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. That power reaches the road through either the front two or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. On the road, the Telluride shows its magic with a smooth ride, a willing powertrain, and an interior that would impress many luxury SUV buyers. The execution here is good enough for the Kia to knock off competition from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and even full-size mainstays like the Chevy Suburban and the Ford Expedition.
Kia updated the Telluride’s interior last year with a pair of 12.3-inch displays. Though not a continuous screen, the 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen are mounted in the same display panel for a seamless look and easy reach for the driver.
Lincoln Aviator
Best for: Families who want a little old-school luxury to go with kid-hauling duties
With a body that’s a shade smaller than the stately Lincoln Navigator's, the Aviator is a more manageable three-row SUV. Manageable does not mean meagerly equipped, however, as the Aviator comes with all of the fanfare and occasion that is expected from Ford’s premium brand. The 2023 model was available with either a gas or a hybrid powertrain, both of which use excellent EcoBoost engines. The standard gas model is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that makes 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Aviator Grand Touring (the plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, version) comes with the same engine combined with electric motors to produce 494 horsepower and a massive 630 lb-ft of torque. It’s not clear as of this writing whether Lincoln will continue to offer the Aviator PHEV for 2024.
Regardless of what’s under the hood, the Aviator is leisurely American luxury at its finest. The cabin is packed with high-end finishes, and various woods, metals, and leathers are available. Lincoln also endowed the Aviator with some of the best seats on the market today. Similar to Ford’s multi-contour seats, Lincoln’s can be upgraded to offer massaging, heating, and cooling, as well as up to 30-way adjustments.
Mazda CX-90
Best for: People who want a luxury interior at a surprisingly low price
No, you can't buy a three-row crossover with a V8 engine anymore. However, if it's performance you crave, we recommend the Mazda CX-90. Mazda's turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine makes, at minimum, 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Upgrade to the Turbo S trim levels, and that figure jumps to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
No, you can't buy a three-row crossover with a V8 engine anymore. However, if it's performance you crave, we recommend the Mazda CX-90. Mazda's turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine makes, at minimum, 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Upgrade to the Turbo S trim levels, and that figure jumps to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
Unlike the outgoing Mazda CX-9, the 2024 CX-90 rides on a rear-wheel-biased drivetrain. This results in better weight distribution and handling, and as a result, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is one of the best-driving crossovers on the market. The fact that it will seat up to eight passengers is just a bonus.
Finally, the CX-90 continues to bolster Mazda's reputation for luxury-level interior appointments. High-contrast upholstery, excellent touch points, and an impressively designed tech interface make this family crossover look and feel much more expensive than it is.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Best for: People who only occasionally need three rows of seating
Mitsubishi completely redesigned the Outlander for 2022, giving it a new platform and powertrain shared with the Nissan Rogue. In 2023, Mitsubishi split with Nissan on the powertrain choices: The Rogue now gets a turbo-three, while the Outlander carries on with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine it had before. Power output remains at 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque.
Standard features for 2024 include a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM Radio, Bluetooth, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Mitsubishi throws in a several advanced driver aids as standard kit as well, which include automatic high beams, forward-collision warnings with pedestrian detection, driver-attention alerts, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, rear automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors.
While many models on this list are midsize SUVs, the Outlander is one of just two compact SUVs that offer a third-row seat. Here, the "way-back" seat should be reserved for kids, and even then, not for longer road trips.
Subaru Ascent
Best for: Families who need standard all-wheel drive and want strong value
Until recently, if you needed a seven-seater SUV and also had to own a Subaru, your choices were pretty limited. The quirky and polarizing Tribeca (once called the B9 Tribeca) held the three-row torch for Subaru for several years but was discontinued in 2014. That model had some attractive features, like standard all-wheel drive (AWD), but its sales were dismal, and it wasn’t all that much of a looker.
Then came the Ascent, Subaru’s second attempt at a seven-seater. Thankfully, the automaker styled it conservatively, which is a good thing for family vehicles. It also comes with standard AWD, and this time around, the Subaru SUV seems to be selling well. It’s also packed with standard driver-assistance tech and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The big Subaru can get pricey—reaching almost $50,000 in some configurations—but lower trim levels offer a solid value and a premium experience.
Tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a responsive touchscreen, make the Ascent a great pick in terms of the gadgets we expect from new cars these days, too. Inside, the Ascent can be upfitted with popular features like captain's chairs and a WiFi hotspot.
Toyota Highlander
Best for: Families who refuse to buy a minivan but really need minivan-level space
The long-running Toyota Highlander has been through a few identities over the years, ranging from a somewhat boxy, pseudo-rugged family carrier to a not-minivan-but-just-as-capable vehicle most recently. Toyota made a slew of changes to the Highlander for 2023, including a new four-cylinder engine, more tech options, and new exterior features.
It’s got seven seats, yes, but there’s much more to the 2024 Highlander that helped it earn a spot on this list. It’s one of few 7-seater SUVs to offer a hybrid powertrain, which in this case is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that pairs with two electric motors to produce 243 system horsepower. Toyota made the surprising decision to drop the previous model’s V6 in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower, which returns the same combined fuel economy as before at 25 mpg.
That said, the Highlander is still a family-first cruiser, and it's much happier making the run to soccer practice than it is trying to win a drag race with the neighbor’s Camry. The 2024 Toyota Highlander digs deeper into family territory with a standard suite of advanced driver aids, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Toyota offers a 12.3-inch infotainment display for some models, and the top two trims get a digital gauge cluster.
Toyota Grand Highlander
Best for: Families who want to have it all
If the standard Highlander is still too small for your needs, how about a Grand Highlander instead? Just like Jeep did with the Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander takes a popular nameplate, adds a bit of length, and produces a bigger, better, and more family-oriented vehicle.
The Grand Highlander offers space in all three rows for adults. Legroom rivals what you'll find in the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, and there's a handy step next to the second-row seats to help getting in and out of that third row even more easily.
Toyota has also equipped the Grand Highlander with some impressive powertrain technology. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the 2023 Highlander serves as the Grand Highlander's base engine, but shoppers can also pick from a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain or a hybrid version of the 2.4-turbo. Regardless of powertrain choices, the Grand Highlander delivers plenty of performance, plenty of space, and a comfortable cabin.