There are many choices for shoppers seeking a fuel-efficient crossover with a third row. Our list of favorites consists primarily of midsize SUVs, though one seven-seater compact SUV took fifth place in our rankings. For a look at even larger models—most of which aren’t crossovers but rather body-on-frame brutes—check out our piece on the most fuel-efficient full-size SUVs.
It’s also worth noting that our list excludes fully electric vehicles (as they don’t run on gas) but includes hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
The Best 3-Row SUVs with Great Gas Mileage
- Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
- Kia Sorento Hybrid
- Volvo XC90 PHEV
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- How Other 3-Row SUVs Stack Up for Fuel Economy
- Finding the Perfect 3-Row SUV for Your Lifestyle
1. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Gas mileage: 36 mpg
Base price: $46,470
The Grand Highlander offers a couple of hybrid powertrains: one making 245 horsepower and another with 362. When paired with the former and front-wheel drive (FWD), this seven- or eight-seater gets an EPA combined rating of 36 mpg. (The high-power model sees 27 mpg at best.)
Shoppers may also be interested in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which is merely a shorter (read: less roomy) version of the Grand Highlander Hybrid. It receives the weaker of the two hybrid powertrains and sees the same 36 mpg in combined driving. Base to base, the electrified Toyota Highlander costs about $4,000 less than the Grand one.
We’ll also lump the Lexus TX Hybrid in here, as it shares a platform with the Toyota Grand Highlander along with the stronger of its two hybrid powertrains. That model, called the TX 500h, manages about 27 mpg, which is fine for a midsize SUV.
That said, you can also get this three-row Lexus as a PHEV, with a dual-electric-motor-enhanced V6 engine under the hood and a lithium-ion battery under the cargo-area floor. A third e-motor on the rear axle provides all-wheel drive (AWD). Known as the TX 550h+, this plug-in hybrid starts at $78,050 and can go about 33 miles on battery power alone. With a depleted battery, the TX 550h+ averages a respectable 29 mpg.
2. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Gas mileage: 36 mpg
Base price: $38,615
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has the styling of a Land Rover but the price of a, well, Hyundai. The automaker known for value stays true to form, offering shoppers only two options: FWD or AWD and a choice of paint colors. Many ADAS and tech features come standard.
The Santa Fe’s hybrid setup consists of a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor. The combo is good for 231 horsepower. It won’t arouse your inner racer, but it does the job and looks good doing it.
3. Kia Sorento Hybrid
Gas mileage: 36 mpg
Base price: $40,065
With second-row captain’s chairs and a two-person third row, this Kia can’t accommodate as many passengers as other midsize SUVs, but it comes with a lot of features and gives shoppers the option of a traditional hybrid powertrain or one that accepts a charging cable.
Compared with the 227-horsepower HEV model, the PHEV makes 34 ponies more, has standard AWD, and demands a $9,300 premium. For that near-$50,000 price, you’ll get 31 miles of electric range and about double (74 MPGe) the gas mileage of the Hybrid. When gas is the only fuel, it should return about 33 mpg.
4. Volvo XC90 PHEV
Gas mileage: 58 MPGe, 27 mpg
Base price: $73,195
Volvo’s biggest offering can be had with a 455-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, dubbed T8. It’ll propel the XC90 for up to 32 miles on electricity, then resort to gas-only operation. The third row isn’t particularly spacious, but the interior as a whole is a study in elegance. Whether that justifies this model’s $70,000-plus price, we’ll let you be the judge.
5. Volkswagen Tiguan
Gas mileage: 27 mpg
Base price: $30,305
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of few compact crossovers with a third row. To get all seven seats, you’ll need to forgo AWD.
In terms of practicality, it’s not the best. The two-seat third row is behind a full-width bench, which means you have to fold the second-row seats forward to get access to the wayback. And once you’re there, you may wish you weren’t, as the third row is very tight. Those seats also take up a fair amount of the cargo area: With them up, you’ll have a mere 12 cubic feet of cargo room at your disposal, versus 33 cubes when the Tiguan is acting as a five-seater. Nonetheless, it’s a decent option for those looking for a reasonably fuel-efficient three-row SUV in the $30,000 range; just know that it’s a bargain because of its size.
How Other 3-Row SUVs Stack Up for Fuel Economy
The Mitsubishi Outlander, when equipped with the available plug-in-hybrid powertrain, can go 38 miles on electricity alone. That puts its EPA combined rating at 64 MPGe, assuming the compact SUV has a fully charged battery. Once the juice runs out, the Outlander should return about 26 mpg.
The Mazda CX-90 is another hybrid SUV with a charging port. It’s a little larger than the Mitsu and a little less fuel-efficient, boasting an estimated electric range of 26 miles and a combined EPA rating of 56 MPGe with battery assistance. When relying solely on gas, the Mazda should see 25 mpg. That puts it ahead of the 24-mpg Ford Explorer as well as the gas-only Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, all of which have combined fuel economy ratings of, at best, 23 mpg. And everything else in the three-row midsize SUV class—including the squareback Volkswagen Atlas, the Subaru Ascent, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride, the Honda Pilot, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee L—averages 22 mpg or worse.
Finding the Perfect 3-Row SUV for Your Lifestyle
Choosing the best SUV for you will depend on several factors, but top among them is how you intend to use this vehicle. Will you want to go places that the average new car can’t? If so, look for an off-road-oriented SUV with high ground clearance, strengthened drivetrain components, and knobbly tires.
If it’ll be your daily commuter and kid-hauler, you’ll want something with a smooth and comfortable ride, a roomy interior, lots of cargo space, and likely the latest tech. Advanced driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control usually come standard in midsize SUVs, but if you have to pay extra for them, it’s well worth the expense.
Pretty much all new cars come with touchscreen infotainment systems featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, but wireless connectivity is less common; pay attention to automakers’ wording in advertisements if cableless driving is important to you.
If the three-row SUV you’re considering offers a choice of drivetrains, you’ll likely see better fuel economy with two driven wheels rather than four. That said, snowbelters and others may be willing to sacrifice some fuel efficiency for the traction benefits inherent to AWD.
If towing is in your future, know that hybrid models often have lower trailer ratings than their gas-only counterparts. For instance, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds, while the unelectrified version of that crossover can tug up to 5,000 pounds. Should you need to lug around more weight than that, a full-size SUV is probably the way to go.
