$40,000 3-Row SUV Challenge: Squeezing Into the Third Row

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

Let’s face it: Most of us older than 10 will never ride in the third row of a three-row crossover SUV.

Why would you? First, it requires a lesson in how to move the second-row seats out of the way in order to clamber back there. Usually done in frustration, you just wriggle and crawl to the third row.

What’s the Best 3-Row SUV for $40,000

Then there is the seat itself: less legroom than on the worst airline. Your knees almost reach mid-chest. You’re so far removed from the driver that one model tested, the Toyota Highlander, had an intercom for the driver. Yes, an intercom.

For the Cars.com/USA Today/”MotorWeek” $40,000 3-Row SUV Challenge, your reporter, all six-feet-two, took each test drive in each SUV from the third row. Here are my notes:

2014 Chevrolet Traverse

Roomiest — better-than-average space, including enough headroom. Barely.

2014 Dodge Durango

2014 Honda Pilot

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe

2014 Mazda CX-9

2014 Nissan Pathfinder

2014 Toyota Highlander

Cars.com photos by Evan Sears