NEWS
If you need to haul more than a few passengers, a minivan or three-row SUV is the chief way to go. The days of conventional cars having third rows, whether by conventional forward-facing chairs or a pair of rear-facing jump seats, are largely past (though not completely).
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The good news? Every major automaker offers at least one vehicle with three rows of seats, and many offer quite a few. You can buy a three-row vehicle for less than $30,000 (a few such 2020-21 models exist). You also can spend six figures on an uber-posh example, though you probably shouldn’t use it for Uber. Dozens of cars offer third-row seating for 2020 and 2021.
Here’s a list of cars that offer it, either as a standard or optional feature. (That’s strictly as of this writing; we’ve yet to hear about a 2021 model year for earlier qualifiers like the Mitsubishi Outlander.) We’re only counting third rows that function while the vehicle is in motion — so no, the pop-up Viewing Suite chairs in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan don’t count.
Remember, quantity of seats does not equal quality of space. Unsurprisingly, third-row seats in compact or mid-size SUVs tend to be cramped, kids-only affairs; third rows in minivans or full-size SUVs are better suited for adults. But that isn’t always the case: Some big SUVs have curiously tight third rows, while a few mid-size SUVs are surprisingly roomy back there.
Check out our comparison tests to see more. We last compared three-row mid-size SUVs in 2019 and three-row full-sizers in 2018. Under the judges’ scoring in each comparison, look for under the third-row category — an accounting of seating space, comfort, access and features. Or, if you don’t have time: The Volkswagen Atlas has the best third row among mid-sizers. Also, accommodations in the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe improved significantly for model-year 2021, giving the Ford Expedition a run for the third-row crown among full-sizers.
The sheer dimensions of a given third row aren’t the only things to consider. If you plan to install child-safety seats back there, see Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks to find out which three-row SUVs have Latch anchors in back. At the dealership, evaluate third-row access as well: Some cars facilitate getting to the third row via sliding second rows operated by one-touch buttons, while others make it a cumbersome, multistep process of lifting levers or tumbling seats. If the SUV or minivan in question has captain’s chairs in the second row, see how wide the berth is for kids (or adults, in a pinch) to squeeze between them. Finally, see if the second-row seats have sliding adjustments — a universal advantage over fixed seats, as they allow passengers in the second and third rows to negotiate a compromise on legroom.
You get our drift: Just because a third row exists doesn’t mean it’s actually useful. We’ve seen a wide variance between the best and worst examples. You’ll have to decide what meets your needs.
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