We Tested Nine 3-Row SUVs. Which One's the Best?

0:00 SPEAKER 1: When two rows isn't enough, but a full size is too much-- SPEAKER 2: That's where families find the midsize three-row SUV to be just right. SPEAKER 1: And we've gathered nine of them here so we can compare them side by side using the renowned Edmunds rating to pick a winner. SPEAKER 2: Are you ready? SPEAKER 1: I'm ready. SPEAKER 2: Are you ready? SPEAKER 1: They're ready. SPEAKER 2: Let's go. We're Edmunds, and we test hundreds of cars each year on the road and at our private track so you get the most trusted reviews. SPEAKER 1: If you want to know which car, truck, or SUV is the best, then stick with us. [ENGINE REVVING] This one is a little bit different than the others. If you're looking for a plug-in hybrid three-row SUV out of this group, the Mazda CX 90 is going to be your only choice.

0:45 But, as you'll soon see, we think there are better SUV options just ahead. The CX 90 starts at around $40k, but this example is going to cost you closer to $60. But, of course, what you're actually going to pay is going to depend on local dealers in your area. And that's why at Edmunds, we've got the tools to help you know what you should pay for any new car. Check out the links in the description. And for more info and full ratings and reviews on any of these SUVs, just scan the QR code. We'll start with the good. In any configuration, the CX 90, it has a high quality interior that can compete with the Acuras and Lexus' of the world. And it's also got great fuel economy, whether you're choosing gas or plug-in hybrid versions. And the plug-in hybrid is going to give you 27 miles of electric range up front before you even

1:31 use a drop of gas. And that's great if you have a way to charge at home and you have a shorter commute. Lucky you. Our test team also really likes the way the CX 90 drives with either powertrain. It's got plenty of power and acceleration. And we also love the way that it steers. It makes it actually fun from behind the wheel. But there are also plenty of reasons to avoid the Mazda. Now, even if you really want a plug-in hybrid, this is one that we wouldn't recommend. We had a CX 90 P-HEV as part of our one-year road test fleet. And, during that time, many people on staff complained about its jerky and uneven power delivery, especially at low speeds. This thing doesn't transition well between gas and electric power, and it can make it feel impossible to drive smoothly. Even if you get the six cylinder version,

2:17 which is better to drive, this still isn't a great three-row SUV. It's got the least cargo area among any of its competitors. It fit the least amount of carry-on suitcases behind its third row of any of the SUVs we have here today. And that third row itself, it's very cramped and uncomfortable. And even if you're only going to put little kids in the back and you don't need to carry a lot of stuff, the driver and front passenger, they're going to have to deal with an infotainment system that many on our staff have found very frustrating, self included. Buy this one if you're really set on a plug-in hybrid, or if driving dynamics are important to you, other than smooth acceleration, that is. But, otherwise, we think that your dollars are probably better spent somewhere else. SPEAKER 2: This is the reason to buy this vehicle.

3:02 I mean, look, there are no huge deal breakers with the Pathfinder, but there is one legit reason that you'd want to purchase this car. But, really, why suffer with something that's just kind of mid when everything else in the segment just really shines? First off, if you're going to tow with your three-row SUV, but you don't want to deal with the extra cost and fuel economy of, say, a Tahoe or an Armada, the Pathfinder is a great choice. Plus, it can tow 1,000 pounds more than the other SUVs in the segment. And that can mean the difference between, say, an Airstream trailer and an Ultralight trailer, or a ski boat as opposed to some jet skis. But, beyond that, the Pathfinder is actually pretty affordable, even in its highest trim. And with that, you get real leather. You get a digital gauge cluster, a head up display,

3:48 and rear window shades. Plus, this vehicle is pretty quiet and comfortable while you're just toddling down the road, and it's very easy to see out of. And if you've got to put a car seat in the back, the Pathfinder's rear doors open super wide. And the latch anchors are very, very easy to find. Plus, you can get into the rear seat without moving the car seat with just the touch of a button. Not that there isn't any room for improvement. Now, if you're the kind of driver that likes to use all those modern driver's aids on the highway, the Pathfinder could be a little frustrating. Our testers found that the adaptive cruise control will slow way down when you're going into a turn or going up a hill. And the lane keeping assist, it's not so great either. Our testers had many instances where the car would actually

4:33 overcorrect and then push them over the double yellow line. That is no bueno. Other SUVs in this segment do it much better. And, related to the driving experience, this V-6 has a lot of power. But sometimes the transmission is a little lazy to shift into that sweet spot of the power band. If you want to get it to downshift, you really need to put your foot into it. And the tech, well, I've got a big old screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto just like all the others here. But this interface just looks the most dated. And we wouldn't mind a few more USB ports in the back, just so that the kids don't argue with each other. Oh, and the Pathfinder has some of the least amount of cargo space of any three-row SUV. It's down there with the CX 90. So if you're the kind of person that carries a lot of gear,

5:18 or maybe you can't pass up an estate sale, that could be a problem. The Pathfinder makes the most sense if you would regularly benefit from that extra towing capacity or if upfront cost is the most important thing. But if not, you should keep watching, because we've got other options for you. [MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER 1: You can't do that in any other three-row that's not a minivan. Now, if you're really into Hondas, the Pilot is a pretty decent SUV. What are those strengths? First off, interior storage. There are, seemingly, nooks and crannies everywhere on this interior to store small items, including a nice shelf in front of the passenger and a decent bin right here. And, if you're one of those people who actually stuck to their New Year's resolution to drink more water, these cup

6:04 holders, they're big enough to fit your big water bottle, one of the few SUVs here that we can say that about. Credit where credit is due. We like the technology here in the Pilot as well. This infotainment system with Google integration comes standard, unlike in other Hondas, where it gets locked into the top trim, leve like, on the Civic. And we also like that they didn't go too far and move all the climate controls into the screen. You get real buttons and knobs for all that stuff. Really nice. Third row access is really important in SUVs. And Honda does a great job of this. Instead of some lever up here that's heavy and hard to use, all you have to do is push this little button and the seat tilts and slides forward. It's so easy that even a kid can do it. Plus, it's not a cheap car, but you can get a fully loaded Pilot for around $55,000, whereas the other ones,

6:50 they top out closer to $60. Now, these other SUVs, they do offer you some features that the Honda doesn't, but it's still nice to be able to get the highest trim for less. But we don't love the Pilot as a package. Honda has always done a good job with touch points. But the rest of the interior, there's a lot of hard plastic. And, compared to the rest of the vehicles that we have here, for a top trim level, this feels a bit drab and basic. Efficiency is also an issue. The best you're going to get out of the Pilot is 22 mpg combined. And that's not because it's more powerful or because it can tow more than any of the other SUVs here. Now, the best midsize three-rows are going to offer you a hybrid powertrain of some kind. And that electrification advantage is just going to mean that you're going to save dollars with those at the pump. Plus, this third row, it's pretty

7:36 tight for adult passengers, as you can see. And the seatbacks, they don't recline. And this armrest is hard plastic. And that makes it even more uncomfortable. And, on top of that, we couldn't fit our big rear facing child seat back here. And this and the CX 90 were the only two SUVs that couldn't fit our three-kid mega stroller in the cargo area. The Pilot makes sense if you really like the feel of a Honda, or if third row access is super important to you, or if all you own are gigantic water bottles. But we know all of these SUVs really well, and the truth of the matter is there are six of them we'd recommend over the Pilot. SPEAKER 2: Damn, look at all this cargo space. If you're looking for a cushy, comfortable highway cruiser with a ton of cargo space, it is tough to do better than the GMC Acadia.

8:24 Now, the first thing we love here is Super Cruise. This is only one of two SUVs that we've got that has a proper hands free highway driving assist. And, yes, it is better than even the best adaptive cruise control and lane centering setups. Plus, you can get Super Cruise even on the base model Acadia. Now, you can also get Super Cruise on the Buick Enclave and the Chevy Traverse. But of these three closely related SUVs, we really like the Acadia better because it's a little bit more quiet, it's a little bit more comfortable, and it's better to drive. And, aside from the driving tech, the rest of the tech here is really good as well. I've got this big old screen, and it has Google Maps, Google Play store, and Google Assistant just integrated right in there. And, yes, these native apps really do work better than the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

9:11 that you've got across the rest of the vehicles here. And the cargo space-- there's no other three-row SUV here that can match the Acadia when it comes to what's happening behind the third row. And there's only one other that we haven't seen yet that has more space when you fold all of the seats down. Now, if you don't want to step up into a minivan or into a Yukon, it's really, really tough to beat this Acadia. Plus, there is plenty of room in that second row. So, yes, there is a lot of room, but the seats themselves just aren't that comfortable. And it gets worse the further back you go. And for a car with so much space, I really expected more room in this third row. Now, the Denali is one of the few vehicles here that has massaging seats. But, you guys, really, that feature is not all

9:57 that it's cracked up to be. And, speaking of, the Denali Ultimate is expensive. Yeah, you get a couple of nice little touches. There's a ton of leather in here, and I like this wood trim, but this vehicle is $70,000. It is, by far, the most expensive SUV that we've got here today. And for this kind of money, you could move up to the luxury space with an Acura, or a Lexus, or a Volvo and have a much better experience. So if you do a lot of highway driving, if you need a little bit of extra space, or you're deep in that Google ecosystem, the Acadia might be a good choice for you. Otherwise, keep watching. SPEAKER 1: Finally, a third row big enough for adults. The Atlas is a three-row SUV that often gets overlooked.

10:44 But this roomy, family friendly hauler might be the right choice for you, even if it is not quite at the top of our list. Now, as you can see, this third row is the biggest selling point of the Atlas. There's just a ton of room back here, legroom and headroom both. If I had one wish, it would be that this window was maybe a touch bigger to make it feel a bit more open, but it honestly doesn't really need it. This is the best third row that you can get among these midsize three-rows. The third row isn't just big, it's also really easy to access. Like many of the best SUVs here, the Atlas has a tilt and slide second row. So that means even if you have a forward facing car seat installed, this seat will just lift up, slide forward, and allow you to climb into the back. And if you don't want to go this way, the good news is the space between the seats, it's pretty wide as well.

11:30 For a big SUV, the Atlas does small item storage quite well. You get a pretty large bin down here that's perfect for a small bag or purse, a small bin up here, pretty good room underneath the armrest here. The only thing that's missing is a little shelf in front of the passenger that some of the other SUVs have, a feature we quite like. That interior space isn't just for passengers. The Atlas, you can put a lot of junk in its trunk. Its space behind the third row and with all the seats folded down is among the best of the SUVs here. And those second and third rows, they also fold completely flat. And this is one of only three SUVs in this test where it could fit our giant mega stroller lying down because the cargo area is wide enough. There is a reason, though, that the Atlas isn't at the top. And it starts with this vehicle's control scheme. Now, in most cases, we're going to prefer physical buttons

12:17 and controls like the ones you find in the Honda. But here in the Atlas, it is the worst offender when it comes to having touch controls control important things, like the temperature, like the volume, and even to get to the climate, you have to press this button down here and bring it up on the screen. And the worst thing is these buttons here, they don't light up at night. So if you want to change the temperature or even change the volume after dark, good luck. On top of that, the power delivery from this engine transmission combo, it can be jerky and uneven, which is bad news for passengers who get car sick and then bad news for you. And, on top of that, there's no hybrid option either. And this roomy third row has one more problem-- it's these headrests. Now, they might look big and awkward, and I can understand why Volkswagen did this. It's so they can fold down when no one's sitting here

13:02 and you can see better out of the back. The problem is, though, when you are sitting here and they're up, they aren't comfortable. They kind of stick into the back of your neck right here. And on a long trip, this is going to be really bad. I wish these regular second row headrests were on the third row, and that they would just fold forward like they do in the other SUVs. The Atlas makes sense if you want a lot of room for passengers, or if you value a large cargo area with flat folding seats, and if you don't mind touch controls. SPEAKER 2: Man, I thought we were done with all this stuff. Look, compared to the Atlas and the other SUVs that we've got here today, the Explorer is really tight inside. But there is a lot to like. OK, let's start on the inside, because I love how responsive this screen is. And the menu structure is very intuitive and easy to use.

13:50 You've got the expected wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you also have Google integration. I mean, for real, this is some of the simplest and most intuitive tech to use. Plus, you've got plenty of USB ports. You've got outlets. And you can open the car with your phone? I mean, come on. And Ford didn't go too far with the tech either. I mean, the screen is very nicely integrated with the dash. And I still have some physical controls. But what we really love is this easy access to the camera. It's very helpful when you're parking or if you're navigating narrow streets. And another great thing about the Explorer is how it drives, because you can get a twin turbo V6 that has the most pep in its step out of the entire segment. But even the base engine just feels

14:36 quicker and more eager than anything else that we have here today. And it handles pretty flat through the corners. And no three-row SUV feels quite as confident or collected when you're driving up a back mountain road. Now, there's no option for a hybrid, unfortunately, but we really like these two engines. But what if I were sitting in the back? Yeah, you guys, it's not great. These seats are really narrow. They're super stiff. And they are not comfortable at all. Plus, I have less legroom than the other vehicles that we've got here today. So if you've got a rear facing car seat, the front seats are probably going to have to move forward. And the third row is even worse. I mean, look, I know, you're probably just going to keep kids back here. But at some point, a full sized adult is going to have to sit back here.

15:21 And they're just not going to be as comfortable in the Explorer as they would be in some of the other SUVs we've got here. And, speaking of, cargo space. Look, it's not awful back here, but the other SUVs that we've got, well, they're just a little bit bigger. So the Explorer is the one to get if you like to drive and if you really value technology and maybe don't care so much about passenger comfort. But we still have three other SUVs that we'd recommend more. SPEAKER 1: Forget that Highlander. This is the one that you want. A lot of three-row SUV buyers, stuff like styling, character, and excitement isn't as important to them as very intense, practical, everyday considerations. And for you, we present the Toyota Grand Highlander. First off, there's so, so much space in here,

16:08 as you can see-- and not just for passengers, but for cargo as well. If you fold down all the seats, you're going to get as much cargo room as you're getting out of anything that's not a minivan or a full size SUV. This thing ties the GMC and even beats the Atlas. Sitting back here in the third row, this is where you're going to find the difference between this vehicle and the standard Highlander. The Highlander, it's simply too small in the third row to be a useful family vehicle. So Toyota went out and made the Grand Highlander-- and way better. And there isn't just space for the big stuff. Toyota really nailed it when it comes to small item storage. It feels like there are little cubbies and cup holders all over in this cabin. And it's also got a really big and deep center bin. Now, device integration, another big plus here in the Toyota. Charge ports spread out everywhere. And, if you need to charge a larger

16:54 item like a laptop or a game console, you get a household outlet. Another thing we like about the Grand Highlander is that it gives you a lot of choice when it comes to what's under the hood. Now, there is a base gas engine, and it's fine. It lines up with what you're getting with most of these other SUVs. But it's those two hybrid powertrains that this vehicle offers that are special. There's one that's a touch underpowered, but the upside is that you're going to get 36 MPG combined with it. And that's the best out of all the SUVs that we have here today. And if you don't want that and you want more power, there's the hybrid max. That's our favorite. It's the one in this vehicle. It's got more get up and go than anything here that's not named the Explorer. And, on top of that, you're still getting 27 mpg, beating all the gas ones. Cons-- truthfully, there aren't many.

17:41 The interior, it does feel a bit plasticky and cheap compared to competitors. But the thing that the Grand Highlander really suffers from is that it simply doesn't really feel special. This is a vehicle that I think that you'll appreciate, but not one that you'll love. Listen, the Grand Highlander might be unexciting, but it's also really, really good. We've reached the point in this video where if you like any of the vehicles that we're going to mention, we won't encourage you to look elsewhere. But the final two options, they do the practical stuff just as well as the Toyota, but they do it with style. SPEAKER 2: Not a Range Rover like these tail lights want you to think, but sometimes I'd rather just have one of these. The Kia Telluride. Yes, it is a relatively new icon, but it is all new for the first time since it debuted in 2019.

18:28 And, frankly, it is one of the best and most well-rounded SUVs that you can buy. It's a car that does almost everything well. I mean, interior, you have style for days. This one has a purple interior, y'all. Plus, I've got plenty of USB ports. I've got a really good tech system on a big, clear, and crisp screen. This time, we have themed it for National Geographic, which is pretty cool. And the interior storage is great as well. I love this big center console with customizable cupholders. Now, when it comes to driving, Kia added a hybrid system that is a huge improvement over the old V6. In fact, we think that this is the best powertrain that you can get out of everything here today. It just feels like it's really responsive in town and it's easy to drive. Plus, you get 35 miles per gallon.

19:15 And the ride quality here is excellent. The Telluride can soak up uneven pavement, potholes, and bumps in the road with ease. It's pretty easy to get in and out of the second row, and there is plenty of room for a car seat. But, oh, my god, these second row seats are so comfortable. They're more comfortable than even the first row seats in a lot of the vehicles we have here today. The only thing that gives us a little bit of pause is the location of the climate controls, because they're right here on just a small part of the screen behind the steering wheel. So, A, difficult to see, difficult to reach. And, B, most of the time, when you tap on one of those buttons, it just opens up a larger menu on the big screen anyway. So, why is it there? But that is just a very small annoyance in what is otherwise a very excellent vehicle.

20:02 You buy a Telluride if you love this style and you're looking for an SUV with very, very few compromises. It is a fantastic option, even though there is one other SUV that scored just a little bit higher in our Edmunds ratings. SPEAKER 1: Before we get into our final vehicle, Hyundai has issued a stop sale on 2026 Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims. If you happen to own one of those, contact your dealer immediately. The safety concern is related to the powered second and third rows. While the vehicle that we have here today was affected by the recall, other ones that are not still get the same Edmunds rating score. To find out the latest information, head over to Edmunds.com/news. And we've included a link to our news story in the description.

20:50 And this one, I mean, what did you expect? There are many reasons that we gave the Palisade hybrid our Edmunds Top Rated Best of the Best in the world this year. Put simply, it's a comfortable, stylish, and practical vehicle that is not just the best midsize SUV on sale today, it's one of the best vehicles on sale, bar none. Almost everything that we find important in a vehicle, the Palisade does well, starting with the driving experience. The suspension makes it super comfortable, but somehow it's still not floaty over the road. So it gives you confidence with plenty of handling and agility. And the hybrid powertrain that's under the hood, it's going to give you more power than the gas version. So this thing has no trouble merging or passing. And, of course, since it's electrified, you're going to get up to 34 MPG combined.

21:38 Comfy seats, too. There's also great technology here. This big touch screen, it comes standard. And on the top Calligraphy model, you're also going to get an integrated dash cam. That's a feature that's not found on many vehicles anywhere, let alone other SUVs. All the connectivity features that you would expect-- USB ports that can charge up to 100 watts, a wireless charging pad, I could go on and on. The tech suite in this car is phenomenal. And it's got all the driver aids that you would expect, and they work well too. This interior, it's also a stunner. The Kia Telluride, its interior is good looking, but it's also shared with a bunch of other Kia vehicles. Hyundai, they make the interiors on all their SUVs look and feel distinct. And we like that a lot. But buying a car isn't just about you, right, especially if you've got a family.

22:25 And, in that regard, the Palisade hybrid also excels with a great second and third row. Just like the Telluride, it's grown in its redesign, so there's plenty of space for adults in both rows. And there's power adjustments for both rows as well, so it's super easy to recline. And, of course, there's Hyundai's warranty, which, along with Kia's, is the best in the business. Both of these cars, they aren't cheap. But you do feel like you get a lot for your money. Is it perfect? Not quite. The Toyota, the Volkswagen, and the GMC are going to offer you a little bit more cargo room. And, with the hybrid powertrain under the hood, it's not going to be able to tow as much as its competitors. And, if you're a taller driver, you might find it hard to squeeze into the driver's seat because the steering column, it hangs a little bit low. But those complaints are minor, because the better a vehicle is,

23:11 the harder it is to find things wrong with it. You buy a Hyundai Palisade hybrid because, simply, you want the best midsize three-row SUV that money can buy. Emmy, it's finally over-- nine SUVs, 27 rows. I couldn't have done it without you. SPEAKER 2: I couldn't have done it without you. But I want to know, OK, we love the Palisade, but let's take different options from each one and build our perfect car. SPEAKER 1: So for our Franken SUV, I'm going to take the powertrain from the Explorer. Hybrids are great, but power is what I want. SPEAKER 2: All right. And for styling, I'm going off of the Telluride, especially the interior. Like, I love it, love it, love it. SPEAKER 1: And for technology, I think I'm going to have to go with one of the Koreans. They're kind of equal in that regard.

23:57 But both systems, super easy to use, super simple. And in the Telluride, you can even put cute animals on the screen. SPEAKER 2: I love that part. But I have to say it's been super hot today, so I'm taking the air conditioning out of the Pathfinder. SPEAKER 1: And I'm taking those dual air vents out of the Atlas. I love that you can get really good circulation on just yourself. We've done enough talking. Thank you for joining us. Catch us here on the next one at Edmunds. And, Emmy, next time, can you bring a cat shirt so I can wear one too? SPEAKER 2: Of course. Bye.