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How these 18 SUVs were selected
Kelley Blue Book’s “20 Best 3-Row SUVs of 2024” supplies the candidate pool. To produce an 18-model guide from that list, this selection omits the Toyota Sequoia and Ford Explorer; it does not claim those vehicles are unsuitable for families. Models are grouped by practical role rather than assigned a supposedly precise universal score: midsize crossovers suit families prioritizing everyday maneuverability, while full-size SUVs put greater emphasis on passenger and cargo capacity. KBB’s rankings reflect its editors’ consideration of price, powertrain, ride and handling, features, comfort, reliability, and cargo loading. They are not results from a controlled family-only comparison.
Cars.com’s May 6, 2024, Three-Row SUV Challenge is the most directly family-use-oriented comparison available here. It evaluated the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas through driving, cargo measurements, a fuel-economy loop, and child-seat fitting. That comparison informs the midsize profiles below, but does not cover all 18 vehicles.
Midsize three-row SUVs for everyday family use
1. Kia Telluride
The Telluride was part of Cars.com’s seven-model family-oriented challenge and appears near the top of KBB’s broader list. It is a strong starting point for families comparing mainstream midsize three-row crossovers. Compare its exact trim’s second-row arrangement and third-row access with the child seats you use; the available evidence does not establish a universal car-seat fit.
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2. Honda Pilot
The Pilot was also tested by Cars.com for child-seat fit, cargo, and fuel economy, making it one of the more directly evaluated family choices in this guide. Its 2024 Edmunds page lists a $38,485 starting MSRP, 22 mpg combined, and 18.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. These are source-listed figures, not current used prices, and equipment and specifications can vary by configuration.
3. Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade combines a midsize footprint with three rows and was included in the Cars.com challenge. Edmunds lists its 2024 starting MSRP at $38,045, combined fuel economy at 22 mpg, and maximum cargo at 18.0 cubic feet. Check the particular trim and drivetrain before comparing those figures with another vehicle.
4. Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander was among the seven models in Cars.com’s family-use comparison. Edmunds lists a 2024 starting MSRP of $44,715, 24 mpg combined, and 20.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. Those Edmunds figures can help frame a comparison, but do not substitute for checking cargo space with the third row raised or confirming configuration-specific specifications.
5. Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder was included in Cars.com’s child-seat, cargo, and fuel-economy evaluation. Families considering one should verify second-row access with their child seats installed and assess the remaining cargo space with all seats in use. Its IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award applies to vehicles built after November 2023; check the vehicle’s build date when applying that result.
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6. Subaru Ascent
The Ascent was part of Cars.com’s seven-SUV challenge, so it has direct comparison coverage for the family-use questions of cargo, fuel economy, and child-seat fitting. IIHS lists the 2024 Ascent as a Top Safety Pick+. For your own household, test the actual child seats and passenger combination rather than assuming one tested fit applies to every seat model.
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7. Volkswagen Atlas
The Atlas was included in Cars.com’s family-focused comparison. Its presence there makes it a useful midsize crossover to cross-shop against the Pilot, Palisade, Telluride, Pathfinder, Ascent, and Grand Highlander. IIHS lists the 2024 Atlas as a Top Safety Pick; that award is separate from NHTSA’s star-rating program.
8. Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is a midsize option for families who value everyday comfort and fuel economy. Edmunds’ 2024 review praises those strengths but says the third row is confining compared with rivals, a meaningful tradeoff if older children or adults will ride there often. Edmunds lists a $40,665 starting MSRP, 25 mpg combined, and 16.0 cubic feet of maximum cargo. IIHS lists the 2024 Highlander as a Top Safety Pick.
9. Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 is another midsize choice, with Edmunds listing 2024 starting MSRP of $39,300, combined fuel economy of 25 mpg, and maximum cargo capacity of 14.9 cubic feet. Those specifications make it especially important to consider cargo needs with the third row occupied rather than relying only on a maximum-cargo figure. IIHS lists the 2024 CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV as Top Safety Pick+ vehicles.
10. Kia Sorento
The Sorento adds a smaller three-row crossover to the midsize group. Its size class is a key part of the decision: families should check whether its third row and cargo area meet their needs before treating it as equivalent to a larger three-row SUV. KBB includes it in its 2024 list, but the specific comparative figures supplied here do not establish a like-for-like cargo or fuel-economy result.
11. GMC Acadia
The Acadia appears in KBB’s 2024 group of three-row choices. It is a midsize crossover alternative for households that want three-row seating without moving to a full-size SUV. Assess third-row access and luggage capacity with your usual number of passengers aboard; the available comparable Edmunds figures do not include an Acadia entry.
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Full-size SUVs when passenger and cargo capacity take priority
Full-size SUVs occupy a different practical category from midsize crossovers. They can be compelling when a family regularly fills all seats or carries substantial gear, but their size is a tradeoff for daily parking and maneuvering. The available figures do not support a uniform cargo or fuel-economy comparison across these models, so compare the exact vehicle and configuration.
12. Ford Expedition
KBB includes the Expedition among its 2024 three-row choices. It belongs on a shortlist when the family’s priority is a larger vehicle rather than a midsize crossover. Before choosing, evaluate the third row and cargo area together and confirm that its size works for your regular routes and parking.
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The Expedition MAX is the extended-length counterpart in KBB’s candidate pool. Its inclusion signals a distinct option for shoppers prioritizing a larger full-size format, but the figures available here do not quantify its advantage over the standard Expedition. Compare the two in the exact configurations you are considering.
14. Chevrolet Tahoe
The Tahoe is a full-size choice on KBB’s 2024 list. It makes more sense to compare it with other full-size SUVs than with compact or midsize three-row crossovers. Measure the space you need with the third row occupied and consider whether the larger footprint suits your daily use.
15. Jeep Wagoneer
KBB includes the Wagoneer in its broad 2024 list. Families shopping this class should compare passenger access, cargo behind the third row, and overall vehicle size in person; no common, model-by-model family test establishes a winner among the full-size entries here.
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16. Jeep Wagoneer L
The Wagoneer L is the longer Wagoneer entry in KBB’s pool. Treat it as a separate full-size alternative and check the exact vehicle’s dimensions and usable cargo layout against your family’s needs rather than assuming all three-row SUVs offer comparable space.
17. GMC Yukon
The Yukon is another full-size model included by KBB. It is relevant for households whose seating and gear needs exceed what they can comfortably accommodate in a midsize crossover. Compare it directly with the Yukon XL and other full-size alternatives, while accounting for the day-to-day consequences of a larger vehicle.
18. GMC Yukon XL
The Yukon XL completes this selection of 18. Its extended-length format gives shoppers a distinct full-size option to investigate, but this guide does not assign a measured cargo advantage without comparable figures. Check the vehicle in person with the seats positioned as your family would use them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the available 2024 figures can—and cannot—tell you
Edmunds publishes comparable example specifications for six models in this guide. Its starting MSRP refers to new-vehicle pricing on its 2024 model pages, not current used-car asking prices. Combined mpg and maximum cargo capacity are the figures as shown on those pages; trim, drivetrain, and other configuration details can affect specifications.
| 2024 model | Edmunds starting MSRP | Edmunds combined fuel economy | Edmunds maximum cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Palisade | $38,045 | 22 mpg | 18.0 cu. ft. |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | $44,715 | 24 mpg | 20.6 cu. ft. |
| Mazda CX-90 | $39,300 | 25 mpg | 14.9 cu. ft. |
| Honda Pilot | $38,485 | 22 mpg | 18.6 cu. ft. |
| Toyota Highlander | $40,665 | 25 mpg | 16.0 cu. ft. |
| Other 13 models in this selection | Not stated (Edmunds figures supplied here cover selected models only) | Not stated (Edmunds figures supplied here cover selected models only) | Not stated (Edmunds figures supplied here cover selected models only) |
Maximum cargo with seats folded does not answer how much luggage fits when the third row is occupied. Check the cargo area with the seats in your normal configuration, particularly if all three rows will be used on trips.
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How to check child-seat fit and third-row access
Child-seat compatibility depends on both the vehicle seating position and the specific seat. Cars.com included child-seat installation in its 2024 challenge, but that does not establish that a particular seat will fit every shortlisted SUV.
- Bring the child seat you actually use and consult both its manual and the vehicle owner’s manual for approved seating positions and installation instructions.
- Install it in the row and seat position you expect to use, following both manuals.
- With the child seat installed, test whether another passenger can reach or use the third row as your household needs.
- Check the fit again in the exact trim and seating layout under consideration; a result in one vehicle configuration should not be assumed for another.
How to interpret 2024 safety information
IIHS awards and NHTSA star ratings are different programs and should not be treated as interchangeable. The IIHS 2024 award list identifies the following relevant results: Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, Top Safety Pick+; Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas, Top Safety Pick; Mazda CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV, Subaru Ascent, and Nissan Pathfinder, Top Safety Pick+. The Pathfinder award is qualified to vehicles built after November 2023. IIHS awards are model-year-specific, and the build-date condition matters when checking an individual Pathfinder.
NHTSA’s November 23, 2023, notice identifies vehicles selected for MY2024 5-Star testing; it is a selection notice, not a list of test results. NHTSA describes its program as evaluating frontal, side, and rollover crash protection on a one-to-five-star scale, with five stars the highest. Verify the actual NHTSA rating for the precise model and configuration before relying on a star result.
Which kind of three-row SUV fits your family?
- Choose a midsize crossover first if everyday maneuverability is important and you do not routinely need every seat for adults. Compare the Pilot, Palisade, Telluride, Grand Highlander, Pathfinder, Ascent, Atlas, Highlander, CX-90, Sorento, and Acadia.
- Look closely at third-row comfort if older children or adults will ride back there frequently. Edmunds specifically notes that the Highlander’s third row is confining compared with rivals.
- Consider full-size models if you regularly carry a full passenger load and need substantial room for gear. Compare the Expedition and Expedition MAX, Tahoe, Wagoneer and Wagoneer L, and Yukon and Yukon XL as full-size alternatives—not as direct equivalents to midsize crossovers.
- Compare the same kind of measurement: cargo with the third row up for a full passenger load, maximum cargo for rows-folded hauling, and fuel economy for the exact powertrain and configuration.
- Verify safety by vehicle: distinguish an IIHS award from an NHTSA star rating and check model year, build date where relevant, and the exact configuration.
For source details, see Cars.com’s 2024 Three-Row SUV Challenge, Kelley Blue Book’s 20 Best 3-Row SUVs of 2024, Edmunds’ Best Midsize 3-Row SUVs of 2024, IIHS Top Safety Picks, and NHTSA’s MY2024 testing announcement.
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