The right 2025 road-trip SUV depends on who is riding, how much luggage you carry and whether you value a smooth ride, fuel economy, towing or sporty handling most. For maximum three-row cargo flexibility, consider the Chevrolet Traverse; for a smoother family ride, the Honda Pilot; for sportier driving and more technology, the Ford Explorer; and for a compact SUV with hybrid choices, the Ford Escape. No single model is best for every trip, and the figures below are U.S.-market source-year specifications and estimates, not guarantees for every trim.
What is the best SUV for a road trip?
For a family traveling with all three rows occupied, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse stands out in the cited comparisons for cargo room behind the third row. The 2025 Honda Pilot is a strong alternative when a smoother ride and practical cabin matter more. Choose the 2025 Ford Explorer if sporty handling and technology are higher priorities, or consider the two-row Ford Escape if a compact footprint and hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain are more useful than a third row.
These are conditional picks, not a universal ranking. Edmunds comparisons published by AP News provide the cited space, towing and fuel-economy figures; actual fuel use varies with configuration and driving conditions. Trim, drivetrain, optional equipment, location and current inventory affect the vehicle and its cost, so confirm the exact configuration before buying.
Which SUV has the most cargo space behind the third row?
Among the three-row models with figures in the cited Edmunds roundup, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse has the most reported cargo room behind the third row: 22.9 cubic feet. That measure is especially useful when all seats are occupied. Maximum cargo figures tell a different story because they assume seats are folded.
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| 2025 model | Cargo behind third row | Maximum cargo with rear rows folded | Other cited figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse | 22.9 cu. ft. | 98 cu. ft. | Up to 5,000 lb towing; up to 23 mpg combined |
| Kia Telluride | 21 cu. ft. | Not stated in the cited Edmunds roundup | Up to 22 mpg combined |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | 20.6 cu. ft. | Not stated in the cited Edmunds roundup | Up to 24 mpg combined |
| Volkswagen Atlas | 20.6 cu. ft. | Up to 96.8 cu. ft. | Not stated in the cited Edmunds roundup |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 16.6 cu. ft. | Not stated in the cited Edmunds roundup | Seats up to eight; up to 23 mpg combined; up to 6,000 lb towing when properly equipped |
Figures are reported by Edmunds in a 2024 roundup published via AP News; verify them for the specific trim and equipment. Compare like with like: cargo behind an occupied third row is not interchangeable with maximum capacity after folding seats.
Is a two-row or three-row SUV better for a road trip?
A two-row SUV is usually the more sensible layout when you do not regularly need extra seats. It avoids carrying a third row you rarely use and leaves the decision focused on the space and powertrain your passengers actually need. A three-row model makes sense when the additional seats are routinely occupied, but luggage space can shrink sharply when that row is in use.
Rank #2
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- Choose two rows if the usual trip party fits comfortably without extra seats and you want a compact option. The Escape is worth considering for its available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
- Choose three rows if you regularly take more passengers. Check whether the third row is suitable for the people who will use it; Edmunds says the Pilot’s and Explorer’s third rows are best suited for children.
- Measure the trip, not just the vehicle: compare cargo behind the third row for a full passenger load, behind the second row for a five-person trip, and maximum cargo only if folding seats is realistic.
Which three-row SUV is best for comfort, technology or towing?
Chevrolet Traverse: space and towing flexibility
The Traverse is the space-first choice in this group. Edmunds reports seating for up to seven, 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 98 cubic feet with the rear rows folded. Its 328-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is reported to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and its maximum EPA-estimated combined fuel economy is 23 mpg. Towing capacity depends on the correct equipment and does not tell you how comfortable a loaded cabin will be.
Honda Pilot: a smoother family ride
In Edmunds’ 2025 comparison with the Explorer, the Pilot’s ride is smoother over bumps. The comparison reports 48.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, versus 46 cubic feet for the Explorer, and up to 22 mpg combined. Edmunds describes the Pilot’s third row as best suited for children. The IIHS 2025 midsize list gives the 2025 Pilot a Top Safety Pick designation.
Rank #3
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Ford Explorer: sportier character and technology
Edmunds characterizes the Explorer as sportier and more tech-forward than the Pilot. Available features include a 13.2-inch center touchscreen and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist. The standard 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is listed at an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive and 23 mpg with all-wheel drive. Its ride is less smooth over bumps than the Pilot’s in Edmunds’ comparison. IIHS lists the 2025–26 Explorer as a Top Safety Pick+ only for vehicles built after June 2025; check the build date and eligibility for the vehicle you are considering.
Is a compact SUV enough for a road trip?
The 2025 Ford Escape is a compact option to consider if you do not need three rows. Ford lists four powertrain choices, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Its specifications state up to 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded on EcoBoost models and up to 40.7 inches of second-row legroom with the seats set all the way back. Those are manufacturer specifications, not an independent assessment of long-distance comfort.
Rank #4
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Ford’s page also states an NHTSA five-star overall rating. Check the NHTSA listing for the exact model and configuration before relying on a safety rating; do not assume that a manufacturer’s broad page claim applies identically to every vehicle.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you compare road-trip fuel economy and safety?
Compare EPA estimates for the exact powertrain and drivetrain you are shopping for, rather than treating a model’s highest figure as universal. The Explorer’s cited combined estimates differ between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and real-world consumption changes with load, speed, weather and driving style. A hybrid can be attractive when reducing fuel stops matters, but the Escape’s available powertrains should be evaluated against your passenger and cargo needs as well as the purchase price.
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Best Value
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Safety awards are specific to model year and sometimes build date. The IIHS list also identifies the 2025 Kia Telluride as a Top Safety Pick and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe as a Top Safety Pick+ for vehicles built after November 2024. Confirm the award’s exact eligibility notes rather than applying a label to every model year or build.
Quick Recap
What to check before a long trip
- Load the likely passenger count and luggage, then confirm the usable cargo area with the seats in their expected positions.
- Take a test drive on a route that includes rough pavement and highway speeds; comfort is more than a seat or cargo specification.
- Check the exact drivetrain’s EPA estimate, towing equipment and manufacturer limits. Towing capacity applies only when properly equipped.
- If using a roof box, confirm compatible crossbars, vehicle fit and load limits. Mazda’s road-trip guidance describes a cargo box and crossbars as ways to add exterior capacity, but compatibility is vehicle-specific: Mazda road-trip features.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
