10 SUVs With Third-Row Seats You Can Actually Use

Three-row vehicles, especially SUVs, are often considered the go-to solution for large families, thanks to their additional seating capacity and cargo space. However, many of them come with a catch: while there is a third row of seating, the legroom is so meager that it’s only really suitable for small children. This isn’t a problem for families with toddlers who can easily fit in a more cramped space, but if the kids are older, or you regularly transport grown-up passengers in the back of the vehicle, having a fully functional, adult-friendly third row becomes a priority.

There are some SUVs on the market that can help you solve this issue, thanks to their increased legroom even in the third row. Here are ten models that can comfortably accommodate adult passengers, no matter which seat they choose to travel in.

This list has been compiled from least to most third-row space, based on legroom figures for the rear-most seats.

10 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

Third-Row Legroom: 33.5 Inches

Toyota’s Grand Highlander SUV offers a more spacious alternative to its smaller sibling, the Highlander, which is six inches shorter; the Grand’s additional length gives it more cargo space as well as more legroom in the third row. In line with most three-row SUVs, the Grand Highlander comes with optional captain’s chairs in the second row, bringing seating capacity down from eight to seven. Even though the third row has enough legroom to accommodate adult passengers, headroom is still a slight pain point, and taller passengers may still find they’re more comfortable in the first two rows. Room for cargo is still abundant despite the ample seating space, and a variety of small item storage solutions is available, from armrest cubbies to large door pockets.

9 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

Third-Row Legroom: 33.7 Inches

The Volkswagen Atlas sets itself apart from other mid-size SUVs by offering great headroom and legroom to comfortably transport seven adults and still carry plenty of cargo. The Atlas’ wide-opening doors and abundance of headroom also make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. While the interior is generally well-equipped, with plenty of luxury features (such as heated and ventilated power front seats) as standard, the Atlas is still not without shortcomings; the number of cupholders, for example, does not match the seating capacity, with third-row passengers getting no cupholders at all. Small item storage remains quite good, with a large pocket in each door, a sizable glove compartment, and a central armrest cubby.

8 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV

Third-Row Legroom: 34.6 Inches

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class combines full-size spaciousness (for both people and cargo) and high-end luxury in a single package, with a plush interior that gives its occupants plenty of room to stretch out. While the standard configuration seats up to seven, the optional “captain’s chairs” layout in the second row reduces this to six. The third row offers enough legroom and headroom to accommodate adult passengers, and the high-quality materials (including two new leather upholstery choices) used throughout the interior ensure optimal comfort even on long journeys. The onboard tech is also geared towards keeping passengers happy, with an optional 26-speaker sound system and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot making sure everyone stays connected while on the move.

7 2024 Land Rover Range Rover

Third-Row Legroom: 35.8 Inches

The Land Rover Range Rover comes in several different body styles; while the two-row models can be configured to seat four or five passengers, the three-row variety (available with the long-wheelbase Autobiography and SE trims) seats up to seven. This version offers a large amount of room for passengers, although cargo space is smaller than competitor vehicles’. A word of warning: while legroom in the third row is comfortable enough for adults, headroom might be a little tight for taller passengers. Despite being limited, storage space is efficient and well organized, with a motorized divider available as an option to keep items from rattling around while on the move.

6 2024 Ford Expedition

Third-Row Legroom: 36.1 Inches

The Ford Expedition and its long-wheelbase sibling, the Expedition Max, offer the same amount of legroom, however the Max comes with some additional cargo space behind the third row, so if you regularly transport large amounts of cargo, the Max may be a better option for you. Creature comforts abound, with a high-quality interior and a total of 15 cupholders installed around the cabin; there are plenty of storage solutions for smaller items as well. The center armrest cubby in the front row is fairly large, and there are two more in the back rows; each door is also equipped with a large storage pocket.

5 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Third-Row Legroom: 36.6 Inches

The long-body version of the Cadillac Escalade is called the ESV and it offers even more space to store luggage and space for passengers to stretch out; this includes a roomier third row, with an extra 1.7 inches of legroom over the shorter Escalade’s. The eight-person seating capacity can be brought down to seven by choosing the optional captain’s chairs layout in the second row. Access to the third row is made easy by a button that folds the second row, making it a breeze for passengers of all ages to get in and out; all three rows are also equipped with cupholders. Cargo storage space is also abundant, with a variety of cubbies, door pockets and organizers for the whole family’s belongings.

4 2024 Jeep Wagoneer

Third-Row Legroom: 36.6 Inches

The Wagoneer, Jeep’s body-on-frame three-row SUV that arrived on the market just two years ago, offers seating for eight people in its standard configuration; second-row captain’s chairs are also available, reducing seating capacity to seven. Legroom is abundant in all three rows of seating, however shoulder space might still be a tight squeeze if three passengers are sitting in the back row at the same time. While the Wagoneer has the same third-row legroom as the Caddy above it, it scores on headroom, so we rank it a little higher. The bigger members of the Wagoneer lineup, the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer L, both have the same amount of third-row legroom as their smaller sibling; the Wagoneer L’s longer wheelbase results in some extra cargo space, rather than passenger space.

3 2024 GMC Yukon XL & 2025 Chevrolet Suburban

Third-Row Legroom: 36.7 Inches

The Chevrolet Suburban and its GMC-badged twin, the GMC Yukon XL, share the same dimensions when it comes to passenger and luggage space. Seating capacity is high, accommodating nine people over the three rows (or eight if you prefer), however cargo space is not compromised, making the Suburban and Yukon XL a good choice for the largest families. The higher trim levels also unlock more advanced storage options, such as a sliding box that can be moved from the center console to the rear rows, and a smaller hidden drawer. If you’re torn between these two near-identical models, keep in mind the Yukon XL offers a slightly plusher interior than its Chevy cousin, ideal for customers who place comfort at the very top of the priority list.

2 2024 Lexus GX

Third-Row Legroom: 37.9 Inches

Lexus’ GX SUV has received a substantial refresh for 2024, after its previous generation had spent 12 years on the market with minimal updates. The new model does come with an increase in total space available, however the additional legroom comes at the expense of cargo space, which isn’t great when all three rows of seats are being used. That being said, if your focus is on transporting people in comfort rather than hauling large amounts of luggage, the GX still remains a good choice; passenger-friendly features abound, including a total of 12 cupholders dotted around the cabin and several storage options such as door pockets and armrest cubbies.

1 2025 Lincoln Navigator and Navigator L

Third-Row Legroom: 43.5 Inches

*Manufacturer claimed ‘maximum’ legroom

The Lincoln Navigator was one of the very first full-size, body-on-frame SUVs to go on sale in the US. Unlike the Escalade, which arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, the Navigator has the same amount of seating space in both the regular- and long-wheelbase versions. Unlike in most three-row SUVs, in the Navigator, the second-row captain’s chairs are the standard layout, giving the vehicle a default seating capacity of seven; the bench seating, which bumps it up to eight, has to be selected as an option. While cargo space isn’t quite as good as the Escalade’s, it’s still pretty respectable (especially in the long-wheelbase L version), and there are plenty of storage solutions dotted around the cabin, including storage bins, a lockable glovebox and a sunglasses holder.

Sources: Lincoln, Lexus, Stellantis, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Toyota, Ford, Mercedes, Land Rover, Volkswagen.