Imagine the feeling of reducing the cost of fuel while you move with extra passengers.
It doesn’t matter what kind of car you need; this often starts with good gas mileage.
A car with a high fuel economy rating will cost you a lot of money, but if you find the right car with 3rd row seating and good gas mileage, you’ll be happy moving with a couple of extra people.
There are many options out there, but we’ve listed the best. Our list of cars shows that you don’t need to spend less at the pump to drive comfortably.
Cars With 3rd Row Seating And Good Gas Mileage
1. Nissan Pathfinder
The family will enjoy a roomy interior with seating for up to eight individuals in the midsize Nissan Pathfinder‘s smooth style.
The inside is finished with high-quality materials and has an intuitive infotainment system. A comprehensive complement of entertainment and safety amenities is included, as it befits a family car.
A 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque powers the Pathfinder.
Front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission are standard, with all-wheel drive being an option.
The all-wheel-drive version gets better gas mileage than the front-wheel-drive version (21/26 mpg city/highway), which is unusual for SUVs.
2. Chevrolet Suburban
One might wonder how one of the largest three-row cars on the road ended up on a list of the vehicles that use the least fuel.
That is due to the Chevrolet Suburban‘s 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine, which can achieve 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
With a powerful 460 pound-feet of torque and 277 horsepower, the engine is little but mighty.
Otherwise, the Suburban’s V8 engines pack a powerful punch but could be more economical.
With a rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive system, the base 5.3-liter V8 generates 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque while getting 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the interstate.
Also, with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 is the line’s engine of choice. It gets 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway when equipped with four-wheel drive.
3. Cadillac XT6
A three-row midsize luxury SUV with plenty of interior space and ample storage space, at least when the rear seatbacks are folded, is the Cadillac XT6.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert have been added to the XT6’s extensive list of cutting-edge safety features.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base engine with adequate outputs of 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque serves as the base engine.
With this engine, the XT6 gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, but it needs premium gasoline. The 3.6-liter V6 that is optional is more potent, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.
With rear-wheel drive, it is capable of 26 mpg on the interstate and 19 mpg in the city, but it can also run on conventional fuel. When equipped with all-wheel drive, both vehicles lose one mpg. Every model has a nine-speed automatic transmission.
4. Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade, the XT6’s larger truck-based sibling, has long been the king of bling, pushing the boundaries of luxury SUV design and execution, especially when it comes to its opulent interior.
The Escalade’s optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine and rear-wheel drive deliver good fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate.
The engine also generates 460 pound-feet of torque and 277 horsepower. Four-wheel drive reduces fuel efficiency by one mpg.
The Escalade comes standard with a powerful V8, just like the Suburban. With a 6.2-liter V8 engine with ratings of 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, it has 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
5. GMC Yukon
The GMC Yukon has a nice structure but differing interior and exterior styles. At the top of the line are the upscale Denali trim and the longer Yukon XL option.
The 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine gives the full-size SUV from GMC, like the variants from other GM brands, the best fuel economy (21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway).
A 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque comes standard on the basic model, and it is predicted to get 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.
420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque are produced by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that is optional and offers 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.
Rear-wheel drive is the default setting, with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive available.
6. Ford Explorer
Although it may not be as luxurious or roomy as some competitors, the midsize Ford Explorer delivers a selection of powerful engines, engaging handling, and a wealth of standard equipment.
The 2.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine, which delivers 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provides the vehicle with the best fuel economy.
With this setup, it gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the interstate, while it gets slightly less in the city when equipped with four-wheel drive.
The Explorer is rated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque and 18/24 mpg city and highway with four-wheel drive.
An automatic transmission with ten speeds is mated to both engines.
7. Chevrolet Tahoe
Due to its shorter length than the Suburban, the Chevrolet Tahoe must make do with less cargo and third-row seat capacity. It is the GMC Yukon’s counterpart but has unique styling cues and trimmings.
Like GM’s other large SUVs, the Tahoe’s optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine offers the best fuel economy, with ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic as standard.
Like the Yukon, the Tahoe has a 355-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 engine as standard equipment.
The Tahoe’s fuel economy ratings with this engine are 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. There is also a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, but it has even worse fuel economy—only 15/20 mpg city/highway.
8. Lexus RX 350L
The 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and three electric motors in the Lexus RX Hybrid combine to produce 308 horsepower, and the vehicle achieves impressive fuel economy of 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the interstate.
That energy is sent to all four wheels by the continuously variable transmission of the hybrid powertrain.
The RX Hybrid is available in two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter offering accommodations for six, although the two back rows are somewhat claustrophobic.
Inside, it’s tastefully decorated with premium materials utilized throughout, and the infotainment system is user-friendly with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. As standard equipment, many driver assistance functions are offered.
9. 2022 Toyota Highlander
Despite being more expensive than normal, the midsize Toyota Highlander is one of the more popular options in its class.
The Highlander has a traditional exterior and interior design and has a second row that slides and reclines for enhanced comfort. It can accommodate seven or eight passengers, depending on the seating arrangement.
It has a 295-horsepower V6 engine and an eight-speed automated transmission that shifts smoothly.
A wide range of driver-aid systems and front-wheel drive are included as standard equipment. All-wheel drive can be chosen.
As a midsize SUV with a V6, the base powertrain achieves good fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, but it falls short of certain other models’ four-cylinder engines’ efficiency.
With all-wheel drive, the Highlander’s fuel economy drops slightly to an EPA-estimated 20/27 mpg city/highway.
10. 2022 GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a roomy and cozy midsize crossover that shares similarities with the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. Still, it also has brand-specific styling both inside and out.
Most Acadias have three rows of seats, but the most recent AT4 trim replaces the backmost seat with better off-road capabilities.
The Acadia’s standard setup, which combines a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, yields the best fuel economy (22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway).
This engine and all-wheel drive achieve 22/27 mpg in the city and on the highway.
Although it consumes a little more gasoline than the turbo-four, the 310-horsepower V6 engine is a sportier option, reducing fuel efficiency to 19/27 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 19/26 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Cars With Third Row Seating Unique?
Third-row vehicles give their owners more flexibility when transporting people and goods. They differ from other vehicles because of this.
Cars with third-row seating have a body-on-frame construction. That implies that the body and frame are built individually and brought together during production.
These truck-based vehicles often last longer and can haul greater cargo.
Why Are Third Row Cars So Popular Among Families?
The versatility and cargo space of cars with the third row are why they are so well-liked.
Commuters or small families that need more space than a sedan or hatchback go after these cars, which frequently include two rows of seating, to be a perfect choice.
Many of these vehicles offer even more interior space, and many different sizes are available, including compact and full-size versions. This makes it easier for small and large families to choose the one that is the right size for them.
They feature a good deal of ground clearance, making getting in and out simple for drivers and passengers.
What Wastes The Most Gas In A Car?
Nothing is more annoying than a car that starts to get poor gas mileage.
You immediately understand that it indicates that your car or truck isn’t operating at its best. You’re also losing money as a result!
One of the most common ways to waste gas is to speed; it isn’t surprising.
Speeding causes your car to work more than expected, which uses more petrol, and the faster you go, the more gas you’ll use.
Our commercial gasoline card provider advises traveling at a pace of 55 to 60 mph for optimum MPG efficiency.
Does Weather Affect Your MPG?
Many car enthusiasts get contradictory answers on this subject.
Here’s a secret!
Winter driving conditions and cold temperatures may dramatically affect fuel efficiency. According to fuel economy tests, a conventional gasoline car’s city driving gas mileage is about 15% lower at 20 °F than it would be at 77°F.
For 3–4-mile travels, it can fall by as much as 24%.
Conclusion
A poor gas mileage car is the last thing I want on a road trip.
A lot of buyers put performance at the top of their priority list when buying a car.
However, a comfortable car with a third-row seat and good gas mileage is the best way to ride the miles.
It’s important for those of us who drive a lot to know how much your vehicle costs you every time you drive.
And there you have it; with these cars, you should have a better idea of the car you’re looking to buy.