Have you ever wanted to haul more than a few passengers in your car?
Whether you have a large family or feel like moving with a couple of extra people, a car with third-row seating is the best option.
Cars with 3rd-row seating are very popular with families—not only for their extra space, comfort, and safety but also because they offer many benefits.
But here’s the interesting part: While there are countless options available on the market, we’ve filtered out ONLY the best cars with 3rd-row seating suitable for transporting extra people for you.
Cars With 3rd Row Seating
So here is the list of vehicles with space for the whole family and an extra row of seating:
1. Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a family SUV with some luxury sedan in its DNA, featuring three rows of seats and quick handling.
Since its cabin is furnished with high-end materials and many technological goods, it will also appeal to those with high-end and high-tech tastes.
All-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a turbocharged four-cylinder with 261 horsepower come standard.
The Q7’s maximum 7,000-pound towing capacity is unlocked by an additional 335-hp turbocharged V-6, which is an additional option.
Also, the cabin is a special space with its modern, minimalist design combined with tons of technology, superb comfort, and high build quality.
Gorgeous materials and design, a clever control arrangement, and cozy seats with plenty of support and adjustment highlight the Q7’s interior.
The numerous expensive amenities in premium variants can become extremely abundant at higher trim levels. Premium versions are smartly equipped.
When Audi’s seats are occupied, the cargo area needs to be improved, as with most three-row vehicles.
However, the middle row operates somewhat awkwardly, the available area is equivalent to its main competitors, and the last row can be quickly raised or lowered using power controls.
2. 2021 BMW X5
A mid-size luxury SUV is at its finest when it skillfully combines on-road driving pleasure with cutting-edge technology and an opulent interior. The 2021 BMW X5 delivers just that.
The X5 is available with three different powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid variant and a powerful twin-turbo V-8, and its handling is unmistakably agile.
Its appearance is appealing without being unduly showy, and the interior pampers passengers with high-quality materials, cozy seats, and an abundance of luxury and convenience amenities.
The X5 is a five-seater, but adults will find the first and second rows more than roomy enough.
Once inside, passengers are welcomed with a cabin adorned with premium materials, several devices charging ports, and, depending on the choices selected, a wide range of luxury features.
A power-adjustable steering column, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a motorized rear liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and programmable ambient lighting are available in the BMW X5.
On top of that, X5 may simulate a high-end luxury vehicle with heated front armrests and the steering wheel, remote start, soft-close doors, soundproof glass, and massaging seats.
3. 2021 Cadillac XT6
The 2021 Cadillac XT6 successfully hides its low-end origins with an impressively posh design and a long list of available features.
There are two engines available—a turbocharged four-cylinder and a V-6—and a Sport variant with a torque-vectoring rear differential.
Both seven- and eight-seat configurations are available for the Cadillac, with either two captain’s chairs or a three-seat bench in the second row. A third row that can accommodate three people is standard on every XT6.
They need to improve when comparing the XT6’s interior amenities to those of the Audi Q7 or BMW X5. There needs to be more capacity for three carry-on bags in the cargo area.
Moreover, the last two rows can be lowered, creating enough space for 31 suitcases.
When the seats are folded down, the Q7 can only fit 25 cases behind its third row, making the XT6 a better option if you frequently need to move large and heavy stuff.
4. 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Despite being overused, the term “latest and best” fits the brand-new Chevy Tahoe. The three-row SUV is the scaled-down counterpart of the similarly new Chevy Suburban and features a fresh exterior and modern interior.
The third row and cargo compartment of the 2021 Tahoe have expanded in addition to its exterior. It has a roomier interior, two dependable V-8 engines, and a torque diesel engine.
Compared to the previous model, the inside of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe feels like it has more space than acres.
The third row’s formerly limited space has gained around 10 inches, and the second row’s seats can now move fore and aft for much-needed flexibility. Adults may now sit in the far back with comfort.
Thanks to its innovative construction and independent rear suspension, the Tahoe’s better interior packing also offers a lower and flatter load floor. The cargo capacity expands to 123 cubic feet when the second and third seats are folded.
5. 2021Cadillac Escalade
This version of the Cadillac Escalade is far superior to the first in terms of luxury, elegance, and technology.
The Escalade of 2021 raises the bar for in-cabin luxury. The base Luxury trim uses faux leather, but all additional trims utilize genuine leather, with Platinum versions receiving supple semi-aniline hides.
An upscale look is provided by the dash and door panels being upholstered in leather, the speaker grilles being made of metal, and the adjustable ambient lighting.
A normal and long-wheelbase variant is available, similar to the previous generation, with the latter providing extra storage capacity and legroom for third-row passengers.
6. 2020 GMC Acadia
The 2020 Acadia targets families that want a little luxury with an affordable price tag. It has space for seven passengers, a striking, squarish look, and a new, off-road-inspired variant.
Those who usually require three rows of seats would be better suited with something larger, as it can only come up with the build quality or performance attributes of competitors like the Mazda CX-9.
However, the Acadia boasts a sleek, beautiful interior with lots of storage space and considerate features like a hands-free liftgate and second-row seats that move and tilt forward to access the third row easier.
Although it’s not the crossover we’d pick for our driveway, we won’t be terrified if you do.
The Acadia’s small appearance may make it easier to squeeze it into garages and parking spots, but it impacts the interior’s size.
Most controls are simple to use and easily accessible for the driver, and the interior design is attractive to the eye.
7. 2020 Kia Sedona
The 2020 Kia Sedona is a success at fusing the functionality of a minivan with the crossover’s fashion sense.
Despite being the only Kia with sliding doors, it avoids the terrible soccer-mom stigma thanks to its fashionable exterior. The Sedona’s value offer, which undercuts more well-known rivals with comparable capabilities, is even more fascinating.
However, it needs the creative alternatives and adaptability of those same competitors.
Nevertheless, the Kia boasts a large interior, a comfortable ride, and various driver-assistance features.
Family-friendly amenities are available in the large cabin of the 2020 Sedona.
Luxury-conscious purchasers should aim for the top-spec SX, which can be configured to look and feel like a private aircraft with reclining captain’s seats installed in place of the second-row bench seat.
Passengers in the first and second rows will have plenty of room to spread out; little children in the third row won’t have any trouble, but big kids could feel the squeeze.
8. Ford Explorer
Ford hopes its Explorer will end up in your driveway if you’re looking for a vehicle with third-row seating.
It has plenty of space for transporting cargo and is outfitted with many of the connectivity and safety features on most buyers’ wish lists.
An all-wheel drive is an option, but the base and XLT models come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.
The Explorer’s cabin is functional and comfortable, at least for those in the front two rows, despite the interior design’s possible lack of inspiration.
With the help of a new mechanism that slides the second-row seat aside with the push of a button, accessing the standard third row is now simpler.
9. 2021 Nissan Armada
The 2021 Nissan Armada wants to remain competitive against other large three-row SUVs with a new look and improved features. Due to its unmatched appeal, the updated mug and a few other style elements together rule the market.
The Armada’s completely independent suspension offers a comfortable ride, and its basic V-8 has a little more power than before.
A comfortable and roomy interior complements the Armada’s elegant exterior. Most materials are appealing and soft, and the cabin is well-isolated from outside sounds.
The Armada features three rows of seating and has a maximum capacity of eight passengers; however, with the optional second-row captain’s chairs, that number drops to seven.
Additionally, buttons may be used to alter the power-folding third row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Cars With Third Row Seating So Popular?
Cars with third-row seating are popular partly because of their adaptability and luggage capacity.
These cars often have two rows of seating, making them ideal for commuters or small families who require a little more space than a sedan or hatchback can offer.
With a wide variety of sizes available, including compact and full-size models, many of them provide even more inside space, making it simple for small and large families to pick the car that is the ideal size for them.
Cars with 3d row seating have relatively high ground clearance, making it easy for drivers and passengers to enter.
In A Car Accident, Which Seat Is The Safest?
The center seat ultimately proves to be the most secure due to the outside seats’ proximity to the predicted point of contact in a side-impact incident.
The person sitting in the middle of the back seat is, therefore, farthest from the “crumple zone” of an accident.
All kids under 13 are advised to sit in the backseat, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Experts warn that the data is only reliable if a seatbelt restrains the passenger in the back middle seat. Younger children, of course, must always travel in a suitable child car seat.
What Makes Cars With Third Row Seating Unique?
Cars with third-row seating allow their owners freedom when moving passengers and goods.
This is what makes them different from other vehicles.
Cars with 3rd-row seating have a body-on-frame construction. That indicates that the body and frame are constructed independently and brought together during production.
These truck-based vehicles can tow heavier payloads and are typically more durable.
How Safe Is The Third Row?
The safety of vehicles equipped with third-row seats from the manufacturer is quite good.
Third-row seats, like all other seats, undergo rigorous safety testing to ensure that there is no increased risk of harm for those in the third row if all occupants are buckled up and correctly positioned.
Conclusion
When determining what kind of car is good for you and your family, consider your necessities and comfort.
If you need more space in your car, you’ll choose a car with third-row seating, which is ideal.
They are often regarded as having poor gas mileage and more challenging parking.
However, the fact that they offer a perfect service for both goods and people makes them cherished by families.
FINALLY, these cars are not only safe to drive but also pleasurable and useful for a range of purposes.