3-Row SUV’s With Captain’s Chairs (2024)

Three-row SUVs are popular for families looking for comfort for trips and cargo space. Here are our picks for the best 3-Row SUVs on the market today.

Three Rows of Style

Remember how you used to need a minivan in order to get third-row seating? I remember my parents’ 1991 GMC Safari van and how my brother and I would climb into the captain’s chairs. Looking back on it, I suppose my parents knew what they were doing by getting a van for the family vehicle. After all, my brother and I could be kept apart, which meant much less fighting and bickering between us. I feel like this is what helped my parents maintain their sanity.

These days, crafty parents can accomplish the same thing without the need for a minivan. There are many SUVs on the market today that offer captain’s chairs along with third-row seating. That means second-row passengers can have their own seats without having to share a bench seat. Captain’s chairs are generally more supportive than bench seats, which also means that they are generally more comfortable.

Captain’s chairs also make it easier to access the third row without the need to slide or fold the second-row seats. In luxury vehicles, this could also mean that a second-row center console is there to offer things such as storage, USB ports, and other comforts.

There are indeed some great benefits to finding a third-row SUV with captain’s chairs, especially for parents. Let’s take a look at some great options.

Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is a full-size SUV with plenty of value. The 291 horsepower 3.8L V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission give it plenty of power to carry a load of passengers and whatever they come with. It has seating for 7 passengers with the optional captain’s chairs, and it comes in both FWD and AWD configurations.

The cavernous interior offers plenty of room for passengers in all three rows. There are plenty of USB ports located throughout the cabin, and the ride is quiet with plenty of isolation from the road.

Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that gives everyone plenty of comforts and surrounds them with plenty of luxurious materials. There are also multiple powertrains available including a 48-volt hybrid system and the even more powerful Recharge plug-in hybrid system. This mid-size SUV offers plenty of room for passengers in the first two rows. The third row is a bit small for full-size passengers, however.

For families that want the added creature comforts and luxury appointments, the Volvo XC90 sets a high standard for a luxury SUV.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L was first introduced in 2021 for families that needed more room than a standard Grand Cherokee could provide while remaining more affordable than the luxurious Grand Wagoneer. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L provides seating for up to seven people. It shares many of the same styling appointments as the standard Grand Cherokee as well as its technology.

Drivers can choose between the standard V6 engine or an optional V8 engine. There is a rear-seat entertainment system to make long road trips more bearable, and the built-in Amazon Fire TV allows videos to be streamed directly or downloaded to the vehicle’s storage system.

If keeping everyone entertained is the goal, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee L should be on your list.

Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is an extended version of the full-size Tahoe. It offers more room than the Tahoe which is great if you’re traveling with adults that have a lot of luggage. It has 23 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, which is impressive. It is powered by a 5.3L V8 that produces 355 horsepower. Other powertrain options include a 420-horsepower 6.2L V8 and a 277-horsepower turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder.

The Chevrolet Suburban offers families plenty of room, and the extra space is really nice for those who have older children or teenagers that frequently come with a lot of “accessories” (sports gear, band instruments, etc.).

Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is known for offering some powerful trims, including the 475-horsepower SRT trim. This full-size seven-seater is a known workhorse for families. Not only can it provide plenty of room on the inside, but it can also tow up to 8,700 lbs. This makes it a great vehicle for families that like to tow a camper or boat for weekend excursions.

There are several powertrain options available: the 360-horsepower 5.7L V8, the 475-horsepower 6.4L V8, or the standard 293-horsepower 3.6L V6.

Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a monstrous SUV not unlike the Chevrolet Suburban. It has a seating capacity of seven when equipped with the optional captain’s chairs, and it gives plenty of storage capacity for luggage. There are several trims available depending on your needs. The Timberline trim gives drivers more off-roading capabilities which are great for family outings in the woods. For those who prefer a sportier look, the Stealth package delivers murdered-out styling.

It also offers one of the largest infotainment screens that we’ve seen: a 15.5-inch touchscreen.

Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 is one of the best mid-size SUVs with a third row and for good reason. It is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged inline four-cylinder that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lbs.-ft. of torque. It comes standard with AWD.

This SUV is all about handling. It can be described as almost car-like with no noticeable shift in the turns. It also boasts some entertainment technology that will keep things exciting when on long road trips.

Cadillac XT6

If you’re looking for a quiet, luxurious ride from Point A to Point B, then the Cadillac XT6 should be one of the vehicles on your list. It isn’t as interesting or cushy as the Volvo XC90, but it gets the job done. It also suffers from aged technology inside the cabin, so bring your own tablet or smartphone to keep you company if you plan on spending hours in the passenger seats.

The Cadillac XT6 is powered by a 3.6L V6 producing 310 horsepower. This is plenty for most applications but look elsewhere if you want hybrid options or more power. It does “quiet comfort” very well though, and it should not be overlooked as a great third-row SUV with captain’s chairs.

GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is a mid-size SUV with captain’s chairs and a third row. The interior is the same quality as what is in the Denali, so this should tell you that you’re in for a treat. The inside is quite spacious for a mid-size SUV, and it wraps everyone in luxurious comfort. Quiet and smooth is the ride so there should be no complaining of discomfort – unless you’re an adult in the third row. Honestly, it is best for kids.

The power is created by your choice of a 228-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 310-horsepower 3.6L V6. The GMC Acadia is worth a look if you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV with a luxurious interior.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder has been around for a while now (since 1986). Now in its fifth generation, the Nissan Pathfinder is much less a rough-and-tumble off-roader and more of a family vehicle. Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine, the Nissan Pathfinder dishes out 284 horsepower and 259 lbs.-ft. of torque. It is still quite capable of going off-road, but it now does it with more class and comfort.

The second-row captain’s chairs slide to enable the third-row passengers to have some legroom. The third row is spacious enough for adults too. Get off the beaten path with a Nissan Pathfinder – and bring the family along for the ride.

Hyundai Palisade

This three-row SUV is almost a carbon copy of the popular Kia Telluride. Captain’s chairs are available for the second row instead of the standard bench seat. It is powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8L V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission in either FWD or AWD.

The third row is a bit of a squeeze for adults, but it isn’t as tight as a GMC Acadia or Volvo XC90. The interior materials are luxury-grade, and there are lots of storage areas throughout the cabin. Everyone will experience an exceptional ride – especially those in the front two rows.

For a luxury feel in a vehicle that is well below a luxury price, it might just be your next SUV.

Conclusion

The minivan has been successfully replaced (for the most part) thanks to new, spacious SUVs. They are gracing driveways where minivans once proudly sat as family vehicles. While minivans still have their place, the SUV craze is far from over. It is one of the most competitive facets of the automotive industry, and that means that more exciting features are on the way from nearly every major manufacturer.

Having enough room for family and cargo is an important selling point for manufacturers and a major buying reason for drivers. Even millennials are jumping on board and buying big SUVs by the truckload, citing that growing families and the need for functional off-roading abilities as their two main motivations.

The SUV market has yet to peak, so look forward to many new updates and upgrades from just about every automaker in the world. The competition has already heated up, and we’re ready to reap the benefits.