Best 3-Row Mid-Size SUVs of 2025

Room for the Fam

Among the many permutations of the SUV, the designation of 3-row mid-size SUV is easily the most cumbersome. Ironic, given 3-row mid-size SUVs represent a sweet spot for size and utility with respectable towing, spacious and well-appointed interiors, and a balance of refinement and ruggedness modern SUV buyers have come to expect. As popular and profitable as they are, carmakers have poured substantial efforts into making their 3-row mid-size SUVs as attractive as possible. The result? A segment overflowing with heavy hitters. All seven entrants on our Best Of list make fantastic options for your next SUV.

7. Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent takes what Subaru devotees love about the brand and supersizes it. The Ascent offers a well-equipped base model, snazzy top trims, and impressive safety scores. A 2.4L flat-four provides the Ascent with 260 horsepower and allows for up to 5,000 lbs. of towing capacity. Like most Subarus, the Ascent comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment and 8.7-inches of ground clearance. The Ascent’s cabin leans heavily toward function over form but climbing the trim ladder adds to both aesthetics and creature comforts with the top Touring trim rivaling the segment’s best interiors. One area where the Ascent gives up ground to the competition is in overall cabin space as its third row is fairly cramped and cargo maxes out at a mere 75.6 cubic feet. The Subaru Ascent starts at $38,910 and comes decently equipped at that price.

6. Ford Explorer

The long-running Ford Explorer sees significant updates for 2025 with visual refreshes inside and out. Those improvements, along with a diverse list of engine options, prove the Explorer remains a contender among 3-row mid-size SUVs. The Explorer’s base engine is a 2.3L turbo-four making 300 horsepower and netting an impressive 24 mpg combined (city and highway). For more oomph there’s an optional 3.0L twin-turbo putting out 400 horsepower. Inside, the Explorer benefits greatly from recent updates with improved material quality and additional soft touch points. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is flanked by a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter featuring a new Google-based operating system. The Explorer starts at $41,350 and rises to $57,100 for the V6-equipped ST trim. With its upgraded tech and snazzy new looks, the Ford Explorer manages to stay competitive among 3-row mid-sizers.

5. Honda Pilot

Honda’s emphasis on interior comfort and a smooth, stress-free driving experience makes the Pilot one of the best options among big-ish SUVs. The Pilot’s sole powertrain is a traditional 3.5L V6 paired with an inconspicuous 10-speed automatic. Honda has tuned the Pilot’s suspension for a good balance of comfort and control. The Pilot’s pleasant interior is exceedingly spacious for the segment, with decent legroom even into the third row and up to 87 cu.-ft. of cargo capacity. The 7- or optional 9-inch infotainment touchscreen may be small by industry standards, but the Pilot proves less conspicuous screens are aesthetically superior. Advanced tech includes an optional heads-up display and standard advanced driver’s assist features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts. The Pilot Sport starts at $41,295, slightly higher than average for the segment.

4. Hyundai Palisade

So strong is the top of the 3-row mid-size SUV segment that any of the next four contenders could resonantly top the list. That includes the Hyundai Palisade which makes a compelling case for itself based largely on a fantastic interior, next-level tech, and show-stopping styling. The Palisade is powered by a 3.8L V6 with 291 horsepower and 22 mpg combined (adding AWD cuts this number to 21 mpg). The Palisade’s powertrain and suspension are tuned to minimize the typical ponderousness of an SUV of this size. The Palisade’s cabin is its most compelling attribute with great seats (vegan or Nappa leather available), spaciousness, and impressive fit-and-finish. The Palisade’s laudable tech includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen houses an easily navigable infotainment system as well as a long list of standard advanced safety features along with options for evasive steering assistance and smart parking. The Palisade SE starts at $36,800, a good deal less than competing base models. The Hyundai Palisade sets the standard for interior quality in the class while also keeping pace with rivals on a host of other metrics.

3. Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander, with its cavernous interior, varied powertrain options, and loads of the latest tech, makes for one of the best SUVs around. The Grand Highlander provides three powertrain options. The base motor is a 2.4L turbo-four making 265 horsepower and hitting 23 mpg combined. An ultra-efficient hybrid 2.5L with 245 horsepower manages to get 34 mpg combined while the HybridMAX version offers a robust 362 horsepower and 27 mpg combined. The Grand Highland also maximizes when it comes to its interior with commodious legroom in all three rows and up to 97 cu.-ft. of total cargo capacity. Every Grand Highlander comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 that includes their Proactive Driving Assist feature. The Grand Highlander LE starts at $40,860. With its enormous cargo capacity, gas-sipping hybrids, and stellar interior, the Grand Highlander just might sneakily be the best thing Toyota is doing right now.

2. Mazda CX-90

As in other segments, the three-row mid-size Mazda CX-90 is for those shoppers who refuse to compromise drivability or high style in the name of SUV practicality. Like the Grand Highlander, the CX-90 offers three distinct powertrains. The base 3.3L turbo inline-six (with hybrid assist) offers 280 horsepower while the Turbo S version of the same setup will get you to 340 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pairs a 2.4L four-cylinder with an electric motor for 323 horsepower and up to 26 miles of electric-only driving range. Mazda’s interiors are defined by their clean, refined styling and impeccable material quality that give vehicles including the CX-90 the feel your typical luxury model. The single false note for the CX-90 is an odd mix of tech: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enable the touchscreen but outside smartphone mirroring infotainment is navigated through Mazda’s rotary dial. In keeping with the competition, Mazda equips the CX-90 with a standard suite of advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Mazda CX-90 also starts at a reasonable $37,845, proving good looks and snappy handling don’t have to be expensive.

1. Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride seamlessly blends attractive styling, sharp on-road dynamics, and supreme comfort for one of the best all-round SUVs around. The Telluride features the same powertrain as its corporate cousin, the Palisade, a 3.8L V6 making 291 horsepower. Optional all-wheel drive and up to 5,500 lbs. of towing capacity ensure the Telluride can manage typical SUV tasks even as its suspension is tuned to maximize daily driving comfort. Speaking of comfort, the Telluride’s interior rivals the Palisade for the segment’s best cabin with plentiful legroom, comfy seats (vegan or Nappa leather available), and copious cargo room. Infotainment is logical and easy to navigate, though we felt it odd that Kia only offers wired, not wireless, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Along with top safety ratings, the Telluride carries your basic assortment of advanced safety tech. The Telluride LX starts at $36,190, making it one of the most affordable base options in the segment. Drive the Kia Telluride and it becomes instantly obvious how it instantly shot to the top of the three-row mid-size SUV segment thanks to a robust powertrain, plentiful tech options, and a stellar interior that set the bar for the rest of the segment.