Best 3 Row Suv For Car Seats – The most important things we carry in our cars are our children and their car seats. For many families – especially larger ones – a three-wheel SUV is a natural choice: most offer a nice mix of cargo space, passenger space, creature comforts and safety features. They have a lifestyle advantage over the average sedan, but how well they accommodate the seats for child safety.
We conduct car seat tests to find out which of the most popular cars in the segment offer the best seat retention. Here are their rankings:
Best 3 Row Suv For Car Seats
VW’s latest and greatest SUV scored so well in our car seat test that it made our annual honor roll. The Atlas gets straight thanks to easy-to-reach cutout anchors and roomy second and third rows. Bonus: it easily fits three car seats in the second row.
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Redesigned for 2017, the now-shrunk, midsize Acadia still wins big for child safety by making the most of second- and third-row legroom. Although it can only seat two, we tested the three-row Acadia Denali with second-row captain’s chairs.
Big and bulky, the Dodge Durango is a bit of a throwback SUV, but it’s great when towing kids and a boat or RV. The Durango’s second-row seats easily accommodated rear car seats in our testing, but the partially closed third-row anchor lost points.
Honda’s largest SUV holds all three rows of seats well, and with the seats up, the Pilot’s wide, flat second row has enough room for three cars. Although it gets high marks for its roominess, ease of cutting and an extra set of third-row anchors, we deduct points for its flexible second- and third-row buckles, which make it difficult for kids to buckle up on their own.
With its capable power, spacious interior, and rugged exterior, the Ford Explorer SUV is a hit with many families looking for a third row and, when properly equipped, can tow boats or RVs. In our car seat review, we tested the seven-seat 2017 Explorer XLT.
Honda Third Row Suv
Redesigned for 2016, the CKS-9 is far ahead of its predecessors in terms of car seats. It has a tilt-and-slide second row that allows parents to make way for the third row even when a forward-facing car seat is installed. However, he lost some points for his second row fasteners.
Car seats of all sizes fit the Santa Fe SUV, but what holds it back are the second- and third-row seat belt buckles. The straps sink into the bottom cushion of the seat, making it difficult for children in booster seats to buckle up on their own.
For families on a budget looking for three rows of seats, the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV may be appealing. When it comes to child safety seats, the seven-passenger Outlander does well until you get to the third row. It lost points for heavily used second-row upper anchors and buried third-row roll bars. There are also rear-facing single car seat booster seats, as the third row has no straps or anchors.
The updated 2017 Pathfinder made it easier to fit our trio of child safety seats, but it gets the same car seat penalty as the Santa Fe and Kia Sorento SUVs: second and third row rollaways.
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While Chevrolet’s redesigned People Engine has a roomy second row with available bolsters, the 2018 Traverse loses points for the third row. The fixed headrest prevented the forward-facing convertibles from fitting; We have the same problem with our third row booster seat. Also, the third-row disc brakes are not very suitable for children.
Like its Santa Fe cousin, the Sorento SUV suffers from belt wear, which lowers the overall performance of the car seat. And it takes a bit of muscle to connect the lower second-row anchors, but our car seats fit just right. Finally, the third row lacks a top tether, meaning forward-facing car seats cannot be safely installed there.
At the bottom of the list is Toyota’s Highlander SUV, which scored only half of our winner. It lost points for flexible harnesses in the second- and third-row seats, as well as the poor placement of the forward-facing third-row convertible. Since there are no lower anchors in the third row, we used the seat belt to install the car seat and had to put it in the middle because that’s where the only upper anchor is. The seat belt comes down from the ceiling, blocking the driver’s view when in use.
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The Best Three Row Suvs With Captain’s Seats
2023 Toyota Prius Prime Expert Review: Sure, sporty, but why? Brian Normile Road Test Edito. Three-row SUVs share the ability to get you and yours moving, but which third row is best for different buyers may differ. There are enough options on the market, each with its own quality and capabilities, each segment and size has its own star. Let’s take a look at the top-of-the-line SUVs with a third row.
The three-wheel midsize SUV class leader is getting better as the 2023 Kia Telluride gets some notable updates. Before the 2023 update, one of the Telluride’s few shortcomings was the infotainment system, which now runs on two 12.3-inch screens under a single curved glass panel. The new infotainment system is fast and responsive, making CarPlay and Android Auto even more useful. Other updates to this already comfortable and spacious, top-rated SUV include better driving aids and more powerful equipment options. It’s hard to fault the best-in-class, but this SUV’s third-row back row is a bit small.
If size is a priority in your search for SUVs with third-row seating, the 2023 Ford Expedition is worth a look. It’s a three-row SUV with amazing terrain, not to mention a generous amount of interior space for people and packages, and a roomy third row. Some in the full-size category have larger interiors, but this truck feels much smaller. All rows have USB ports, vents and cup holders, and the available BlueCruise silent drive technology makes long-distance cruising even easier.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid represents a well-trodden path for families who need high-performance, ruggedly reliable mobility. This three-wheeled SUV’s hybrid powertrain allows it to travel huge distances on a single tank of gas and go on weeks-long family road trips without ever hitting a gas station. While the Highlander lacks spectacular highway acceleration, its power isn’t quite enough around town.
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Although there are few electric SUVs with a third-row seat these days, the Rivian R1S 2023 has a lot going for it. Unique looks and unusual mid-size make this three-wheeled SUV stand out, but its excellent performance on and off-road marks the R1S as unrivaled in the segment. In addition to the powerful charm of 908 lb-ft of torque, the R1S has high-quality practicality and an elegant minimalist interior. Rounding out all the positives are annoyances like the sometimes clunky driver assistance systems and redundant digital control scheme.
America’s three-wheeled luxury SUV takes a step forward with the moderately powerful but radically powerful 2023 Lincoln Aviator. Even among the best SUVs with third-row seating, the 2023 Aviator offers an impressively modern interior and trim that will suit a variety of buyers. Among the options is the Grand Touring Hybrid, which has the 400 hp of the non-hybrid model. The Turbo has more power and torque than the V-6 model. The third row of the flyer is smaller and may be difficult to get into as ideal, but it should be fine for kids. This modern American luxury yacht was built primarily to offer incredible speed and superb comfort.
Oversized luxury for the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoner. This three-row SUV has the roomiest third row, and with more than 36 inches of legroom, it’s one of the few where adults can fit confidently and comfortably. fits. There are some downsides to this old-school grandeur