Top 3-Row SUVs For Families In 2023

The format of the classic family car has changed dramatically over the years, with a number of different styles holding the top spot throughout the last 60 years or so. From the 1960s through to the ’90s, the sedan reigned supreme, in the ’90s and into the 2000s, the minivan took over, but in recent times, there has only been one body style for the family – the SUV.

In the last decade or so, manufacturers have clambered all over each other vying for supremacy in the SUV market and consumers have a vast number of options to choose from, but when it comes to 3 row SUVs, you could be forgiven for thinking that the options are a bit more limited. Well, we’re here to tell you that is not the case, and there are plenty of fantastic 7-seater SUVs out there for all circumstances. From the 2023 Rivian R1S, to the Volkswagen Tiguan, here are the 10 best choices for you this year.

10 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  85 MPGe

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  10.7 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  61.8 cu.ft

The entry-level Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle, the EQB SUV is the smallest EV that the manufacturer offers right now, but the car, based on the GLB, does have an optional third row of seats and plenty of room to make it a great family SUV. The EQB SUV retains the manufacturer’s patented quality inside, and with 10.7 cu.ft of cargo space with all the seats up, it is large enough to be practical, too.

The range of options starts with the front-drive EQB 250+, which has a range of around 245 miles, and continues all the way up to the all-wheel-drive EQB 350, which is capable of around 221 miles, and all cars are equipped with DC 100 kilowatt fast charging capability, taking the car from 10 – 80% in just over 30 minutes.

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9 2023 Tesla Model Y

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  122 MPGe

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  12.8 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  67.1 + 4.9 cu.ft

Tesla’s continued success is buoyed by their understanding of what consumers want, and the Model Y is a testament to that, showcasing a vast array of popular specifications and features and becoming the best-selling car in Europe in 2023. Unlike the vast majority of manufacturers, Tesla dropped their prices for 2023, and the entry-level Model Y starts at a shade under $50,000; this is a car that can do around 280 miles on a full charge and 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

There are of course other, more expensive options, including the Long Range, which can do up to 330 miles on a charge, or the Performance, which is capable of 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds — surely fast enough for a family transporter — but sadly, this is only available as a five-seater.

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8 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  26 MPG

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  12.0 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  65.3 cu.ft

Okay, so it’s a little less exciting than many of the other cars on this list, but with a starting price of just $28,245 in the U.S., the Tiguan is the most affordable three-row SUV on the market right now, and it’s pretty good, too. Even the IQ Drive package, which adds features such as lane-centering, adaptive cruise control, and other driver assists is only $895, which we think is very reasonable indeed.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and also offers plenty of space, with 12.0 cu.ft available when all the seats are up, a good amount for this compact three-row offering. Make no mistake, this is a bit of a bargain.

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7 2023 Audi Q7

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  21 MPG

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  14.2 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  69.6 cu.ft

The Q7 has been around for a little while now, but it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of midsize SUVs, such is the popularity of the format right now among manufacturers and customers alike. Nevertheless, the Q7 offers a range of positive features that should help it stand out from the crowd. The car comes with a wide range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, and going all the way up to a twin-turbocharged, 500 hp, 4.0-liter V8 on the SQ7, the sports variant of the vehicle.

You’ll be glad to know that all specifications of the car come with the option of adding a third row of seats, and this additional row has a decent amount of both headroom and legroom, so passengers won’t feel too cramped in the back. This might be the best midsize SUV in 2023, and it’s one you should consider.

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6 2023 Land Rover Defender 130

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  19 MPG

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  15.3 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  76.1 cu.ft

A real-world Tonka toy, the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 still looks as fresh as it did when the new generation was unveiled, and it’s a surprisingly good family SUV 7-seater choice, as well as the ultimate luxury explorer. If it’s three rows of seats you need, the Defender has you covered, both in the 110 and 130 iterations, with the latter offering an additional seat, bringing the total to eight overall.

In terms of power, there’s a little more variation from the 110, which is equipped with a 296-hp inline-four as standard or an optional mild-hybrid, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six boasting 395 hp. The 130 is only available with the latter engine in two states of tune; with or without the hybridization. If you’re on the market for a three-row SUV with offroad capability, this may be the best out there.

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5 2023 Rivian R1S

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  71 MPGe

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  17.7 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  88.2 + 11.1 cu.ft

Or perhaps it’s this. There’s a new pretender trying to take Land Rover’s offroad crown, and their car is fully electric. The Rivian R1S, and its pickup R1T sibling, represent the future of practical offroading, with the SUV offering three rows of seats and rugged durability in a practical, capable package. Even in its least-powerful iteration, the R1S offers 600 hp, and all-wheel-drive comes as standard, though, with a starting price of $78,000, it’s fair to say the Rivian isn’t cheap.

If you are willing to spend some money, the R1S can do up to 316 miles on a single charge with its larger 135.0-kWh battery pack, and can recharge at a rate of 220 kilowatts, making it one of the fastest recharging EVs around. This is one we’d consider over the Tesla Model X.

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4 2023 Tesla Model X

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  105 MPGe

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  15.0 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  81.7 cu.ft

Speak of the devil, the 2023 Tesla Model X has proved to be one of America’s favorites from the brand, and their first SUV remains a popular choice among consumers for its mix of practicality, performance, and the brand’s wonderful supercharger network. Unlike its smaller Model Y sibling, the Model X is at the top end of the price spectrum for its sector, starting at $94,990, but it offers a whole lot for the money, and consumers seem to love it.

Those who love performance stats dig the Model X, especially in its Plaid variant, as it is a treasure trove of positivity. It produces 1,020 hp, can do 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, and has a range of up to 337 miles. In terms of performance, there’s nothing much that can touch the Tesla.

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3 2023 BMW X7

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  22 MPG

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  12.8 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  90.4 cu.ft

Okay, so BMW design is… “divisive” right now, we know, but under the skin, the X7 is, perhaps, the perfect luxury daily three-row SUV. The Beemer boasts a load of cutting-edge technology, both in the cabin and under the hood. The car’s base 40i and advanced M60i trims both get a mild-hybrid boost and inside, the latest iDrive 8, running on a 14.9-inch center display, is a joy to work with, proving itself to be intuitive and sleek.

When it comes to performance, the BMW X7 is one of the best 7 seater SUVs, and when looking at its stats, it’s easy to forget it’s a seven-seater luxury SUV. The car, in its top-of-the-line M60i trim, packs 530 hp and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

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2 2023 Chevrolet Suburban

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  24 MPG

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  41.5 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  144.7 cu.ft

When it comes to SUV 7-seaters, the Suburban helped to establish the scene, and it’s still one of the very best when it comes to transporting large numbers of people or things — this is basically a house on wheels. The Suburban is huge, boasting over 40 cu.ft of cargo space when all the seats are in place and near enough 145 cu.ft altogether.

Chevrolet clearly knows their audience when it comes to the Suburban, giving it a wide range of safety features as standard, including lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking, and making sure it’s nice and comfortable too, with optional air suspension and magnetic dampers. It’ll never be the most exciting car in the world, but the Suburban does its job well.

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1 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

• Combined Fuel Economy:
  85 MPGe

• Cargo Space (All Seats In Place):
  31 cu.ft

• Cargo Space (Max):
  74.2 cu.ft

The sleek and stylish design of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV belie its wonderful practicality and while the third row of seats isn’t the most spacious, this is an SUV with 3rd row seating. The EQS SUV shares its platform with the fantastic sedan, but gives customers the option of more cargo space and the ability to transport seven people.

Inside, the EQS SUV is undeniably both stunning and futuristic, with all the latest technologies and luxuries, and the car also excels in its performance, offering up to 536 hp in its top spec, a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds in its 580 4MATIC trim, and a range of up to 364 miles.

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Top 3-Row Family SUVs in 2023

FAQ

Q: What Is The Best Family SUV?

The best family SUV depends on one’s budget, circumstances, and requirements; for example, if you’re in need of as much space as possible, the Chevrolet Suburban may be your best bet, but if you have a bit more money to spend and space isn’t your main priority, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV offers a more refined and luxurious experience and might be the best 3 row SUV.

Q: Why Buy A 3-Row SUV?

One reason to buy a 3-row SUV is if you’re in need of a vehicle with more than 5 seats and plenty of cargo space. The 3-row SUV offers all the usability of a regular SUV, but more room for passengers.

Q: Does The Santa Fe Have A 3rd Row?

The Hyundai Santa Fe SUV comes with a 3rd row as standard and is one of the best, lower-priced options in its class.

Q: Are SUVs Good Family Cars?

SUVs are good family cars for their inherent practicality and drivability. Consumers have tended to move away from the sedan and minivan shapes in recent years with the SUV becoming the dominant option.