If you regularly find yourself in need of space for transporting people or objects, a vehicle with third-row seating is the optimal option. Many used family vehicles, particularly sport utility vehicles, offer this vital feature. The following six SUVs are among the best family vehicles that sport third-row seats for your convenience.
2016 Ford Explorer
In the years since 2013, the Ford Explorer received a thorough makeover for its release each year. Ever since, the Ford Explorer has boasted a setup more like a car’s with standard front-wheel drive and an available all-wheel drive. The resulting cruiser offers comfort combined with decent off-road ability with all-wheel drive. The 2016 model got yet another face-lift, with revised styling and an engine that is more powerful in its larger, turbocharged four cylinders.
The 2016 model further was updated with new controls for audio and climate and a hands-free liftgate. The infotainment system may take some time getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it will be smooth going. You can grow accustomed to it while experiencing the SUV’s smooth, comfortable ride.
Numbers-wise, the 2016 Ford Explorer seats seven and offers 16-19 miles per gallon in city driving and 22-28 miles per gallon on the highway. With 280-365 horsepower, this cruiser gets you to your destination with power and comfort, boasting a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,000 pounds. It can go from 0 to 60 in just six seconds flat.
The 2016 Ford Explorer, in short, gives drivers a vehicle with plenty of get up and go, good gas mileage, and comfort.
2015 Chevrolet Traverse
Ranking near the upper end of the midsize class of SUVs, the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse offers plenty of seating and cargo space with a smooth, soft ride. Its reliability rating is high as are its safety scores. The handsome cabin offers eyes-free Siri, which is new for the 2015 model.
The engine is a 3.3-liter V-6, and it has a six-speed automatic transmission. Its 281 horsepower does not make it the most powerful SUV on the market, but its comfort and safety counterbalance this, making it easy to overlook. It takes 7.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour. As for gas mileage, it gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway.
The 2015 Chevrolet Traverse rewards riders with reliability and a comfortable ride.
2017 Kia Sorento
U.S. News & World Report ranks the 2017 Kia Sorento as one of its highest rated midsized SUVs, a vehicle that combines an impressive cabin of high quality with outstanding safety. Users find the infotainment system simple to learn; this includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as new for the year’s model. Also new in 2017’s Kia Sorento are safety features that include automatic emergency braking and adaptive headlights. The standard engine may lack power for some, but a potent V-6 engine is available, and the 2017 Kia Sorento boasts stable handling regardless.
With seating up to seven, this midsized SUV can get everyone where they need to go and efficiently with gas mileage of 17-21 miles per gallon in city driving and a generous 23-28 miles per gallon for highway driving. All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive are both available as a drivetrain with an engine that has 185-290 horsepower. The 2017 Kia Sorento goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.2 seconds. The transmission is a six-speed automatic; it also has a manual shifting mode.
The 2017 Kia Sorento is a midsized moderate user of gas with exceptional safety features.
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe
While one of the older models to make the short list of family vehicles with third-row seating, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe does not lack for positive qualities to make it a strong contender. Its upscale cabin was ahead of its time, and its reliability rating is above average. With a powerful V-8 engine and good fuel economy for its size, as well as easy maneuverability, this model of Tahoe did not need new major changes for the year to elevate it among its competitors.
The 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe seats up to nine people. The drivetrain options are rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with an engine boasting 320 horsepower. An engine this strong with a heavy, sturdy vehicle does make for less-efficient gas mileage, but it is still rated well for its size at 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. This large SUV can get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
In short, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe easily keeps up with modern competition.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
With a quiet, upscale cabin and an infotainment system that is intuitive and easy to learn, Hyundai’s 2016 Santa Fe is user-friendly and boasts a high-end interior. Choose between two or three rows of seats in this midsized SUV. The third-row model has been found to have a slightly rougher ride and less room for cargo than its second-row option; however, the turbocharged engine has pep to get you where you need to go.
Above all, the Hyundai Santa Fe 2016 model excels in affordability. It offers horsepower that ranges between 190-290 with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. While carrying from five to seven passengers, it gets 18-20 miles per gallon in the city and 24-27 miles per gallon on the highways. It takes 8.6 seconds to get this midrange SUV from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
You will enjoy the ride and features of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe.
2015 Buick Enclave
The 2015 Buick Enclave has a slew of positive qualities. It proffers a smooth ride in roomy seating, with plenty of cargo space to fill up with groceries and other supplies, a solid list of features, and great scores across the board for safety. Its fuel economy is about average, but for a car this size with this kind of power, that is to be expected.
Seating up to eight, this vehicle with its 288-horsepower engine and a drivetrain option of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive gets from 16-17 miles per gallon in the city and from 22-24 miles per gallon when traveling on highways. It is safe and reliable, and it’s listed among the most affordable midsized sports utility vehicles of its year. The six-speed automatic powertrain carries it from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds.
To sum up, the 2015 Buick Enclave is luxurious and with a quiet cabin and plenty of space for passengers and their gear.
These six sport utility vehicles all offer safety for your family trips and great price tags for your family’s budget. Their third-row seating means you can deliver everyone to their chosen destinations in style and comfort. Some are quieter inside than others, some have more power than others, but each has been vetted for its family-friendliness and cost efficiency. Modern bells and whistles such as cameras for reversing and individual climate control vary by model. All the vehicles on this list boast space and safety for you to try out at your leisure.
