Go Ahead — Let the Kids Live It Up In These SUVs with Third-Row Seats
Nowadays, numerous manufacturers offer spacious, roomy, and downright luxurious cabins inside the best 7 seater SUVs. The best seat in the house isn’t reserved for just the driver anymore — and you can bet your passengers (and kids) will thank you. These top 7 seater SUVs offer some of the best amenities and legroom to make sure everybody is riding in style.
The Evolution of 7 Seater SUVs
Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, station wagons were the family-hauler of choice. Some even had rear-facing folding seats in the tailgate for a little extra room. Certainly, many memorable family road trips played out in the wagon.
But as time went on, car companies realized there was a large demand for third-row seating, especially for families with more than two kids looking to spread out. Third-row seating started as a minivan feature, but as the minivan faded from favor, the 7 seater SUV came into its own.
Ranking the Best 7 Seater SUVs
Today, you don’t have to look far to find a long list of mid-and full-size SUVs that offer third-row seating. In fact, some of the bigger SUVs can even accommodate 8 passengers (though you’ll still want to stick to short trips when fully loaded for the sake of everyone’s sanity). Many of these SUVs also have decent luggage space even with the third row occupied plus the option to fold, stow, or otherwise remove the back-row seats when you don’t need them.
And the latest models come packed with features — and not just for the one who calls shotgun. Depending on the model, your other passengers can enjoy entertainment centers, heated/ventilated seats, and almost enough personal space to stop sibling fights over who’s touching who. In fact, your family might even get excited about a road trip when you have a 7 seater SUV to drive.
Yes, these family haulers do have a few downsides. First, given their size, they aren’t exactly sporty or incredibly fun to drive. Their size can also make them difficult to park and maneuver (though with the many modern camera aids and parallel parking wizardry you at least have a fighting chance even if you aren’t a pro driver). They also tend to have worse fuel economy, though the new era of EVs seems to promise a respite for 7-seater SUVs with terrible mpg.
But at the end of the day, these 7 seater SUVs offer you the chance to take your six favorite people (or dogs) with you on all your driving adventures. If you’re going to have a third row, you might as well put it to good use.
2022 Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevy Suburban has long been the people-hauler of choice for folks looking for generous second and third-row legroom. Plus, with the 2022 model’s best-in-class max cargo volume of 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat, you have the flexibility to haul passengers or gear, depending on your use case. The monstrous LS can even seat up to 9 people when optioned with the front bench seat.
Available in six trims, you can pick the ‘Burban that will match your lifestyle. Planning to tow? Add on the max towing package for an 8,300-pound towing capacity and magnetic ride control. Taking the family camping?
Opt for the Z71 trim package for the addition of recovery hooks, skid plate, and all-terrain tires riding on 20-inch wheels. No matter where you plan to take your passengers, this ultimate 7 seater SUV is the way to go if you want maximal cargo and passenger space.
With a starting MSRP of $52,900, the 2022 Suburban sits in the middle of the price range. When optioned with the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, EPA-estimated mpg is 14 city/20 highway for the 2WD model. If you opt for the 4WD version, that mpg takes a hit, dropping to 12 city and 19 highway.
2022 Ford Expedition
Ford’s answer to the 7-seaters SUV is the Expedition which can actually be optioned to seat up to 8 people, depending on your configuration. And your third-row passengers won’t feel too left out as you even can option the Expedition with power-reclining seats (though heated and ventilated options are only available for the second row). Should you need to haul gear instead of people, the second and third rows can fold down to accommodate your cargo.
With 10 trim levels to choose from ranging from the luxurious Platinum to the off-road-ready Timberline and performance-oriented Stealth Performance Edition, the Expedition can be kitted out to fit your driving style — and your weekend expedition goals. Add on the Trailer Tow Package and you can haul up to 9,200 pounds. The base 2022 Expedition has a starting MSRP of $51,080 with an estimated mpg of 17 city and 23 highway.
2022 Genesis GV80
The 2021 GV80 was Genesis’s first attempt at an upscale SUV, and the GV80 doesn’t disappoint. For 2022, the luxury SUV is back pushing the limits of style and performance — and offering a 7 seat option.
Though you only have one choice of trim (the range-topping 3.5T V6 AWD Advanced+), the value packed into the GV80 still has it competing with the other luxury 7 seater SUVs in its class. The full leather interior features added touches like 3-zone climate control and adjustable ambient lighting.
You’re third-row passengers likely aren’t going to want to take any extended road trips, but if you only occasionally utilize the third row and want a luxury SUV that isn’t going to break the bank, the GV80 won’t have you sacrificing your driver creature comforts. With a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the GV80 isn’t a heavy hauler, though it can tow a small load if the need arises.
The Advanced+ package starts at $68,000 and the 375-hp, 3.5L V6 is good for 18 mpg city and 23 highway.
2022 Hyundai Palisade
The up-scale 7 seater 2022 Hyundai Palisade is hard to beat when it comes to carrying capacity and price. Depending on your configuration, the Palisade can haul 7 or 8 passengers (if you opt for a bench seat in the second row as opposed to captain’s chairs).
With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Palisade isn’t as much of a workhorse as some of the other SUVs capable of towing, but it still gives you some room for hauling a small or lightweight trailer in a pinch.
And Hyundai goes the extra mile to make sure your back-of-the-bus passengers get some amenities of their own too including 3rd row USB ports so everyone’s device can stay charged on that family road trip. The Palisade is available in 4 trim levels, with the range-topping Calligraphy pricing in at a still affordable $47,040
The starting MSRP for the base SE trim is a budget-friendly $33,350 and all models are equipped with a 291-hp, 3.8L V6 that gets 19 city and 26 highway.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
All-new for 2022, Jeep brings the premium 7 seater Grand Wagoneer to the market. The luxury SUV features an expansive cabin with third-row seating that will please even the pickiest passengers. The Wagoneer’s third-row seating has the most overall passenger volume in its class — a fancy way of saying you’ll hear fewer complaints about cramped legs and inadequate legroom from the rear.
Even with your back-row occupied, the Wagoneer boasts a downright spacious boot where you can actually hope to fit some cargo. Plus, the power-folding third-row bench seat neatly tucks away if you need more storage space.
The Wagoneer is offered in 4 models with the top-end Series III dishing out the most luxurious options — though the “base” Series I isn’t exactly bare-bones. Add on the towing package, and the Wagoneer is good for hauling 8,790 pounds.
Along with all of its best-in-class accolades, the Wagoneer does also have one of the heftier price tags with the Series I MSRP starting at $88,640 and the Series III sitting at $107,995
2023 Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover claims that the Discovery is the “most versatile” 7 seater SUV on the market. And with its Land Rover heritage, they might just be right. If you’ve got the money to shell out for a premium SUV with go-anywhere potential and the seating capacity to bring the whole family along, the Discovery is about as perfect a package as you can get.
The optional third-row doesn’t leave you a ton of rear cargo space, but you could easily add a roof box and call it good. Your passengers will call it good too as the Discovery is one of the few SUVs that extends heated seats to all three rows.
You can choose between the three different models with the R-Dynamic and Metropolitan Edition upping your sporting and style game, respectively. With the right options package, the Discovery can tow up to 8,200 pounds.
The base Discovery has a starting MSRP of $56,600. While EPA fuel estimates have yet to be released, the prior year’s model got a modest 19 city and 22 highway.
2022 Lexus LX 600
The new Lexus LX 600 is designed to take your passengers — all 6 of them — on or off-road in comfort. You’ll have to opt for the Premium, F Sport, or Luxury trim levels to get the third-row seating and 7 passenger-carrying capacity, but your passengers will thank you. The third-row seats can even be reclined for added comfort.
Should you need more cargo space, the third row folds flat with the touch of a button — perfect for stowing gear for any off-pavement adventures you might wish to take. The LX, for a luxury SUV, is surprisingly game to get off-road with all-time AWD and off-road features like crawl control and multi-terrain select. The LX has a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds should you find you need to hook up a trailer.
The Premium starts at $96,345 and the 7-seater Luxury tops out at $104,345. All three editions come with a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that gets an estimated 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
2022 Lincoln Navigator
If you want space, and lots of it, for your passengers, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator delivers. Opt for the L for an even longer wheelbase for added cargo space. The Lincoln can be optioned with seating for 8 though the standard 7 gives your second-row passengers a bit more personal space.
The Navigator is available in 5 different trim levels with the Black Label showcasing all of Lincoln’s luxuries on the interior. If towing a boat, camper, or toy hauler is your end game, the Navigator boasts a towing capacity of 8,100 to 8,700 depending on your drivetrain and trim package. Plus, with 36.1 inches of legroom (40.9 inches with the second-row seat fully forward), even your back-row passengers can stretch out in comfort.
The Standard model starts out at $76,710. The twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 clocks in at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the 4WD version.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder has room for 7 or 8 (depending on your configuration) and it’s not just the driver’s seat that is loaded with style, comfort, and space. The Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control offers three specific climate zones for each row — though heated seats are only available for the front and second row.
The Pathfinder is equipped for everything from easy daycare drop-offs to weekend warrior adventures. With a max towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and easy-folding seats, you can rest assured that the Pathfinder will take a family road trip or solo adventures in stride.
Affordably priced, the base Pathfinder has a starting price tag of 33,880 and gets an estimated mpg of 21 city and 27 highway which means you’ll be saving at the lot and at the pump.
2022 Toyota Sequoia
Toyota’s full-size SUV can seat 7 (or 8) with ease. Choose your configurations and finish out as both the 7 and 8 passenger versions can be optioned with either an easy-clean fabric interior or a leather trim.
Though the base Sequoia might seem a bit more utilitarian when compared to the luxury SUV options on the market, you still get Toyota’s legendary reliability. And if you have little kids, dogs, or passengers who are prone to making a mess, sometimes functional is plenty fashionable.
The Sequoia is offered in 6 different trims. Opt for a Nightshade or Platinum if you’re hankering after the more swanky interior finishes. And for off-pavement enthusiasts, the Sequoia can be had in TRD Pro trim which includes add-ons like front and rear FOX shocks with piggyback reservoirs and skid plates. And thanks to its 7,400-pound towing capacity, the Sequoia can do a solid day’s work, too, if needed.
MSRP on the base SR5 starts at $50,500. The Sequoia is estimated to get in the range of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.
The Sequoia also gets a full refresh for the 2023 model year, coming out later in 2022, which might be worth waiting for.
7 Seater SUVs: Made For Gear and People Hauling
These are just some of the many new 7 seat SUVs on the market. With so many SUVs to choose from, shopping to find one to fit your lifestyle has never been easier. And, hey, your kids will thank you, too.
Keyword: 10 Best 7 Seater SUVs of 2022