Best SUVs with Captain's Chairs | 2026 Ratings | CarBuzzFor seating several occupants in comfort, an SUV with captain’s chairs in the second row is a good option. These individual seats provide comparable comfort levels to the front seats, while improving access to the third row. Second-row captain’s chairs often come with superior cushioning and dedicated armrests, further improving comfort for those using them, when compared to the more traditional second-row bench seat.We’ve listed the best SUVs on the market with second-row captain’s chairs, whether this seating configuration is optional or standard. These SUVs — including luxury and non-luxury models — are rated not just on seating comfort, but also on attributes like performance, reliability, value, and safety.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Rivian R1S SUV Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowThe best SUV with captain seats, according to its BuzzScore of 9.0 out of 10, is the Rivian R1S. We can't think of a single other model among all the SUVs with bucket seats that is more well-rounded than this one. It's not cheap; the R1S has a premium price point to accommodate its premium interior quality, a diverse spread of dual, tri-, and now quad-motor setups, rugged capability, and more.On the inside, this SUV can seat up to seven occupants with a bench in the third row. The second row has 39.7 inches of headroom and 36.6 inches of legroom, while the third row gets 38.6 inches and 32.8 inches, respectively. Folding the seats down expands the cargo capacity from 17.7 cubic feet to 104.7 cubic feet behind the front row."Every R1S rides on independent air suspension with adaptive dampers and automatic ride-height leveling. Reviews of the pre-facelift R1S criticized it for a hard ride, which has been addressed with this new model. The suspension rides smoothly over bumps, especially in Soft Mode, but we found this setting to allow too much body motion on certain highways."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Lincoln Navigator Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowFor the best luxury SUV with captain's chair configurations, consider the Lincoln Navigator. This full-size three-row American SUV is built on the same platform as the Ford Excursion, so buyers can feel even more comfortable inside while towing up to 8,700 pounds. It's powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 440 horsepower to effortlessly carry up to eight passengers.The model's standard arrangement, though, is second-row heated captain's chairs. Second-row ventilated seats are optional, as is a second-row screen to control the climate control, ambient lighting, seat heating and ventilation, available active motion massage, and more. The Navigator, in both standard and extended forms, gives the second row 37.9 inches of headroom and 42 inches of headroom. Maximum cargo space varies from 107 cu. ft. to 121.6 cu. ft. behind the front row. Lexus TX Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowThe Lexus TX is one of the brand's most luxurious models, but it's also surprisingly capable off the pavement. At a glance, most people wouldn't suspect this smooth, somewhat elegant three-row SUV to perform as well as it does. Powering the model is your choice of gas-only, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid powertrains. That all helps the TX reach the upper ranks of our list, but that's beside the point; this Lexus seats up to seven occupants, with higher trims only having room for six. Those in the second-row captain's chairs have 38.5 inches of headroom and 39.5 inches of legroom with the model's gas-only powertrain. Cargo capacity reaches 97 cubic feet behind the front row."As for passengers, the TX 350's second row offers seating for three across a bench or two in captain's chairs. All hybrid models come with captain's chairs as standard. Those passengers get a healthy 39.5 inches of legroom and available heated/ventilated seats. Even the third row is spacious with 33.5 inches of legroom."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Acura MDX Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowAnother reliable, safe, and upscale model that ranks highly among SUVs with captain seating is the Acura MDX. Every trim level from the base model to the most powerful Type S Advance is equipped with Acura's multi-functional second row with a removable middle seat that allows for better access to the third row. The base model starts at $51,800 with front-wheel drive, or $54,000 for all-wheel drive.Five out of six trims get the same 3.5L V6 found in the Honda Pilot, while the Type S gets a 3.0 turbo V6. Second-row passengers, with or without the middle seat, get 38.5 inches of legroom and 38.1 inches of headroom. Folding the second and third rows down expands the cargo space to 95 cubic feet when accounting for the space between the seats and the floor."The sports seats are pure Acura - they feel thick, supportive, and comfortable with plenty of adjustment in the Type S. The third row is cramped, but unless you're looking at a full-size SUV, that's always the case. The second row is a pleasant place to be, and with plenty of headroom and legroom for a couple of large adults."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Toyota Grand Highlander Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowThe Toyota Grand Highlander aims for simple functionality for a family-sized three-row SUV. It faces tough competition from the likes of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, so the brand equips the Grand Highlander with plenty of comfort features for all three rows. There are four gas-only trims and six hybrid options, with the cheapest gas model starting at $41,660 before destination.When equipped properly, the second row can have bucket seats instead of a bench, which reduces the seating capacity from eight to seven occupants; either way, the second row gets 38.5 inches of headroom and 39.5 inches of legroom. When the second and third rows are folded down, the model can hold up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo."...the Grand Highlander excels with the most combined legroom of any midsize crossover in its class. With 41.7 inches up front, 39.5 inches in the middle, and 33.5 inches in the back, not even the massive Traverse can compete with the Grand Highlander's leg space. Put in less numeric terms, you can fit grown adults in all three rows comfortably."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowOne of the most luxurious SUVs with captain seats on our list is the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV, which earns an 8.5 out of 10 on the BuzzScore scale. The GLS-Class is available as the 450 4Matic and 580 4Matic, which start at $90,250 and $116,150, respectively, or the AMG GLS 63, for $151,050 before options and destination.Every version has seven seats as the standard configuration, with six seats being optional. No matter what, the second row is always equipped with plush second-row captain's chairs. That row gets 40.2 inches of headroom and 41.9 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity maxes out at 84.7 cubic feet behind the front row. We call it one of the best, since even the base model comes with standard heated and ventilated seats, energizing seat kinetics, four-zone climate control, and more. GMC Yukon Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowWe've talked a lot about luxury models on this list, but one rugged, off-road SUV with second-row bucket seats is the GMC Yukon. Technically, all but the AT4 Ultimate and Denali Ultimate can seat up to eight occupants, but when properly configured, the second row can be equipped with captain's chairs for a more comfortable adventure. The Yukon is a body-on-frame SUV with high towing capacity and available off-road trims: the AT4 and AT4 Ultimate.We particularly enjoy its brawny looks, great tech in every trim, huge amounts of interior space, and the upper trims reach Cadillac levels of luxury. Depending on the format (standard or extended), second-row passengers get 37.5–38.9 inches of headroom and 41.5–42 inches of legroom. Cargo space can be expanded from 112.9 to 144.7 cubic feet behind the front row."If you want the best combination of off-road capability and luxury in a GM full-size SUV, it can only be found in the Yukon AT4 Ultimate. It looks tougher than an Escalade, offers a nicer interior than a Tahoe, and still has all the space found in either of those two models."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Genesis GV80 Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowThe Genesis GV80 is a favorite of ours with a BuzzScore of 8.4 out of 10, since the automaker equipped it with so many comfort features at every level. It's also proving to be relatively reliable, and it has competitive pricing against other models in its class. It rivals models like the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and BMW X5. Under the hood is either a 2.5L turbo I4 or a 3.5L turbo V6 — either powertrain can be found in trims with captain's chairs. Those in the second row get a max of 38.4 inches of headroom and 38.7 inches of legroom, with cargo capacity reaching 71.7 cubic feet behind the front row. Toyota Highlander Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowThere's a Toyota Highlander variant to meet every buyer's needs, including those who want captain's chairs in the second row. The distinction between this model and the Grand Highlander that we talked about earlier is becoming fuzzy, especially when you compare the two models' prices. However, the standard Highlander is still worth considering for those who don't necessarily need the extra room of the Grand Highlander.This model earned itself an 8.4 out of 10 since it has good fuel economy for its class, a practical and comfortable interior, and generous cargo capacity. Passengers in the second row have 39.4 inches of headroom and 38.7 inches of legroom, while the max cargo capacity reaches 84.3 cubic feet."Going up the trims gets you more premium materials and seat adjustability, as well as changes in seating capacity. In standard form, the three rows will seat a maximum of eight people, while swapping the center bench seat for more comfortable captain's chairs brings it down to seven. However it's set up, though, the interior is spacious and full of useful storage options."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Audi SQ7 Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop NowLast, but not least, we have the Audi SQ7 with another 8.4 out of 10 on the BuzzScore scale. That's still a remarkable score for any model, which it earns due to its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that churns out 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, the exterior lighting that creates patterns and a light show when you walk up to it, and so much more. The SQ7 is a three-row, seven-seat SUV with captain's chairs that are far more comfortable than the third row. Second-row passengers get 38.8 inches of headroom and the same amount of legroom. Folding the back two rows brings the max cargo capacity to 68.2 cubic feet."It's way more fun behind the wheel than the regular Q7, but the Q7 already has its flaws, and our conclusion is that it should find a home with a family that only needs occasional use of the third-row. Being that busy family and then spending the extra initial cost as well as the running cost of a twin-turbo V8's fuel consumption seems, well, extravagant."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz What To Consider Before Buying An SUV With Captain's Chairs Trading out the second-row bench certainly has its advantages, but there are downsides too. Let's consider both. Pros First-rate comfort levels More space for second-row passengers Easier ingress and egress to and from the third row More storage capacity if there is a center console Cons Less overall occupant capacity Generally limited to more expensive trims or luxury models Bucket seats versus captain's chairs: Are they the same? While there might be some minor differences, captain's chairs are essentially bucket seats designed for the rear rows within a vehicle. However, SUVs with bucket seats in the back are generally slightly more luxurious. What is the best SUV with captain chairs? The highest-rated SUV with second-row captain's chairs, according to our BuzzScore methodology, is the Rivian R1S. It earns a 9.0 out of 10 due to its balance of upscale comfort in a spacious interior, and rugged capability. Are there any affordable crossovers with captain's seats? You don't have to spend over $80k to get an SUV with captain's seats. The Kia Sorento Hybrid offers this feature for under $40,000.Sources: Rivian, Lincoln, Lexus, Acura, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Genesis, Audi