Small 3rd row SUV you like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for an SUV with a 3rd row also, to replace my Honda Odyssey. After 10+ years it's hard to find something that is as practical. I also want to get a car that's a bit more fun for my teenagers to ride in. Considering the Lexus TX, Volvo XC90, or a Land Rover Discovery which is my dream car even though it's not practical and very small with the 3rd row up. Any ideas?

It’s already been said, the Pilot.

[Anonymous]

https://www.cars.com/articles/how-much-is-the-2026-hyundai-santa-fe-517518/?msockid=27cc627c233d62ad06a5744f22b6630d

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toyota Highlanders are glorified minivans. The Honda Pilot is pretty lame too. Toyota 4Runner is better than both.

Completely false. Minivans are so different from Highlanders, I cannot believe this PP can be so ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need a third row, but only for kid sports carpool. So I don’t mind if it’s small and it’s okay if it takes up almost all the cargo space. Looking at a Highlander or an older Tiguan. Any others you like? I’m trying to get the most easily maneuverable car with enough seatbelts.

We rented a VW Atlas for a road trip in California and I loved the space on both second and third row. I have tested all the usual Japanese and American midsize SUVs but nothing comes close to the practicality of an Atlas. I would drop the idea of a small third row. Having heads so close to the back hatch or rear window is a death trap if you are rear ended.

[Anonymous]

We really like our Highlander. Bonus in that it’s hybrid.

[Anonymous]

2026 Acadia, Traverse or Enclave worth a look. Very big considering the. cost and mpg

[Anonymous]

We almost bought a Highlander but bought a Kia Sorento instead for $15K less and far more features. It also drives much better, the Highlander Hybrid was sooooo sluggish.


*Yes, we know you all hate KIAs, you look down on anyone who buys one, blah blah.

[Anonymous]

PP again, the small third row cars we looked at were:

Highlander
Pilot (horrible)
Sorento
Telluride
CX-90
Santa Fe


We looked exclusively at Hybrids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for an SUV with a 3rd row also, to replace my Honda Odyssey. After 10+ years it's hard to find something that is as practical. I also want to get a car that's a bit more fun for my teenagers to ride in. Considering the Lexus TX, Volvo XC90, or a Land Rover Discovery which is my dream car even though it's not practical and very small with the 3rd row up. Any ideas?

A Land Rover Discovery is not "very small" with the 3rd row up. Are you thinking of the Discovery Sport? Look at full-sized Discovery with asymmetrical design on the back. Also like the Lexus GX 550.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recommendations to replace my minivan. I'll make sure I'm looking at the full-sized Discovery. I also like the Lexus GX 550 and the TX, and the Volvo XC90.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the recommendations to replace my minivan. I'll make sure I'm looking at the full-sized Discovery. I also like the Lexus GX 550 and the TX, and the Volvo XC90.

Come back with a comparison of the 3rd row space!

[Anonymous]

My wife bought a 2023 GMC Acadia recently used as she felt perfect size. The new 2024-2025 Acadia and Traverse are too huge. Also a lot of foreign third rows are too small.

She also liked the Volkswagon Atlas as a good third row. She wanted small enough so not a boat but big enough to have a useable third row for an adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered Mazda CX9. Its a solid vehicle, have had it for almost 9 years and still love it. Definitely not lame drive like some of the others in its category. Have used the 3rd row for kids when parents visited us many times.

I loved my Mazda CX9 and just replaced it with a CX90. No mechanical problems even eith plenty of miles on it. Also best crash test ratings of the smaller 3rd row SUVs.

[Anonymous]

subaru ascent does the job. still rockin a 2021 just fine with lots of kids piled in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subaru Ascent - love ours.

Same