Lexus GX (2017) is what we have. Love it. Acura MDX 2022 and newer is also nice. Similar to Honda Pilot obviously.

Thought a Mazda CX-90 was a nice car until we rented one on a trip. Felt like junk, honestly. A sad surprise. Also rented a VW Atlas: everything's in the screen, tacky, overpriced, poor driver experience, what non-car-enthusiast people think a nice car is like.

Anonymous wrote:Flagging that we have a Sorento and have had a ton of trouble with it. There have/had known engine issues where the engine can freeze up and require replacing. They won't do anything for you other than sell you expensive temporary fixes until it needs replacing and then you hope that happens while under warranty. Never again for us.

Same here with Telluride. Never doing Kia again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mazda 6

Do you mean the Mazda CX-9 or Mazda CX-90? I don’t think the 6 is sold in the US and I don’t know if it ever had a third row.

I think they mean the Mazda 5, which isn’t sold anymore. We had one, but the third row was tiny. The whole car was best suited for small people and we aren’t short so we sold it and got a Sienna.

NP. I thought a minivan would be less expensive, but I didn't find that to be the reality. now that I have had a 3rd row SUV, I'm interested in another. any thoughts about the explorer or the ascent?

Flagging that we have a Sorento and have had a ton of trouble with it. There have/had known engine issues where the engine can freeze up and require replacing. They won't do anything for you other than sell you expensive temporary fixes until it needs replacing and then you hope that happens while under warranty. Never again for us.

I recently bought a 3rd row SUV for the same reason (sports carpool). I decided on the Kia Sorento and I love it.

Chevy Traverse!

I know the KIA Telluride is like THE most popular 3rd row out there right now (second to only the Highlander which Toyota is limiting), but we have a 2025 Sorento and really like it. The third row isn't meant to be up all the time, it fits a small adult or a child/teen - we had visitors this weekend and my 10 and 13 year sat in the back row and didn't complain. It helps that the 2nd row sits move forward and back so you can give the third row a little more legroom if needed.

The only thing is that the trunk space is VERY limited with the third row up - we can fit groceries or camping chairs, but couldn't fit luggage if we had six people in the car. But if you only need a third row for carpooling or when you have guests in town, love the Sorento.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. love, love, love.

Lexis TX

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mazda 6

Do you mean the Mazda CX-9 or Mazda CX-90? I don’t think the 6 is sold in the US and I don’t know if it ever had a third row.

Yes, it’s the CX-90. I bought one a month ago. 2nd row can be a bench seat that seats 3 or captains seats for 2 depending on trim level and options at that particular trim. I’m finding the hybrid engine a little funky, but that is new to me. Hard to explain, but it just feels funny sometimes a little sluggish and other times jerky. Definitely take a good long test drive. I like the styling and size though.

You'll pay a premium in price and lost space by getting an SUV as opposed to a minivan. It's not like you'll go offroading.

+1 on the Genesis.
Maybe the CX-90, but test drive it and see how you like the maneuvering.
The MDX felt like a tank to me, I hated it.
Infinti has several various sizes and configurations of SUVs, maybe worth a look.

Anonymous wrote:I have one of the new (>24) Santa Fe hybrids. Love basically everything about it. 3rd row is great for kids or short trips for adults, most of the time I have it down for cargo.

I’m currently shopping for a third row SUV. I’ve never had a SUV before (sedan and minivan person here), but I’m nearly certain the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will be my next car. Not sure what deals will be available in September, but they were offering 0% APR on at least some of the 2025 trims. I’m not opposed to other more tried and true options from Honda and Toyota, but the value for the money seems to be there for given the Santa Fe’s interior especially in the higher trims.

Anonymous wrote:Subaru Ascent - love ours.

That's not small.