The 7 Best Three-Row SUVs for Your Next Family Road Trip

The great American road trip is a cherished tradition, a rite of passage filled with winding roads, questionable roadside diners, and the kind of family bonding that only miles of open highway can forge. But the success of this adventure often hinges on one crucial element: the right vehicle. For a growing family, the three-row SUV has become the quintessential road trip chariot. It needs to be more than just a people-hauler; it must be a sanctuary of comfort, a bastion of safety, and a cavern of cargo space.

As we look at the 2025 model year, the competition has never been more fierce. Automakers are packing these vehicles with cutting-edge tech, near-luxury comfort, and clever, family-friendly features. If you're planning to load up the kids and hit the road, these are the seven best three-row SUVs that deserve a spot at the top of your list.

1. Kia Telluride: The Undisputed Champion of Value and Style

It’s impossible to discuss this segment without starting with the Kia Telluride. Since its debut, it has consistently set the benchmark for what a family SUV can be, and the 2025 model is no exception. The Telluride’s magic lies in its ability to feel like a luxury vehicle without the premium price tag. Its ride quality is exceptionally smooth, effortlessly soaking up highway imperfections to keep passengers comfortable for hours on end.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Plush, Quiet Cabin: The well-insulated interior minimizes road and wind noise, creating a serene environment for conversation or naps.
• User-Friendly Tech: The large, intuitive infotainment system is easy to use, and features like Driver Talk (which projects the driver’s voice to the rear speakers) are a godsend for communicating with kids in the back.
• Generous Space: With 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, you won't have to choose between bringing the cooler or the extra suitcase.

2. Hyundai Palisade: The Refined and Tech-Forward Twin

Sharing its excellent platform with the Telluride, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers a slightly different flavor of near-luxury. Where the Telluride leans into a rugged aesthetic, the Palisade presents a more elegant and upscale design. Inside, the top-tier Calligraphy trim is a masterclass in interior design, featuring quilted Nappa leather and a driver-centric cockpit that feels incredibly modern.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Supreme Comfort: The Palisade’s seats are renowned for their long-haul comfort, and available features like ventilated second-row seats are a rare treat.
• Smart Features: A digital key that lets you use your smartphone as a key and an abundance of USB ports in all three rows ensure everyone stays charged and connected.
• Effortless Highway Driving: Its smooth V6 engine and well-tuned suspension make for a confident and relaxing highway cruiser.

3. Toyota Grand Highlander: The Master of Space and Practicality

For families who believe "more is more," the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is the answer. As its name suggests, it’s a stretched version of the popular Highlander, with a key difference: a genuinely adult-sized third row and cavernous cargo capacity. While other SUVs force a compromise, the Grand Highlander allows you to comfortably seat adults in the way-back and still have room for their luggage.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Unmatched Third-Row Legroom: With 33.5 inches of legroom, it boasts one of the most accommodating third rows in its class, eliminating complaints from teens and adults.
• Efficient Hybrid Powertrain: The available Hybrid MAX powertrain offers a compelling blend of power and fuel efficiency, saving you money at the pump on long journeys.
• Toyota Reliability: The peace of mind that comes with Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability is invaluable when you’re hundreds of miles from home.

4. Honda Pilot: The Versatile and Dependable Workhorse

The 2025 Honda Pilot has embraced a more rugged, truck-like design, but underneath it retains all the family-friendly DNA that has made it a segment staple. The Pilot’s standout feature is its brilliant interior flexibility. The available stowable second-row middle seat can be removed and stored in an underfloor compartment, instantly converting the bench seat into captain's chairs.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Flexible Seating: This innovative seating provides easy access to the third row or separation for bickering siblings—a true road trip game-changer.
• Smooth V6 Power: The refined 285-hp V6 engine delivers smooth, linear power, perfect for confident highway merging and mountain passes.
• Off-Road Ready TrailSport Trim: For adventurous families, the TrailSport model adds all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and enhanced AWD, making it ready for that scenic detour down a dirt road.

5. Chevrolet Traverse: The King of Cargo Capacity

Redesigned for 2025, the Chevrolet Traverse has doubled down on its biggest strength: space. It now boasts a class-leading maximum cargo capacity, making it the undisputed champion for families who never pack light. The new design is more assertive, and the interior is thoroughly modern, centered around a massive 17.7-inch standard infotainment screen.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Best-in-Class Cargo Space: If your road trips involve strollers, pack-and-plays, sports equipment, and more, the Traverse’s voluminous interior is your best friend.
• Spacious Seating for Eight: The Traverse offers a roomy and comfortable cabin for up to eight passengers, with a third row that is surprisingly usable for adults.
• Available Super Cruise: For the ultimate long-haul convenience, the Traverse offers GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology, reducing driver fatigue on long stretches of highway.

6. Jeep Grand Cherokee L: The Premium Adventurer

For the family that wants to blend premium comfort with legendary capability, the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the perfect fit. This three-row Jeep offers a level of interior craftsmanship and available off-road technology that its rivals can’t match. The ride is composed and comfortable, but with the flip of a switch, the Quadra-Trac 4x4 system and Quadra-Lift air suspension can turn it into a surprisingly capable trail machine.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Luxury-Level Interior: High-end materials, massaging front seats, and a premium McIntosh sound system can make any trip feel like a first-class experience.
• Go-Anywhere Capability: It provides the confidence to tackle a snowy mountain pass or explore a national park trail without breaking a sweat.
• Advanced Tech: An available front-passenger screen and rear-seat entertainment system keep the co-pilot and kids happily occupied.

7. Ford Expedition MAX: The Body-on-Frame Behemoth

When your road trip involves towing a large travel trailer or boat, you need to step up to a body-on-frame SUV, and the 2025 Ford Expedition MAX is a top contender. It offers seating for up to eight and combines its truck-based toughness with a surprisingly comfortable independent rear suspension. The extended "MAX" version provides an enormous cargo hold even with all seats in use.

Why it’s great for a road trip:

• Serious Towing Power: With a towing capacity that can exceed 9,000 pounds, it’s the right tool for hauling heavy toys.
• Expansive Interior Room: The sheer size of the Expedition MAX means there is no shortage of passenger or cargo space, making it ideal for the biggest families with the most gear.
• Powerful EcoBoost Engine: The standard twin-turbo V6 engine provides effortless torque for hauling heavy loads without feeling strained.

 

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