Imagine finally packing for your long-awaited family trip from Denver to the mesmerizing Glenwood Springs and Hanging Lake and not having to worry about seating comfort and cargo space shortage because you own a stylish three-row SUV.
The Three-row SUVs are the highly sought-after vehicles in the American automotive market. They offer 7 to 8-passenger seating, killing body comfort for long hours of driving, and everyday practicality without costing you a fortune. Today, we bring you this list comprising 3-row midsize SUVs under $40k that we have shortlisted based on our personal driving experience, one-on-one interaction with proud owners who have driven these vehicles in real-life situations, and verified data from trusted sources like Consumer Reports.
Our unbiased reviews and insights will help you confidently choose a spacious five-door vehicle that meets your budget but exceeds your expectations in terms of functionality.
Let’s dive in and see what are the most relevant options are for budget-savvy shoppers like you.
Note: All the vehicles listed here are presented in decreasing order of their base price (excluding taxes).
1. Ford Explorer (Starting From $39,785)
Ford finally gave a new look to the Explorer inside and out with access to Blue Cruise (a partially automated driving system) for $495 for the first year and $2,395 for a lifetime, and a four-wheel drive system for $2,995. The new introduction is more airy, stylish, and modern compared to its previous releases. For a budget under $40k, the Activ trim of this American SUV is the best choice. It offers both bench seats and captains’ chairs for the second row, with the latter one being an ideal choice if you want easy access to the rear parts.
If you are anything like me, who easily panics every time you are unable to find the route, the Google-based navigation here provides hands-free assistance. The most impressive thing is the Premium package ($2,740), which includes ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and more.
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee L (Starting From $39,035)
Introduced in the 2021 model year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is an ideal purchase for anyone who wants more space, a roomier third row, a premium ride, and the tag of a new model lineup. This ride offers an impressive blend of practicality and off-road prowess. It is one of the few SUVs on the market with an adult-friendly third row. Kelly had a blast on her weekend trips with her friends, where six adults enjoyed their leisure time in absolute comfort.
The 25 mpg they received on the highway with a V6 was impressive. The numbers on the city roads dropped to 19 mpg, which they didn’t mind given the thrill they were experiencing. However, if efficiency is a major concern for you, you can opt for the latest Toyota Highlander, which boasts better fuel economy and reliability in comparison.
3. Subaru Ascent (Starting From $38,910)
Subaru brings in its A-game with the all-new Ascent, a true overlander and off-roader. All wheel drive system offers the confidence to get anywhere at any time. The starting price of $38,910 not only gives you more seats but also adds more standard features like a large center multimedia touch screen with wireless smartphone connectivity, which gives the people in the back to take charge of entertaining the entourage. The vertical storage ability allows the stacking of more items without even needing to fold down the seats. The base model from last year is discontinued, and the Premium trim is now the entry-level model.
4. Mazda CX-90 (Starting From $37,845)
The all-new model CX-90 is the largest SUV Mazda has introduced to the American market in 2024. Lesley took it out for a spin and loved how the brand has set new standards in terms of class, elegance, and technology. Despite offering more passenger space, a third row great for tall people (around 6ft), and a luxury-grade cabin, Mazda has kept the base price reasonable for the class.
On her day out in this Japanese car, Lesley could not help but be awed by the efficiency she got. The in-line 6-cylinder turbo that generates 280 hp not only felt thrilling to drive but delivered 23 mpg, which according to her, is one of the best numbers such a big hauler can deliver. One of the best things she loved here was the availability of hybrid powertrains. Lesley drove the base model and thinks it could almost pass for a luxury sports SUV.
5. Hyundai Palisade (Starting From $37,200)
Hyundai is one of the few automakers that are able to provide elegance under the blanket of affordability, and their Palisade lineup is a perfect example. This luxurious feeling vehicle boasts a well-built interior (with soft-touch materials) that can take good care of everyone in terms of comfort, entertainment, and safety. Out of all the trims, we found the second-level trim SEL to be the best.
It comes standard with captain chairs in the second row, which can be exchanged for a bench seat, increasing the accommodation number from seven to eight. The driver-attention monitoring, a major necessity in current times, is also standard and alerts you every time you lose focus while driving.
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6. Nissan Pathfinder (Starting From $36,400)
Nissan is always going to be a top-tier choice for budget-conscious buyers whether looking for an affordable SUV for family use or a compact car for individuals or couples. The latest Pathfinder lineup is able to hold a presence in a suffocating segment due to its high reliability and off-road capability. After all these years since its launch in the US, it still offers practicality, space, and comfort but with more technology and advanced features than ever.
However, the touchscreen system, despite having easy-to-use software that even an eight-year-old can operate, is quite poor, especially in terms of graphics and camera resolution. We were furious about how distorted the maps looked, which only got worse with light coming from the outside. The base S trim, with its price tag of $36,400, is right for city dwellers. But if you want ultimate ruggedness, we would suggest the Rock Creek Edition, which, with its all-terrain tires, all-weather floor mats, skid plates, lower body cladding, and leatherette seating, costs only $44,490.
7. 2025 Kia Telluride (Starting From $36,390)
As a proud owner of Kia Telluride, I can vouch for this midsize crossover. A few weeks back, I took a family road trip from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park in this sister vehicle of Palisade (with more cargo space), and having a third row made all the difference. With three adults, two kids, and a dog, we were nowhere near cramped. The entire ride was comfortable, and my little one (all the way in the back) had already marked her territory.
Driving on the challenging mountain roads was child’s play. However, there were a few hiccups during the upshift. We hardly felt any bumps or shocks on the inside. Even my Mother-in-Law was having a great time as we went deeper into the mountains. I own the all-wheel drive model that was able to deliver a mileage of 22 mpg, which is totally acceptable in challenging terrains. The LX variant is ideal for stress-free buying. However, if you want luxuries like a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, AWD, and roof rails, EX is the right option.
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8. Hyundai Santa Fe (Starting From $34,300)
Kelly was more than thrilled to try out the latest Santa Fe, which got a style refreshments last year. According to her, this box-shaped SUV is attractively priced with outstanding cargo space, roomy first and second rows, and a strictly-for-kids third row. Her drive in the XRT model was adventurous, and out of the two engine options, she found the hybrid one quicker despite having lesser power output. The safe exit assistant turned out to be a hero as it prevented her from opening the door when a vehicle was approaching from behind.
Such a feature is a lifesaver, especially in times when you have kids with you or you are in a hurry and not paying attention to your surroundings. XRT trim is our recommendation as it offers the best of both worlds. If you want more luxuries, you can opt for top tier Calligraphy, but we would suggest going for Limited as it offers almost everything the former has and costs less.
9. 2025 Kia Sorento (Starting From $31,990)
Our team can never get enough of the versatile Kia Sorento. With its sleek and modern design, this automobile has always managed to catch attention. The latest release is a carryover from last year with no major changes, but you still get an elegant, luxurious cabin for the asking price of $31k. Here, too, you have the option to upgrade to bucket seats, enhancing your access to the last row.
The base model is quite modest, but if you want to upgrade to faux leather, heated power front seats, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and the option of a panoramic sunroof, the S model is for you. With a price of $34,890, it still falls under your budget. And if you want to take advantage of the government’s rebates for eco-friendly cars, opt for its hybrid variants.
10. Mitsubishi Outlander (Starting From $29,645)
The most affordable seven-seater you can buy in the current year is the Mitsubishi Outlander. Known for its reliability for over two decades now, this compact SUV is packed with some nice features and is a delight to drive. What I liked the most is that you can include features like leather upholstery, a sunroof, a head-up display, a rear-camera mirror, USB ports for the second row and still wrap up with a price under $37k.
But keep in mind that you get no option for bucket chairs, and the last row comes with no charging ports and air vents. The Trail Edition model is the best pick here because it is the best-looking variant, comes with the best of all the offered features, and is easy to handle even for short women drivers.
Final Thought
Three-row SUVs are the ultimate vehicles if space and comfort are your top priority. Generally, deemed on the expensive side, the right way to choose one can help you bag a deal that not only checks all of your wants but also keeps you under your buying budget.
All you need to know is that not all models are built equally. Every vehicle mentioned here is spacious enough to carry your strollers, car seats, and other luggage. However, a test drive with your essentials (frequent travelers in your ride, everyday items, and more) is a must, as it helps you find the most suitable one from the bunch.
Disclaimer: All the information provided in this blog is 100% based on first-person hands-on research, personal experiences, and expertise on the subject of automobiles, including SUVs.
