The SUV segment is one of the hottest segments on the market right now, and there are SUVs of all shapes and sizes to choose from. Some SUVs, for example, can even come with three rows of seats, allowing them to comfortably carry up to eight people. Here’s a look at the best third-row SUV to buy right now.
The 2023 Kia Telluride is the best third-row SUV on the market right now
What Kelley’s Blue Book he wrote, the best third-row SUV on the market right now is the Kia Telluride. It provides a solid balance of features with few if any flaws. The Telluride is a relatively new SUV from Kia and has only made improvements since its introduction in 2020.
The Telluride starts at around $39,500 and comes with three rows of seats as standard. Kia still offers only one engine option in the SUV, and that’s a 3.8-liter V6 that makes 291 hp. It’s a capable enough motor that it provides enough power for most drivers. It also gets 23 mpg combined, which is decent for the segment.
Also, the Telluride has a great interior for the price. Not only is it roomy and comfortable, but it’s also packed with features. For the 2023 model year, Kia upgraded the SUV’s infotainment system by upgrading its touchscreen to a 12.3-inch display. It also has a suite of smart safety features, which will help keep the SUV’s eight passengers safe.
The 2023 Genesis GV80 ranks second in the third-row SUV segment
The second-best third-row SUV also comes from a South Korean automaker, and it’s the Genesis GV80. Like the Telluride, the GV80 is in the midsize SUV segment, but since Genesis is a luxury automaker, the GV80 is more expensive and has more luxury features. The GV80 starts at around $55,000, but the base version doesn’t come with third-row seats.
Buyers must upgrade to the Advanced+ version, which starts at around $70,000, to equip the Genesis SUV with third-row seats. That said, while the GV80 is a good SUV overall, the optional third row is “tight” and should be reserved for kids. The Advanced+ version comes with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that makes 375 hp and blends nicely with the luxurious and decadent cabin of the SUV.
SUVs have been on the rise in recent years.
The SUV segment has been around for a while, but it recently exploded in popularity. A couple of factors may explain why SUVs have become so popular, and some of the biggest explanations have to do with what customers think. Since SUVs are larger than sedans, they have a natural safety advantage.
Also, since automakers include smart safety features on SUVs and sedans, SUVs generally have a safety advantage. That may persuade some buyers to buy an SUV instead of a sedan. The difference in size between SUVs and sedans also means that drivers may be tempted by the extra cargo or passenger space that SUVs provide.
There are also some economic considerations. Due to their size difference, SUVs tend to be less efficient than sedans. When gas prices are high, sedans become more practical, but when gas prices are low, car buyers may simply ignore the difference in efficiency. For these reasons and more, SUV sales have skyrocketed, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon.