Best Used Cars with 3rd Row Seating

September 14th, 2023 by

The sports utility vehicle has become America’s most popular automobile, accounting for about half of the country’s annual car sales. As more families became SUV owners, they also brought new demands for space — opening up an era of third-row seating. SUVs with three rows address the need for extra space — for passengers and cargo alike. The third row allows you to expand to accommodate up to seven or eight passengers, along with their luggage and other items. This makes third-row SUVs perfect for family trips or just taking the Marion baseball team out for ice cream.

The good news is that third-row vehicles have been around long enough that you don’t necessarily have to buy them brand new. The Volkswagen of Marion sales team has compiled a short list of some of the top pre-owned cars with third-row seating.

Third-Row Seating Advantages

In addition to more space, third-row seating in an SUV or minivan also provides several benefits. For instance, the interior can be configured to fit the needs of your journey best. If you have fewer passengers but more luggage and gear, fold down the second or third-row seats to create extra room. Or utilize all seating positions if you have a whole load of travelers.

Third rows also afford greater flexibility regarding the mix of your passengers. Kids can hang out together in their own space, most often in the third row, or if you have young ones who need to be separated, the extra row gives you that flexibility. Manufacturers are catching on to the importance of more space. Higher-priced vehicles add luxury features like climate controls and charging points to encourage use and comfort.

Best Used Cars With Third-Row Seating

Volkswagen and other major manufacturers have turned third-row seating into a standard feature. Here are a few of the most widely mentioned vehicles on the pre-owned car market today with three rows.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

Originally priced at $26,295 for an entry-level model, the Volkswagen Tiguan fits into the compact crossover category, but many reviewers cite it for its spaciousness. Front-row drivers and passengers get an elevated look at the roadway from the higher position of the seats. This car comfortably fits seven passengers.

The engine in the Tiguan offers modest power with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder design that’s common to many Volkswagen sedans and crossovers. The engine generates 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. With the third-row seating in this vehicle, cargo space tops 65 cubic feet. According to U.S. News & World Report ratings, the Tiguan rated 76 out of 100 for reliability.

2022 Volkswagen Atlas

With a starting price of $35,630, the Volkswagen Atlas provides what Car and Driver magazine describes as a “solid alternative to a minivan.” Seven people can fit easily in the Atlas, and the Atlas’ third row allows even adults to sit comfortably at the back. When not occupied by passengers, this SUV offers plenty of room for cargo with about 97 cubic inches of space.

The Atlas operates with a standard 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with the possibility of upgrading to a V-6. You can choose from front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder engine generates 235 horsepower and gets EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway. The V-6, meanwhile, surges to 276 horsepower with slightly lower EPA ratings at 18 mpg city driving and 24 mpg highway driving in front-wheel drive and 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway in all-wheel drive.

2020 Kia Telluride

One option that vies with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas in terms of space is the 2020 Kia Telluride, a third-row SUV that can serve as the proverbial family bus. The Telluride sits in the midsize category, although it comfortably fits up to eight passengers. The Telluride was named Utility Vehicle of the Year in the 2020 North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year awards.

The Telluride runs on a standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. According to EPA estimates, you can expect a combined city/highway of 23 mpg. It’s available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and the Telluride offers about 87 cubic feet of cargo room, less than the Volkswagen Atlas. You can access music, podcasts, navigation, or other apps using Apple Car Play or Android Auto, and the Telluride comes with either an 8-inch or 10-inch infotainment touch screen. Kia priced the entry-level model at $32,735

2021 Honda Odyssey

In the minivan category, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is a third-row model that gets plenty of attention — and justifiably so. U.S. News & World Report named the 2021 Odyssey the Best Minivan for Families for its interior design and copious quantities of space. The Odyssey comfortably fits seven passengers from front to back, and the second row can accommodate three child-safety seats. It also offers a rear-seat entertainment system.

According to EPA estimates, this minivan checks in at a combined 21 mpg. It has a 280-horsepower V-6 engine. If you need added cargo space, it has a simple-to-use third row that folds nicely. Honda produced the Odyssey in a choice of five trim levels. The entry-level version, the Honda Odyssey LX, started with an MSRP of $31,790.

2017 Kia Sorrento

If you want to go back a few more years to gain extra savings, U.S. News & World Report suggests you consider the Kia Sorrento, the number one affordable midsize SUV for 2017 and one of the year’s best-used cars for teenage drivers.

The Sorrento seats up to seven passengers and has an average list price on the U.S. News and World Report site of $21,800. The car has three trims, each running on a 2.4-liter engine with either four- or six-cylinders. According to EPA estimates, the Sorrento will deliver a combined 24 mpg. The engines generate a modest 185 horsepower, and cargo space totals 73.5 cubic feet.

Check Out the Space of a Third-Row Vehicle at Volkswagen of Marion

Are you shopping for used cars with third-row seating? Check out our selection at Volkswagen of Marion. We maintain a constantly evolving selection of pre-owned vehicles from all the major manufacturers, including Volkswagen. If budget is a concern, check out our selection of used cars priced under $20,000. Serving Southern Illinois, Volkswagen of Marion also offers new models from Volkswagen, along with financing and service support. Call us or contact us online today.

Posted in Used Cars