Three’s Company: Your Roadmap to Used Three-Row SUVs

Do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of used SUVs for sale? It’s not surprising. The annual growth of the crossover and SUV market has exploded since the ‘90s, and in 2023, the annual projected growth is expected to be around $302 billion in sales. Regarding crossovers, those little guys have gone from a mere 4% of the market in 2000 to make up as much as 40% of the market in 2018. With this much expansion, drivers trying to navigate the twists and turns of the large SUV market might find it confusing, exhausting, and frustrating.

But did you know there is an SUV out there that was designed for your lifestyle? While a vast market with many choices can make things difficult, there is always a silver lining. Lots of choices can ensure that you can find your ideal vehicle at a price that works.

When buying a pre-owned SUV, you never want to settle; with so many options, you don’t need to. An SUV is about more than just driving. It’s an extension of your personality and lifestyle.

One SUV, Three Child Seats

Whether you’ve got a toddler and new twins, triplets, or just three little ones under five that need accommodation, getting a capable SUV with room for everyone as they grow is essential.

The Chevy Tahoe

One of the top contenders when it comes to roomy family haulers is the iconic Chevy Tahoe. The Chevy Tahoe is a three-row SUV that can seat seven to eight passengers, depending on if you opt for second-row captain chairs or bench seating. In this case, if you’re looking for a plush and powerful SUV, getting a Tahoe with second-row bench seating will give you the potential for three car seats thanks to its LATCH system that spans all three seats. The third row offers only tether anchors with no lower anchors.

The Ford Expedition

Looking for an affordable family vehicle that can roll with the punches and expand along with your family? The Ford Expedition is a favorite of parents thanks to its fantastic seating and interior flexibility. The Ford is a three-row SUV that accommodates seven to eight passengers. You also get lower and upper anchors across both rows for all seating! That means child seats in the second or third row; the Expedition keeps things flexible.

Imagine the convenience of fitting three front-facing car seats across the second row. Can you see it? Yeah, it’s a real thing in the Ford Expedition. And because the Ford Expedition bench seating comprises three separate seats, you can fold each down instead of using the classic 40/60 split so often seen in similar models. This is great for keeping the peace when everyone needs their own space. Putting a child seat in the third row allows parents or older siblings to ride in the second row with younger kids if needed. If you want an SUV with a complete LATCH system across both the second and third rows, the Expedition is a perfect fit for your family!

Over Achievers: High SUV Safety Ratings

The Chevy Suburban

The Chevy Suburban earned the Best Large SUV for Families award from US News and World Report three years in a row. It is also listed in the top five on iseecars.com’s Safest Large SUVs for 2023, which takes into account the vehicle’s NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings. The Suburban expanded its safety features in 2022 to include eight standard safety systems, including Teen Driver Technology. Six additional features can be had to enhance an already-worthy safety package. This tech is essential for families with young drivers. To take full advantage of tech like Teen Driver Technology, look for a Suburban from 2017 onwards when the system became standard.

The Mitsubishi Outlander

One last high-ranking three-row SUV you’ll want to keep an eye out for is the Mitsubishi Outlander. This is a midsize model with three rows that fit up to seven people. In 2022, this model was awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus from the IIHS, their highest-ranking award and the hardest to qualify for. The Outlander went on to rank high, earning the award again in 2023. The 2022 model was updated to include additional standard safety features to round out its impressive safety suite.

Cruising In Comfort: Big, Bold, Comfortable SUVs to Consider

The Cadillac Escalade

There’s no question: when you get into a full-size three-row SUV, you want plenty of space and comfort across all three rows, but which models offer the best of everything? We bet you think the same thing: the Cadillac Escalade, the full-size icon that embodies comfort and luxury. Everyone knows that if you want comfort, go for the Cadillac! This full-size SUV doesn’t just offer exceptional cargo room, but the seating is supportive across all three rows. Additional luxury features vary yearly but can include items such as a center-console refrigerator and freezer combo, rich leather seating, and all the bells and whistles you could ask for. Think wireless charging, navigational software, and an available Bose audio system.
Drivers wanting to experience luxury when they travel don’t need to book a first-class seat when they opt for one of the finest SUVs to ever hit the road: the Cadilac Escalade.

The Lincoln Navigator

The full-size SUV market has a lot to offer drivers looking for comfort. Suppose you want a pre-owned SUV with more understated and mature styling than that flashy Escalade. In that case, the Lincoln Navigator is sure to impress. This full-size SUV ranks high on the luxury and comfort scale, no matter which year you opt for. The 2021 model hit the top of the US News and World Report’s 2021 Luxury Large SUVs that consider comfort, features, and space. This interior offers a posh elegance that families will enjoy mile after mile. Soft-touch materials and upscale design make driving and riding in the Navigator a relaxing experience.

Regarding high-end comfort, the Navigator rates right up there with the Escalade, so it all comes down to personal preference. The airy cabin delivers ample head and leg room and plenty of luggage or essential space. If leather upholstery, heated front and second-row seating, and power-adjusted driver’s chair are all items on your wish list, check them off when you get into a Navigator from Lincoln. While all models rank high on the comfort scale, the 2018 model was updated to offer many banks for your buck, including a newly refreshed cabin and an extended list of driver assistance techs.

Rugged SUVs For Adventure

Not only will you need plenty of seats and cargo space, but also plenty of power if your family’s upcoming adventure includes hiking trails, beaches, campgrounds, or road trips across various terrains. Getting a powerful full-size SUV is easier than you think, considering that while many of these big bad machines are designed to offer luxury and convenience, they are often equipped with aggressive V8 engines to take you where you need to go.

The GMC Yukon

For plenty of affordable off-road fun, pick up a 2021 GMC Yukon and go. The Yukon is ready to tackle muddy trails and rocky roads when you are. Getting a Yukon decked out with the AT4 off-road package further enhances the SUV’s potential, making it one of the most capable Yukon models available. The 2021 Yukon AT4 comes standard with a V8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission plus an AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case with low-range gearing that helps when dealing with an uphill battle. An advanced all-wheel drive system helps you adjust your vehicle performance to match the terrain. Inside the cabin, it delivers premium comfort with three rows of leather seating, unique AT4 badging, and advanced technology to help take you past the treeline and onto your family’s next adventure.

The Toyota Sequoia

Need to do some recreational towing? Getting that boat to the beach is a snap with the Toyota Sequoia. Cars.com ranked the 2023 Sequoia among its top five most capable SUVs. The updated 2022 Sequoia hybrid boasts towing capabilities of up to 9,520 lbs! Boat? To unleash the model’s full potential, opt for the i-FORCE MAX 3.4L twin-turbo V6 hybrid that delivers up to 437 hp for all your towing and hauling needs. If you opt for the 2022 gas engine, you still get access to an impressive towing potential of 7,400 lbs, which isn’t bad. Efficiency and power? Yes, please!

Three Rows Of Bliss On Four Tires

A full-size SUV with three spacious rows can improve your family’s ride. Whether you need room for several child seats or simply want plenty of space and comfort for everyone, getting a pre-owned three-row SUV gives you a lot of bang for your buck.