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The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 2025
The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 2025
Nov 21, 2024 4:49 AM

  There have never been so many choices for seven-seat SUVs. Gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric — you can get real room for seven with rugged capability and more style than any minivan could ever offer.

  Forget about keeping the best seats for the driver and front passenger. Some of our picks offer even more comfortable and feature-rich rear seating. You can bet your kids and other passengers will thank you. Or, theyll at least have to pretend that theyre not happy on that long road trip.

  These top three-row SUVs offer some of the best amenities and legroom, so everybody rides in style.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20251

  Toyota Grand Highlanders large third row; (photo/Evan Williams) Evolution of the 7-Seater SUV In the 60s and 70s, station wagons were the family hauler of choice. Some even had rear-facing folding seats in the tailgate for a little extra room. Indeed, many memorable family road trips played out in the wagon.

  But as time went on, car companies realized there was an unsatiated demand for third-row seating, especially for families with more than two kids looking to spread out. Third-row seating started as a minivan feature, but as the minivan faded from favor, the seven-seater SUV came into its own.

  Today, you don’t have to look far to find a long list of mid- and full-size SUVs that offer third-row seating. In fact, some of the bigger SUVs can even accommodate eight passengers.

  Many SUVs also have decent luggage space, even with the third row occupied. And theres the option to fold, stow, or otherwise remove the back-row seats when you don’t need them.

  Nowadays, the latest models come packed with features — not just for the one who calls shotgun. Depending on the model, riders can enjoy entertainment centers, heated and ventilated seats, and enough personal space to stop sibling fights over who’s touching who. Surprisingly, your family might actually show some enthusiasm about a road trip when you have a seven-seater SUV to drive.

  Yes, these family taxis do have a few downsides. First, given their size, they aren’t precisely sporty or incredibly fun to drive. Their breadth and width can also make them difficult to park and maneuver. Although many modern camera aids and parallel parking wizardry give you a fighting chance even if you aren’t a pro driver. SUVs also tend to have terrible fuel economy until the new era of EVs rescues the seven-seater SUVs from terrible mpg.

  But at the end of the day, these three-row SUVs offer you the chance to bring along your favorite people and pets on all your driving adventures. If you’re going to have a third row, you might as well put it to good use.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20252

  Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Third Row; (photo/Evan Williams) The 11 Best 2025 3-Row SUVs Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator Genesis GV80 Kia EV9 Chevrolet Traverse Jeep Grand Wagoneer Land Rover Range Rover LWB Lexus LX 600 Rivian R1S Nissan Pathfinder Toyota Grand Highlander 2025 Chevrolet Suburban / 2025 GMC Yukon XL

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20253

  (Photo/Chevrolet) The Chevy Suburban and near-identical GMC Yukon XL have long been the people-hauler of choice for folks looking for generous second- and third-row legroom. Plus, with the duos best-in-class max cargo volume of 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat, you have the flexibility to haul passengers or gear, depending on your use case. The monstrous LS can even seat up to nine people when optioned with the front bench seat.

  The Suburban and Yukon XL offer trim grades for nearly every buyers need, from utilitarian to off-roader to luxury. Were you thinking of taking the family on rough-and-tumble adventures? Opt for the Z71 trim package to outfit your Suburban with recovery hooks, a skid plate, and all-terrain tires riding on 20-inch wheels. Want the ultimate in big-SUV luxury? Yukon XL Denali Ultimate has your name on it.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20254

  (Photo/Chevrolet) The standard engine is a 5.3L V8 that musters a healthy 355 horsepower. Available for bigger jobs are a 420-horsepower, 6.2L V8, and a 305-horsepower, 3.0L Duramax diesel. All engines pair up with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Busy bodies planning to haul a trailer or camper must add the Max Trailering package for up to 8,200 pounds of towing capacity.

  For 2025, Chevrolet has added new tech like Boat Ramp Assist, connected cameras with security record mode, and a new cabin with a larger screen. Using Super Cruise makes it a lot easier and safer when crushing miles on the open highway on top trims of the beast. Strength and capability aside, this seven-seater SUV is the way to go if you crave cavernous cargo and passenger space.

  With a starting MSRP expected to be around $60,000, the 2025 Suburban and Yukon XL pricing sits mid-pack in class.

  2025 Ford Expedition / 2025 Lincoln Navigator

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20255

  2023 Ford Expedition Shown; (photo/Ford) Ford’s answer to the seven-seater SUV is the Expedition, which can seat up to eight people, depending on your configuration. Comfort is king in Fords flagship SUV, featuring available heated and ventilated second-row seats, something rarely found for front-row passengers in other cars.

  With 36 inches of legroom for the third row, theres more than enough space for optional power-reclining seats. Should you need to haul gear instead of people, the second and third rows can fold down to accommodate up to 121.5 cubic feet of cargo space or the equivalent of four queen-size mattresses.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20256

  2024 Lincoln Navigator; (photo/Lincoln) With 10 trim levels to choose from, ranging from the luxurious Platinum to the off-road-ready Timberline and the performance-oriented Stealth Performance Edition, the Expedition can be kitted out to fit your driving style — and your weekend expedition goals. Add on the Trailer Tow Package, and you can drag up to 9,200 pounds.

  The base 2025 Ford Expedition XL STX has a starting MSRP of around $56,000 and an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in combined driving. If you want that same utility but with a luxury wrapper, check out the Lincoln Navigator. It gets the same truck bits but with a much higher-grade interior full of leather and wood. It also has more luxury options and delivers serious coddling to all seven (or eight) occupants, starting from around $83k.

  2025 Genesis GV80

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20257

  (Photo/Genesis) Luxurious, beautifully crafted, impressive build quality, and an abundance of tech describe the 2025 Genesis GV80 in a nutshell. Its amazing how much value is packed into the GV80 compared to other top-shelf seven-seater SUVs in its class. The classy and distinguished full leather interior features added touches like a Lexicon 14-channel audio system, a sizable 14.5-inch high-def LCD infotainment screen, and tri-zone climate control.

  Third-row, seven-passenger seekers only have one choice of trim: the range-topping 3.5T V6 AWD Advanced+. In particular, your third-row passengers only get 30.3 inches of legroom and are likely going to prefer shorter trips. However, if you occasionally utilize the third row and want a luxury SUV that isn’t going to break the bank, the GV80 doesnt sacrifice any creature comforts.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20258

  (Photo/Genesis) The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission send 375 horsepower to all four wheels. Combined city and highway will get you 20 mpg as per EPA estimates. With a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the GV80 isn’t a heavy-duty hauler but can trailer a small load if the need arises.

  Luxury doesnt come cheap, but the GV80 does undercut a lot of its rivals. For 2025, the Genesis GV80 Advanced model starts at $73,800.

  2025 Kia EV9

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 20259

  (Photo/Paul Eisenstein) An electric offering for families that need more seats and more space for gear. The Kia EV9 is as long as Kias gas-powered Telluride, but thanks to its compact electric motors gets a longer wheelbase. That means more space inside for people and things. The EV9 32 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers, but the second rows 42.8 (more than the front seats) can move forward to give passengers back there a bit more room.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202510

  (Photo/Kia) Kia also offers its Relaxation Chair seats for the second row of seats. The ultra-fancy seats recline way back, further than a first-class domestic airplanes chairs, and have footrests that come up to make the second-row passengers even more comfortable.

  There are 20.2 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row and 81.7 when all the seats are folded, which leaves plenty of room for anything you want.

  The EV9 is available with a single 215-horsepower rear motor and 230 miles of range or 304 in Long-Range form. Dual motor models offer up to 379 horsepower and all-wheel drive, with up to 280 miles of range. The 2025 EV9 starts from $54,900.

  2025 Chevrolet Traverse

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202511

  Chevrolet Traverse Z71; (photo/Andy Lilienthal) Chevrolet has given the Traverse a serious upgrade for 2025, including a new engine, new cabin, and a new Z71 off-toad trim. The already gigantic model that can seat up to eight is now even more appealing.

  Its new 2.5L turbo-four makes 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, both better than the V6 it replaced. An eight-speed automatic means AWD models should still get 21 miles per gallon combined. The Traverse now makes GMs Super Cruise hands-off highway assistant an available option, and while that wont make your back-seat passengers more comfortable, it can do wonders for the driver on long trips.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202512

  (Photo/Andy Lilienthal) The 2025 Traverse offers up to 98 cubic feet of cargo space with every seat folded. When the seats are in use, the third row offers 34 inches of legroom and an impressive 37 inches of headroom. Its not a towing giant, but it can still handle up to 5,000 pounds when you need it. And the Z71 trim comes with all-terrain tires for getting to the campsite. Or theres an RS one with more road-oriented handling.

  The starting MSRP for the base 2025 model is a budget-friendly $40,995.

  2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202513

  (Photo/Evan Williams) Jeep brings the premium seven-seater Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L to the market. The swanky SUV has an expansive cabin with third-row seating that will please even the pickiest passengers.

  Foremost is the Grand Wagoneer’s third-row seating, which has the most overall passenger volume in its class — a fancy way of saying you’ll hear fewer complaints about cramped legs and inadequate space from the rear. Thanks to a long wheelbase, third-row passengers enjoy 36.6 inches of legroom.

  Even with your back row occupied, the Grand Wagoneer boasts a downright spacious boot where you can actually hope to fit some cargo. Plus, the power-folding third-row bench seat neatly tucks away if you need more storage space. Our review of the Grand Wagoneer L reveals more nifty details.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202514

  (Photo/Jeep) The Grand Wagoneer is offered in four models, with the top-end Series III dishing out the most luxurious options. However, the “base” Series I isn’t exactly bare bones. Add on the Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow package, and the Grand Wagoneer configured with the Hurricane engine is good for hauling 9,800 pounds.

  Along with all of its best-in-class accolades, the Grand Wagoneer does carry one of the heftier price tags. The Series I MSRP starts at $91,945, and the Series III rings up at $116,290. Theres always the standard Wagoneer, which starts from $62,945 if you want the space without the flash.

  2025 Land Rover Range Rover LWB

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202515

  (Photo/Land Rover) The Range Rover seamlessly brings together modern and aesthetic grace with technological advancements — and for the first time, space for up to seven adults. If you’ve got the money to shell out for a premium SUV with go-anywhere potential and the seating capacity to bring the whole family along, the New Range Rover LWB is about as perfect a package as you can get.

  The optional third row, which has 35.8 inches of legroom, doesn’t leave you a ton of rear cargo space, but you could easily add a roof box and call it good. Granted, folding all the rear seats will open up the cabin to a sizeable 92.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202516

  (Photo/Land Rover) There are enough interior design options to attain a prestigious look straight out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. And it all comes together to ensconce the passengers in a priceless realm of calm and refinement.

  Four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard. Combined EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg for the 3.0L six-cylinder twin-charger gas/electric mild hybrid. Rated at 396 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, Land Rovers definitive luxury seven-seater SUV can tow up to 7,716 pounds.

  The Range Rover has a starting MSRP of $107,900. For the long-wheelbase SE model with seven-passenger seating, be ready to ante up $114,900.

  2025 Lexus LX 600

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202517

  Lexus LX 600 F Sport; (photo/Robin Warner) The design of the 2025 Lexus LX 600 will accommodate your passengers — all six of them — on or off-road in comfort. You’ll have to opt for the Premium, F Sport, or Luxury trim levels to get the third-row seating and capacity to carry seven passengers, but your riders will thank you.

  The third-row seats allow 31.1 inches of legroom but can recline to make up for the tight quarters. The new Ultra Luxury model of the LX has 33.8 inches of legroom.

  Should you need more cargo space, the third row folds flat with the touch of a button — perfect for stowing gear for any off-pavement adventures you wish to take. Lexus classy SUV is surprisingly game to get off-road with all-time AWD and off-road features like crawl control and multi-terrain select.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202518

  (Photo/Lexus) Furthermore, the LX 600 has a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds should you find you need to hook up a trailer. Learn more from our review of the Lexus LX 600 F Sport.

  The Premium grade starts at $93,915, while the Ultra Luxury seven-seater SUV squeezes you for an eye-watering $134,490. All five editions come with a 409-horsepower 3.4L twin-turbo V6 backed by a 10-speed automatic that consumes an EPA-estimated 19 mpg.

  Rivian R1S

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202519

  (Photo/Paul Eisenstein) The Rivian R1S is a real body-on-frame SUV with three rows of seats. Its also an electric vehicle that delivers up to 1,025 horsepower from four motors and as much as 410 miles of estimated range.

  You can buy more reasonably priced models, too, with the basic $75,900 R1S getting 533 horsepower and 270 miles of range. The Dual Max 410-mile version has two motors and 665 horsepower.

  The R1S has up to 88 cubic feet of storage space in the back. There are another 10 cubic feet under the front trunk, perfect for smelly or wet gear you want to keep out of the cabin, or to use as an ice chest for cold storage. There are 32.8 inches of third-row legroom and 36.7 in the middle row.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202520

  (Photo/Rivian) Its also an impressive off-roader. The air suspension allows up to 15 inches of ground clearance, and it can hunker back down to make it easier to get in and out. All-terrain tires are available, though theyll cut into range a little bit. Rivians electric motor system and software allow for traction control thats much quicker-acting (and so more effective) than what were used to from gas models.

  2025 Nissan Pathfinder

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202521

  (Photo/Nissan) The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder is a proficient, four-wheel drive, seven-seater SUV with a pleasant ride and ample cargo area for your family’s gear. Configurable as a seven- or eight-seater, it has 148.5 cubic feet of passenger volume — leaving lots of space for everyone.

  Access to the third row is a breeze, meaning one touch of a button will fold the second-row seat backs and slide them forward. The 28 inches of leg and knee room makes for a tight fit unless the seats ahead are moved as far forward as possible.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202522

  (Photo/Nissan) Equipped with everything from easy daycare drop-offs to weekend warrior adventures, the redesigned Pathfinder further demonstrates its role as a practical choice. Seven drive and terrain modes, a max towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, and easy-folding seats mean you can rest assured that the Pathfinder will take a family road trip or solo adventures in stride.

  Affordably priced and better in every way than the aging Armada, the base Pathfinder has a starting price tag of $36,650. It returns an estimated 23 mpg, which translates to savings at the lot and the pump. However, a brand-new Armada will be out soon, and that might bump Nissans big SUV back onto our best three-row SUV list.

  2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202523

  (Photo/Evan Williams) Toyotas own Grand Highlander has bumped the Sequoia from this list for 2025, and its not hard to see why. The Grand Highlander meets or surpasses the Sequoia in nearly every metric when it comes to hauling passengers and their gear. Except for towing, that is.

  If you need the Sequoias hefty 9,000+ pound tow capacity, Grand Highlander will only get you about halfway there. But the Grand Highlanders much nicer driving experience, far better fuel economy, and lower price are all very nice to have.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202524

  (Photo/Evan Williams) The Grand Highlander offers 34 inches of third-row legroom and beats the Sequoia with 37 inches of headroom. It has 40 inches of legroom in the second row and 40 of headroom, both of which beat its heavier sibling. The Grand Highlander can hold 98 cubic feet of cargo with all the seats folded or 21 with them all in use.

  Toyota offers the Grand Highlander with a 265 horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder turbo that gets 24 mpg combined. You can also opt for a 2.5L hybrid system with 245 horsepower and 36 mpg combined, or a 2.4L 362 horsepower Hybrid Max system that does 27 mpg combined.

  The 2025 Grand Highlander starts at $43,320 for the base XLE or $45,020 for an XLE Hybrid.

  7-Seater SUVs: Made for Gear- and People-Hauling These are just some of the many new seven- and eight-passenger SUVs on the market. All have impressively smooth rides and fashionably cozy interiors. A few even step up their off-road and towing capabilities.

  With so many SUVs to choose from, shopping to find one to fit your lifestyle has never been easier. And, hey, your kids will thank you, too.

  Why You Should Trust Us We get that people want the best value on gear before spending their hard-earned money. Our expert team carefully selects the products we cover and vigorously researches [and tests] our top choices. Bottom line: The GearJunkie staff is dedicated to exhaustive analysis and helping our readers make informed choices.

  

The 11 Best 7-Seater SUVs of 202525

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