If you have kids in car seats, you know: from a growing family to car pools, road trips and school runs, a 3 row SUV can be a necessity. Even better, an SUV that can fit 3 car seats across the center bench for families with babies and toddlers is a true gift. Luckily, there are more mid-size 3 row SUVs on the market than ever. In fact, the auto industry is making 3-row SUVs even bigger and more family friendly to compete for your business.
All this means that figuring out which mid-size 3 row SUV is right for you can be a challenge even before you start thinking about car seats. Luckily, this isn’t our first Car Seat Challenge; we’ve been measuring and evaluating cars for car seat configuration since day one. For this challenge we looked at mid-size popular brands with new models and old favorites that haven’t had major changes. We’ll evaluate luxury and full-size 3 row SUVs at a later date. Here’s what else we considered:
- The number of full LATCH systems with lower anchors and top tethers
- The ease of installing the seats
- When installing a rear-facing child car seat impacts front-seat passenger space
- Legroom, configurability and 3rd row access
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Do I Need 3 Rows for 3 Car Seats? Maybe Not
A surprising fact is that almost any center row bench (or rear seat in an SUV) will fit 3 kids car seats across as long as the child car seats are narrow enough, and there are many choices on the market. If you really love your kids car seats, take them with you when car shopping. Install them in a car you’re taking for a test drive and see for yourself how they install and how they fit.
Here’s how the most popular 3-row SUVs on the road fit kids car seats.
WATCH: 2026 Hyundai Palisade: This 3 Row SUV Is Gorgeous, But There’s a Caveat You Need to See
Buick Enclave, Priced From $45K
The redesigned 2025 Buick Enclave is roomier than the outgoing model, but both have ample center row and 3rd row space. This is the original family bubble SUV, after all, designed to be a haven from the family car.
- 2 full sets of latches in the center row, 3 upper tethers in the 3rd row
- Center row captain’s chairs are standard; there is not a center row bench option
- Center row seats slide and tilt even with a child car seat LATCH installed
- With 39″ of center row leg room, rear facing car seats may impede front seat legroom for a tall driver or passenger
- 3rd row legroom is on the slender side with center row seats pushed all the way back, but center seats adjust for more 3rd row space
Hyundai Palisade, Priced From $40K
Since it was introduced the Hyundai Palisade has been a popular choice for family car buyers. Originally bench-marked against the Honda Pilot, it offers lots of rear seat legroom, has a reasonably sized 3rd row and features lots of conveniences like USB ports, cup holders and even an interior step and grip for getting into the 3rd row.
For 2025 Hyundai redesigned the Palisade for an even more modern look and feel inside and out, more 3rd row space and more flexible seating: all seats, even the 3rd row, can move forward and back for more passenger space or more cargo space.
- Buyers can choose between center row captain’s chairs or a bench
- Center row seats slide and tilt for 3rd row access, and this feature works with car seat LATCH installed
- Two full LATCH systems in outboard center row seats
- The third row has 2 sets of top tethers and 1 set of lower anchors that straddles the driver’s side seat and middle seat.
- The Palisade’s second-row legroom outranks every other 3-row SUV with an amazing 42.4″ of space.
- Our forward-facing car seat was easy to install
- A rear-facing car seat should easily be able to fit behind the driver or passenger without impeding legroom
- We don’t recommend the top tier Calligraphy edition because center row seats are power controlled and will push forward even with a passenger in the seat, which can be dangerous
Chevrolet Traverse, Priced From $40K
The Chevrolet Traverse is both the OG and the newbie on the block: it was one of the first SUVs to lean into the benefits of a minivan, but in a crossover SUV for 8. In its recent makeover, Chevrolet gave the Traverse more SUV-like vibes while preserving interior space.
- 2 full sets of latches in the center row, 3 upper tethers in the 3rd row
- Buyers can choose center row captain’s chairs or a center row bench option
- Center row seats slide and tilt even with a child car seat LATCH installed
- With 39″ of center row leg room, rear facing car seats may impede front seat legroom for a tall driver or passenger
- 3rd row legroom is not huge, though center row seats can adjust for more 3rd row space
- This is a great option for 3 seats across the center bench
RELATED: SUVs and Minivans With Removable Seats to Give You Control
Ford Explorer, Priced From $42K
One of the original 3-row SUVs, the Ford Explorer just got a makeover with lots of new functions and tech, and a sharp new look. Inside, the seating configurations and cabin size are unchanged. The good news is that it can fit three car seats across the second-row bench if the seats are slim enough. The not-so-good news is the 3rd row is better suited for smaller passengers or occasional use.
- The Explorer has 39″ of second row leg room, allowing for good maneuverability. The third row is still a tighter fit,.
- 2 full LATCH systems, one in each of the center row captain’s chairs or outboard seats. However, the anchors in the second row can be difficult to access.
- 2 LATCH systems in the third row.
- If you opt for bench seating, the middle seat does not have anchors or tethers.
- A rear-facing car seat should fit in the second row behind the passenger seat, though it may not fit behind a driver or passenger who is taller than 6′.
- Forward-facing car seats fit well
- Second row seats slide and tilt for easy access to the third row and this feature works with a forward facing car seat LATCH installed.
READ MORE: Is Your Potty Training Toddler Road-Trip Ready?
GMC Acadia, Priced From $44K
For 2024 the GMC Acadia got a huge makeover, one that included adding 10″ to its length for more room for car seats and 3rd row passengers. And it was a great move. The Acadia is not just a much better SUV, it’s also much better equipped for configuring kids car seats.
- No center row bench option, only captain’s chairs are available in the center row
- 2 complete LATCH systems in the second row seats with easy-to-access anchors
- There are top tethers in all third row seats, but no lower anchors.
- A rear-facing child car seat fit well in the second row without having to move the front seat forward.
- The second row has an amazing 39.7″ of legroom, putting it among the most spacious 3-row SUVs.
READ MORE: The 2025 Ram 1500 Warlock — Where Muscle Meets Magic
Honda Pilot, Priced From $40K
The Honda Pilot has become the go-to for many families because of its ability to handle car seats, passengers and for its nicely sized 3rd row. And then, there’s this: Pilot’s top two trims come with a removable middle seat in the second row, so you can decide between bench seating or captain’s chairs on the fly. This might make it the ultimate 7 or 8 passenger SUV on the road.
- 2 complete LATCH systems in the second-row outboard seats
- The third row has 1 set of lower anchors on the passenger side, and there are three sets of top tethers
- A rear-facing car seat was easy to install without having to move the front seat forward or impeding on passenger legroom
- Front-facing car seat also installs nicely after raising the head rest
- The Pilot has some of the best legroom out of any 3-row SUV, with 40.5″ of legroom in the second row. There’s tons of room for car seats, child passengers, and adults in the second row
- You can easily access the third row with a push of a button, sliding and tilting the second row seats forward; this works with a child car seat LATCH installed
RELATED: 10 Legit Minivan Alternatives for When You. Just. Can’t.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Priced From $39K
We were so (so, so, so!) excited when Jeep finally added a 3rd row to the every popular and super-capable Grand Cherokee: the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. And then, we installed our car seats and were even more excited.
- The second row has a 35″ seat pitch and plenty of space for rear-facing car seats
- 2 sets of LATCH systems in the second row
- The third row has 2 upper tethers, but no lower anchors
- Legroom in the second row is a nice 39.4″ with plenty of space for a child in a front-facing car seat
- Front and rear-facing child car seats installed nicely without impacting front-passenger legroom
- Center row seats slide and tilt for 3rd row access, and this feature even works with a car seat LATCH installed
Kia Telluride, Priced From $36K
The Kia Telluride has been a family favorite since it was introduced in 2020, and we love it for the same reasons we love the Hyundai Palisade (they do share the same platform, after all): Interior space, thoughtful features and good seating options. Add to that the Telluride’s rugged look and feel, and off-road capability in the X Line an X-Pro versions, and there’s a lot to love.
- 2 LATCH systems in the center row outboard seats and one LATCH system in the third row driver’s-side seat; there are two additional rear tethers in the 3rd row
- 42.2″ of second-row legroom makes it easy to install child car seats -and the children in them
- Plenty of room for rear-facing car seats, though
- Push-button slide and tilt feature still works with a child car seat installed using the LATCH system
- A rear-facing car seat should easily be able to fit behind the driver or passenger without impeding legroom
- Third row has decent room for younger or smaller passengers, or for taller passengers if the center seats can be moved
Mazda CX-90, Priced From $38K
The Mazda CX-90 replaced the CX-9, the brand’s smaller flagship 3-row SUV. And, it was a good move. The CX-90 allows buyers to choose between 6, 7 and 8 passenger seating, premium and luxury trim details and mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid power.
- Buyers can shop the seating configuration they want; some models only have captains chairs while others only have a second row bench
- The second row has good legroom — 39.4″
- All center row seats and both outboard 3rd row seats have full LATCH sets
- Rear-facing car seats may impede on front seat passenger leg room when installed properly
- Center row seats slide and tilt for 3rd row access when LATCH installed; the 3rd row can also be accessed via the center passthrough between captains chairs
- Despite more 3rd row space than the prior CX-9 model space is still limited and may be better for shorter passengers
Nissan Pathfinder, Priced From $38K
The Nissan Pathfinder is one of the original 3-row SUVs on the road, and also, one of the first to focus on taking the whole family off the road. We love its rugged nature and interior space, as well as its guilt-free cleanability: spills, sand and kid-ick are no issue in this SUV.
- Buyers have the option of second row captain’s chairs with a removable center console or a bench seat
- The second row has a seat pitch of 32″ which is pretty small compared to its competitors
- Rear-facing car seats may impede on front seat passenger leg room when installed properly
- Center row seats slide and tilt, so accessing the third row is easier. With captain’s chairs, passengers can climb over the console, which isn’t super tall, or remove it for 3rd row access
- The third row is not overly large and better suited for shorter passengers
Subaru Ascent, Priced From $40K
The only 3-row option in the Subaru family, the Subaru Ascent this is the go-to for Subie fans who love the brand’s dedication to safety, all wheel drive and the confidence of capability. This is not an overly large SUV, and that shows in cargo space and 3rd row seating, but with sliding center row seats, buyers can accommodate.
- Choose between a second-row bench or captain’s chairs.
- 2 LATCH systems in the second row outboard seats, and 1 LATCH in the third row middle seat.
- 38.6 inches of legroom in the second row
- Front and rear-facing car seats will fit but may impede front seat leg room
- Second row captain’s chairs slide and tilt forward with a car seat installed using the LATCH system for easy 3rd row access.
- Installing a front-facing car seat or booster in the third row might be a squeeze. However, the middle seat has a complete LATCH system and wider base for a car seat, making it easier to reach with captain’s chairs for the pass-through
Toyota Grand Highlander, Priced From $41K
Toyota wants to be everything you need, and for many that is the Toyota Grand Highlander, a larger 3-row SUV with oodles more legroom, headroom and a 3rd row that is comfortable even for tall passengers. Add to that a hybrid option, a more powerful hybrid and luxe materials that make this SUV feel refined and elegant, and you might have found the ideal family SUV.
- Option of second-row bench or captain’s chairs
- 2 complete LATCHes in the second row.
- The third row has one set of lower anchors on the passenger side, plus two sets of top tethers on the passenger side and middle seat.
- Front-row seats have to be moved forward a bit to install a rear-facing car seat in the second row; rear facing seats may impede front seat leg room
- Second-row seats tilt and slide forward, but not with car seats installed.
- A center console between captains chairs is low and can removed or climbed over for 3rd row access
VW Atlas, Priced From $38
The people at VW are really proud of the VW Atlas, which can fit 3 child car seats across the center bench and still allow access to the 3rd row. And we get it: this matters to many families. But the charm of the Atlas goes on from there. Center row captain’s chairs are an option and the 3rd row seats two for a total of 6 or 7 passengers. We love the roomy feel of the cabin, its crisp design and solid footing on and off the pavement.
- Option of second-row bench seating or captain’s chairs
- Complete LATCH systems (anchors and tethers) in all 3 second-row seats
- The center row has a a slim 37.6″ of legroom.
- There are two upper tethers in the third row, but no anchors
- A rear-facing infant car seat may impede front seat leg room
- While center seats slid and tilt forward for 3rd row access, this may be tight for an adult installing seats and kids in those seats
Dodge Durango
We love the super sporty and fun to drive Dodge Durango, especially in the SRT edition which has a supercharged engine. However, this 3-row SUV is really better suited for older kids who don’t need car seats or kids in booster seats. The 3rd row is small and not easy to reach with car seats installed in the center row.
- Second row captain’s chairs with a center console between them can make it difficult to access the third row with a car seat installed
- Second row seats do not slide or tilt. Instead, they flip and fold. This means a child car seat may have to be removed to access the third row
- Center row outboard seat have full LATCH sets but there are only top tethers for third row seats
- Rear-facing car seats will easily fit behind the front passenger’s seat, but may not fit behind a tall driver. We measured a comfortable 33″ behind the passenger seat.
- The second row has 38.6″ of legroom, but the third row felt tight and might be better suited for shorter passengers
