10 Best Mid-Size SUVs with Third Row Seating for 2015

2015 Lincoln Navigator interior

Not everyone needs to haul six or seven passengers every day, all day, which makes mid-size SUVs with third row seating such an appealing choice for the majority of family buyers. Sure, a mid-size SUV might not offer the same generous amount of third row leg room as a full-size model, but the increased fuel efficiency and easier-to-drive (and park) nature of these more reasonably-proportioned models more than makes up for that fact.

The ability to make use of a folding third row in a pinch is a feather in the cap of any mid-size SUV, and there are a number of appealing and versatile choices currently on the market. Let's take a quick look at 10 of the best mid-size SUVs with third row seating for 2015.

1. 2015 Ford Explorer Sport

The 2015 Ford Explorer Sport proves that three rows don't have to equal a boring drive in a mid-size SUV. The Ford Explorer Sport boasts a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine that grinds out 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, giving it substantial scoot off of the line (especially considering that it comes standard with all-wheel drive). You'll find it's a tight squeeze in the rear row of the Explorer Sport, but there's a decent 80 cubic feet of total cargo space available inside the SUV, which returns 16-mpg in stop and go driving and 22-mpg on the highway.

Photo by Ford

2. 2015 Dodge Journey

The 2015 Dodge Journey gets full marks for being a mid-size SUV with third row seating and an affordable purchase price. Available in a number of different editions - including the sporty-looking R/T - the Dodge Journey features six-passenger capability along with a maximum cargo capacity of 68 cubic feet with all three rows out of the picture. Entry-level models provide 177 horsepower from a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, while a 3.6-liter V-6 is also available (and ups the ante to 283 horses). All-wheel drive is offered with the V-6 option, but the four-cylinder's 19-mpg city and 26-mpg highway carries the day from an efficiency perspective.

3. 2015 Toyota Highlander

The 2015 Toyota Highlander is the first eight-passenger model on our list of the best mid-size SUVs with third row seating, and it accomplishes this by offering three-across accommodations in the second and third rows. If you're looking for second row captain's chair, you can get those too on higher trim levels, but keep in mind that the rearmost seats are fairly tight and you might not want to shunt too many riders all the way back there. A 185 horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder motor is standard with the Toyota Highlander and brings with it 20-mpg city and 25-mpg highway, and an optional 3.5-liter V-6 introduces 270 horsepower and the availability of all-wheel drive while barely dropping fuel consumption figures. The Highlander also offers a respectable 83.7 cubic feet of total cargo space.

4. 2015 Land Rover LR4

The 2015 Land Rover LR4 mixes up its three-rows of seating with a genuine thirst for off-road adventure. All versions of the Land Rover LR4 come with full-time four-wheel drive and the Terrain Response system, each of which contribute to the vehicle's remarkable surefootedness when the pavement disappears. The LR4 is also notable for its luxurious cabin, its 90 cubic feet of total cargo space, and its ability to host even regular-sized adults in comfort regardless of which row they might find themselves occupying. A 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 is included free of charge with every Land Rover LR4, and it offers 340 horsepower while returning fuel mileage of 14-mpg city and 19-mpg highway.

5. 2016 Acura MDX

The 2016 Acura MDX has been completely redesigned, and it's currently on sale for 2015. One of Acura's most popular vehicles, the MDX people mover offers seven passenger capacity across three rows, and it comes with a substantial list of standard premium features to go with its 290 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. All-wheel drive is optional with the MDX, and fuel mileage for the SUV is listed at 20-mpg around town and 27-mpg on the highway. 90.9 cubic feet of total cargo space are lurking inside the Acura's confines with the second and third rows folded flat.

6. 2015 BMW X5

If you absolutely must own a European mid-size SUV with sporting pretensions - and have to have seven passenger seating, too - then the 2015 BMW X5 is worth a look. Keep in mind, however, that the BMW X5's impressive performance and available luxury features are tempered by a third row that is cramped even for children. Total cargo space is also somewhat limited in the X5, measuring in at 66 cubic feet behind the two front positions.

All of that is forgiven, however, when you put the pedal down on either of the X5's available gas engines: a 3.0-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder (300 horsepower) and a turbocharged, 4.4-liter V-8 (445 horsepower). Even the vehicle's available 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel mill can boogie with its 255 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, which, like all other X5 motors, is coupled with standard all-wheel drive. The turbodiesel also claims a respectable 24-mpg in city driving and 31-mpg during highway cruising.

Photo by BMW Media

7. 2016 Kia Sorento

Another all-new entry on our list of the best mid-size SUVs with third row seating is the 2016 Kia Sorento (on-sale for 2015, of course). The Kia Sorento's strong value equation, plus the considerable comforts of its top trim level, make it a compelling family choice, although to grab a seven passenger model you'll have to choose from either its base 185 horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or its 3.3-liter, 290 horsepower V-6 (each of which comes with all-wheel drive), and forsake its turbocharged mid-range motor. The four-cylinder Sorento offers 22-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg on the highway, and all models boast 73 cubic feet of total cargo space.

Photo by Kia Media

8. 2015 Mazda CX-9

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 occupies an unusual niche in the world of three-row mid-size SUVs. The Mazda CX-9 actually delivers a fun driving experience without requiring a huge cash outlay, thanks in large part to the chassis tuning efforts of the automaker's engineering team. All CX-9 models come with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that's good for 273 horsepower, with the option of all-wheel drive, and fuel mileage for the Mazda is listed at 17-mpg in stop and go driving and 24-mpg on the highway. In addition to its seven passenger seating, the CX-9 can haul up to 101 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded forward.

Photo by Mazda USA

9. 2015 Toyota 4Runner

2015 Toyota 4RunnerThe 2015 Toyota 4Runner is a traditional body-on-frame mid-size SUV that also happens to offer the option of a third row of seating. One of the last of its breed, the Toyota 4Runner is most potent on the trail when ordered in TRD Pro trim, but all models come with a 270 horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 plus the option of low-range four-wheel drive. Fuel mileage for the Toyota 4Runner shows as 17-mpg around town and 22-mpg on the highway, while total cargo space checks in at 89.7 cubic feet. Do a reality check before signing on the dotted line for the third row option: it's small back there, and really only suited for small children.

10. 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is another Korean mid-size SUV that aims to leverage attractive pricing with a long list of standard features. Available in both six and seven passenger configurations, the three-row Hyundai Santa Fe is gifted with 80 cubic feet of total cargo space. A 3.3-liter V-6 engine that develops 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque is standard with all Santa Fe models, while all-wheel drive is available across the board as an option. Look for the Hyundai to return fuel mileage of 18-mpg in city driving and 25-mpg on the highway.

Photo by Hyundai