If you’re in the market for a spacious 3-row SUV, you are probably seeking a blend of plenty of room, family-friendly features, impressive technology, and reliable performance. For a budget of $40,000 or less, model year 2025 brings several excellent choices from top automakers like Hyundai, Toyota, Kia, Mazda, and others that balance affordability, quality, and value.
In this article, we will review the 11 best 3-row SUVs under $40,000 that you can consider buying for yourself and your loving family.
All the listed vehicles offer advanced technology, from a high-end infotainment system integrated with smart connectivity options to in-cabin eases like a dual-climate control system, top-tier safety suites, a spacious interior, a stylish exterior, good gas mileage, ample cargo haul, and a price tag that will make your purchase worth it.
Keep reading to learn which affordable SUVs you can buy for your family in the new year.
1. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The all-new Hyundai Santa Fer is one of the best SUV under $40,000, featuring three-rows and comfortable seating for up to seven passengers. Its second row offers a standard bench seat. However, captain chairs are also available as an option, which can make accessing the third row much easier, especially for kids.
For 2025, Hyundai has stretched the wheelbase for Santa Fe, making it more spacious than its predecessors. The redesign now offers more legroom and cargo capacity, particularly benefiting the third row, which is generally tight in midsize SUVs.
With improved headroom and legroom, the third row is now more comfortable and accommodating for children as well as smaller adults. However, it may still feel a bit snug for taller passengers on long trips, which is common for this vehicle class.
The redesigned cabin layout allows for a generous cargo area when the third row is folded flat. You can easily transport bulky items or ample luggage for family trips. And the safety of your family and huge luggage is taken care of by Hyundai’s Hybrid Strategy under which you get automaker’s SmartSense safety suite with your purchase.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 14.6 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 40.5 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 79.6 cubic feet |
2. 2025 Kia Telluride
The all-new Kia Telluride is the best three row SUV in the midsize crossover segment. This South Korean vehicle boasts a refined interior, generous seating for up to eight people, and versatile features.
This ride offers seating configurations for either seven or eight passengers. In the eight-passenger layout, a second-row bench seat is standard, with higher trims offering the option for captain’s chairs, reducing seating to seven but improving second-row comfort and accessibility to the third row.
The 2025 Telluride’s third row is among the most spacious in its class, making it comfortable for adults as well as kids, even on longer drives. It provides enough headroom and legroom for taller passengers, which is a highlight compared to its many competitors, in which the third row generally feels cramped. Even with all three rows in use, you get a respectable amount of 21 ft³ of cargo room behind the third row, providing ample room for luggage, sports equipment, or grocery hauls.
However, when both the rear rows are folded flat, the cargo area expands significantly to 87 ft³. The seats are easy to fold and create a flat load floor for larger items.
Not only this, Kia also offers clever storage solutions in this family SUV, like underfloor compartments and small bins, for organizing smaller items.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 21 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 46 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 87 cubic feet |
3. 2025 Hyundai Palisade
As a flagship model in Hyundai’s SUV lineup, the Palisadde competes directly with other top three-row SUVs like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. The all-new Palisade offers configurations for seven or eight passengers. Its standard setup includes a second-row bench seat for eight-passenger seating, while higher trims offer optional captain’s chairs in the second row, which brings capacity down to seven but increases individual comfort and makes accessing the third row easier.
Hyundai has designed Palisade’s third row with comfort in mind. There is ample headroom and legroom for adults, and it is one of the few midsize SUVs where adults can sit comfortably in the third row. This vehicle is especially well-suited for families with older kids or for those who frequently carry extra passengers.
You get a decent amount of cargo space even with all three rows up. However, with the third row folded down, the cargo capacity expands significantly, providing ample room for large items or family road trip essentials.
One of the best things about this vehicle is that Hyundai has made it convenient to reconfigure the Palisade’s interior. The second- and third-row seats fold flat easily, enabling a large, flat cargo area when you need it.
Also, power-folding third-row seats are available in higher trims, adding to the overall convenience that Palisade offers.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 18.0 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 45.8 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 86.4 cubic feet |
4. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder is a prominent choice in the three-row SUV market. It is designed to offer families ample space, flexible seating options, and a well-equipped interior.
This Nissan 3rd row SUV’s interior is roomy, with flexible seating for up to eight and an “EZ FLEX” seating system that makes accessing the third row easy and makes it even better choice than the two-row Nissan Murano.
With your purchase, you get to choose between seven- or eight-passenger configurations. A second-row bench is standard and offers seating for eight people. However, if you want your second row to be like your first, there is the option of captain’s chairs available, but only on the top-tier trims.
Choosing captain’s chairs decreases the vehicle’s overall seating capacity to seven, but it provides more comfort and easier access to the third row.
Pathfinder’s third row is among the roomier in its class, suitable for kids and even smaller adults on shorter trips. It may feel a bit snug for tall adults on long road trips, but the offered legroom and headroom for a midsize SUV make it a versatile option for families who need occasional extra seating.
You get a decent cargo area behind the third row for smaller items. Folding down the third row reveals a larger, more usable cargo area, and both the second and third rows fold flat to maximize cargo space when needed.
In addition, Nissan offers underfloor storage in the rear cargo area, providing more space for your carry-ons.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 16.6 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 45 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 80.5 cubic feet |
5. 2025 Mazda CX-90
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is a standout new SUV under $40,000, offering a spacious and comfortable three-row configuration. This is Mazda’s largest and most luxurious SUV, designed to compete in the premium three-row segment.
This one also offers seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The standard setup includes a second-row bench seat for maximum capacity, while higher trims offer second-row captain’s chairs, offering room only for seven passengers but with a more luxurious feel.
Mazda has designed the CX-90’s third row to be more spacious than its smaller models. The third row provides adequate headroom and legroom for children and small-height adults, although it may feel slightly tight for taller grown-ups. With all the three-rows in use, you get moderate cargo space behind the third row, suitable only for smaller items like grocery bags. However, with the third row folded down, cargo space increases significantly, giving you ample room for larger items.
The CX-90’s second- and third-row seats fold flat, making it easy for you to maximize the cargo space when needed. The power-folding third-row feature is available on higher trims, which makes reconfiguring the seating area quick and convenient.
Plus, the available universal garage door opener feature also adds to the overall convenience.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 14.9–15.9 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 40.1 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 74.2 cubic feet |
6. 2025 Volkswagen Atlas
If you are wishing to own a 7-seater SUV under $40k featuring German engineering, then look no further than the Volkswagen Atlas. This one stands out among the most spacious 3-row SUVs of 2025, with ample third-row seating and generous cargo space.
This family-friendly SUV prioritizes space, comfort, and utility. It can comfortably seat seven passengers with its standard second-row bench. However, on the higher trims, you can opt for optional captain’s chairs that reduce the seating capacity to six.
The 2025 Atlas boasts one of the most spacious third rows in its class, with ample headroom and legroom to accommodate adults comfortably on longer journeys. Unlike many midsize SUVs, where the third row is often best suited for children, the Atlas’s third row provides genuine space for adults, making it a versatile option for carrying passengers of all ages.
The generous cargo space offering makes the new Atlas one of the most practical three-row SUVs for families. With all seats in use, there’s enough room behind the third row for groceries, backpacks, or a few suitcases. And when the third row is folded down, the cargo area expands significantly, providing plenty of room for larger items like strollers, wheel chairs, sports equipment, or camping gear.
Not only this, with both rear rows folded flat, the Atlas offers a humongous cargo area, one of the largest in its class. In this setup, you can transport bulky items with ease, creating a flat load floor for optimal space.
This cargo flexibility is particularly useful for you if you are someone who needs a lot of cargo capacity for outdoor gear, home improvement projects, or moving large items.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 20.6 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 55.5 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 96.8 cubic feet |
7. 2025 Toyota Highlander
If you were someone who is inclined towards the Toyota 4Runner but its seating capacity of only five persons is stopping you, then I have just the perfect alternative for you.
Starting just below $40,000, the 2025 Toyota Highlander is a popular choice in the three-row SUV market, combining Toyota’s reputation for reliability with a practical and comfortable interior.
This 2025 model can accommodate up to right passengers in its standard configuration, with a second-row bench seat with a 60/40 split-folding design. On the higher trims, you get captain’s chairs in the second row as standard.
The Highlander’s third row is designed primarily for children or smaller adults, as it has less legroom compared to some competitors. However, it’s perfectly adequate for shorter trips or families with young kids.
With all three rows in use, the Highlander provides moderate cargo room for smaller items, such as grocery bags or backpacks, but it’s not as spacious as some competitors. It offers just 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is enough for daily errands but can feel tight for larger loads.
However, with rear rows folded down, this Toyota ride offers over 84 cubic feet of cargo space, which is ample for transporting bulky items or loading up all your family road trip gear.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 16.0 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 48.4 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 84.3 cubic feet |
8. 2025 Subaru Ascent
The 2025 Subaru Ascent is a midsize three-row SUV that combines family-friendly space with Subaru’s renowned all-wheel-drive capability and off-road prowess.
This car with all-wheel drive and manual transmission is available in two-seat configurations. It offers a standard seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain’s chairs. However, if you like, you can opt for an eight-passenger layout with a second-row bench seat.
The third-row seating in the Ascent is one of its standout features. It offers ample legroom and headroom for adults, making it more suitable for older children and adults compared to many competitors in the midsize SUV segment.
Advanced features like power-adjustable front seats and heated and ventilated seats are also available, but only in top-tier trims. In addition, Subaru also offers smart seat folding for the second row in the Ascent, allowing for easy access to the third row.
The second-row seats can be tilted and folded forward with one hand, even when a child seat is installed, making it easy for passengers to enter and exit the third row without much hassle, placing it among the best SUVs under $40,000.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 17.8 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 42.1-47.5 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 86.5 cubic feet |
9. 2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer is a versatile and family-friendly SUV that can accommodate up to seven passengers, with a second-row bench seat in most trims. It offers captain’s chairs in the second row for higher trims, reducing capacity to six but enhancing comfort and ease of access to the third row.
The Explorer’s third row is designed with families in mind, offering reasonable comfort for both children and adults. While it may not offer as much space as some larger three-row SUVs, its third row is still spacious compared to many competitors in its class.
The front seats in the 2025 Explorer come standard with power adjustability, while the second-row seats also feature power folding in certain trims. Also, the third-row seats can be power-folded and reclined, but again only on higher trims.
Both the second and third-row seats feature 60/40 split-folding functionality, allowing you to mix and match the seating and cargo configurations. This flexibility is impressive as it allows for a more customized layout depending on whether you prioritize seating capacity or cargo space.
On higher trims, the Explorer offers an optional rear-seat entertainment system, which includes dual screens that can stream content from a variety of sources, helping you keep your rear-seat passengers entertained, especially on those long trips.
The Explorer is a well-rounded choice for anyone who needs convenience with comfort. However, if this ride seems expensive and you can go by without the three-row seating, the Ford Bronco Sport is one of the most affordable alternatives under the same brand.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 16.3 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 46 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 85.8 cubic feet |
10. 2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is a family-oriented three-row SUV that offers spacious and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, making it an excellent choice for larger families.
Its third-row seating is one of the most spacious in the midsize SUV class, providing enough room for adults on short trips. With generous cargo space and the ability to fold down seats for maximum capacity, the Pilot is highly practical for hauling larger loads. Special seating features like power-adjustable seats, one-touch folding second-row seats, and heated/ventilated seating in higher trims enhance comfort for both the driver and passengers.
The ample space in the third row is one of the standout features of the Pilot, giving it an edge over many competitors in the segment. This all-rounder SUV starts about $200 over the limit of $40,000. If you can splurge this much extra, this is an impeccable ride that offers a huge cabin filled with quality materials and a family-oriented atmosphere for all passengers.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 21.8 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 59.5 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 111.8 cubic feet |
11. 2025 Chevrolet Traverse
Another impressive vehicle on this list of the best SUVs under $40k despite a slight higher price is the new Chevrolet Traverse. It comes with a base price of $40,600 and offers three rows of spacious seating and enough cargo room for growing and large families.
This versatile three-row SUV offers a great combination of seating capacity, cargo space, and features. It comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers in its standard configuration, with the option for second-row captain’s chairs in higher trims.
The third-row seats are spacious for the segment, offering good legroom and comfort for children or adults on shorter trips. With a generous 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space when both rear rows are folded, the Traverse is one of the best in its class for carrying large loads.
Special seating features like power-folding third-row seats, heated and ventilated seating, and flexible configurations make the Traverse an excellent option for families who need both comfort and utility.
Its advanced technology, driver assistance features, and premium options, especially in the higher trims, further elevate the appeal of the 2025 Traverse.
| Cargo Space | Description |
| Behind Third Row | 22.9 cubic feet |
| Third Row Folded Down | 56.6 cubic feet |
| Second And Third Rows Folded Down | 98 cubic feet |
Related FAQs
Is there a Tesla 3 row SUV under $40,000?
No, there is no 2025-year SUV model of Tesla that comes under $40k. The Model Y is indeed a three-row SUV from the brand; however, its latest variant for 2025 comes with a base price of $44,990, which can be way out of budget for money-conscious buyers.’
Is there a Ford Bronco third row model?
No. Ford Bronco, even the latest one for the new model year, comes with only two rows that can seat four adult passengers with an extra middle seat in the second row. It features proper ventilation for second-row passengers through dedicated air vents. If you are interested in this Ford vehicle, you can buy it for an initial price of $29,995.
What 3 row SUV will last the longest?
The answer to questions like how long a vehicle will last depend on several factors including its build and upkeep. The car brand you own determines a great deal of estimation about a vehicle’s longevity. For example, a Toyota is bound to last longer than its rivals as the brand is known for its reliability.
However, simply because you own a dependable car brand will not guarantee the long-lasting vehicle unless you take good care of it. Proper and regular maintenance are key factors in ensuring your vehicle stays with you for a long time.
In many cases, it is seen that cars that were not so highly reliable but were taken good care of by owners outlasted the reliable brand cars that were not kept well by the owners.
Thus, if you wish to keep your three-row SUV long enough to feel nostalgic every time you drive it, build a proper maintenance routine and follow it diligently.
All 11 best 3-row SUVs under $40,000 listed on this blog represent the best of practicality, performance, and value. Whether you prioritize rugged capability, luxury features, or space for the entire family, there’s something here for everyone. Each of these models offers unique benefits, so it’s worth test-driving a few to see which fits your lifestyle and requirements best.
