If you are a soccer mom who transports team members to practice and to games it is always handy to have an SUV with 3rd row seating. They are also great for the business person who travels a lot with other executives. Or, it can be a great way to take a trip and to separate the children who might be fussing and fighting.

There are a variety of SUVs that offer 3rd row seating SUV. One of the highest ranking of these is the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Not only is this SUV luxurious it also offers comfort and it is capable of hauling eight passengers. This still leaves room for suitcases, soccer balls, or other items you need to transport.

Another 3rd row seating SUV is the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. This SUV has been one of the best selling full-size SUVs for almost ten years. It offers seating for up to nine people. It also offers a good amount of storage space. The mileage is admirable. This Chevrolet Tahoe has received top ranking from J.D. Power and Associates in their Initial Quality Survey.

Chevolet also offers another good choice with 3rd row seating. This is the Chevrolet Traverse. It is one of the largest midsize SUVs. Most people are pleasantly surprised that the cabin offers so much space. The SUV offers big, supportive seats. This makes the ride particularly comfortable on long trips. There is also an entry-step to assist people to get in and out of the SUV. One of the nicer features is that the 2nd row seat tilts and slides forward.

This allows for easy access to the 3rd row. Since the 2nd row seat can be moved forward or backward this makes it roomier for the 3rd row seat. There is also a good amount of usable space behing the 3rd row seat as well as an under-floor compartment. This SUV also offers bins and cubbies that provide for a lot of interior storage.

Another impressive 3rd row seating SUV is the Audi Q7. Not only does this SUV offer luxury but it also has room for seven passengers. This Audi is a large, luxury crossover. Aside from the seating capacity it also offers outstanding cargo space.

Other consumers have been delighted with the Buick Enclave. This was GMs first eight-passenger crossover SUV. According to reports it is said to offer the most cargo volume in the premium midsize SUVs.

Many people want the luxury of a vehicle that can hold a lot of people. This can be found with vehicles that have a 3rd row seating feature. Below is a short list of 3rd row seating vehicles and a short review of each.

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

The Escalade is a stylish vehicle that offers comfort and luxury to anyone who owns it. These 3rd row seating vehicles can carry as many as 8 passengers, and can do so comfortably. In addition to the 8 people that can ride inside, this full-size Cadillac also offers more room that can be used for camping equipment or whatever the driver sees fit.

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the only full-size hybrid SUV on the market, and is a must have. It is powered with a 6.0 liter V8 engine and is paired with twin 60 watt electric motors and also an onboard battery pack. This vehicle has been estimated to get the good gas mileage of 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The Consumer Guide commented on the amazing gas mileage and the potential fuel economy savings with it. They said that the fuel economy in this full-sized SUV is comparable to many crossover SUV’s.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Chevrolet offers 3rd row seating vehicles in the form of their Tahoe Hybrid, which can carry up to 9 people. The Tahoe offers storage space, has towing capabilities, and has off-road and foul-weather capabilities. When driven in 2WD this vehicle gets about 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. When driven in 4WD the Tahoe gets about 20 mpg for both city and highway. Kelly Blue Book had only good to say about the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid when they said that the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the best full-size SUV’s on the market.

Audi Q7

These 7 passenger 3rd row seating vehicles offer luxury and quality to consumers. It has excellent cargo space and offers many safety features. This all wheel drive vehicle runs on diesel and has an estimated 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway fuel economy. The Audi is a 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel vehicle, and Jim Hall of Road & Tracks made a statement that it lives and breathes just like a gasoline powered car.

Chevrolet Traverse

The Consumer Guide gave a pleasing review of the Chevrolet Traverse when they stated that it is arguably the strongest value. It offers great space, power, and has decent handling. They also stated that it looks and feels more expensive than it really is. This 3rd row seating vehicle has an estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The Traverse can comfortably hold up to eight people, and the 3rd row can accommodate a 6 foot person.

In the search for environmentally friendly vehicles that also seat a large number of passengers, several auto manufacturers have created Crossovers with third row seating.  Below is a list of 4 vehicles that meet this criteria.

The first vehicle being reviewed here is also the least expensive of the group, the Dodge Journey and it starts at just under $21K for the SE model. It comes as standard with a 4 cylinder engine and a 4 speed automatic transmission giving you 19-25 MPG. Interior features include a 6 speaker multimedia system that plays CDs, DVDs and MP3 disks with voice commands and an audio input for your MP3 player. The Journey has keyless entry and power windows as standard as well as tire pressure monitoring which is a nice safety addition for a vehicle targeted for family use.

Chevrolet Traverse

The second of the group of crossovers with third row seating that we are reviewing is actually the most expensive of the group, the Chevrolet Traverse starts just under $30K and for the extra money you get a V6 engine and a 6 speed automatic transmission over the Journey although that does cost you a little in economy. Interior features are similar to that of the Journey, although it does add OnStar and XM radio. Convenience features on the Traverse match those supplied by the Journey, but adds power adjustable mirrors to the mix.

The Toyota Highlander is the next in this group, and models start at just over $27K. The lower cost drops us back to a 4 cylinder engine, although larger in capacity than the one in the Journey, but remains the 6 speed transmission to give between 20 and 25 MPG. As is standard for this group it comes equipped with a 6 speaker entertainment system, keyless entry and power windows. The third row seating in the Highlander also features a 50/50 split so you do not need to make the choice between storage space and seating if all of the third row is not required.

The final entry in the group is the Toyota RAV4, and was listed in a recent survey as having the highest sales for the previous month of all crossovers with third row seating in the US market. The RAV4 starts at just under $22K almost matching the Journey for the lowest priced vehicle in the group.

It also matches the Journey with its 4 cylinder engine and 4 speed transmission but has it beat on fuel efficiency offering 22-28 MPG. Once again 6 speaker entertainment system, keyless entry and power windows are standard, but the 50/50 split third row seating offered on the Highlander is now a cost extra option.

Overall, there are some excellent choices if you are deciding between crossovers with third row seating, and with similar equipment, greater fuel efficiency and legendary Toyota reliability you can see why the RAV4 is the sales leader of the group.