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.

Cars with 3rd row seating are most convenient for families. Popular for one of the vehicles with the largest amount of room in the 3rd row is the Honda Odyssey with 41.4 inches.

Featuring a fuel efficient V-6 engine, the Mazda CX-9 can comfortably carry 7 passengers. In addition to the roomy ride, the Mazda CX-9 has a 5 star safety rating. The Mazda provides front air bags and side air bag curtains for rollover protection. Advanced safety features include a Dynamic Stability Control which modulates the brakes when an over or understeer is detected.

The standard Traction Control System detects wheel spin and adjusts the throttle for a better grip on the road. A blind spot monitoring system alerts the driver when other vehicles are in the blind spots.

Three spacious rows of seating feature a 60/40 split fold down 2nd row and 50/50 split fold down 3rd row giving 100.7 cubic feet of cargo space. When seats are occupied, 17.2 cubic feet is ample space for storage.

Offering the largest space for cars with 3rd row seating, the Honda Odyssey beats all others with 41.1 inches of leg room. The One-Motion 60/40 split 3rd row Magic Seat needs only a slight pull and the seat stows itself. The multi-functioning 2nd row center seat can be folded down for a tray and beverage holder. The wide mode outboard seats can slide 1.5 inches to each side for more flexibility.

The efficient new Odyssey features a 248 hp V-6 with Variable Cylinder Management on all models. The Odyssey offers safety with technology to help in avoiding accidents.

Offering a comfortable 3rd row, the Chevrolet Traverse seats up to 8 passengers in style. With good fuel economy and roomy interior, the Traverse also has plenty of space for cargo. High quailty at an affordable price makes this SUV apealing to families.

Featuring seating in 2 configurations, reviewers find the 3rd row comfortable and large enough for adults. Including a navigation system, rear entertainment system and power lift gate, the Traverse enables traveling to be enjoyable.

The Traverse provides 116.4 cubic feet of space when the 2nd and 3rd row seats are folded. Earning very good crash test ratings, the Traverse earned 5 stars for protection in all seating positions.

Included for standard safety features are front air bags, side curtain airbags, Onstar Automatic Crash Response and Roadside Assistance, Traction Control, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.

The main reason being is the fact that most families have at least four people to accommodate when it comes to traveling or transporting their family to different functions. The popularity of third row seating vehicles is taking over the more environmental conscious buyer. Here’s a few of these third row seating vehicles that rated highly for 2010 with each one coming under the $25K price tag.

The Kia Sedona has been the most affordable and practical of the minivans for 2010 and offers a short and long wheelbase version with a difference of maybe $2,000 for either. The long wheelbase version is able to make the third row seating fold down to the floor flat. It doesn’t have the most original of designs since it does look like a Dodge Caravan but offers a lot of room for passengers and a wide area for hauling items.

Another Kia worth mentioning is the Rondo. A rather odd-shaped vehicle that once you see it from the outside, wouldn’t think that this had any third row seating whatsoever. It’s not a minivan, which will make some moms and dads happy but it’s not exactly a crossover either since it has a tallness to it. It offers rear hinged doors and makes it easy for getting in and out of driveways. As for tight spaces downtown, this could be problematic depending on your driving skills.

The Toyota Rav4 is another vehicle that has been popular amongst families and even college students that have to carpool on a weekly basis. For about a $1,000 extra you can get within an in base four-cylinder, front-wheel drive and a third-row seat option. It is decently roomy and has good fuel economy for those living in urban areas.

The Mazda5 offers fuel-efficiency, maneuverability and lots of room for families. One of the only models that offers manual transmission, the Mazda5 offers excellent handling, sliding side doors that open easily without power assistance and customers said it had a “small car” feel to it when driving. It’s overall ratings weren’t great but nothing to be alarmed at since it excels in performance and overall satisfaction.

One of the most popular by far is the Dodge Grand Caravan. It’s claim to fame is the “Stow ‘n’ Go” seating. The SE model also offers this unique capability. It combines a second row that folds flat with a third row that folds completely flat into the floor. If you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, other options available are things like a backseat TV, heated seats in the second row and the Swivel ‘n’ Go system (second-row seats are able to turn 180 degrees toward the third row allowing for easy in and out for the passengers as well as ease of communication with everyone present in the vehicle).

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.

For under thirty-thousand you can find many choices with vehicles with 3rd row seating. Although, you can even get a number of styles, makes and models for under twenty-five thousand dollars. There are even styles that are less than twenty-thousand.

While comparison-shopping for vehicles with third row seating, pay attention to how easy it is for you to fold the seats. Check to see how much reaching will be required to fold the seats, and how flat they will fold. Additionally, while looking at the vehicles you should know how well a passenger will fit back there and how easy it would be to get them out of the vehicle with third row seating.

If the extra seats are for the younger children, you want to make sure that the child seats properly fit, without any movement. You will want to look for enough latch connectors to place the child restraint seats that are set up in the third row.

The top five vehicles with third row seating range from different makes, models, and manufacturers. The Dodge Grand Caravan overall rating is eight point two. This caravan is worth the money duet to the flexible interior and the entertaining options.

Toyota offers their Toyota RAV4, with their rating at an overall score of a seven four. It has a spare tire on the tail as most sport utility vehicles do. However, do not judge the spare tire against this practical, fuel-efficient choice for the families on the go. This is a four-cylinder engine helping with the fuel efficiency.

Kia, offers on their third row seating a Kia Rondo, this has the overall rating point of a seven four. You may be drawn to the Kia Rondo because of its look, but you are going to see that the Rondo also a great choice for its fuel efficiency and its overall seating arrangements with the third row seats.

Mazda came out with their three-row seating with the new Mazda Mazda5, with the overall rating being a seven point two. This is for families looking for fuel-efficient, maneuverable and a lot of space in this vehicle. Offering a fun to drive feel the Mazda5 is one of the best choices and priced great. Although, this is not the highest rated vehicle under the third row seating, This has great handling, and a small car feel while driving it, yet you would think the room for a third row seats would be difficult and uncomfortable, being a smaller vehicle with good leg room and comfort in the third row.

Finally yet importantly, Kia has another vehicle with the overall rating of seven point two. The name is Kia Sedona. This is one of the most affordable mini vans. Yet built by manufacturers so that even the practical minded would not know the difference as to the price you paid for the economic vehicle. This vehicle comes in two lengths. The lengths are a short wheelbase and a long wheelbase. Either one you choose they have the third row seating.

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.