Or midsize "SUV." Whatever makes you sleep at night.
There is a lot here. In the end, here were the rankings:
9th Place Volkswagen Atlas
It's plenty spacious but has a ride that will make kids carsick. VW needs to improve its family SUV's suspension.
8th Place Ford Explorer
It's new to market, but the Ford seems like it was built ages ago. Its price ladder doesn't speak well to value.
7th Place Mazda CX-9
Great power, ride, and handling, but that's not why folks buy people haulers. It's short of the traits that make a true family vehicle.
6th Place Chevrolet Traverse
A strong SUV just three years ago, the Traverse has suffered at the hands of the newer players in the segment. A rental car feel at a high price.
5th Place Toyota Highlander
The segment sales leader arrived with a cool new design, but a cramped third row and a thrashy powertrain hurt.
4th Place Hyundai Palisade
A smart value, the Palisade raises eyebrows at school plays and soccer practice. Ride is stiff for kids, though.
3rd Place Honda Pilot
The smartly packaged Pilot scores highly with its responsive suspension and direct steering feel.
2nd Place Subaru Ascent
It's oddly styled, but once you see how spacious and capable it is, the Ascent checks many boxes. Plus: value.
1st Place Kia Telluride
Eye-catching design, an elegant interior, and excellent value. The Telluride doesn't disappoint. A class above.
Hey it's that thing I've said before but no one wants to hear.3-row SUVs: Which is the best?
After our look at all the players in the three-row SUV game, it became clear to us that if you have a big family or really need that third row and room for tons of stuff, a minivan is a better option.
No SUV can match the passenger room, cargo space, and utility that minivans offer. That said, despite not being as functional, the usability of three-row midsize crossovers has improved greatly. And they look better, too. But it ain't just clever marketing that has boosted sales. SUVs are much more capable for families now than they were a decade ago. And the segment is more crowded than ever.
So which is the one to choose? Sometimes it depends on your priorities.
And here is a recap/summary:
Despite its roominess, the VW Atlas' busy ride and handling and recalcitrant powertrain need improvement before it can be a strong player in this segment.
The same can be said for the Ford; although different powertrains are available, the combination of the 2.3-liter turbo with the 10-speed and rear-wheel drive delivered a terrible overall calibration. Its content-per-dollar also makes for a poor value proposition.
The Mazda CX-9 is the most fun to drive in this group, but for a family seeking spacious transportation, its tighter packaging makes it less appealing. Its aging technology doesn't help, either.
The Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, offers a spacious cabin and modern infotainment system, but its weak safety features and cheap interior land it well down our roster.
The Toyota brings a strong value game and sharp interior design. However, the Highlander's claustrophobic third row, outdated infotainment system, and thrashy powertrain relegated it to a disappointing finish.
Any of the vehicles in the top four places are worth considering. A solid new player, the Hyundai Palisade scored highly for its attention to detail, but its hard seats and harsh ride kept it off the podium. You won't regret owning one, but there are better options.
The Honda Pilot has aged well, and the updated transmission and infotainment system erased our main quibbles over the past years' models. Its packaging and value continue to be among the best in the segment.
The Subaru Ascent's value, interior design, and spacious cabin helped it claim the silver medal. Shame about that exterior design, though.
Finally, the Telluride. It seems 2020 is the year for South Korea. Not only did Parasite take the top honors at the Oscars, but our reigning SUV of the Year also continues to outperform its competitors. Although it still has areas where it could improve, the Kia Telluride remains the best three-row family SUV you can buy today.