We Tested Nine 3-Row SUVs. Which One's the Best?

Looking for the Best 3-row SUV of 2026? We tested nine top contenders, from the Toyota Grand Highlander to the Ford Explorer, to find out which one truly belongs in your driveway. Appraisal Tool – https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Car Listings – https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Ratings and Reviews – https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube 00:00 Intro 00:35 Mazda CX-90 03:00 Nissan Pathfinder 05:36 Honda Pilot 08:13 GMC Acadia 10:37 VW Atlas 13:31 Ford Explorer 15:47 Toyota Grand Highlander 18:12 Kia Telluride 20:17 Hyundai Palisade 22:49 Edmunds' Take When two rows just aren't enough but a full-size SUV is too much, finding the best 3-row SUV becomes the ultimate mission. For 2026, the competition is hotter than ever, so we gathered nine of the most popular midsize family haulers for a massive comparison review to see which one deserves your hard-earned cash. We put the Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, GMC Acadia, Volkswagen Atlas, Ford Explorer, Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade through the wringer. From wrangling bulky car seats and testing out V6 and hybrid powertrains to evaluating cargo space and tech features, we left no stone unturned. Some vehicles impressed us with trick storage and massive third rows, while others fell short with frustrating touch controls or poor fuel economy. If you want an intensely practical everyday vehicle with huge cargo capacity, the Toyota Grand Highlander makes a strong case. If style, value, and overall execution are your priorities, the Kia Telluride continues to impress, especially with its punchy new hybrid powertrain option. However, when the dust settled, the Hyundai Palisade took the crown. Combining stellar ride quality, exceptional second- and third-row comfort, modern tech, and great fuel economy from its hybrid setup, it simply outshines the competition. Watch the full comparison to see exactly how all nine SUVs stack up and why the Palisade is our top pick! Hyundai Palisade Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/palisade/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Kia Telluride Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/kia/telluride/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Toyota Grand Highlander Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/grand-highlander/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Ford Explorer Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/ford/explorer/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Volkswagen Atlas Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/atlas/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube GMC Acadia Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Honda Pilot Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/honda/pilot/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Nissan Pathfinder Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/nissan/pathfinder/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube Mazda CX-90 Edmunds Review - https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-90/?utm_campaign=qr_code&utm_source=youtube More Edmunds Comparison Videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpQwAPiW1fCPh4LEWxlbp9Cx If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of generative AI. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars/ #HyundaiPalisade #KiaTelluride #ToyotaGrandHighlander #Edmunds

Added 18 Oct 2026