The 5 best midsize three-row SUVs, according to Edmunds

The 5 best midsize three-row SUVs, according to Edmunds 1 of 5 | This photo provided by Hyundai shows the 2026 Palisade. The Palisade has been redesigned for 2026 and features new styling and a roomy interior fitted with premium features and materials. (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America via AP) 2 of 5 | This photo provided by Kia shows the 2027 Telluride. The redesigned 2027 Telluride’s spacious cabin, smooth ride, and generous list of standard tech features make it an easy SUV to drive every day. (Courtesy of Kia America via AP) 3 of 5 | This photo provided by Toyota shows the 2026 Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander is an excellent choice for those who want to maximize passenger comfort and space without upgrading to a full-size SUV. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP) 4 of 5 | This photo provided by Ford shows the 2027 Explorer. The Explorer stands out for its quick acceleration and engaging driving experience. It also offers a special Tremor version that is better equipped to handle dirt roads and light-duty off-road trails. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP) 5 of 5 | This photo provided by Volkswagen shows the 2026 Atlas. The Atlas works well as a roomy family hauler with plenty of space for people and their cargo. It also comes with many standard features. (Courtesy of Volkswagen of America via AP) By Dan Frio of Edmunds Updated 1:26 PM MESZ, July 29, 2026 Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Size, space and utility have made the three-row SUV a mainstay of American family life. But with more than dozen mainstream models on the market, choosing one can feel daunting. Thankfully, Edmunds has tested them all and identified the five best midsize three-row SUVs. From the top-ranked Hyundai-palisade" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173945" data-entity-type="topic">Hyundai Palisade and its Kia-telluride" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173946" data-entity-type="topic">Kia Telluride sibling to the sporty Ford-explorer" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="156033" data-entity-type="topic">Ford Explorer and the vast cabins of the Toyota-grand-highlander" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173947" data-entity-type="topic">Toyota Grand Highlander and Volkswagen-atlas" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173948" data-entity-type="topic">Volkswagen Atlas, these are today’s top picks for driving your tribe. All of the following prices include destination fees. The Hyundai-palisade" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173945" data-entity-type="topic">Hyundai Palisade tops Edmunds’ midsize three-row rankings. Its quiet, roomy interior gives everyone — even third-row passengers — ample room to spread out. An exceptionally smooth ride makes it ideal both for long highway travel and short local hops on typical city roads. The Palisade’s user-friendly tech, such as wireless smartphone connections and USB ports in all three rows, ensures the driver and passengers stay connected and entertained. Maximum cargo capacity falls short of some rivals, but clever small-item storage throughout the cabin takes up the slack. Although one of the pricier picks in the class, the Palisade comes with generous features, high-end materials, and an industry-leading warranty. Edmunds also recommends getting the hybrid version if your budget allows. It gets up to an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving, and is quicker than the regular Palisade to boot. 2026 Palisade starting price: $41,035; hybrid version: $45,760 The best used sedans for under $15,000, according to Edmunds 3 MIN READ Ford to partner with Chinese automaker Geely in Spain in new joint venture 3 MIN READ Lexus ES vs Mercedes CLA, an electric luxury sedan comparison from Edmunds 3 MIN READ Kia-telluride" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173946" data-entity-type="topic">Kia Telluride If the Palisade sounds appealing but you prefer a sportier look, the Kia-telluride" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173946" data-entity-type="topic">Kia Telluride makes an excellent alternative. It’s mechanically related to the Palisade and costs nearly the same, but the Kia offers its own compelling flavor. The tall, flat grille, vertical headlights and 20-inch wheels give the Telluride bold trucklike style, and its standard turbocharged engine generates more low-end punch than its base Palisade counterpart. The Telluride also gets a bit more rear cargo space, excellent second-row legroom, and extra tech such as dual wireless phone chargers. Oddly, the available Telluride hybrid costs more than the hybrid Palisade, but the higher price gets you a few extra standard features, such as ventilated front seats and a more advanced cruise control system. 2027 Telluride starting price: $40,735; hybrid version: $48,035 The Toyota-grand-highlander" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="173947" data-entity-type="topic">Toyota Grand Highlander is a subdued counterpoint to the glitzy Palisade or chunky Telluride. Its styling is more generic-looking, but otherwise the Grand Highlander will win you over with its smooth ride, excellent driver aids and roomy third-row seating. Folding down the second- and third-row seats opens up a massive amount of cargo space, so don’t be surprised when friends ask you to help them move. Technology is also a strong suit, with features including wireless smartphone integration, abundant USB ports, and a capable web-connected voice assistant. There’s also the even more efficient Grand Highlander Hybrid that gets up to 36 mpg combined. The Grand Highlander is one of the pricier midsize three-row picks, but the premium interior materials and generous space still make it a good deal. 2026 Grand Highlander starting price: $43,855; hybrid version: $47,205 The Ford-explorer" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="156033" data-entity-type="topic">Ford Explorer proves that three-row SUVs can also be sporty. The athlete of the class, the Explorer offers agile handling and acceleration. This is especially true of the Explorer ST, which packs a 400-horsepower V6 and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Tech highlights include a Google-integrated infotainment system with a big 13.2-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone connectivity and Ford’s optional BlueCruise hands-free driving system. Small cargo space and tight third-row legroom diminish some of the Ford’s utility, and the rear seats aren’t as comfortable as those up front. Also, Ford doesn’t offer a hybrid version of the Explorer. But if you don’t mind trading some practicality for performance, the Explorer is an engaging pick. A spacious cabin and adult-size seating in all three rows help keep Volkswagen’s biggest SUV high in Edmunds’ rankings. The Atlas’ interior is quiet, and it’s easy to get in and out. Maximum cargo space is also massive, and both back rows fold flat for vanlike utility. The Atlas also rides smoothly over bumps but without the floaty feeling you notice in some rivals. Impressively, VW has also stuffed a lot of standard features into the Atlas. Even the base trim comes with synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. There are a few minor drawbacks to the Atlas, such as some distracting-to-use controls and no available hybrid powertrain option, but overall the Atlas gets plenty right. Whether you need a three-row SUV with cavernous cargo space, maximum fuel economy, or simply speed and performance, today’s top midsize picks deliver something for every buyer. This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.