Small SUVs and three rows of seats are not always a perfect match. Fitting a third row into a compact SUV often means compromises, particularly in cargo space and third-row passenger comfort. Ideally, a truly spacious third row requires a larger vehicle. However, for many families, especially those with children, a compact SUV with a third row offers a practical solution. These vehicles can accommodate kids comfortably or handle shorter trips with additional passengers, making them a versatile option. This article ranks the ten smallest three-row SUVs available in America for 2025, based on their exterior body length, from largest to smallest, to help you find the right fit for your needs.
10. 2025 Kia Telluride
Body Length: 196.9 inches
The Kia Telluride consistently ranks as a top choice in the three-row SUV category, and the 2025 model year reinforces this reputation. While technically a mid-size SUV, the Telluride is on the smaller end of its class, offering an excellent balance of style, practicality, and passenger comfort. Its boxy design is not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional, maximizing interior space to provide adult-friendly seating in all three rows – a notable achievement in this vehicle segment.
The 2025 Telluride boasts an array of advanced driver assistance systems, a modern digital cockpit, and high-quality materials throughout the cabin, elevating the driving experience. Its 196.9-inch length strikes a sweet spot, making it manageable to drive and park while still providing ample cargo capacity for family needs. Whether navigating busy city streets or embarking on long road trips, the Kia Telluride remains a benchmark for mid-size SUVs, demonstrating that even larger vehicles can be designed with space efficiency in mind.
| Body Length | 196.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 31.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 87 / 46 / 21 cubic feet |
9. 2025 Subaru Ascent
Body Length: 196.8 inches
The Subaru Ascent continues to be a popular choice for families who prioritize all-weather capability and a spacious interior in a 3 Row Compact Suv format. Standard with Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive, the Ascent is exceptionally well-suited for driving in challenging conditions like snow or mud. The third row in the Ascent offers slightly more space than many competitors in the compact category, making it reasonably comfortable for adults on shorter journeys. Safety is another key strength of the Ascent, with consistently high crash test ratings and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. This SUV is an ideal companion for outdoor enthusiasts and larger families seeking a reliable and capable vehicle.
| Body Length | 196.8 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 31.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 75.6 / 43.5 / 17.6 cubic feet |
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8. 2025 Hyundai Palisade
Body Length: 196.7 inches
The Hyundai Palisade offers a sophisticated blend of practicality and comfort, establishing itself as a compelling option for families searching for a well-rounded 3 row compact suv alternative. With its generously sized interior, upscale materials, and cutting-edge technology, the Palisade distinguishes itself within the competitive midsize SUV market. Power comes from a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, delivering smooth and confident performance for daily driving and longer trips. The third row provides adequate space for children and is acceptable for adults on shorter trips, while the ample cargo capacity is well-suited for family road trips and hauling gear. The Palisade delivers a quiet and composed ride, providing a premium driving experience without the premium price tag, making it a smart choice for value-conscious buyers.
| Body Length | 196.7 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 31.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 86.4 / 45.8 / 18 cubic feet |
7. 2025 Toyota Highlander
Body Length: 194.9 inches
The Toyota Highlander has been a long-standing favorite among families, and the 2025 model upholds this tradition with its impressive fuel efficiency and comfortable, spacious interior for a 3 row compact suv option. Its powertrain is engineered for both smoothness and economy, making it an excellent choice for families who prioritize fuel savings on long journeys. While the third row is better suited for children or smaller adults, the overall interior is intelligently designed to maximize passenger and cargo space. Packed with advanced technology and comprehensive safety features, the Highlander is a reliable and versatile SUV, particularly appealing to eco-conscious families who need three rows but don’t want to compromise on fuel economy.
| Body Length | 194.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 28 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 84.3 / 48.4 / 16 cubic feet |
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6. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Body Length: 190.2 inches
The Hyundai Santa Fe embraces a bolder, more rugged aesthetic for 2025, while maintaining its core appeal as a family-oriented 3 row compact suv. This SUV offers a choice of a highly efficient hybrid powertrain or a potent 277-horsepower gasoline engine, providing a good balance of performance and fuel economy for its size. The interior has been significantly updated with premium materials, advanced safety technologies, and a thoughtfully designed cabin layout that maximizes space and comfort. The third row is best suited for children, but the Santa Fe’s flexible seating configurations and generous cargo area make it a strong contender for families who need practicality without the bulk of a larger SUV.
| Body Length | 190.2 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 30 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 79.6 / 40.5 / 14.6 cubic feet |
5. 2025 Kia Sorento
Body Length: 189.6 inches
The 2025 Kia Sorento stands out as a compelling option in the 3 row compact suv category, particularly for families who prioritize fuel efficiency and practicality in a smaller package. Featuring a stylish design and an available hybrid powertrain that combines efficiency with responsive power, the Sorento is adaptable for daily city commutes and longer road trips. While the third row is indeed compact and best reserved for children, the Sorento compensates with a spacious second row and a wealth of tech features, including an intuitive infotainment system. It’s an excellent alternative for those looking to downsize from a larger, less fuel-efficient SUV without sacrificing essential capabilities, and it solidifies its position as a top small SUV with a 3rd row.
| Body Length | 189.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 29.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 75.5 / 38.5–45 / 12.6 cubic feet |
4. 2025 Tesla Model Y
Body Length: 187 inches
The Tesla Model Y distinguishes itself as the only fully electric vehicle on this list, offering an optional third-row configuration for those seeking an eco-friendly 3 row compact suv. While the third-row seats are most appropriate for children, the Model Y excels in areas such as driving range, rapid acceleration, and innovative technology. Its minimalist interior design is centered around a large touchscreen that controls virtually all vehicle functions, creating a futuristic and streamlined cabin experience. With an impressive range exceeding 300 miles on a single charge and a spacious second row, the Model Y is perfectly suited for families ready to embrace electric driving without compromising on performance or practicality.
| Body Length | 187 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 27 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 67.9 / 26.6 / 12.8 cubic feet |
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3. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
Body Length: 185.4 inches
The Mitsubishi Outlander is presented as an accessible and practical compact 3-row SUV, uniquely offering standard third-row seating across all trim levels in a market where it’s often optional or absent in this class of 3 row compact suv. While the third row is undeniably tight, it’s a valuable feature in a segment where such seating is a rarity, providing occasional extra capacity. The Outlander showcases a contemporary exterior design, and the interior is well-appointed with quality soft-touch materials and a good selection of tech features. Families will appreciate its solid safety ratings and easy-to-handle driving dynamics, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers who need the flexibility of occasional third-row seating.
Simple, modern, and spacious, the cabin boasts three rows of seating for up to seven people. The available power memory driver’s seat brings customizable comfort to every driving experience, while everyone’s temperature is just right with available Triple-Zone Climate Control.
– Mitsubishi
| Body Length | 185.4 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 18.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/ 2nd/ 3rd Row) | 64.3 / 30.6 / 10.9 cubic feet |
2. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
Body Length: 182.4 inches
The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class delivers a premium driving experience within a compact footprint, offering an optional third row which is a rare find in the subcompact luxury SUV category, enhancing its appeal as a 3 row compact suv. This feature adds valuable flexibility for smaller families, especially those with young children. The GLB’s boxy silhouette is not just stylish but also maximizes interior space relative to its compact size, making it a surprisingly spacious small 3-row, 7-seater SUV within the luxury segment. The tech-forward cabin includes dual digital displays that are user-friendly and highly customizable, reflecting Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to luxury and innovation. While the third row is indeed compact, the second row provides ample comfort, making the GLB a practical choice for those who prioritize both luxury and versatility in a smaller SUV.
| Body Length | 182.4 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 29.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 62.0 / 20.0 / 12.4 cubic feet |
1. 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Body Length: 180.9 inches
The Land Rover Discovery Sport claims the title of the smallest 7-seater SUV and smallest SUV with a 3rd row based on body length, offering a premium combination of off-road capability and everyday urban usability, even in a 3 row compact suv format. The optional third row is, as expected in this category, compact and best suited for children. However, the Discovery Sport truly shines in its versatility, featuring fold-flat second and third-row seats that allow for various passenger and cargo configurations. Despite being the smallest 3rd-row SUV on this list, the interior is appointed with high-quality materials, and the infotainment system is intuitive, reflecting Land Rover’s renowned luxury and design philosophy. For families seeking a stylish, capable, and functional SUV that doesn’t compromise on premium features, the Discovery Sport is a compelling option, proving that luxury and compactness can coexist.
| Body Length | 180.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Third-Row Legroom | 25.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume (1st/2nd/3rd Row) | 60.0 / 32.2 / 6.8 cubic feet |
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Pros And Cons Of The Smallest Crossovers
Small SUVs with a third row offer a unique set of advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- Spacious First and Second Rows: Typically, these SUVs prioritize passenger space in the first two rows, offering comfortable seating for most adults.
- Comfortable Cabins: Manufacturers often focus on interior comfort and features to enhance the driving and passenger experience.
- Excellent Maneuverability: Being smaller than full-size SUVs, they are easier to maneuver in city traffic and parking situations.
- Top Models Offer Great Driving Dynamics: Some models are engineered to provide a responsive and enjoyable driving experience.
- Generally More Affordable: Compared to larger, full-size three-row SUVs, these compact options usually come with a lower price tag.
Cons
- Cramped Third-Row Space: This is the most significant drawback. Third rows in compact SUVs are typically very tight and best suited for children or short trips for adults.
- Limited Cargo Space: With all three rows in use, cargo space is significantly reduced compared to larger SUVs or even standard two-row SUVs.
- Lower Fuel Efficiency Than Sedans: While potentially more fuel-efficient than larger SUVs, they are generally less fuel-efficient than comparable sedans due to increased weight and SUV design.
Advice For Choosing The Right SUV
- Features: Carefully evaluate the features offered for the price. This competitive segment means manufacturers often include a generous amount of standard equipment. Prioritize the features that are most important to your needs and consider the overall value proposition.
- Trunk Area: Assess the cargo space, especially with the third row in use. Ensure it meets your typical needs for luggage, groceries, and other items, especially if you frequently carry multiple passengers.
- Third-Row Leeway: If you plan to regularly use the third row, thoroughly compare the third-row legroom and overall comfort between different models. Test it out in person to see if it meets your passenger comfort expectations.
- Performance: Consider the engine’s power and performance, especially if you frequently carry a full load of passengers and cargo. Ensure the vehicle has adequate power for comfortable and safe driving under various conditions.
- Safety: Prioritize safety. Check crash test ratings from reputable organizations and ensure the SUV includes modern driver-assistance features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, especially when transporting multiple passengers.
What is the most affordable three-row SUV?
From the smallest 3-row SUV models highlighted in this list, the Mitsubishi Outlander is generally the most affordable option. However, it’s important to remember that it also offers the least spacious third row among these vehicles.
What are some of the hazards of modest SUVs with three rows?
There are no significant safety hazards associated with small SUVs that have three rows. However, it’s worth noting that the third row may not always have the same level of side airbag protection as the second row. Always consult the vehicle’s safety specifications for detailed information.
