Do you have a large family or a bunch of friends, and want to go deep into the wilds? What you need is a 3-row SUV. These 3-row off-roaders possess enough ground clearance to help you easily get through creeks, hills, rocks, and mud. While some of the three-row SUVs around today feel at home on the highway just as well as they do off-road, others are strictly designed to handle dirt backroads. Whichever you prefer, there are a bunch of great examples from the used or new car market.
The midsize three-row SUVs on this list can accommodate a family of six, while their full-size counterparts boast enough space for up to nine people. So, if you want to take on the most challenging terrain in the company of your friends and family, you can’t go wrong with these SUVs.
The interior specs and off-road features of these three-row SUVs are sourced from Edmunds, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.
Related: Top 10 Spacious And Reliable 3-Row SUVs For Families In 2023
10 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
The Chevrolet Tahoe comes fully redesigned for 2021, with a bigger and bolder design. Chevy introduced the Z71 model in the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, so the 8-seater SUVs became off-road worthy. Off-road enthusiasts will also appreciate the Z71’s rugged body-on-frame construction, all-terrain tires, 4-corner air suspension, as well as skidplate and tow hooks.
On the inside, just about everything is updated. The third row now offers 10 additional inches of legroom, so tall passengers are not going to feel trapped. If you have kids, you’d be excited to know that the 2021 Chevy Tahoe is one of the best 3 row SUVs that can fit 3 car seats in the second row. And unlike the 2020 Tahoe which offers only 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the 2021 iteration offers up to 25.5 cubic feet.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 38.9 in |
Rear Leg Room | 42.0 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 64.8 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 61.3 in. |
Off-road Features
- 20-inch all-terrain tires
- 4-corner air suspension
- Skidplate and tow hooks
9 2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro
The 2023 Kia Telluride gets significant updates from the inside out, but it remains as comfortable and spacious as ever. In its stadium seating arrangement, the Telluride the headroom increases from the front seats to the rear, so everyone gets a good view of the road.
Kia also introduces the X-Line and X-Pro models for the 2023 Telluride. The X-Pro allows you to easily tackle dirt roads and tow heavier loads, thanks to the self-leveling rear suspension and re-tuned shocks and springs.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 38.8 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 59.9 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. |
Off-road Features
- 18-inch Continental all-terrain tires
- Self-leveling rear suspension
- Snow and AWD Lock modes
8 2021 GMC Yukon AT4
Coming completely new for 2021, the GMC Yukon offers more comfort amenities and power. The rear seat legroom expands from 39.0 in. to 42.0 in., so taller passengers can now sit more comfortably.
GMC introduces the new AT4 model that allows you to take the Yukon off-road. It comes with a new independent rear suspension, while an Active Response 4-wheel-drive system and an air suspension are available.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 38.9 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 42.0 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 64.8 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 61.3 in. |
Off-road Features
- Traction Select w/off-road mode
- 4WD w/2-speed transfer case
- 20-inch all-terrain tires
Related: 2021 GMC Yukon AT4 Review: Comfortable On-Road, Competent Off-Road
7 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
If you want a super luxurious SUV with superb off-road prowess, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is worth placing under your radar. The Grand Cherokee L is 3.7 inches longer than the Dodge Durango and large enough for a family of seven—as long as you reserve the third row for the kids.
When you order the Grand Cherokee L with Quadra-Lift air suspension, the seven-seater SUV is no longer a mere family hauler, but a serious off-roader, with a 30.1-degree approach angle and departure angle of 23.6 degrees.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 39.9 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 58.0 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 56.3 in. |
Off-road Features
- 4-wheel-drive setup
- Selec-Terrain traction management system
- Available Quadra-Lift air suspension
6 2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT
The Hyundai Palisade gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2023, which brings a new bolder look, cabin upgrades, and an off-road-inspired XRT model. Yet, the Palisade remains one of the cheapest 3-row SUVs for 2023, with a starting price of $34,950.
According to J.D. Power, the 2023 Palisade is one of the most reliable 3-row SUVs, with a reliability rating of 84/100. So, if you want to crawl over rocks and conquer muddy roads without rushing to your mechanic, the Palisade XRT is one of the best 3-row SUVs for the job.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 40.1 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 60.8 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 57.7 in. |
Off-road Features
- 20-inch XRT exclusive wheels
- Available HTRAC all-wheel drive system with special Tow and Snow drive modes
5 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III
If you think the standard Grand Wagoneer is already comfortable enough, then the long-wheelbase Grand Wagoneer is even better than you’d expect. With a third row that’s big enough for 6-footers, the 2023 Grand Wagoneer L is a home away from home for a family of eight.
Going by Kelley Blue Book’s off-road test in Montana, the big Grand Wagoneer L is composed on curvy mountainous roads, thanks in large part to its standard air suspension and Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 38.4 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 42.7 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 65.2 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 63.0 in. |
Off-road Features
- Quadra-Lift air suspension
- Quadra-Drive II 4WD system
- 22-inch all-season tires
4 2021 Ford Expedition Limited FX4
Not too long ago, the Ford Expedition was basically all about power and size. But everything changed for the 2021 model year with the introduction of the FX4 Off-Road Package.
Even though you will get the most luxurious and best trail-ready experience from the Limited trim, the base XLT trim is also eligible for the FX4 treatment. The Limited FX4 Off-Road Package is big enough for seven and features an electronic limited-slip rear differential, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and a sand shield.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 40.0 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 41.5 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 64.8 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 62.6 in. |
Off-road Features
- Electronic limited-slip rear differential
- 32-inch all-terrain tires
- Skidplates and off-road-tuned shocks
3 2022 Honda Pilot TrailSport
With its lifted suspension, special set of all-terrain tires, and appearance tweaks, the Honda Pilot TrailSport is not just the spacious and comfortable eight-seater SUV you used to know. It’s one of the best 3 row SUVs for 2022.
The off-road-oriented TrailSport gets a 0.6-inch lifted suspension, which puts its ground clearance at 8.3 inches. There are also optimized stabilizer bars, steel skid plates, and a terrain camera system.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 39.9 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 38.4 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 62.0 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 57.3 in. |
Off-road Features
- AWD with special Trail Torque Logic system
- 0.6-inch lifted suspension
- 18-inch all-terrain tires
2 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek
The Nissan Pathfinder become more of a car-based unibody crossover since 2013, but it retraces its steps back to its body-on-frame 4x4 roots with the 2023 Rock Creek. But even with its off-road cred, the Rock Creek doesn’t lose the Pathfinder’s reputation for comfort.
The new front fascia distinguishes the Rock Creek from the regular Pathfinder. Also, an off-road-tuned suspension gives the Rock Creek a 0.6-inch lift over the standard Pathfinder.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 35.5 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 59.6 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 56.3 in. |
Off-road Features
- 18-inch beadlock-style aluminum-alloy wheels
- Intelligent 4x4 system
- Off-road-tuned suspension
Related: The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Is Aimed At Off-Road Enthusiasts
1 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro
The accommodates up to seven people, without anyone feeling cramped in the third row. You can easily slide the second row seats fore-and-aft, or fold them flat for easy access to the third row.
Toyota gives the 2020 Sequoia an off-road treatment with the TRD Pro package. The off-road Sequoia features TRD-tuned suspension, a prominent front skid plate, and Toyota’s Multi-Mode four-wheel-drive system.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear Head Room | 34.9 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 40.9 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 65.6 in. |
Rear Hip Room | 59.9 in. |
Off-road Features
- 18-inch aluminum-forged wheels
- TRD-tuned suspension
- Toyota’s Multi-Mode 4WD system
