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.

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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

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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.

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#HyundaiPalisade #KiaTelluride #ToyotaGrandHighlander #Edmunds