Best 3-Row SUVs under $50,000
These are the best SUVs you can buy with three rows of seats and base prices under $50,000. Car and Driver's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the best 3-row SUVs under $50,000 based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.
Top Ranked 3-Row SUVs under $50,000 at a glance
1
2025 Kia Telluride
10
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$37,885
EPA MPG
20–22 combined
C/D SAYS: You can't do much better than the Telluride among three-row SUVs, as it has tons of space and is more luxurious than its price suggests. Learn More
2
2026 Hyundai Palisade
9.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$41,035
EPA MPG
20–21 combined
C/D SAYS: The mid-size Hyundai Palisade SUV is redesigned for the 2026 model year, and its new look is more premium and more boxy. Learn More
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3
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
9.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$43,155
EPA MPG
22–24 combined
C/D SAYS: SUV-me, please: The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander three-row SUV is nearly as practical as a minivan and it's much less dorky. Learn More
4
2026 Honda Pilot
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$43,690
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The Honda Pilot is a capable family hauler with some extra off-road capability, but it lacks a standout trait to elevate it above the mid-size 3-row mid-pack. Learn More
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5
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$36,650
EPA MPG
23–24 combined
C/D SAYS: The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical family SUV that looks and feels more expensive than it actually is. Learn More
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6
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$42,585
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The three-row Grand Cherokee L returns for 2026, packing a new available 324-hp turbocharged inline-four engine and the same impressive off-road chops. Learn More
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7
2026 Mazda CX-90
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$40,330
EPA MPG
25 combined
C/D SAYS: With a splendid interior, solid performance, and debonair styling, the CX-90 is an overachieving midsize SUV—although several issues hinder its aspirations. Learn More
Big SUV Buyer's Guide
8
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
8
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$42,795
EPA MPG
21–22 combined
C/D SAYS: If maximum interior space is your aim, the 2026 Chevy Traverse has it, but don't expect a first-class experience. Learn More
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9
2026 Ford Explorer
8
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$40,260
EPA MPG
20–24 combined
C/D SAYS: The Ford Explorer has solid foundations as a fixture of the family mid-size SUV segment, but it lacks the ultimate polish of the leaders in its class. Learn More
10
2026 GMC Acadia
8
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$45,795
EPA MPG
21–23 combined
C/D SAYS: While attractively styled and mega practical, the 2026 GMC Acadia offers little to differentiate itself from its Chevy and Buick siblings. Learn More
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