Best Value Mid-Size Three-Row SUVs for Families in 2025

For families who need extra space without overspending, the mid-size three-row SUV segment remains one of the most competitive, and 2025 brings more value-packed options than ever. These vehicles offer the ideal blend of passenger room, cargo capacity, and modern tech, all while keeping prices within reach for budget-conscious buyers.

From school runs to road trips, today’s best picks combine efficient powertrains with impressive safety ratings, advanced driver-assistance systems, and infotainment features that keep everyone entertained. Many also boast refined interiors and upscale touches once reserved for luxury brands, proving you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for affordability.

Whether you’re prioritizing fuel economy, towing ability, or all-weather capability, these 2025 models deliver strong all-around performance without straining your wallet. In a market where full-size SUVs can quickly climb in cost, these mid-size three-row standouts strike the perfect balance of practicality, comfort, and long-term value.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. Models are ranked based on their starting MSRP, from most affordable to least affordable.

10

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting MSRP: $34,800

The Santa Fe is now in its third year since its drastic redesign. Hyundai managed to make their value-oriented mid-size SUV look, and in some cases feel, like an entry-level luxury car. With fantastic styling inside and out, plenty of room on the inside, and an incredibly affordable price tag, it really is hard to argue against.

Performance Specifications

The Santa Fe comes in either gas-only or hybrid form. If efficiency is your biggest concern, the hybrid will serve you well. However, if power is what you’re after, the bigger, heftier engine in the gas-only model is the way to go. Hyundai’s affordable three-row SUV may not be the most agile, but it is incredibly comfortable and does a good job of keeping road noise out of the cabin.

9

2025 Kia Telluride

Starting MSRP: $36,390

Kia’s flagship three-row SUV is one of our favorite cars on the road right now. When looking at the Telluride, it’s really hard to find any glaring faults. It has an agreeable starting price, comes loaded with tons of standard equipment, and delivers a ton of space in all three rows.

Performance Specifications

The Telluride is a pretty impressive jack-of-all-trades. Every model comes with a stout V-6 that delivers more power than most will realistically need. Steering is well weighted, and the crossover handles corners with confidence. The only thing we will say against the Kia is that its ride can be a little firm.

8

2025 Hyundai Palisade

Starting MSRP: $37,200

The Palisade first debuted back in 2020, sharing much of its core DNA with the excellent Kia Telluride. The three-row crossover is just as successful as its corporate cousin, with a much more refined interior than most options in its class. We also applaud how well equipped it comes from the word go. It may be worth waiting for the next generation Palisade, though, which is just around the corner.

Performance Specifications

The Palisade features the same V-6 engine under its hood as you would find in the Telluride. This means it delivers the same impressive amounts of power. It is just as capable as well, able to tow up to 5,000 pounds. When equipped properly, it can also be a pretty competent off-road machine.

7

2025 Mazda CX-90

Starting MSRP: $38,045

Slowly but surely, it seems that Mazda is making a play to move slightly upmarket. The CX-90 is the perfect example of this. While it comes with a pretty affordable starting price, it is easily one of the most luxurious options in the segment. The only tradeoff is that the third row isn’t massive.

Performance Specifications

Gas-powered CX-90s come equipped with a silky-smooth inline-six, something we’re not used to seeing outside of the likes of BMW and Land Rover. Opt for the plug-in hybrid model and you get a turbocharged inline-four instead. The gas models are the way to go if you’re looking for the athleticism that Mazda is known for, though.

6

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Starting MSRP: $39,035

Sitting between the two-row Grand Cherokee and the massive Wagoneer is the Grand Cherokee L. Just like Mazda, Jeep has made a play to be an entry-level luxury brand, at least with models like this. The interior is plush and loaded with features, and there is tons of space, though if you climb the trim ladder too far things can get quite expensive.

Performance Specifications

Every three-row Grand Cherokee L comes equipped with Jeep’s classic V-6 engine under the hood. While it may not be the quickest option in its segment, a sturdy chassis and available four-wheel drive mean it is particularly capable. It is also strong enough to pull up to 6,200 pounds.

5

2025 Honda Pilot

Starting MSRP: $40,200

While it might not be the flashiest option out there, the Honda Pilot checks all the most important boxes and more. It is spacious on the inside and comes packed with tons of value in the form of standard features. If you’re the kind of family that likes to travel off the beaten path, TrailSport models also have you covered.

Performance Specifications

The V-6 under the hood of every Pilot makes it plenty peppy, and its ten-speed automatic shifts so smoothly you’ll barely notice it. Honda’s three-row SUV handles well, and its ride quality certainly sits near the top of the segment. While the TrailSport won’t be able to follow Wranglers and 4Runners through Moab, it can definitely go further off the beaten path than most crossovers.

4

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

Starting MSRP: $40,800

If you need Tahoe levels of interior space but don’t have a garage big enough for one, the Traverse is your next best bet. Its cavernous interior means that the whole family will be more than comfortable on long road trips, and you should have a ton of space in the cargo area for luggage too. It is also one of the safest crossovers on the road.

Performance Specifications

Somewhat surprising is the fact that this American SUV comes with an inline-four engine under the hood as the only option. The powertrain is an overachiever, though, and manages to move the large crossover around with ease. If you’re looking for off-road capability, the ZR1 trims comes packed with rugged equipment.

3

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander

Starting MSRP: $40,860

While we have always liked the value offered in the regular Highlander, we’ve always felt like it was a bit small for its segment. The Grand Highlander fixes that with an extended wheelbase. It features the same long list of standard features and family-focused layout, just with a more spacious third row.

Performance Specifications

The non-hybrid Grand Highlander comes equipped with a pretty potent turbocharged inline-four that delivers reasonable amounts of pep. If you have the budget, though, we’d upgrade to the hybrid. Base hybrid models are much more efficient and don’t sacrafice all that much real-world acceleration. Hybrid Max models deliver better performance at the cost of some efficiency.

2

2026 Kia EV9

Starting MSRP: $54,900

Kia is constantly expanding on their EV lineup, with the EV9 being a large part of their electric identity. Much like the brand’s gasoline-powered Telluride, it is hard to find fault here. With tons of modern tech and high-end feautres, the EV9 is a bargain, especially considering it qualifies for the $7,500 tax credit until September.

Performance Specifications

The base Light model is rear-wheel drive and comes with either a 76.1 kWh battery or a 99.8 kWh battery. Every other model features a dual-motor setup and the larger of the two battery packs. Kia says you can add up to 100 miles of range by charging for 13 minutes. A performance-oriented EV9 GT model is on the horizon as well.

1

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

Starting MSRP: $58,955

Just like Kia, Hyundai has put a big emphasis on their electric lineup as we zip forward into the future. The Ioniq 9 is the flashiest and most luxurious model in their lineup, despite coming with a fairly reasonable price tag for an EV of this size. If you take delivery before September, you can also qualify for the $7,500 tax credit.

Performance Specifications

Every Ioniq 9 comes with a pretty impressive 110.3 kWh battery pack, which means it delivers more range across the board than the Kia EV9. The brand claim that you can charge from ten percent to 80 percent in as little as 24 minutes. Performance models are particularly impressive, capable of a 4.4 second zero to 60 run.