Cars With a 3rd Row Seat That Folds

The Volkswagen Atlas is a four-door, three-row midsize SUV with generous amounts of space for passengers and cargo.  It's well-suited for large families that need to haul kids to both school and on weekend getaways that may or may not involve bulky equipment or trailers. Volkswagen

Over the past five years, the U.S. auto market has undergone a massive shift. Americans have eschewed smaller passenger cars in favor of larger, higher riding SUVs that offer more interior space for passengers and cargo without inflicting too much pain at the pump.

One of the most appealing parts of SUV ownership is the extra storage they offer behind the last row of seats used to haul groceries, sports equipment, luggage and other bulky belongings. Automakers use cubic-feet—the volume of a one-foot cube—to measure the dimensions of the vehicle's cargo carrying capacity. Measurement of this space has become a weapon of sorts in the ongoing SUV wars.

While all classes of utility vehicles have their superstars in terms of cargo-swallowing capacity, the midsize segment is the most diverse. That's because part of this segment splits off into its own category: the three-row SUVs.

Three-row SUVs are great for people hauling, but that extra row of seating can oftentimes eat away at precious cargo space, leaving car shoppers wondering what to prioritize—their kids or their things. (Third-row seating is great in theory, but difficult access and a deficit of foot and headroom can sometimes compromise usability, but that's another discussion.)

To get an idea of what three-row SUVs reign supreme in terms of stuff hauling, here's a list of the top seven midsize SUVs with the largest cargo space.

1. Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is well-suited for a sizable household looking for a premium people hauler at a competitive price. Buick designed the Enclave with the whole family in mind. Entry into the third-row bench is quick thanks to tip-and-fold captain's chairs, which can also accommodate upright car seats, and the third row folds flat for the transport of bulky items.

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The Buick Enclave has 23.6 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 58 cu.-ft with the third row folded. Buick

2. Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevy Traverse, which shares a platform with the Buick Enclave, offers a spacious interior with seating up to eight passengers. It's a good minivan alternative with smooth, car-like ride quality and returns class-competitive fuel economy.

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The Chevrolet Traverse has 23 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 57.8 cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Chevrolet

3. Kia Telluride

Kia's Telluride is the brand's newest entry in the SUV market and offers more space and capability than the Sorento, the three-row sibling on which it's derived from. It also offers a starting price of around $33,000, so it's a sensible choice for families looking for value.

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The Kia Telluride has 21 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 46 cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Kia

4. Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is a boxy SUV that trades fashion for function, especially in its interior. For the 2021 model year, VW gave it a new grille and headlights that feature a new LED design and a three-inch increase to its length. The Atlas also offers two engine choices that both offer enough on-road power.

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The Volkswagen Atlas has 20.6 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 55.5 cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Volkswagen

5. Ford Explorer

Ford's Explorer is a pioneering SUV and a stalwart of the midsize segment. Families looking for space and capability will appreciate its useful terrain management system that easily tackles mud, sand and snow as well as its hill descent control tech. A towing package that boosts hauling capacity to 5,600 pounds is also available.

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The Ford Explorer has 18.2 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 47.9
cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Ford

6. Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is also a new entry into the three-row segment that fills the void left by the Santa Fe XL. It also shares its underpinnings with its Korean cousin, the Kia Telluride. The Palisade is also a value buy, but shoppers looking for affordable luxury will find Nappa leather, premium Harmon/Kardon audio and a handful of advanced safety systems standard on the top-tier Limited trim, which tops out at $46,000.

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The Hyundai Palisade has 18 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 45.8
cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Hyundai

7. Subaru Ascent

Subaru's Ascent is a comfortable SUV that boasts equal parts on-road manners and off-road capability. Subaru also made standard a ton of driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and automated emergency braking. The Ascent also tops the class with a whopping 19 cupholders.

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The Subaru Ascent has 17.8 cu.-ft. behind the third row and 47.5
cu.-ft. with the third row folded. Subaru

Cars With a 3rd Row Seat That Folds

Source: https://www.forbes.com/wheels/advice/three-row-midsize-suvs-most-cargo-space/

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