Cars.com Releases Ranking of Best Three-Row SUVs

Experts from Cars.com, the television show MotorWeek, and a family in the market for a new vehicle put the current lineup of three-row SUVs to the test to determine the best option. Contenders in the “Three-Row SUV Challenge” include the 2017 Dodge Durango, 2017 Ford Explorer, 2017 GMC Acadia, 2016 Honda Pilot, 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2017 Kia Sorento, 2016 Mazda CX-9 and the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder.

“Families still love their SUVs, and three-row SUVs are among the most popular rides for shoppers in these days of inexpensive gasoline,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com editor-in-chief. “They offer a ton of cool features, lots of useable space and cargo room, and come with plenty of ways to pamper the kids. These SUVs seat from six to eight occupants, and are equipped with the latest technology features for entertainment, driving and safety.”

To qualify as a Challenge participant, each vehicle tested had to cost less than $45,000, including destination fee, and had to have an EPA combined fuel mileage rating of at least 19 mpg. “Shoppers in this category like to get a lot for their money, and the SUVs we tested came nicely equipped for the price-point,” said Olsen.

Testing included round-robin expert evaluation on a set course, a 170-mile drive to determine real-world mpg, and testing by an in-market family.

Extensive expert and consumer testing resulted in the following ranking:

1. 2016 Honda Pilot

2. 2017 GMC Acadia

3. 2017 Kia Sorento

4. 2016 Mazda CX-9

5. 2017 Dodge Durango

6. 2017 Ford Explorer

7. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

8. 2017 Nissan Pathfinder

“The Honda Pilot is a world-class SUV and the perfect alternative for minivan-averse families,” said Olsen. “It offers minivan practicality in a SUV body. The Pilot is packed with smartly designed family features, incredible attention to detail and all kinds of storage room and space for people and cargo.”

For more information on testing and detailed results, visit www.cars.com/news.