Which 3-Row SUVs Offer Captain’s Chairs?

SUVs are generally larger and longer than they once were, rivaling the interior space of some minivans while offering a sportier, sleeker vibe. But shopping for a three-row SUV means balancing priorities of seat quantity versus comfort. If the number of seats trump all, many three-row SUVs offer room for up to eight people with a second-row bench (a few, such as Chevrolet’s base Suburban LS trim, still offer seating for up to nine with a front bench option). Other models give up the second-row middle seat for the comfort and convenience of second-row captain’s chairs.

2025 Three-Row SUVs That Offer Captain’s Chairs

Do 3-Row SUVs Offer More Comfort?

Unlike bench seats, captain’s chairs bring front-seat features to the second row. These stand-alone chairs offer individual adjustments for passengers, and each typically includes an inboard armrest. In SUVs with nothing separating the second-row captain’s chairs, people are able to quickly reach the third row without the hassle of moving a second-row seat; in some fancier SUVs, second-row folks get their own center console. Some chairs even have tilt-and-slide access to the third row, allowing parents to leave an empty forward-facing child seat installed while giving passengers access to the wayback.

Are You Paying More for Less?

Maybe. Captain’s chairs will drop the potential seat count to six or seven (depending on how many the third row holds). Sometimes, third rows are too tight to seat three people of any size — even if equipped with triple seat belts and head restraints. Others, such as the Volkswagen Atlas and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, offer a third-row configuration for just two passengers; that’s more realistic for adults or teenagers, but with second-row captain’s chairs, total seating drops to six. Then there’s the Acura MDX, which isn’t like the others in that it comes with a removable second-row center seat, giving buyers the option of transforming their bench-style seating into “captain’s chairs.”

With some three-row SUVs, however, captain’s chairs are an extra-cost option, available only on more expensive trim levels, or both. For example, to get captain’s chairs on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, you must opt for the most expensive trim level, the Calligraphy.

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