RYAN ZUMMALLEN: There are a ton of used three-row
SUVs on the market.
And we've narrowed them all down to these five great options
for hauling your kids, pets, and passion projects all over town.
I'm Ryan.
And that's Travis.
We're from Edmunds.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: At Edmunds, we test and review
hundreds of cars and SUVs each year,
while CarMax buys, sells, and expertly appraisers thousands.
We've combined our testing knowledge
with CarMax's experience to help you make the right choice
for your next car.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: For more videos like this, be sure to hit Like,
and remember to subscribe so you don't miss a thing.
Oh, and leave us a comment about the three-row that carted you
around when you were a kid.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: One of the great things
about three-row SUVs is that after a while people don't
need all this space anymore.
As a result, there are lots of three-row SUVs on CarMax lots
all across the country.
So someone's former family hauler
might be your next pickup.
So what's your flavor?
Well, today, we're going to introduce
you to comfy three-rows, big and tough three-rows,
and three-rows that'll save you enough cash that you can start
a savings account for out-of-state tuition,
because by the look of things you're going to need it.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: If for some reason
the Honda Pilot just doesn't seem like your cup of tea,
we recommend you take a close look at one anyway.
This is just a very good all around crossover.
And Honda did all of the Honda-y things here.
The Pilot is great to drive.
It has a smooth ride, and there's
lots of space for your stuff.
Every Pilot from 2016 to 2020 comes with a 3.5 liter V6
engine and a six-speed or available
nine-speed automatic transmission.
We also like its fuel economy.
At an EPA-rated 22 MPG combined with all-wheel drive
and the nine-speed transmission.
That's pretty good.
Plus, in our Edmunds testing, we found that the Pilot lives up
to that rating.
So you can be confident that what you see is what you get.
Inside the Pilot, the first two rows are spacious.
And these seats are very comfortable
for a non-luxury vehicle.
Like many three-row SUVs, the back
is just not designed for adults, kiddos only.
As with other Hondas we've tested recently,
the Pilot has available driver aides that are too sensitive.
It's great that they work, but it's not great
that you feel like they could go off at any moment.
This is a 2018 Pilot EX trim.
And with that, you get a larger touchscreen, extra drive modes,
and more USB ports.
Visibility is great because of the upright seating position.
And that helps the Pilot feel like it's not
too big to be maneuverable.
If you really dig deep, this V6 has plenty of power.
It actually sounds pretty good too.
Handling is another strong suit.
Take it to the mountains.
But we can't say that we've enjoyed the clunky nine-speed
transmission.
Instead, we would recommend the six-speed in this car.
It's much more smooth by contrast.
Pros for the Honda Pilot include its overall versatility.
And it has good cargo space.
The fuel economy is right, and it
has a smooth ride and confident handling.
Cons include sensitive driving aids, a narrow third row,
and a touchscreen that's just tricky to use.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: Next up is the 2016 to 2020 Kia Sorento.
It's got surprising style for the price.
It's a small three-row SUV, if that's even a thing,
but it packs a lot inside.
Some models are equipped with one
of two four-cylinder engines, but they're pretty weak,
so we recommend upgrading to the optional V6.
The highest EPA rating you're going
to get with the V6 and all-wheel drive is 21 MPG combined.
The Sorento shines with easy access
to the second row, helpful for loading in child seats.
And it's got a comfortable interior.
The front seats are available with optional heating
and ventilation functions.
And they're highly adjustable.
The third row, though, is a bit cramped.
We wouldn't recommend it to families
that are using it often, only if you're
putting small children back there are going on short trips.
Forward visibility is good, but rear visibility
is hampered by a small rear window and some obstacles
in the way looking back.
Thankfully, items like adaptive cruise control
and blind-spot monitoring are standard.
If you are going to shop for a Sorento,
we recommend the EX trim with the V6.
It's the best blend of features and value.
Even with the V6, the Sorento is a little slow
when it comes to acceleration.
But most importantly, it's easy to drive.
Braking feels powerful.
And its greatest feature is probably
ride quality, which is almost Lexus worthy, seriously.
Pros for the Sorento are compact,
lots of standard features, comfortable ride,
accessible second row, good price and value.
Cons are slow acceleration, small cargo space,
a cramped third row.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: If you need space and power and not
much else, the Nissan Pathfinder fits the bill.
True, it's a bit dated, but this SUV is big and strong and easy
to find.
There are lots available for under $25,000.
Let's keep it simple.
From 2017 to 2020, all Pathfinders
had a 3.5 liter V6 engine.
Maximum towing capacity is 6,000 pounds across all trims.
Fuel economy is about what we'd expect from a V6
with all-wheel drive, an EPA-estimated 22 MPG combined,
while the top platinum trim goes down to 21 MPG combined.
Now, the cabin design does feel like it's
from a different time, not quite the Stone Age, but close.
However, there is easy access to the third row.
And later models offered a nice collection
of available driver aids.
Look for 2019s and 2020s for standard parking sensors
and more.
We like the SV trim and even better the SL trim.
These are available at great prices,
even though they're a step or two above the base models.
Big windows make the cabin feel open and airy inside,
but visibility suffers a bit due to the seating position.
The ride can also be a little bit
choppy over cracks in the road.
However, outside noise stays outside.
Stable, predictable, consistent, that's the Pathfinder.
It's not exciting.
But there are no surprises.
Pros for the Pathfinder include both power and fuel economy.
We also like the easy access to the first two rows of seats
and the standard driving aides on some later model years.
Value in pricing is another strong point.
Cons include a lack of cargo space and third row space.
It also has a firm ride and a dated interior.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: We can't finish the list
without mentioning the hottest newcomer to the scene, the Kia
Telluride.
In its first year of production, the Telluride
wowed us with its attention to detail.
Under the hood is a 3.8 liter V6 putting out 291 horsepower.
During Edmunds testing, we found that it was lacking low end
torque, but it does get respectable fuel economy
estimates.
According to the EPA, all-wheel drive models
will return 21 MPG combined.
That's the same as the Sorento.
It's also one of the few SUVs on our list
that has ample third row space for adults.
The interior is more refined than rivals.
And it's got excellent materials throughout.
Standard features are impressive too,
like Lane Keep Assist, blind-spot monitoring,
and adaptive cruise control.
For what it's worth, all-wheel drive
is available across the lineup for added capability.
Thanks to huge windows, visibility is excellent.
And standard parking sensors are a big plus.
The Telluride also sets new standards for levels of comfort
in the class with a quiet ride and comfortable seats.
For more information on the Telluride,
though, click the link below for our full video review.
Pros for the Telluride--
plush seats, a roomy interior, standard features,
distinctive styling, and lots of value.
Cons for the Telluride--
limited small item storage, only 5,000 pounds
of max towing capability, limited availability
due to a recent introduction.
Now, let's talk about a new SUV that you'll
be seeing a lot more of, the redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer.
If you want something that feels modern, this may be the one.
There's a 300 horsepower turbo-charged four cylinder
engine or a 400 horsepower turbo-charged V6.
Sheesh.
Most Explorers are going to have the four cylinder engine.
That's EPA-rated at 23 MPG combined with all-wheel drive.
However, in our testing, we found
that the Explorer doesn't live up
to that ranking in real world driving.
Inside, the front seats feel great.
They're very comfortable.
The second and third rows, not so much.
It's also pretty loud inside.
There's a lot of plastic and the construction just
feels lacking.
That makes the Explorer feel a little bit overpriced when new.
We recommend you stick with the smaller eight-inch touchscreen.
It works just fine.
And the larger 10-inch screen is only
available on the pricey higher trims.
There are also driver aides, like a blind-spot monitor
and lane departure warning, that work well too.
This is a 2020 Explorer XLT, a step up from the base version.
That gets you the four-cylinder engine, roof rails, plus a lot
more.
There are big windows and lots of glass all the way around.
And that equals good outward visibility.
But why are the second and third rows so cramped?
On the road, the Explorer dances for a three-row SUV.
There's swift power, crisp handling,
and it feels light for such a big vehicle.
The driving experience is great.
Does that overshadow the needs of your passengers?
Pros for the Explorer include acceleration and handling,
plus the rear wheel drive layout helps towing.
And there's good cargo space.
Cons are that it's pretty noisy inside.
And when new, it's awful pricey.
There are also sub-par materials and fuel economy.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: Still looking for more options?
There's always the Toyota Highlander,
which is a comfortable and versatile family hauler.
Then there's the Acura MDX, which offers luxury
and a bit of a sporty demeanor.
And finally, there's the bad boy of the bunch, the Chevy Tahoe.
It's as big as a barn, and there's
plenty of space inside for passengers in all three rows.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: There is a ton of variety
in the world of three-row SUVs.
And the Honda Pilot is an excellent place to start.
We recommend using that as your benchmark when you shop.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: Easily the biggest bang for your buck
is the Kia Sorento.
It's a compact three-row, which means it's easy to drive,
and it's easy to find a parking spot for.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Nissan makes it easy on you.
Take a capable V6 and put it in a big vehicle.
That's the Pathfinder in a nutshell.
Enjoy.
TRAVIS LANGNESS: The Kia Telluride
is the newcomer on the scene.
It makes a big splash and offers all-around excellence.
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: And the redesigned Ford Explorer
is the most fun to drive in this group,
plus its looks are one of a kind.
For more information on all the vehicles in this list,
click the link in the description.
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