Best Used Three-Row SUVs for Growing Families

Every growing family hits the same wall eventually. The five-seater that worked fine with one kid suddenly feels impossible with two car seats, a stroller, and a trunk full of sports gear. Finding the best used three-row SUVs for growing families means balancing seating flexibility, real cargo room, and a price that does not stretch your budget past what a used vehicle should cost. Here at Barry’s Chevrolet in West Union, Ohio, we see this exact search play out with families across Adams County every month, so we put together an honest breakdown of what we think are the strongest options on the used market right now.

What to Look for in a Used Three-Row SUV

Before ranking specific models, it helps to know what actually matters for a family shopping used.

Cargo space behind the third row matters more than total passenger capacity for most families, since that is the space you will use on every grocery run and school pickup, not just the rare trip when all eight seats are full. Third-row legroom matters if your kids are getting older or if grandparents will regularly ride back there. Towing capacity matters if camping, boating, or hauling a small trailer is part of your family’s routine. And reliability reputation matters more on a used vehicle than a new one, since you are buying into someone else’s maintenance history.

All-wheel drive is worth prioritizing for Southern Ohio winters, especially if your family drives the hillier roads around Adams County regularly. Every SUV on this list offers AWD or 4WD as an available option, though it is not always standard on base trims, so confirm the drivetrain on any specific used vehicle you are considering rather than assuming.

Chevy Traverse: The Space Leader

The Traverse is the three-row SUV we see the most of on our own used lot, and it earns that spot honestly. It offers some of the most cargo room in the class, with roughly 23 cubic feet behind the third row and around 98 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, which consistently beats the Highlander and Pilot on paper and in practice.

The 2019 through 2022 Traverse LT and Premier trims are the sweet spot for used buyers, built on the 3.6L V6 that has a long, proven track record in this platform. The redesigned 2024 and newer Traverse switched to a turbocharged four-cylinder with noticeably better fuel economy, so if a slightly newer used Traverse is in your range, it is worth comparing both engines against your driving habits.

Towing capacity on the Traverse tops out around 5,000 pounds with the trailering package, which is enough for a small camper or a boat for local lakes, though a couple of rivals edge it out slightly on paper. Where the Traverse wins back that ground is everyday usability, since its cargo shape and low load floor make it easier to load strollers, coolers, and sports equipment than the raw cubic footage numbers suggest.

Chevy Suburban: The Choice for Bigger Families or Bigger Loads

If your family has outgrown even a midsize three-row SUV, the Suburban is worth a serious look. It offers dramatically more cargo room than anything else on this list, with roughly 41 cubic feet behind the third row and well over 140 cubic feet with the rear rows folded, plus a towing capacity in the 8,000-pound range that outclasses every midsize three-row SUV.

The Suburban is a bigger vehicle to park and maneuver than a Traverse or Highlander, so it makes the most sense for families who genuinely need the extra room or regularly tow, rather than families who just want a little more space than a midsize SUV offers. Fuel economy also runs noticeably lower than the midsize options on this list, which is worth factoring into your monthly budget alongside the purchase price.

Toyota Highlander: The Reliability and Resale Pick

The Highlander’s reputation for reliability and strong resale value makes it a common cross-shop for families looking at a used Traverse. Cargo space behind the third row runs smaller than the Traverse, at roughly 16 cubic feet, and the third row itself is better suited to kids than adults on longer trips.

Where the Highlander earns its spot is long-term dependability and a hybrid powertrain option on later model years, which is worth asking about specifically if fuel economy is a priority for your family’s daily driving. Towing capacity on V6 models reaches roughly 5,000 pounds, matching the Traverse, though hybrid Highlander models tow significantly less, so confirm the powertrain before assuming towing capability.

Honda Pilot: The Family Comfort Pick

The Pilot consistently ranks among the roomiest three-row SUVs for third-row legroom, which matters once your kids are old enough to complain about being cramped on a road trip. Cargo space behind the third row sits in the high teens in cubic feet, between the Highlander and the Traverse.

Honda redesigned the Pilot for 2023, so used Pilot shoppers should decide early whether they want the older, well-proven generation or a lightly used example of the current redesign, since pricing and available features differ meaningfully between the two.

Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade: The Value and Features Pick

These two share a platform and are usually cross-shopped together, and both consistently rank near the top of the segment for standard features relative to price. Cargo space behind the third row lands around 21 cubic feet on both, competitive with the Traverse, and towing capacity on the Telluride specifically edges out the Traverse by a few hundred pounds.

Both launched for the 2020 model year, so a used example gives you a fairly modern interior and safety feature set. If family-friendly extras like rear-seat audio controls or a quiet mode for sleeping kids matter to you, these two are worth a close look.

Which One Is Right for Your Family?

If maximum cargo room in a midsize footprint is the priority, the Traverse is hard to beat. If your family has truly outgrown a midsize SUV or you tow regularly, the Suburban is the more honest recommendation. If resale value and long-term reliability reputation matter most, the Highlander deserves serious consideration. If third-row comfort for growing kids is the deciding factor, look closely at the Pilot. And if you want the most standard features for your money, put the Telluride and Palisade on your list.

None of these are wrong choices for a growing family. The right one comes down to which tradeoff matters most to you: cargo space, towing, resale value, third-row comfort, or features per dollar. If you are still torn between two, bring your family in for a side-by-side test drive rather than deciding from spec sheets alone.

Pro Tips

Test the third row with your actual kids, not just yourself.

Specs on a page do not tell you whether your specific children will be comfortable back there for a 45-minute drive to a soccer tournament. Bring them along on the test drive if you can.

Check the second-row seat mechanism before you decide.

Some second rows tip and slide easily to access the third row, while others require more effort. If you will be loading and unloading car seats frequently, this small detail makes a real daily difference.

Ask about maintenance history on the transmission specifically.

Three-row SUVs work harder than smaller vehicles, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo. Transmission service records matter more here than on a typical sedan.

Compare insurance costs before you commit to a specific model.

Three-row SUVs vary more in insurance cost than buyers expect, and a quick quote comparison between your top two choices can meaningfully affect your monthly budget.

Additional Questions

What is the most reliable used three-row SUV for families?

The Toyota Highlander has one of the strongest long-term reliability reputations in the segment, though the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot both have solid track records when properly maintained.

Which used three-row SUV has the most cargo space?

Among midsize options, the Chevy Traverse leads with roughly 23 cubic feet behind the third row. For families who need significantly more, the Chevy Suburban offers close to double that.

Is a used three-row SUV a good option for a growing family on a budget?

Yes. A used three-row SUV, especially one a few years removed from its original model year, typically offers most of the same room and safety features as a new model at a meaningfully lower cost.

Should I choose a midsize or full-size three-row SUV?

Choose midsize, like the Traverse, Highlander, or Pilot, if you need seating for six to eight and moderate cargo room. Choose full-size, like the Suburban, if you regularly carry a full crew along with significant cargo or tow.

Talk to Barry’s About Finding the Right Family SUV

Barry’s Chevrolet is a family-owned dealership in West Union, Ohio. We carry used three-row SUVs across a range of makes and price points, and our team can walk you through the real tradeoffs between models based on how your family actually uses a vehicle, not just what looks good on a spec sheet. See our used SUV inventory and current Traverse and Suburban lineup at Barry’s for more.

Talk to Barry’s Chevrolet

Give us a call at (866) 601-5443 or visit us on the lot in West Union, OH. We are happy to answer questions and help you find the right fit.