Best Seven Passenger SUVs [Top Picks for 2024]
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer, John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.
SUVs come in many shapes and sizes, so it is hard to know where one segment begins and one ends.
Among families with two or three children, the added capacity for kids in that third row offers flexibility when carpooling.
This list is of the smaller end of the scale. It’s for folks who understand that a third row of two small seats can be a huge asset with little downside.
Check out all our picks for the best suvs>>
Table of Contents
Best 7-Seater SUVs Comparison
| Model | Passenger Volume | Third-Row Legroom | IIHS Safety Score | Base Price Including Destination |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | ||||
| Mazda CX-90 | ||||
| Tesla Model Y | ||||
| Toyota 4Runner | ||||
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
1. Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander is a three-row compact SUV with a plug-in hybrid option. It has a comfortable interior, smooth ride, and ample cargo space.
While it may not be as robust as some competitors, it offers a luxurious feel. The starting price is $30,015.
The mid-level SE model is recommended, and it comes with features like a 9.0-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
The Outlander has a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and a CVT. The all-wheel-drive model gets 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
The interior has improved materials and modern features. Safety options include adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
The Takeaway: Overall, the 2024 Outlander is a comfortable and feature-rich choice in the compact SUV segment that has seating for seven.
Current Mitsubishi Outlander Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | ||||
| 2024 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | 0.99% | $345/month for 48 months, $4,344 due at signing | 1/2/25 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mitsubishi deals.
2. Mazda CX-90
Mazda's CX-90 three-row SUV is a larger and more premium version of the discontinued CX-9.
It features a new turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine with 280 or 340 horsepower options and offers a plug-in hybrid variant.
The CX-90 showcases Mazda's premium aspirations with luxurious features and styling inspired by other Mazda SUVs.
The starting price is $39,220, and the top S model offers additional amenities like captain's chairs, a Bose stereo system, and a panoramic sunroof.
The EPA rates its fuel efficiency at up to 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The CX-90 comes with Mazda's i-Activsense suite of safety features.
The Takeaway: Overall, the CX-90 combines sportiness, style, and practicality in a seven-seat SUV package.
Current Mazda CX-90 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mazda | CX-90 | $1,500 | 0.90% | $299/month for 36 months, $5,559 due at signing | 1/2/25 |
| 2025 | Mazda | CX-90 | 0.00% | $359/month for 36 months, $4,669 due at signing | 1/2/25 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mazda deals.
3. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is many things to many owners. At the high-end of its trim line, the Model Y is among the fastest SUVs sold. The base trim is arguably the most popular battery-electric SUV in America based on sales volume. Snuck into that trim line is the optional 7-seat version.
The Model Y with seven seats is not a substitute for a midsize SUV like the Kia Telluride. It was not designed to be. Rather, the pop-up seats in the back are for kids who will fight over who gets to sit back there.
Key Takeaway: The Tesla Model Y offers a versatile range of options and features, making it a highly desirable electric SUV.
4. Toyota 4Runner
If you are in search of a serious off-road vehicle that offers seven seats, the Toyota 4Runner stands out with limited competition. While not all trims of the 4Runner offer the 7-seat option, Toyota does provide that choice in select models.
The 4Runner distinguishes itself as a genuine SUV with a body-on-frame design and a transmission tunnel running through the center.
However, it's important to note that comfort is not a prominent feature in the third row of this vehicle. It serves more as a temporary seating option for specific situations.
The Takeaway: If you require a capable off-road vehicle with seven seats, the Toyota 4Runner is worth considering.
Current Toyota 4Runner Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Toyota | 4Runner | ||||
| 2024 | Toyota | 4Runner |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals.
5. Grand Cherokee L
Jeep's Grand Cherokee has been moving towards the luxury end of the spectrum, and the 2024 Grand Cherokee L is a prime example of the brand's upscale vision.
This three-row SUV retains the off-road capability expected from a Jeep but offers a significantly improved interior compared to the Wrangler.
It's worth noting that the Grand Cherokee L comes with a higher starting price compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride, which may make the top-spec trims less accessible to average mid-size SUV buyers.
However, if you have the budget, the Grand Cherokee L offers a comfortable ride, a wide range of desirable features, and ample performance.
Regarding the vehicle's dimensions, the Grand Cherokee L maintains a manageable width and is not excessively long. It should fit in a normal-sized garage, although it might be a close fit.
The Takeaway: If you are looking for a Grand Cherokee but also want added seats in the way back, now you can have it.
