In this review, we cover nine models ranging from American to European to Asian manufacturers. Most of these models come with a base engine outputting at least 300 horsepower. The starting price is listed next to each model and they are in alphabetical order by manufacturer.
All of the luxury three-row crossovers featured herein offer all-wheel drive as an option. Several of these models have a less luxurious or smaller sibling model they share a platform with.
We cover a couple of models with a starting price in the mid $70Ks. Larger luxury full-size SUVs are covered separately.
Click on the slideshow arrow above to learn more about luxury three-row models in this popular vehicle class.'>
The MDX skipped the 2021 model year but fear not, it debuted in early 2021 with an an all-new generation of the model for 2022. The new MDX comes standard with a 290 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine.
The MDX’s engine is paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and delivers a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Its fuel economy is comparable to Acura RDX, which we covered in our luxury compact SUV model overview.
The MDX has a nicely designed, well-built interior with good cargo capacity. The MDX isn’t as posh as competitors such as the Volvo XC90 or Genesis GV80, but delivers solid value.
For more performance and luxury, opt for the Type S, which is the highest level trim. It delivers 355 horsepower from its turbocharged engine. The MDX Type S also comes standard with Acura’s super-handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) and lots of upscale touches. The Type S also ups the starting price to near $65,000.'>
The Q7 is built with exclusive company. Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, which also owns Lamborghini and Bentley, builds the Q7 on the same platform as the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga. We cover those models in our ultra-exotic SUVs and fastest SUVs list.
The Q7’s base engine is a 248 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. While still fun-to-drive, this base engine is merely adequate with the Q7’s large size and lofty starting price. The optional engine is the 335 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, which is also found in the Audi Q8. We covered the Q8 in our luxury midsize SUV model overview.
With the four-cylinder engine, the Q7, which has standard Quattro all-wheel drive, has a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. This is below average for the class. The V-6 fares worse with a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
The Q7 is offered in five trim lines. The model gets expensive quickly with options. The top-line Prestige 55 trim with the V-6 starts at $73,095. This pricing is comparable to the BMW X7 xDrive40i.
A third-row of seats is standard on all Q7 trims, but it is only for kids. In the end, the Q7 is a stylish, luxurious, and sporty yet sensible family hauler. '>
The entry-level X7 xDrive 40i comes standard with a 335 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine. This is the same engine found in the midsize BMW X5. In comparison, the smaller X5 xDrive40i costs $62,695.
The X7 has an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is standard on all trims. The X7’s fuel economy rating is 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The X7 is offered in three trim lines: the xDrive40i, the mid-level M50i, which starts at $100,795, and the range-topping Alpina XB7, which starts at $142,295.
The Alpina XB7 competes against ultra-exotic super SUVs as in addition to incredible luxury, it has a specially tuned twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 that outputs 612 horsepower. The Alpina XB7 made our list of the most expensive SUVs and it’s also one of the fastest crossovers on the road.
The X7 looks large, but its passenger space and cargo room aren’t as big as you’d expect. '>
The base engine in the XT6 is a 237 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, also found in the XT5. All-wheel drive is optional. The XT6 has a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive.
The 237 horsepower engine is at least 53 horsepower less than many of its competitors’ base engines. The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 are the only other models to offer engines with 250 horsepower or less in this class. Buyers can also opt for a 310 horsepower 3.0-liter V-6, which again is also found in the XT5 and other GM SUVs.
The XT6 is offered in three trim lines: Luxury, the mid-level Premium Luxury that starts at $53,790, and the range-topping XT6 Sport, which starts at $58,190. Premium Luxury and Sport come standard with the V-6. The XT6 made our list of the most American-made SUVs.'>saved Tiger Woods. It was an all-new model for 2021 and launched Genesis into the luxury crossover segment.
The GV80 has a lot to like with an impressive interior, lots of standard tech, and crisp handling. The Genesis’ base engine is a 300 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Its fuel economy rating is 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is an option.
The GV80 comes with lots of standard luxurious features. Even the base 2.5T model comes with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, power liftgate, and heated front seats. There are also 3.5T trims with a 375 horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6 engine.
The GV80 is offered in both two-row or a small third row of seat configuration. ‘Advanced+’ models have the third row. The smaller GV70 luxury compact crossover will follow the GV80 into the marketplace. '>
The GX has a rugged, body-on-frame platform, which bring legitimate off-road capability. This makes it unique among the other models featured here, which have a more car-like ride. Think of the GX as a more luxurious version of the Toyota 4Runner, but with added space and power. The GX has an impressive towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.
The GX is offered with just one engine: a 301 horsepower 4.6-liter V-8. With its heavier frame and antiquated six-speed transmission, the GX has a low fuel economy rating of 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. These factors also make the GX less brisk in acceleration than many of its peers.
The GX’s third-row of seats is cramped and should only be for kids. With the third row of seats up, there is a paltry 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The GX has a dated, understated interior for a model that costs nearly $60,000.
If you want more passenger and cargo space, opt for the much larger Lexus LX. But the LX, which is featured in our luxury full-size SUV model overview comes with a lofty starting price of $88,250. In comparison, the top-end GX Luxury trim starts at $65,740. '>
The Aviator’s base engine is a potent 400 horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine. It’s paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This is the most powerful standard engine in this vehicle class. All-wheel drive is optional.
The Aviator with rear-wheel drive has a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, which is most impressive for a 400 horsepower crossover. The Aviator’s base engine is more powerful than what the larger Lexus LX delivers. That’s pretty good considering the LX has a starting price of $88,550.
The other available engine is the same engine combined with a 100 horsepower electric motor, which combines for a total of 494 horsepower. It’s a plug-in hybrid with an estimated electric-only range of 15 to 21 miles. This engine is on the Grand Touring trim, which has a starting price of $68,980.
This may sound like a lofty price but it’s only the mid-trim Aviator. The range-topping Black Label Ground Touring starts at a whopping $88,520.
The Aviator is a good choice if you love what Lincoln offers, but don’t need the behemoth size of the full-size Navigator. In fact, the Aviator has the most cargo room behind the third-row seats than any other vehicle on our three-row luxury crossover overview.
If you don’t need that much space, check out the Lincoln Nautilus, which we covered in our luxury midsize SUV model overview. '>
With room and opulence to pamper the whole family, the GLS-Class is comparable to the Land Rover Range Rover and BMW X7. The GLS-Class does benefit by having a more spacious third-row of seats than the aforementioned models. Of course, at this price point, all-wheel drive is standard in the GLS-Class as are more robust features such as air suspension and a fancy, tech-rich cabin.
The base GLS450 model has a 362 horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine. The GLS450 has a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
The up-level GLS580 trim, which starts at $99,900, benefits from a 483 horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, which also has a hybrid-assistance system. It also has the latest technology including E-Active Body Control and a 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound stereo.
With a starting price just shy of six figures, the GLS580 just missed our most expensive SUVs list. '>
The XC90 is offered in four trim lines and with three engine choices. The base engine is a 250 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine’s fuel economy is 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. This is much better than the comparably powered Audi Q7.
There are two other engine options: a 316 horsepower supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 400 horsepower plug-in hybrid. Both of these offer a whole lot more acceleration than the base engine.
The hybrid XC90 Recharge Inscription Express has a starting price of $64,545. The plug-in hybrid has 18 miles of electric-only range.
With its sharp looks, impressive list of features, and luxury features, the XC90 is a smart choice in the class. The XC90 has more standard driver-assist features than its peers and has a fully digital gauge cluster. While it didn’t rank as high as the BMW X7, the XC90 was also a Car and Driver Editor’s Choice award winner, and it costs $25,000 less. '>
We covered the premium midsize Model X, which was recently refreshed and has a starting price of $91,190, separately in our electric SUV models overview. You can learn more about the incredibly quick Model X Plaid in our fastest SUVs list.
There are also luxury midsize SUVs such as the Infiniti QX60 and Lexus RX-L that offer a third-row seat, but they are quite small. The Tesla Model Y, a premium compact crossover, also has a small third-row seat as an option. '>
But they do deliver superior luxury, the latest technologies, a more spacious third-row seat, powerful engines, and standard all-wheel drive.
If you want the most luxury in a three-row crossover, you'll want to consider the Bentley Bentayga. It offers a small pop-up two-seat third-row seat. However, the ultra-luxury, ultra-performance Bentayga starts at $183,425.
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These models offer a fantastic combination of cargo room, passenger space, luxury, and power. They make great family haulers as long as you don’t need a large third row of seats.
If third-row passenger seating is a priority for you, the Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90, and Acura MDX are top picks in the sub $60,000 price point. The Cadillac XT6 is also worth a look.
If you are on a tighter budget, the top-end trims from three-row SUV models such as the Kia Telluride SX ($43,715), Toyota Highlander Platinum ($48,415), or Ford Explorer ST ($54,075) are all worthy of consideration. Those more traditional three-row crossover models are covered here.
We also covered the luxurious BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class in this luxury three-row SUV overview. Both are priced in the mid $70Ks. This starting price point is $20,000 - $25,000 more than the other models featured here. But they do deliver superior luxury, the latest technologies, powerful engines, and standard all-wheel drive. '>

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