10 Best Used Three-Row SUVs Under $25,000

October 30, 2023

Modern 3-row SUVs come in many sizes and grades of capability, spanning a broad range of uses and styles. The largest are nearly as capable and powerful as pickup trucks, while the most refined are as easy to drive and efficient as a family sedan. Whatever sort of 3-row SUV you’re looking for, there’s likely one on this list. Do keep in mind that the best deals may not be local to you, so widen your search radius to maximize the value of your dollar.

Here are 10 of the best 3-row SUVs under $25,000.

1. 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Whether you’re looking for a hybrid or not, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is a great choice. It’s popular with families year in and out. The Hybrid stretches our $25,000 budget, but it should be available in this price range. It offers 28 mpg combined even though it comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). If you’d prefer the non-hybrid, you can likely afford a better-equipped trim, like the XLE or SE. These get upgraded materials, seating, and features, including optional extras like a panoramic moonroof. See 2017 Toyota Highlander models for sale near you

2. 2018 Honda Pilot

Like the Highlander, the 2018 Honda Pilot is a favorite of families everywhere, thanks to its easy driving manners, its spacious and well-thought-out interior, and its 8-passenger capacity. With standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available AWD, you can configure the Pilot for cold-weather duty, so it’s ready for the coming winter. Our $25,000 budget should afford the leather-equipped EX-L trim. It comes with Honda’s latest driver assistance technology package, a rear-seat entertainment system, and AWD. See 2018 Honda Pilot models for sale near you

3. 2019 Mazda CX-9

Having three rows of seats doesn’t have to mean a dull driving experience, and the 2019 Mazda CX-9 proves it. The CX-9 has engaging dynamics, a torquey 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and available AWD. It’s not the best choice for towing, with a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds. However, it does get 26 mpg on the highway with AWD. In the Grand Touring trim that best fits our budget, you’ll also get a Bose audio system, a moonroof, ventilated front seats, and more. See 2019 Mazda CX-9 models for sale near you

4. 2015 Toyota 4Runner

Built with truck-like underpinnings much like the full-size Suburban and Expedition also on this list, the 2015 Toyota 4Runner delivers a lot of that old-school ruggedness and off-road ability, as well as 3-row seating, but in a considerably more compact package. Comfortable as a daily driver, the 4Runner’s third row is functional but not especially spacious, making it a good choice for those who occasionally need to seat more than five occupants. The base SR5 is a solid choice on our budget, and it’s the only one, except the more expensive Limited, that offers 3-row seating. The SR5 can be configured with your choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD). A 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine is standard, and the 4Runner can tow up to 4,700 pounds. See 2015 Toyota 4Runner models for sale near you

5. 2019 Kia Sorento

If you need 3-row seating but not all the time, and you still need a reasonably compact, maneuverable SUV, the 2019 Kia Sorento might be a good fit. The Sorento offers excellent base features, including smartphone integration, Bluetooth, keyless entry, cruise control, and a 7-inch center display, perfect for those looking to save the most money. The range-topping SX is just within reach, bringing upgrades like a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless device charging, Nappa leather upholstery, and much more. The higher-end Sorento models get a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine; lower trim models use a 185-horsepower 4-cylinder. All trims come standard with FWD and are available with AWD. See 2019 Kia Sorento models for sale near you

6. 2016 Ford Expedition

The 2016 Ford Expedition offers truck-like capability in a more refined, family-friendly SUV format. This Ford full-size SUV gets a 365-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This gives the Expedition the ability to tow up to 9,200 pounds when properly configured. For those who’d like a taste of the Lincoln Navigator life, the Expedition was even offered from the factory with 22-inch wheels. Look for nearly loaded 2016 Limited models on our budget. See 2016 Ford Expedition models for sale near you

7. 2016 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has sharp looks, a massive cabin, and impressive capability. Able to tow up to 8,300 pounds, the 2016 Suburban gets its power from a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 engine. The Suburban is available with 4WD, and it can be configured with seating options for up to nine occupants. Even with all three rows occupied, the Suburban offers nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. See 2016 Chevrolet Suburban models for sale near you

8. 2018 Chevrolet Traverse

For those who need a spacious SUV and three rows of seating for up to eight occupants but want a more car-like driving and handling experience, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is worth a look. You can upgrade from standard FWD to AWD at the cost of just 1 mpg on the highway with the standard 310-horsepower V6 engine. The Traverse RS gets a 255-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates about 30 lb-ft more torque than the V6 and comes with a Bose audio system, a power tailgate, and navigation. See 2018 Chevrolet Traverse models for sale near you

9. 2016 Volvo XC90

Scandinavian style and safety have become almost hackneyed at this point, but the overuse is only because the phrases are apt. If you’re looking for a stylish, safe, comfortable 3-row SUV with seating for seven, standard AWD, and surprisingly high performance for an SUV, the 2016 Volvo XC90 is for you. Better yet, a $25,000 budget affords the top-of-the-line. That means your choice of the XC90 T6 R-Design with its 316-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder, or, if you shop diligently, the T8. The T8 has the same engine plus an electric motor driving the rear wheels for a total output of 400 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The T8 model is also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with 25 miles of all-electric range. See 2016 Volvo XC90 models for sale near you

10. 2018 Dodge Durango

One of the best exterior designs in the SUV world meets truck-based utility and toughness in the 2018 Dodge Durango. Seating for seven across three rows is standard in the Durango, as is a 290-horsepower V6 engine and RWD, 3-zone automatic climate control, and more. Low-mileage Durango SXT trim vehicles are a good fit for our budget if you are happy with a strong V6 engine and you’re not looking for maximum equipment. If you’d like your Durango to have a bit more muscle, look for the 360-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8-powered Durango R/T — although you may have to expand your search radius or look for higher-mileage examples to get the price under $25,000. If you find a Durango R/T on our budget, you’ll also get 7,400 pounds of towing capacity. See 2018 Dodge Durango models for sale near you

10 Best Used Three-Row SUVs Under $25,000