You know how it goes. Kids yelling, dogs barking, and that stroller won’t fit in your old ride. You need the best SUV with a third row and great gas mileage. 

Think big space without the big gas bill. I get it. You drive tons of work, school runs, maybe a quick trip to grandma’s. A fuel-efficient 3-row SUV keeps your wallet happy. 

Folks in their 30s to 50s, with two or three little ones, swap two-row cars¹ for these. They want room plus 30-plus mpg. No fancy stuff. Just safe, trusty wheels that last.

This chat pulls from spots like U.S. News² and TrueCar. Plus real talk from Reddit. We skip fluff. Straight tips for you.

Why Grab a Fuel-Efficient 3-Row SUV Right Now?

Gas hurts. Say you log 15,000 miles a year. At $3.50 a gallon, a 20-mpg ride costs $2,625. Bump to 35 mpg? Down to $1,500. That’s $1,125 back in your pocket. For snacks or soccer gear.

These rigs fit your life. Seven seats for pals. Cargo³ for the cooler. Hybrids sip fuel smart. No plug? No sweat. Some charge at home for short hops.

From U.S. News, hybrids top charts. Kia Sorento Plug-In hits 74 MPGe. That’s electric zip plus gas backup.

• Save bucks yearly.
• Haul the gang easily.
• Go green a tad.

EPA says hybrids beat gas by 30-40%. Good for Earth. Good for you.

What Makes the Best SUV with Third Row and Great Gas Mileage?

Don’t chase shiny. Pick what works.

Gas Mileage and What Powers It

Check EPA-rated MPG for SUVs. City? Highway? Mix? Hybrids win. Highway MPG ratings shine on long pulls.

• Hybrid vs gas SUVs: Hybrids cost extra up front. But pay back fast. Gas? Tow heavy stuff better.
• Plugs add EV miles. 20-40 on juice alone.

Room to Breathe

SUV seating capacity and cargo space. Most hold 7-8. Third row? Kids mostly. Cargo? 20-100 cubic feet folded.

• First rows are comfy.
• Back folds flat.
• Stash the bikes.

How Long Does It Last and Cost to Keep

SUV reliability and maintenance costs. Toyota, Kia rule. Fixes run $500-800 a year.

• Warranties rock. Kia: 10-year powertrain.
• Best SUVs under $50k: Plenty here.
• Sell later? Hybrids hold dough.

Safe and Handy Bits

Top 3-row SUVs with best gas mileage and safety ratings. Blind-spot buzz. Auto brakes. Heated seats for cold mornings.

• WiFi for bored kids.
• Apple Play plugs in.

Need a quick home tweak? Peek quick move-in homes: a complete guide.

Our Top Choices for the Best SUV with Third Row and Great Gas Mileage

We eyed 2025-2026 rides. Ranked by mpg mix. From fresh searches.

1. 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid – Up to 37 MPG Mix

Hybrid SUVs with a third row lead. Starts $33,635. Affordable 3-row SUV with good gas mileage.

Good stuff:

• Turbo kick for hills.
• 30-mile plug range.
• 7 seats, zip in back.

Watch out:

• Back row snug for grown-ups.
• Bouncy on rough roads.

EPA: 23 city, 31 highway. Cargo: 12-75 feet cubed. Reddit⁴ dad with pups digs the room.

Health nudge on drives? High blood pressure management.

2. 2025 Toyota Sienna – Up to 36 MPG Mix

Minivan twist on most fuel-efficient 7-passenger SUV 2025. $40,980 start.

Wins:

• Top sip on fuel.
• AWD if snow hits.
• Seats slide for big kids.

Downs:

• Not zippy like V6s.
• Seats stick in place.

EPA: 36 all around. 8 seats. Cargo to 101 feet. US News says it laps gas vans. Reddit? “Can’t beat the space,” says one mom.

3. 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid – Up to 36 MPG Mix

Roomy best family SUVs with a 3rd row. From $42,855.

Pluses:

• Back row fits teens.
• Soft ride.
• Pulls 5,000 pounds.

Minuses:

• Slow start on base.
• Big to park.

EPA: 22-36. 7-8 seats. Cargo 20-97. TrueCar⁵ calls it hauler king. Wait lists? Yep, hot ticket.

Family grow tips? Family life cycle theory.

4. 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – Up to 36 MPG Mix

Stylish, economical 3-row SUV models. $36,400 up.

Hits:

• Cool looks inside.
• Easy hybrid hum.
• Safe kit standard.

Misses:

• No plug choice.
• Back tight.

EPA: 36 flat. 6-7 seats. Good for $50k life.

5. 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Up to 35 MPG Mix

Solid best midsize SUVs with 3rd row. $46,765 kickoff.

Strengths:

• Quiet hum.
• Good sip.
• Aids everywhere.

Weak spots:

• Third row kid zone.
• Meh speed.

EPA: 24-35. 7-8 seats. US News fam pick.

6. 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid – Up to 33 MPG Mix

Van with edge. Best 8-seater hybrid SUV with high MPG. $38,485.

Pros:

• SUV face.
• Plush middle seats.
• Big hold-all.

Cons:

• No AWD.
• Back squeeze.

EPA: 21-33. 8 seats. Reddit loves van smarts.

7. 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid – Up to 74 MPGe

Best plug-in hybrid 3-row SUV for long drives.

Goods:

• 31-mile zap.
• Fancy digs.

Bads:

• Third row meh.
• Price tag.

EPA: 74/33. 6 seats. US News top sipper.

8. 2025 Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid – Up to 76 MPGe

Fancy plug-in hybrid 3-row SUVs.

Goods:

• 33 miles go.
• Wide back.

Bads:

• Stiff bumps.

EPA: 76/29. 6-7 seats.

9. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid – Up to 64 MPGe

Tiny best small SUV with 3rd row and good fuel economy.

Goods:

• 38-mile charge.
• Nice touch.

Bads:

• Wee back.

EPA: 64/26. 7 seats.

10. 2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid – Up to 58 MPGe

Tough eco-friendly family vehicles.

Goods:

• Swank kit.
• 33-mile EV.

Bads:

• Hard seat.

EPA: 58/27.

Others: Mazda CX-90 PHEV (56 MPGe), plain Highlander (22/29).

Trim tip: XLE for bucks.

Hybrid or Gas? What’s Your Jam?

Hybrid vs gas SUVs? Commute? Hybrid. Tow? Gas.

• Hybrid: 30% less guzzle. $3k more buy.
• Gas: Easy fix.

Which 3-row SUV gets the best highway mileage? Sorento at 31+. Reddit: Vans crush SUVs on sip and stash.

Quick Family SUV Comparison

Family SUV comparison for you.

Ride	Start Price	MPG Mix	Seats	Cargo Feet	Pull Lbs
Kia Sorento Hybrid	$33,635	37	7	12-75	1,650
Toyota Sienna	$40,980	36	8	33-101	3,500
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid	$42,855	36	7-8	20-97	5,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid	$36,400	36	6-7	14-79	2,000
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	$46,765	35	7-8	16-84	3,500

Best 3-row SUV for families with good gas mileage? Sienna for max pack.

Best Midsize SUV with Third Row for Under $40,000

Sorento nails it. Add an all-wheel drive 3-row SUV? +$1,500.

Steps:

1. Sit in the back.
2. Hunt deals.
3. Eye used.

Plug-Ins

Which 3-row SUV has the best fuel efficiency for commuting? Sorento PHEV.

• Home charge: 20-40 miles, no gas.
• Short jaunts are free.

US News ranks ’em high.

Charge spot? Essential medical equipment.

Most Reliable 3-Row SUVs for Families

Toyota, Kia ace JD Power.

• Kia: 10yr train.
• Sell back strong.

Fuel-Efficient SUVs with 3rd Row for Road Trips

Fuel-efficient SUVs with 3rd row for road trips: Grand Highlander, 500+ mile tank.

Pack hack:

• Roof it.
• Air up tires.

Top-Rated SUVs for Fuel Economy and Space

Top-rated SUVs for fuel economy and space: Sienna rules.

Quote: “Vans win on mpg and cups,” from Reddit bud.

Family-Friendly 3-Row SUVs with Good Mileage

Bits like CarPlay. Rear screens.

Best SUVs for large families: Slide seats. Compact 3-row crossover: Outlander parks easily. EPA is close to real, owners say.

Tips to Squeeze More Miles from Your 3-Row SUV

1. Glide, don’t stomp.
2. Eco switch on.
3. Dump junk.

Gain 10-20%.

Slim down rides? Weight management.

Skip back comfort check. Drive a few.

Budget Split

Under $45k: Sorento, Santa Fe.

Extras: $2k tech.

What is the Best SUV with 3rd Row and Great MPG for You?

City zoom? Hybrid. Road hog? Plug. More zaps soon.

Trends peek? Milan Fashion Week 2025 schedule.

FAQs

What is the best SUV with 3rd row and great gas mileage?

Kia Sorento Hybrid, 37 mpg.

Which 3-row SUV gets the best highway mileage?

Sorento, 31+.

Best plug-in hybrid 3-row SUV for long drives?

Lexus TX, 33-mile zap.

Best midsize SUV with third row for under $40,000?

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

Best small SUV with a 3rd row and good fuel economy?

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Conclusion

What’s the best SUV with a third row and great gas mileage, such as the Sorento or the Sienna? Room, save, chill. Match your runs, hybrids, sips, and plugs zap. Fewer pump stops. More family fun.

Which best SUV with a third row and great gas mileage calls to you? Tell me!

References

1. Cars.com: 3-Row SUV Best Real-World MPG (2025) – https://www.cars.com/articles/which-3-row-suv-has-the-best-real-world-mpg-482045/ ↩︎
2. U.S. News: Most Fuel-Efficient 3-Row SUVs (2025) – https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/most-fuel-efficient-3-row-suvs ↩︎
3. CarGurus: Best 3-Row SUVs Great Gas Mileage (2025) – https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/articles/the-best-3-row-suvs-with-great-gas-mileage ↩︎
4. Reddit r/whatcarshouldIbuy: 3-Row SUV Decent Gas Mileage (2025) – https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/1m27axq/looking_for_a_3row_suv_with_decent_gas_mileage/ ↩︎
5. TrueCar: 20 Vehicles with 3rd Row Best Gas Mileage (2025-2026) – https://www.truecar.com/best-cars-trucks/3rd-row/by-gas-mileage/ ↩︎