2025 Smaller 3-Row SUV Comparability

In case you’ve spent any time on any highway at any time previously 20 years, you realize SUVs have proliferated like rabbits in spring. It’s little surprise that the number of selections for as we speak’s SUV buyers has additionally elevated exponentially. Living proof: Among the many legion of compact and midsize SUVs to select from, there are actually a number of choices for a category that sits between these two.

These autos mix the smaller dimensions of a compact SUV but deliver a giant benefit normally discovered solely in bigger fashions: three rows of seats. These in-betweeners additionally have a tendency to separate the worth distinction between compact and midsize SUVs. Goldilocks could be proud.

We rounded up three of the perfect examples of this class – the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2025 Kia Sorento, and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander – to see how they evaluate. Throughout per week of testing in Virginia and past, we drove them tons of of miles, evaluated their know-how, skilled their options, and, sure, even limbered up our our bodies to see if adults may truly sit of their third-row seats. Right here’s how they fared.

Third Place: 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Taking bronze in our analysis is the Mitsubishi Outlander, however for some consumers it would simply be golden. Particularly, buyers searching for a compact SUV that may seat as much as seven in a pinch, and the most inexpensive new 3-row SUV you should purchase.

As classes go, not like the opposite two SUVs on this comparability, the Outlander nonetheless suits squarely within the compact SUV realm. And for 2025, it’s now the one compact SUV with three rows of seats (the Volkswagen Tiguan supplied that previously, however no extra for 2025). Along with being barely smaller, thus extra nimble and parkable, the 2025 Outlander additionally has a decrease beginning worth ($31,535) than its bigger friends on this contest. This places the Outlander in a particular place as a compact SUV that simply would possibly save the day – or at the very least an additional journey – when your elementary-age youngsters need to deliver a buddy or two alongside.

That 3-row/7-passenger seating is an X issue, to make sure, but it surely’s hardly the one perk of the Outlander, which has simply been refreshed for the 2025 mannequin 12 months. The updates embody styling revisions to the inside and exterior, a retuned suspension really feel, and a typical Yamaha premium audio system. The Outlander stays motivated by a 181-horsepower 4-cylinder engine linked to a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT) and may be had with both front-wheel drive (FWD) or non-obligatory all-wheel drive (AWD). We must always word a plug-in hybrid powertrain can also be accessible within the type of the Outlander PHEV mannequin.

Our dazzled-up check mannequin value just below $46,000 and included premium facilities like diamond-stitched leather-based upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with head-up show, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, heated/ventilated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, and a brand new Yamaha audio system.

Our editors appreciated the inside, particularly the little touches like twin pockets on the again seats, the crisp graphics of the instrument cluster, and the aforementioned Yamaha audio system.

On the highway, we discovered the acceleration and passing prowess simply enough. At 181 hp, the Outlander lags the ability output of rivals just like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson, which will even by no means be loaded with greater than 5 folks.

But in shuffling one, two, and even 4 folks down the highway, the Outlander was positive, and its driver-assistance options, reminiscent of adaptive cruise management with lane-keeping help, labored nicely. Additionally notable is Mitsubishi’s glorious guarantee. Like the opposite two contenders right here, Mitsubishi covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles.

As acknowledged earlier than, the Outlander’s X issue is its capability to squeeze seven seats right into a compact footprint. The caveat is that, with third-row legroom of a mere 18.7 inches, seating within the final row can be a literal squeeze for all however the smallest of people. Most consumers will possible depart the rearmost seats folded and use them solely in carpool emergencies. In case you want a bit extra – of the whole lot – with out far more of successful to your pockets, learn on.

Be taught extra concerning the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander in our Professional Overview

Second Place: 2025 Kia Sorento

As all-arounders go, it’s exhausting to go mistaken with the Kia Sorento. Right here’s a smallish SUV that does nearly the whole lot proper after which surprises you with extra.

Amongst our contestants, the Sorento provides the widest breadth of fashions to select from, making us virtually run out of fingers counting all of them. For the file, the quantity is eight, from the value-oriented LX (beginning at $33,405, lower than $2,000 greater than the Outlander) operating as much as the X-Professional SX Status ($48,805) just like the one we examined. The Sorento’s selections don’t finish there. It may be had with two totally different gasoline engines, together with a turbo mannequin with 281 hp, or as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The Sorento lineup is like that field of crayons you had as a child; there’ll absolutely be a hue for you.

All Sorento fashions have three rows of seats, however relying on trim, they’ll seat seven with a middle-row bench seat or six due to twin captain’s chairs in that row.

Regardless that the Sorento is technically the oldest on this group, with this technology debuting for the 2021 mannequin 12 months, fixed updates preserve it feeling contemporary and spiffy, the latest being a 2024 mid-cycle refresh. Take into account its commonplace 12.3-inch touchscreen show, accessible 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and options we’ve come to like, such because the Blind-Spot View Monitor with real-time video displayed within the instrument cluster, accessible hands-free tailgate, and all the opposite now-expected niceties like climate-controlled seats, premium audio, and 360-degree encompass cameras.

On the highway, we liked the eagerness of the 281 horses powering our Sorento check mannequin. Getting on top of things and passing slower autos on Virginia’s windy two-lane roads was by no means a priority with this potent engine, and we like that, not like the Outlander, the Sorento makes use of a conventional 8-speed automated transmission as a substitute of a repeatedly variable transmission. And even with the chunkier tires in our off-road-oriented mannequin, cabin noise remained quiet sufficient to have a deep dialog about how you can create the perfect automotive content material on the planet. We hope you agree with the outcomes.

Kia’s driver-assist methods stay among the many greatest you should purchase, and we let the Sorento chauffeur us for mile after mile with its Freeway Driving Help 2 system powered on (whereas all the time preserving palms on the wheel, thoughts you).

The Sorento’s inside could be very comfy general. And hey, for those who like your gear shifter substantial and tall within the central console, it’s the one one on this comparability with that setup (the Outlander’s is extra of a nub, whereas the Santa Fe’s is a stalk hooked up to the steering column). As for the Sorento’s third row, whereas fairly tight with 29.6 inches of legroom, it’s at the very least bearable for adults on shorter journeys.

Be taught extra concerning the 2025 Kia Sorento in our Professional Overview

First Place: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe entered a brand new technology simply final 12 months, and what a makeover Hyundai’s longest-running SUV acquired. We reckon you’ve already seen these on the highway and thought to your self, “Effectively, that could be a fine-looking new Vary Rover.”

Sure, gone are the Santa Fe’s curves, changed by a blocky, buffed-up design that yields advantages each outdoors and in. And sure, we all know, at the very least on the rear, the seems to be are polarizing. It’s like that for a cause, and the rationale is all about house. At its world premiere, Hyundai’s designers informed us they really began with that massive, wide-opening tailgate so the Santa Fe may very well be used not solely as a automobile however as a way of life enhancer for tailgating and, sure, even automobile tenting.

Area merely abounds within the Santa Fe, a lot in order that it feels almost as roomy as its Palisade larger brother. The cabin can also be open and ethereal due to touches starting from the aforementioned steering column stalk shifter to panoramic roof home windows. And for those who’re a tall driver, the Santa Fe would possibly simply be your new favourite automobile. Throughout testing of our even broader group that included 3-row midsize SUVs, the Santa Fe nonetheless had probably the most entrance legroom at 44.4 inches and copious headroom at 41.1 inches. So go forward, stretch out.

Being the freshest mannequin of this trio additionally reveals within the tech and facilities Hyundai ladled into the Santa Fe. As kin to the Sorento (Hyundai and Kia are company cousins and share many applied sciences and components), the Santa Fe additionally has goodies like Blind-Spot View Monitor, the power to remotely park itself when you stand outdoors the automobile (cool celebration trick!), and glorious driver-assist know-how.

But it additionally has class-exclusive options like a UV-C sanitizing compartment that may zap the nasties on telephones and toddler toys alike, a twin wi-fi telephone charging pad, and even an accessible “Leisure” driver seat that reclines and has a backside leg assist characteristic that extends when the automobile is parked. It would simply turn out to be your vehicular sanctuary whereas the children are at soccer apply.

As with the Sorento, the Santa Fe provides a number of trims to select from. Commonplace on the Santa Fe is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making a heady 277 hp. Which means even the least-expensive Santa Fe SE ($35,775) doesn’t need for energy. We’ve pushed a number of turbo Santa Fe fashions and may attest to that.

For this check, we had the Santa Fe Hybrid in topline Calligraphy kind with all-wheel drive, which retails for near $50,000. The hybrid powertrain marries a smaller turbo 4-cylinder engine and a battery-fed electrical motor. Complete horsepower is a good 231, and torque is a more-than-respectable 271 lb-ft. But, the Santa Fe Hybrid earns as much as 36 mpg mixed in front-wheel-drive kind or 34 with all-wheel drive. That’s spectacular for a 3-row SUV.

On the highway, we discovered this energy performed out nicely, with one slight caveat. When beginning, the Santa Fe defaulted to its Eco mode – it’s a hybrid, in any case – and we discovered throttle response muted for our style. The fast and straightforward treatment is to place it in Sport mode, which pepped issues proper up and nonetheless delivered commendable gasoline economic system.

By now you’ll be able to most likely guess we appreciated the Santa Fe’s rearmost row the perfect, too. With 30 inches of legroom, it was the perfect in our group. And whereas that’s nonetheless comfortable for adults, it’s completely acceptable for teenagers.

And there you may have it: Three non-traditional 3-row SUVs that aren’t too huge, and never too small. Every of those three bears brings its personal traits to the desk, and we hope this comparability will assist you discover your individual Goldilocks-approved mannequin amongst them.

Be taught extra concerning the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe in our Professional Overview