3rd Row Seats for SUVs

A third row in an SUV makes it competitive with many mini-vans in terms of passenger capacity. Many are also flexible, so you can choose whether you need cargo space or seats for passengers. But there are safety and assembly issue to consider, so be cognizant of these if an SUV's third row seems like the answer to your needs.

Function

The third row of seats in an SUV seat additional passengers, typically two or three, depending on the configuration. Most SUVs seat five passengers in the two front rows, with a passenger and driver in the front and then three in the row immediately behind. A third row increases the passenger capacity to seven or eight total passengers for the car.

Types

There are two types of third rows in SUVS: permanent or pop-up. With a permanent third row, you constantly sacrifice cargo space to carry the additional passengers. With a pop-up third row, however, you have the flexibility of using the third row to seat passengers when that's the priority, or leave the row folded down to increase cargo space in your SUV.
Additionally, third rows can be a bench or two unique seats. A bench provides seating for three people, as long as there are sufficient safety belts for all passengers on the bench. You can also typically assemble only part of the bench, making cargo space and passenger seating even more flexible. Unique seats may be safer in terms of safety belts, but are limiting if you're trying to carry two families of four.

History

Smaller SUVs, like the RX 900 series from Lexus and its counterpart, the Toyota Highlander, weren't initially designed with a third row in mind. When introduced in the 1990s, these SUVs focused solely on the higher perspective and off-road capacity that an SUV offers. However, models from 2006 and later feature an optional third row as demand has increased for this feature.

Considerations

Be cognizant of the distance between your third row passenger's head and the rear window. In some models, such as the Acura MDX, the passenger's head is only a few inches from the rear window, which creates potential safety issues.
If you're carrying children, check the fit of boosters in the seat. If they can't be settled comfortably and safely for the child, minimizing the potential for any injury to the larynx and windpipe when the seat belt is on, the third row may not be as useful as it seems. Also, some manufacturers prohibit the use of a infant car seat in the third row. Check with the manufacturer directly if this is a consideration in your family.

Time Frame

Check how quickly you can assemble the third row if it's a pop-up. While some seem easy at first, they can be difficult to access and tough to put up, especially if you're trying to seat the soccer team in a rush during rain. Make sure you can reach all the knobs, guides or pulleys that make the pop-up function--don't let the salesperson show you, do it yourself.