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Third-Row Seat SUVs to Buy if You Value Fuel Efficiency

There are a lot of reasons why buying a third-row seat SUV is a good idea. Whether you have a big family or just have lots of friends, the additional seats can save you a lot of time and energy. Fold down the third row when you aren’t using it and you get extra cargo …

There are a lot of reasons why buying a third-row seat SUV is a good idea. Whether you have a big family or just have lots of friends, the additional seats can save you a lot of time and energy. Fold down the third row when you aren’t using it and you get extra cargo space. Lift them back up and you can take your dog, kids, and their friends anywhere you need to go. We expect a lot from SUVs that are big enough to have a third row of seating, but we don’t typically expect to get great fuel economy. However, with these used options, you might be surprised.

The 2015 and 2017 Toyota Highlander

It is no wonder why the Toyota Highlander is such a popular option for a family vehicle. They are reliable, practical, and pretty sporty to look at. Two years of the Highlander made the Consumer Reports list, not only because they are reliable cars, but because they are affordable to purchase on the used car market. Depending on the year you pick you can expect to get around 21mph, according to Consumer Reports testing, which isn’t great, but it is decent for an SUV of its size.

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is on display at the 112th Annual Chicago Auto Show
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

A little taste of luxury

The 2015 BMW X5 spices things up with a touch of that BMW luxury. If you want something a little more than a traditional family vehicle. Its sporty appearance is only one-upped by its beautiful interior and soft leather. There is so much to love about a used BMW X5, and fuel economy is just a great added bonus.

2020 BMW X5 M with seats folded
BMW X5 M with seats folded | BMW

A used third-row seat Hyundai won’t disappoint

The Hyundai Santa Fe might not be the car that comes to mind when it comes to a used SUV that you should take for a test drive, but it should. The Santa Fe is a car that you can appreciate just as much used as you would brand new. They are spacious, reliable, and offer a pretty decent fuel economy for such a large SUV.

2020 Hyundai Sante Fe interior with seats that fold flat
Hyundai Sante Fe | Hyundai

While there are so many options for a third-row seat SUV, especially if you’re looking at the used car market. In fact, there are a ton of great options that these only just begin to skim the surface. If you want a balance of a spacious, practical SUV that also offers responsible fuel economy though, the list can be pretty short.

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