Family road trips, school carpools, weekend errands with more passengers than seatbelts should reasonably allow. A three-row SUV promises to handle all of it, but not every model earns that trust once the warranty runs out and real ownership costs start showing up. Some three-row SUVs hold their reliability and safety scores for years, while others rack up repair bills and mixed crash-test results that catch used-car shoppers off guard.
Using data from RepairPal and IIHS, here’s a practical breakdown of five three-row SUVs that make sense as used purchases, plus five that deserve a closer look before you sign anything. Pricing varies too much by mileage and location to treat as fixed, so think of this as a guide for smarter shopping, not a strict shopping list.
5 Three-Row SUVs Worth Buying Used
1. 2022-2023 Toyota Highlander
Few midsize SUVs balance safety and dependability quite like the Highlander does during this generation. Both the 2022 and 2023 model years earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which sits at the top of the agency’s rating scale and reflects strong performance across multiple crash tests, headlight quality, and pedestrian protection.
Reliability tells a similarly reassuring story. RepairPal awards the Highlander a 4.0 out of 5 rating, and the average annual repair cost lands around $489, comfortably below the midsize-SUV average. For buyers comparing ownership costs across several models, that gap adds up fast over several years of ownership.
A hybrid powertrain option adds real appeal for shoppers focused on fuel efficiency without sacrificing the practicality of three rows. Resale value also tends to hold up well for the Highlander, which matters if you plan to sell or trade it in down the road rather than keep it indefinitely.
None of this means the Highlander is flawless. The third row remains genuinely tight for taller adults, better suited to children or shorter trips than long-haul comfort for grown passengers.
Cargo space also shrinks considerably once all three rows are occupied, leaving limited room for luggage, groceries, or sports equipment behind the last row of seats.
Still, weighed against the alternatives, the combination of documented safety performance, below-average repair costs, and strong reliability scores makes the 2022-2023 Highlander one of the safer bets among used three-row SUVs currently on the market.
2. 2023-2024 Honda Pilot
Honda gave the Pilot a full redesign for 2023, and the changes paid off where it counts most. The updated model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award after Honda specifically improved passenger-side crash performance, addressing a weak point that had held back earlier Pilot generations in similar testing.
The cabin itself deserves attention beyond the safety scores. Space feels generous throughout, and unlike some competitors that treat the third row as an afterthought, the Pilot’s rearmost seats offer genuinely usable space rather than a cramped perch reserved for small children. Ride comfort holds up well too, which matters enormously for families logging long highway miles.
Repair costs come in reasonably controlled. RepairPal reports an average annual cost of roughly $542, sitting below the $573 average across the broader midsize-SUV category.
That’s not the lowest figure among three-row SUVs, but it’s respectable, especially paired with the vehicle’s safety credentials and interior practicality.
Here’s where buyers need to slow down and do homework. The redesigned 2023 Pilot has accumulated several recalls since launch, which isn’t unusual for a freshly redesigned model but still requires attention before purchase. Skipping this step could mean buying a vehicle with unresolved safety work still pending.
Before finalizing any used Pilot purchase, run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup tool and confirm with either the dealer or a trusted mechanic that any applicable recall repairs have actually been completed.
A Pilot with all recall work finished represents one of the stronger three-row values in this class, combining safety, space, and manageable running costs into one package worth serious consideration.
3. 2023-2024 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride continues to be an appealing used SUV for shoppers who want a spacious cabin without moving into a huge full-size model. Its interior provides generous passenger room, and its standard equipment can make even moderately equipped examples feel well appointed.
The 2023 Telluride earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, and IIHS includes both the 2023 and 2024 models among its Top Safety Pick+ midsize SUVs.
One important point deserves careful attention when looking at ownership-cost claims. RepairPal currently says there is insufficient data to give the Telluride its own reliability rating.
It instead provides the midsize-SUV average, which is $573 per year. That means a specific annual repair figure such as $550 or $650 should not be presented as a verified Telluride figure.
The Telluride’s appeal comes from its combination of room, comfort, equipment, and safety performance. It is also a particularly useful choice for buyers who regularly carry passengers in all three rows.
Fuel economy from the V6 engine is only average, though, and maintenance history deserves close inspection. Buyers should check for outstanding recalls, review service records, inspect the brakes and tires, and search NHTSA’s complaint database before signing a purchase agreement.
A well-maintained example can make much more sense than a neglected one with a lower asking price.
4. 2023-2024 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade shares much of its mechanical foundation with the Kia Telluride, but its cabin has a distinct feel and a strong emphasis on comfort. The 2023 Palisade earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition, and IIHS lists the 2023-24 models among its Top Safety Pick+ midsize SUVs.
RepairPal does not currently provide a model-specific reliability rating or annual repair figure for the Palisade because it says there is not enough data for a statistically supported rating.
RepairPal lists $573 as the average annual repair cost for midsize SUVs, but that figure should not be mistaken for the Palisade’s own cost. What makes the Palisade attractive used is its passenger-friendly design.
The cabin is roomy, the ride is comfortable, and higher trims can provide a more premium feel than many mainstream competitors. Families that regularly use the third row may appreciate the available space more than they would in a smaller SUV.
There are still reasons to inspect carefully. Fuel economy is not a major strength, and recall history should be checked before purchase. RepairPal currently lists recalls associated with the Palisade, making VIN verification worthwhile.
One detail also deserves attention when comparing model years. IIHS testing can change from one year to the next, so award results are not always directly comparable. The 2023 Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation, while the current IIHS page for the 2024 model shows a different award result following updated testing.
5. 2023-2024 Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is worth considering for buyers who want three rows and standard all-wheel drive. That drivetrain can be useful for drivers who regularly encounter rain, snow, or rough road conditions.
Safety is another strong point. IIHS lists the 2023-24 Ascent as a Top Safety Pick+, and the 2024 model received strong ratings across several crashworthiness categories.
RepairPal does not provide a sufficiently supported model-specific annual cost for the 2023 Ascent. Instead, its available Subaru data shows an average annual repair cost of $617 for the brand.
That figure should be treated as a Subaru brand average, not as a verified cost for a 2023 Ascent. The Ascent makes sense when all-weather traction matters.
Its cabin is practical, the seating arrangement is useful for families, and the SUV provides a solid mix of passenger room and cargo flexibility. Its safety credentials also give buyers another reason to consider it.
Space in the third row is the catch. Children will generally find it more comfortable than adults, especially during longer journeys. Fuel economy also trails some alternatives.
A used Ascent should therefore be evaluated according to how often the third row will actually carry adults. Before buying, examine the maintenance history, confirm recalls have been completed, inspect the tires for even wear, and review the vehicle’s NHTSA complaint record.
5 Three-Row SUVs That Deserve More Caution When Buying Used
These five SUVs are not automatic rejects. Each offers useful qualities, and a well-maintained example can still serve an owner for years.
The reason for extra caution is that their repair costs, safety results, or ownership concerns make a detailed inspection especially worthwhile. Used-car condition can vary greatly, so the individual vehicle still matters.
1. 2022 Chevrolet Suburban
Bigger doesn’t always mean better when the bills start arriving. The Suburban’s cavernous interior and towing capability make it genuinely appealing for large families or anyone regularly hauling trailers, boats, or bulky cargo, but that size comes attached to real financial trade-offs once you own it.
RepairPal assigns the Suburban a 3.0 out of 5 reliability rating, a middling score compared with some competitors on this list. More concerning for anyone budgeting ownership costs is the average annual repair figure of approximately $944, noticeably higher than the roughly $784 average across the broader full-size SUV category.
RepairPal further notes that both how often repairs happen and how severe those repairs tend to be run above what’s typical for the segment. It’s worth directly correcting a claim that’s circulated elsewhere suggesting repair costs run past $1,200 annually.
That figure isn’t supported by current RepairPal data, and the more accurate number to work with is the roughly $944 figure cited above.
Inflating cost estimates does buyers no favors, but the accurate figure alone still places the Suburban meaningfully above average for its class. Fuel consumption adds another layer to the ownership equation.
Full-size SUVs of this scale inherently demand more at the pump than midsize alternatives, and that ongoing cost compounds over years of ownership in a way that’s easy to underestimate when focused purely on the purchase price.
None of this makes the Suburban a bad vehicle outright. For buyers who genuinely need its cargo and towing capacity, it remains a capable choice.
But shoppers should budget realistically for higher maintenance costs and fuel expenses rather than assuming ownership costs will mirror a smaller, more efficient three-row SUV.
2. 2022 Ford Expedition
Massive passenger and cargo room make the Expedition a tempting option for larger families, but that capability carries a genuine cost once you move past the sticker price and into years of actual ownership expenses.
RepairPal currently reports an average annual repair cost of approximately $861 for the Expedition, paired with a 3.0 out of 5 reliability rating.
There’s some nuance worth understanding here rather than treating this as a simple red flag. RepairPal notes that major problems don’t occur especially often with this model, but when repairs are needed, they tend to be more severe and consequently more expensive than what buyers might see with a smaller, simpler vehicle.
That distinction matters for how you think about ownership. A vehicle with frequent minor issues creates constant, low-cost hassle. A vehicle with rare but expensive issues creates unpredictable, potentially large bills that are harder to budget around in advance.
The Expedition falls into that second category, based on current data. As with the Suburban, it’s worth setting the record straight on inflated cost claims.
A commonly cited figure suggesting repair costs exceeding $1,100 annually isn’t backed by current RepairPal figures and shouldn’t factor into your purchase decision.
The roughly $861 figure is the more defensible number to work with when comparing against other three-row options. Fuel consumption remains a real consideration too, given the Expedition’s size and weight.
Buyers drawn to this model for its space and towing capability should factor in higher fuel costs alongside the repair expenses, building a realistic total ownership budget rather than focusing solely on the initial purchase price when comparing it against smaller, more efficient three-row alternatives.
3. 2022 GMC Acadia
Smaller than the Suburban and Expedition, the Acadia occupies a more modest footprint, but its ownership data doesn’t necessarily reward buyers for choosing the more compact option.
RepairPal assigns the Acadia a 3.0 out of 5 reliability rating and, more strikingly, ranks it 23rd out of 26 midsize SUVs evaluated, a placement that puts it near the bottom of its direct competitive set.
Annual repair costs average around $734 according to RepairPal, and the organization specifically flags that repairs tend to run more severe than average when problems do occur.
Combined with the low reliability ranking, this paints a picture of a vehicle that may demand more attention and expense than shoppers initially expect based on its midsize classification alone.
Safety testing adds another concern worth taking seriously. IIHS gave the 2022 Acadia a Poor rating in its updated side-impact test, the lowest possible score on that particular evaluation and a meaningfully worse result than what several competitors on this list achieved.
The Acadia’s headlights also received a Marginal rating, indicating reduced visibility performance compared with vehicles earning Good or Acceptable scores in that same test.
Taken together, these findings suggest the Acadia deserves more scrutiny than some of its rivals before purchase. That doesn’t mean every individual Acadia is problematic, since maintenance history and how a previous owner treated the vehicle still matter enormously.
But shoppers comparing this model against alternatives like the Highlander or Pilot should weigh the reliability ranking and side-impact test result carefully, and strongly consider a thorough pre-purchase inspection before committing to this particular midsize SUV.
4. 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas deserves a closer look rather than a blanket rejection. Its spacious cabin is one of its strongest qualities, and the three-row layout makes it useful for families who need genuine passenger capacity.
The concern with the 2022 model comes mainly from its safety-test profile and ownership-cost data. IIHS gives the 2022 Atlas a Marginal rating in the updated moderate-overlap front test.
Its pedestrian front crash-prevention systems received Basic ratings in both daytime and nighttime testing, while the headlights varied by trim and received ratings ranging from Marginal to Good.
RepairPal reports an average annual repair cost of $676 for Volkswagen vehicles, but that is a brand-level figure rather than a verified 2022 Atlas figure. It would therefore be misleading to claim that a 2022 Atlas specifically costs $900 to $1,000 per year to repair.
For a used buyer, service history becomes especially important. Look for consistent oil changes, completed recall work, proper maintenance documentation, and signs that previous owners addressed problems promptly.
The Atlas can make sense when its roomy interior and driving character match a buyer’s needs. Still, a professional inspection and a review of NHTSA complaints should be part of the purchase process.
5. 2022 Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is an interesting case because its repair-cost reputation is worse than the available RepairPal data suggests. RepairPal gives the Durango a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating and reports an average annual repair cost of about $675.
That is below the $784 average for full-size SUVs. RepairPal also says repair frequency is low and major repairs are uncommon.
So why place the 2022 Durango on a caution list? Safety testing is the bigger concern. IIHS gives the 2022 model a Marginal driver-side small-overlap rating.
The underlying crash evaluation showed meaningful intrusion into the occupant compartment, making the result worth considering when comparing newer three-row alternatives.
The Durango does have plenty going for it. It offers a strong powertrain lineup, useful towing ability, a comfortable cabin, and an unusual blend of SUV practicality and rear-wheel-drive-based driving characteristics. Buyers who value those traits may find it appealing.
The important correction is that describing the Durango as a $900-plus annual repair-cost SUV is not supported by RepairPal’s current data. About $675 is the available figure.
For any used Durango, inspect crash history, suspension components, brakes, drivetrain service records, and recall status. A vehicle with excellent maintenance documentation deserves a closer look than one with an uncertain history.
