These days, people buy seven-seat SUVs for a wide variety of reasons. Some need to transport more than five people regularly. Others hardly ever use the third row but are grateful for the extra cargo space. (Hockey parents, we’re looking at you.) And towing capacity can be another motivating factor. Not all three-row SUVs are created equal, though, and there can be significant differences between them. Some seat two in the third row while others seat three. There are smaller models that aren’t far off from the larger two-row SUVs, and there are massive models that are some of the biggest vehicles on the road.
Wading through these options to find the right SUV for you can be a monumental task. That’s why we’ve broken it down here with this list of the best 7-seat SUVs available in Canada for 2025. We break down the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make the right decision for you and your needs.
Two different size categories are covered in this list, though really it could be considered three. The majority of these family SUVs — and the majority of three-row SUVs sold in Canada — are of the midsize SUV variety, which offer friendlier proportions but can sometimes be tight on interior and cargo capacity when fully loaded. There can be significant size differences among these, which we’ve clarified in each entry below. We’ve also included a handful of large SUVs. These are big enough to comfortably fit up to seven adults and their gear, and they tend to come with more towing capability. The trade-off of these loftier proportions is more challenging drive characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Nearly all three-row SUVs sold in Canada come with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) as a standard feature, and all include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Captain’s chairs for the second row are a very common optional feature in this segment, but note this means your seating capacity will be reduced to six in some models.
Prices shown include destination charges and dealer fees but not sales taxes or extra-cost options. While they were current as of the time of publication, prices are subject to change.
Best 7-Seat SUVs in Canada 2025
- Ford Explorer
- Genesis GV80
- GMC Yukon
- Hyundai Palisade
- Infiniti QX60
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- Kia Sorento
- Kia Telluride
- Lexus TX
- Mazda CX-90
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Toyota Grand Highlander
- Honourable Mentions
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer receives a comprehensive refresh for 2025 as it continues in its sixth generation. Of all the SUVs on this list, the Explorer is the one we’d say is the most truck-like to drive with heavier steering and squared-off proportions. Among the updates, you’ll find a taller and wider grille, a trendy blacked-out light bar across the rear with the Explorer name emblazoned across it, and more use of soft touch materials in the cabin. Some models also feature fabric inserts across the dashboard. New tech is a highlight with SYNC 4 being replaced by the new Ford Digital Experience. The portrait-oriented screen departs and a user-friendly 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system makes its debut featuring the Google Automotive operating system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and built-in functions like Google Maps and Google Assistant, are now standard equipment. It’s a little tighter in interior proportions than many of the SUVs on this list, but it’s a good choice for those who need three rows but would really rather drive a Ranger or F-150. The 2025 Ford Explorer starts in Canada at $52,830.
Genesis GV80
Hyundai’s luxury division made waves when it released its first-ever SUV, the Genesis GV80, for the 2021 model year. It combines unique design elements with an array of safety features, including lane-keep assist, emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and 10 airbags. Two engines are available; however, those looking for the three-row version will need to select the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6. This engine generates 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and averages 11.8 L/100 km combined. In Canada, the three-row version of the 2024 Genesis GV80 is priced at $92,500. All pricing in this article includes destination charges and fees. But the no-haggle, all-in price from Genesis also includes five years of scheduled maintenance and map updates, at-home valet service, and more.
GMC Yukon
This section really covers three cars in one, and together, they’re the best full-size SUVs on the market today. The Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade all share a platform and benefit equally from the significant redesign they underwent in late 2020. This includes more spacious rear seats with loads of legroom, offering plenty of versatility on road trips. The Chevrolet Tahoe offers entry-level pricing while the Cadillac Escalade is the high-roller option. The latter comes with a massive curved OLED touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving and adaptive cruise control technology, and other upgrades.
But to us, the GMC Yukon mid-premium SUV is the just-right choice. It offers premium-leaning features and finishes for a more approachable price than the Escalade. For 2025, it receives a mid-cycle refresh that gives the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel a power bump to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a redesigned front end and dashboard. A high-end Denali Ultimate trim joined the line-up in 2023, adding Super Cruise driver assistance technology along with 22-inch wheels, unique chrome accents, 16-way massaging front seats with contrasting stitching, aluminum and open-pore wood trim, and an 18-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system with speakers in the front-row headrests. The 2024 GMC Yukon has a starting price in Canada of $80,234, while the 2024 GMC Yukon Denali starts at $107,001 and the Denali Ultimate at $136,281. (2025 pricing had not been announced as of this writing.)
Hyundai Palisade
There’s a reason there are so many Hyundai Palisades on the road in Canada: this well-priced and well-balanced vehicle upended the mid-size three-row SUV segment when it was introduced for the 2020 model year. Its unique styling, roomy interior, and near-luxury finishes and features at higher trims such as premium leather seats made it an instant hit. The Palisade has been offered with a single engine since its launch, a 3.8-litre V6 with power specs of 291 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque, and a combined fuel consumption of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and a mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 model year integrates new front and rear-end styling and some additional technology in the cabin. In Canada, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade has a starting price of $53,234. A next-generation Hyundai Palisade — possibly sporting a hybrid powertrain for the first time — is rumoured to be on the way for 2026.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Jeep now considers itself a luxury brand, and its newfound premium styling and finishes combined with legendary off-road capability make some compelling offerings. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are the top-of-the-line nameplates, but we’re impressed with the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new version of a long-time favourite mid-size SUV that entered its fifth generation in 2021, now with a third row of seats. The wood inserts, premium leather, and smart styling bring the Grand Cherokee name into premium territory. The Hemi engine has been dropped for 2025, leaving only the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with fuel economy of 11.3 L/100 km combined. Three different 4x4 systems are available, mean the Grand Cherokee L can be customized to meet any driver’s needs. The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a Canadian starting price of $61,565.
Kia Sorento
Not everyone needs three rows all the time. If you’re happy with two rows and consider yourself a part-time third-row user, and if you would trade space for fuel efficiency, consider the Kia Sorento. This is a midsize SUV that’s on the smaller side, and the rearmost seating is best reserved for children. But it comes in gas-powered, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, meaning it’s possible to get an affordable SUV that seats six while burning a minimum of fuel, or none at all if you opt for the PHEV and its 51 kilometres of all-electric range. The 2025 Kia Sorento has a starting price in Canada of $41,780, while the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid starts at $48,430 and the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid at $53,430. This price and the Sorento PHEV’s range allow it to qualify for federal and provincial EV rebates, which could bring the cost down significantly depending on where you live in Canada.
Kia Telluride
Like its Hyundai Palisade cousin, the Kia Telluride is a popular choice for a three-row crossover among Canadians. Although the same 3.8-litre V6 can be found under the hood with very similar specifications to the Palisade (291 hp, 262 lb-ft, 11.3 L/100 km combined), its distinct exterior, lighting signature, and interior layout arguably make it more appealing. All grades come with standard all-wheel drive. Like the Palisade, the Telluride received a mid-cycle refresh for 2023 that integrates updated daytime running lights and a new twin-screen setup for the dashboard. It also receives new X-Line and X-Pro grades that up the off-road ante. In Canada, the 2025 Kia Telluride has a starting price of $53,480. Like the related Hyundai Palisade, we’re expecting a new generation of Kia Telluride to debut for the 2026 model year.
Lexus TX
The Lexus TX is one of the better new premium three-row SUVs to launch in recent years. Based on the same architecture as the Toyota Grand Highlander you’ll find further down this list, the Lexus TX fills a long-standing gap in the luxury automaker’s line-up. It provides a mid-size luxury SUV with a usable third row, much more spacious than the former Lexus RX L but not as large and imposing as the Lexus GX and Lexus LX. Three powertrains are offered. The Lexus TX 350 has a gas-only powertrain, a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus TX 500h is a performance hybrid with the same 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder coupled it to a hybrid powertrain for a total system output of 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This version also includes Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system for a smooth ride and an enhanced driving experience. The Lexus TX 550h+ matches a 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 to a plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering a combined 404 hp and up to 53 kilometres of all-electric range. However, it is still not yet on sale in Canada as of this writing, more than a year after it was initially announced. The 2024 Lexus TX 350 starts at a price of $72,090 in Canada, while the 2024 Lexus TX 500h starts at $87,540. 2025 pricing had not been released at time of publication.
Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 debuted in 2024 and significantly leveled up the automaker’s three-row capabilities, which were previously limited to the fun-to-drive but spatially challenged Mazda CX-9. Two powertrains are offered. The 3.3-litre turbo inline-six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology makes 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque with standard AWD, while the high-output version creates 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. On the plug-in hybrid, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine makes 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 42 kilometres of electric range. Pricing in Canada for the 2025 Mazda CX-90 starts at $48,690, while the 2025 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid starts at $57,690. Because its electric range falls below 50 kilometres, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV qualifies for half of the standard amounts for federal and provincial EV rebates.
Nissan Pathfinder
Like the Infiniti QX60 named earlier on this list, the related Nissan Pathfinder 7-passenger SUV was also fully redesigned for the 2022 model year. It benefits from the same upgrade to a nine-speed automatic transmission to go with its 3.5-litre V6 engine, while all-wheel drive is standard. Fuel consumption is slightly lower than in the QX60 at an average of 10.5 L/100 km combined. For 2023, the Rock Creek trim was added to the line-up with an off-road tuned suspension, 18-inch beadlock-style wheels with all-terrain tires, a roof rack with a 100-kilogram (220-pound) load capacity, a surround-view camera with off-road mode, and trim-exclusive exterior and interior design elements. The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder carries a starting price in Canada of $49,683.
Toyota Grand Highlander
Like the Lexus TX, the Toyota Grand Highlander launched as an entirely new three-row SUV for 2024. In its first year, it earned the title of 2024 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year as awarded by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The Grand Highlander offers more space and practicality than the smaller Toyota Highlander without stretching all the way into Toyota Sequoia large SUV territory. Three powertrain configurations are available: a gas-only 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 hp, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid producing 243 hp while averaging 7.0 L/100 km combined. In the Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max, a 2.4-litre turbo-four with hybrid technology comes together for 362 hp while averaging 8.8 L/100 km combined. The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced safety features is standard. 2025 pricing has not yet been announced as of this writing. Pricing for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander started in Canada at $53,555, while the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid started at $56,855 and the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max starts at $68,515. Note the hybrid models come with extended warranties on hybrid-focused powertrain components.
Honourable Mentions
The Volkswagen Atlas was refreshed for the 2024 model year. In doing so, it dropped the V6 engine option, making the 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder the default. It drives well, and the interior and tech updates serve it well. The Infiniti QX60 switches to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder variable-compression turbo engine for 2025, which we haven’t yet tested. The Volvo XC90 is a solid mid-premium choice, though its tight third row and lack of car seat amenities make it less family-friendly than average.
For those seeking a three-row battery electric SUV, these are starting to hit the market. On the early end, the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 are worth a look. Some buyers may wish to consider the Honda Pilot, though we feel its pricy in Canada for what it offers. The Acura MDX remains a good performance-oriented option for occasional use of third-row seats. The Subaru Ascent offers solid value at the lower end of its pricing structure.
Note: Images may show US models.
