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The Cheapest Three-Row Vehicles of 2024
Once upon a time, family 3-row seating might have meant a station wagon with a “way back” seating area for the kids. These days, vehicles with 3-row seating are mostly SUVs, with a handful of minivans and vans in the mix.
Whether it’s family, friends, or something else, there are many reasons you might need a 3-row vehicle capable of carrying lots of passengers, and whatever the reason, you’re going to want a good deal. That’s where Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price can help. Using data from thousands of purchases, our Fair Purchase Price tells you what others are paying for a vehicle, and what you can expect to pay for it. Using that data, we’ve compiled the 10 most affordable 3-row vehicles of 2024.
Vehicles on this list are ranked by Fair Purchase Price as of the list’s publish date. Destination charges are included in both the Fair Purchase Price and the base price quoted. Tax, title, licensing, and other fees are not included.
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10. 2024 Ford Explorer
Fair Purchase Price: $39,674
Base Price: $38,455The 2024 Ford Explorer’s menacing style and high-performance engine choices give an edge to its family-friendly features, including standard seating for seven, standard Co-Pilot360 Assist+ safety tech, and a roomy cabin with second-row captain’s chairs. The third row is a bit snug, but the available captain’s chairs make it easy to access. Buying tip: While the luxurious models at the the top of the heap are attractive, the XLT’s mix of features and low price make it a clear value.
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9. 2024 Hyundai Palisade
Fair Purchase Price: $38,707
Base Price: $38,045Built from the ground up as a 3-row family SUV, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is a remarkable combination of luxury-leaning style and materials with value pricing. It’s also packed with tech, roomy, and capable of seating up to eight occupants. A 12.3-inch display and Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite are standard equipment, while upgrades can take you into luxury realms with the Limited and Calligraphy trims. Stress-reducing tip: If you’d like a semi-autonomous driving system that works on the highway, consider adding the Highway Driving Assist II feature.
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8. 2024 Kia Telluride
Fair Purchase Price: $38,365
Base Price: $37,585The 2024 Kia Telluride is the latest in a line of award-winning SUVs, and it carries the banner well. Generous standard features and overall competence make the Telluride a strong all-arounder, with a third row suitable for typical adults and spacious first and second-row seating. Shopping tip: Top-spec trims are in luxury territory with Harman/Kardon audio, Nappa leather upholstery, and more.
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7. 2024 Nissan Pathfinder
Fair Purchase Price: $37,432
Base Price: $37,470The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder’s rugged exterior and excellent tow ratings make it a great choice for families that play hard, and it gets great safety ratings, too. Choose the Rock Creek trim if you’re in need of a bit more off-road ability, although all 4WD models get a 7-mode drive system with features for sand, mud/ruts, snow, and towing, among others.
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6. 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
Fair Purchase Price: $36,688
Base Price: $35,345With bold new looks, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe seems to be setting its sights on luxury models as competitors, despite its very affordable starting price. Opt for a loaded Calligraphy model in the signature Earthy Brass Matte finish and the bill can approach the $50,000 mark, but the balanced SEL and off-road-themed XRT trims are more reasonably priced.
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5. 2024 Subaru Ascent
Fair Purchase Price: $34,421
Base Price: $35,740Another model that’s maybe not as top-of-mind as it should be, the 2024 Subaru Ascent combines the standard AWD, value pricing, and strong safety features for which Subaru vehicles are known. It touts an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and 3-row seating, making it a great family option. The Ascent’s third row is on the smaller end of the segment, but it still allows seating for up to eight. Audiophile tip: A 13-speaker, 792-watt Harman/Kardon audio system is available.
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4. 2024 Kia Carnival
Fair Purchase Price: $33,371
Base Price: $34,995The only non-SUV on our list, the 2024 Kia Carnival is also the least expensive minivan for sale this year. Despite the minivan label, the Carnival sports sharper, more youthful styling than most, and it’s responsive to drive, too. If you’re looking for an affordable 3-row family vehicle with lots of great tech and you don’t really need much off-road ability, look no further. Buying tip: If you have second-row occupants you treat like royalty, consider the SX Prestige trim and its VIP Lounge Seats with power footrests and full recline.
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3. 2024 Kia Sorento
Fair Purchase Price: $32,681
Base Price: $33,365The 2024 Kia Sorento straddles the divide between midsize and compact SUV classes, making it roomier than smaller alternatives and nimbler and more economical than larger vehicles. For you, it might be a Goldilocks car. Three-row seating is standard in the Sorento, as is a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine good for up to 29 mpg on the highway (or 28 mpg highway with AWD). Commuter tip: For even better efficiency, the Sorento is also available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
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2. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
Fair Purchase Price: $30,628
Base Price: $30,015Easily overlooked in the dense and highly competitive compact SUV class, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander deserves attention for its low price, excellent warranty, and available all-wheel drive. Although it’s the cheapest 3-row 2024 model-year vehicle by MSRP, the Outlander is slightly more expensive than the Tiguan in real-world car shopping. Tech tip: If you like big displays, opt for the SE Tech package or higher trims to get a 12.3-inch driver display.
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1. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Fair Purchase Price: $29,474
Base Price: $30,305The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is the cheapest 3-row 2024 model-year vehicle, and it’s the only one with a Fair Purchase Price below $30,000. The Tiguan is a comfortable vehicle overall, but its third-row space is limited due to its compact overall size. Still, the Tiguan’s base equipment spec is solid, and it can be optioned into luxury territory. Buying tip: You can only get the third row without all-wheel drive (AWD).
Cheapest 3-Row Vehicles of 2024- 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
- 2024 Kia Sorento
- 2024 Kia Carnival MPV
- 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2024 Subaru Ascent
- 2024 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2024 Kia Telluride
- 2024 Hyundai Palisade
- 2024 Ford Explorer
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