9 Best Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid SUVs with 3rd Row Seating (2024)

An SUV with three rows of seats is convenient for a larger family because it can hold 6 to 7 people.

Furthermore, three-row SUVs always come with extra storage room that comes in handy when going on vacation or long drives, packed with equipment like camping trips, etc.

Although SUVs with three rows usually have poor gas mileage, hybrids are a more fuel-efficient choice.

Hybrid SUVs are equipped with engines with electric motors, allowing them to run on gasoline and electric power.

Here are some of the best hybrid SUVs with third-row seats in 2023;

2024 Toyota Sequoia

  • Price: $61,275 MSRP
  • Seat: 8 Passengers
  • MPG: 21 City/24 Highway
Toyota Sequoia Hybrid SUV with 3rd Row Seating

There are a lot of things to like about Sequoia. It has a roomy interior with plenty of cargo space, plus it comes standard with an efficient iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, which combines a 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor for a total of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.

With that much power, the New Sequoia can tow a trailer up to 9500 pounds, making it the hybrid SUV with the highest towing capacity.

Truck-based SUVs allow for a lot of power, and the 10-speed automatic transmission helps maintain smooth shifting.

Sequoia’s hybrid has significantly better fuel consumption than traditional models. It earns an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for models with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Models with AWD drop slightly to 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Those numbers may seem average compared to compact or midsize SUVs, but it’s better than the Sequoia with a non-hybrid engine. The model with the non-hybrid engine gets 13 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway.

Three rows of seating make it great for larger families or carpools. The Sequoia was about a decade old when it was finally overhauled, but the update was well worth it.

Similar to the Tundra, this SUV is great for serious off-roading. Its interior is comfortable, and updated tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.

The first row of seating has power-adjustable leather seats and an adjustable armrest.

The second row offers no fore-aft movement, and the third row slides to provide extra cargo capacity and legroom. The rearmost bench is best suited for children.

2023 Kia Sorento

  • Price: $36,590 MSRP
  • Seat: 6 Passengers
  • MPG: 39 City/35 Highway
New Kia Sorento PHEV

The Kia Sorento Hybrid is an excellent option if you’re looking for a small SUV with a third row of seating. It’s available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, making it a versatile choice.

The interior is spacious and comfortable, with the ability to configure the rear seats to accommodate seven passengers. Additionally, it has plenty of cargo space, with 40 cubic feet behind the second row and 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row.

The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, producing 227 horsepower, which is more than enough for everyday driving. The plug-in hybrid has a similar engine configuration but adds a lithium-ion battery for 261 horsepower.

Like most Kias, the Sorento has an impressive list of tech features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has several driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking systems.

If you’re looking for more power, the Sorento offers two conventional engine options: a base four-cylinder and a turbocharged four-cylinder. The Sorento Hybrid is great for those seeking a smaller SUV with excellent fuel economy and plenty of seating.

2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

  • Price: $80,725 MSRP
  • Seat: 7 Passengers
  • MPG: 54/58 MPGe

The Aviator Grand Touring is an impressive hybrid luxury SUV. It has three rows of seating, allowing it to accommodate up to 7 passengers.

The interior is also well-appointed with soft-touch materials, plus a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system and several driver assistance systems.

The 9-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth shifting, and the hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and an electric motor that produces a total of 494 horsepower. It also has impressive fuel efficiency with EPA ratings of up to 30 mpg combined.

The Aviator Grand Touring is a great choice for those looking for a luxurious SUV with plenty of seating, power, and fuel efficiency.

2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge

  • Price: $73,195 MSRP
  • Seat: 7 Passengers
  • MPG: 25 City / 27 highway / 58 MPGe combined

If you are looking for a luxurious and fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid SUV with three rows of seating, then look no further than the Volvo XC90 Recharge.

The 9-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth shifting, and the hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces a total of 400 horsepower.

It also has plenty of cargo space, with up to 86 cubic feet behind the first two rows and 9 cubic feet behind the third row.

The interior is also luxurious with soft-touch materials, plus plenty of tech features such as a 9-inch infotainment display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The XC90 Recharge is perfect for those looking for a luxury hybrid SUV with great fuel economy numbers, plenty of seating, and plenty of amenities.

2023 Ford Explorer Limited

  • Price: $47,070 MSRP
  • Seat: 7 Passengers
  • MPG: 23 City / 26 Highway

This mid-size SUV is a great choice for those looking for a hybrid with plenty of seating. It has three rows, allowing it to accommodate up to seven passengers.

The 9-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth shifting, and the hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces a total of 318 horsepower.

It also has plenty of space with up to 81 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 9 cubic feet behind the third row.

The interior is well-appointed with soft-touch materials, plus a Sync 3 infotainment system and driver assistance feature.

The Ford Explorer Limited is an excellent choice for those looking for a mid-size hybrid SUV with plenty of seating and great fuel economy figures.

2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  • Price: $40,720 MSRP
  • Seat: 7-8 Passengers
  • MPG: 36 City/35 Highway
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Pictures

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is probably the most popular three-row hybrid SUV at the moment.

It has a spacious interior, ample and expandable cargo space, and an economical and powerful engine.

The Toyota Highlander is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that combined produce about 243 horsepower. The engine is paired with a CVT transmission that smoothly delivers power to the wheels.

The fuel consumption of the Highlander hybrid is one of the best among other three-row SUVs. It gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

2022 Lexus RX 450hl

  • Price: $53,260 MSRP
  • Seat: 7 Passengers
  • MPG: 29 Combined

The Lexus RX 450hL is a luxurious hybrid SUV with three rows of seating.

It has a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid powertrain consists of a 3.5-liter V6 engine and two electric motors that produce a total of 308 horsepower.

The interior is also well-appointed with leather upholstery, plus plenty of tech features such as a 12.3-inch infotainment display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Lexus RX 450hL is an excellent choice for those looking for a luxurious SUV with plenty of seating, power, and fuel efficiency.

The RX’s dimensions stick pretty close to the standard RX, so you’ll get the same amount of space in a slightly more efficient package.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

  • Price: $39,845 MSRP
  • Seat: 7 Passengers
  • MPG: 64 MPGe Combined

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid SUV with three rows of seating.

It has a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that produce a total of 197 horsepower.

The interior is also well-appointed with soft-touch materials, plus plenty of tech features such as a 9-inch infotainment display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Outlander PHEV is perfect for those looking for a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid SUV with plenty of seating and technology features.

It can also travel up to 22 miles on electric power alone, making it an excellent choice for commuters.

2023 BMW X5 xDrive45e

  • Price: $65,700 MSRP
  • Seat: 5-7 Passengers
  • MPG: TBA

The BMW X5 comes standard with two rows of seats, three rows are optional and it will increase the passenger capacity to seven.

This is a mid-size Luxury SUV class that is rich in features and has great performance. The xDrive45e is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and an electric motor.

It produces a total of 389 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

The interior is well-appointed with luxury materials such as wood and leather, plus plenty of space for seven passengers.

The third row is best suited for children because it has limited legroom. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, and wireless internet connectivity.

The X5 xDrive45e is great if you want a luxurious and fast mid-size SUV with impressive fuel economy figures.

The impressive thing about this hybrid is that it will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2023, which should make it even more fuel-efficient.

Final Words

These are some of the Best Hybrid SUVs with 3rd Row in Seating in 2023 are excellent options if you’re looking for a luxurious and fuel-efficient hybrid SUV with plenty of seating.

They all have Hybrid powertrains, a great range of amenities, and plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

No matter which one you choose, you can be sure that it will provide excellent performance and great fuel economy numbers.