Plenty of room for the whole party.
Ready to hop in the car and enjoy a great escape with your crew? Seven-passenger SUVs offer three rows of seats to haul your family or friends, plus all the room you need for their stuff—or maybe some extra elbow room between the kids. Add in plenty of new technology or luxury features depending on the trim and it's easier than ever to find the right SUV for you.
To help you with your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best seven-passenger SUVs for 2021 shoppers, based on CarMax vehicle and sales data from March 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021.
10.
Nissan Pathfinder SV
Our list begins with the rugged Nissan Pathfinder SV. Whether you're heading out to explore the wilderness or just taking your family on a long road trip, the SV trim has a lot to offer. Part of the fourth generation of Nissan's Pathfinder, the 2017-2020 SV trim is powered by a 284-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine. You'll find 47.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded flat, which increases to 79.8 cubic feet with the second row folded.
Standard features on 2017-2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV models include:
Eight-inch touchscreen interface
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert (2019+)
Rear parking sensors
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
9.
Kia Sorento LX
Looking for a seven-passenger SUV with some style to go along with all that practicality? There's a lot of love with the Kia Sorento LX. The Sorento's third generation runs from the 2016-2020 model years, and the LX trim is powered by a 185-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder engine. That bumps up to a 2.5L engine with 191 horsepower for 2021, which introduced the fourth-generation Sorento. Note that the third row became standard on all trim levels for the 2018 model year.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Kia Sorento LX models include:
Stain-resistant cloth upholstery
40/20/40 split second-row seats that fold, slide, and recline
4.3-inch touchscreen interface (eight-inch for 2021)
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity (2019+)
Sound-reducing windshield
Roof rails
Rearview camera
8.
Nissan Pathfinder SL
Another great Nissan Pathfinder trim is the SL, which is the next trim level above the SV (number 10 on our list). On the SL, your adventure is powered by the same 284-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine found on all trim levels of the Pathfinder, plus you'll get even more great equipment as standard.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Nissan Pathfinder SL models include:
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats, steering wheel, and mirrors
Power liftgate with hands-free operation
Hill-descent control
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems
360-degree parking camera system
7.
Ford Explorer Limited
The Ford Explorer has been carrying families around since 1991. The fifth-generation Explorer runs from 2011-2019 and features the impressive Limited trim. Sitting in the middle of the Explorer lineup, the well-rounded Limited is powered by a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 280 horsepower. That number jumps to 300 horsepower for sixth-generation (2020 and newer) Explorer Limited models.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Ford Explorer Limited models include:
Leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
Eight-inch touchscreen display
Power-folding third-row seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable pedals
6.
Audi Q7 Premium Plus
The Audi Q7 is currently in its second generation after receiving a redesign for 2016. The classy Q7 Premium Plus is a great-looking addition to any driveway, and all 2017-2021 Audi Q7 Premium Plus models have a standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 252 horsepower. You'll get also standard Quattro® AWD on the Premium Plus model.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Audi Q7 Premium Plus models include:
Seven-inch color driver-information display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2019+)
Leather upholstery with heated front seats
LED headlights and taillights (2019+)
Bose® premium audio system (2018-2020) or Bang & Olufsen® audio system (2021)
Wireless device charger (2019+)
Panoramic sunroof
360-degree view parking camera system (2019+)
5.
Dodge Journey SE
The midsize Dodge Journey is a great seven-passenger SUV that delivers a fun and sporty experience. Third-row seating is standard for all trim levels of the Journey as of the 2018 model year, and is available as an option for previous model years. You'll get a standard 173-horsepower 2.4L engine; AWD is also optional on the SE.
Standard features on 2017-2020 Dodge Journey SE base-trim models include:
Cloth upholstery
4.3-inch touchscreen interface
Dual-zone climate control
Automatic headlights
60/40 split second-row seats and 50/50 split third-row seats
Rearview camera (rear parking sensors added for 2020)
Heated side mirrors
4.
Toyota Highlander XLE
The Toyota Highlander is always close to the top of the seven-passenger SUV list due to its chiseled looks and loads of features and options. The 2017-2021 XLE fits nicely in the middle of the Highlander trim lineup. All model years are powered by a 295-horsepower V6 engine, with optional 4WD. The Highlander was fully redesigned in 2020 to kick off its fourth generation.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Toyota Highlander XLE models include:
Eight-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (2020+)
Automatic headlights and high beams
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Leather upholstery (first and second rows; simulated leather on third row)
Power moonroof
LED projector headlights (2021)
3.
Acura MDX
If you're looking for a tried-and-true luxury midsize seven-passenger SUV that delivers the latest technology and features, check out the Acura MDX. The MDX kicked off its third generation for the 2014 model year, and most 2017-2020 MDX trims are powered by a 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, with optional AWD. Also available since the 2017 model year is the Sport Hybrid trim, which has a 3.0L hybrid six-cylinder engine with 321 horsepower.
Standard features on 2017-2020 Acura MDX base-trim models include:
Leather upholstery with power-adjustable heated front seats
Seven-inch infotainment system (2018+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (2018+)
Sunroof
Automatic LED headlights
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Power liftgate
2.
Infiniti QX60
With luxurious good looks suitable for the valet stand, the three-row 2017-2020 Infiniti QX60 comes standard with a 3.5L V6 engine pumping out 295 horsepower. A 2.5L hybrid engine producing 250 horsepower was available for the 2017 model year only. The QX60 comes standard with FWD; AWD is optional.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Infiniti QX60 base-trim models include:
Synthetic leather seating
Eight-inch central touchscreen display
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Sunroof
60/40 split-folding second row and 50/50 split-folding third row
Power rear tailgate
Driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking (2019+)
1.
Ford Explorer XLT
With a rugged design, the Ford Explorer XLT delivers adventurous spirit from the moment you press the start button. 2017-2019 XLTs are powered by a stout 3.5L V6 engine with 290 horsepower, while the 2020 Explorer was totally redesigned with a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine that puts out 300 horsepower.
Standard features on 2017-2020 Ford Explorer XLT models include:
Cloth upholstery
Eight-inch infotainment system (4.2 inches for 2017-2019)
Rearview camera
Cruise control
Rear climate controls
Power liftgate (2019+)
60/40 split second-row seat and 50/50 split third-row seat
Where will a seven-passenger SUV take you and your crew? Load up a three-row SUV and bring your friends or family along on all your adventures.
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