The Lincoln Navigator gives its third-row passengers more legroom than any other standard-length luxury SUV here, and it costs less than the Cadillac Escalade it is usually shopped against.
I compared nine luxury three-row SUVs on sale for 2027 by price, third-row room, cargo space, towing and fuel economy, and added The Weekly Driver’s Reliability score for each one’s most recent generation with enough owner data.
Key Takeaways
- Lincoln Navigator: 36.5 inches of third-row legroom, the most of the standard-length SUVs here, from $89,995.
- Mercedes-Benz GLS 450: a Reliability score of 7.8 for the 2020 to 2025 GLS, the highest in this group.
- BMW X7: 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row, the most among the car-based SUVs.
- Lexus TX: the least expensive at $58,890 with destination, and the only one with a full hybrid.
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer: up to 10,000 pounds of towing, the most here.
- Cadillac Escalade: the most cargo space, and a Reliability score of 1.7 for 2021 to 2025, the lowest here.
The Nine at a Glance
| SUV | Base price | Destination | Build | Base engine | EPA combined | 3rd-row legroom | Cargo behind 3rd row | Max towing | Reliability score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus TX | $57,340 | $1,550 | Car-based | 2.4L turbo four, 275 hp | 23 mpg (2026) | not published | 20.2 cu ft | 5,000 lb | Not enough data (2024-2026) |
| Volvo XC90 | $61,050 | $1,395 | Car-based | 2.0L turbo four, 247 hp | 25 mpg | 31.9 in | 10.6 cu ft | 5,000 lb | 6.7 (2016-2025) |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | $65,000 | $2,795 | Body-on-frame | 3.0L twin-turbo six, 420 hp | 19 mpg | not published | 27.9 cu ft | 10,000 lb | 3.1, early data (2022-2025) |
| Audi Q7 | $70,900 | not published | Car-based | 2.9L twin-turbo V6, 429 hp | 19 mpg | not published | 15.1 cu ft | 7,700 lb | 5.6 (2017-2025, previous generation) |
| Infiniti QX80 | $85,590 | $2,275 | Body-on-frame | 3.5L twin-turbo V6, 450 hp | 18 mpg | 32.9 in | 20.4 cu ft | 8,500 lb | Not enough data (2025-2026) |
| BMW X7 | $87,500 | $1,550 | Car-based | 3.0L turbo six, 375 hp | 22 mpg | not published | not published | 7,500 lb | 6.8 (2019-2025) |
| Lincoln Navigator | $89,995 | $2,895 | Body-on-frame | 3.5L twin-turbo V6, 440 hp | 18 mpg | 36.5 in | 22.9 cu ft | 8,700 lb | 6.3 (2018-2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 | $93,950 | not published | Car-based | 3.0L turbo six, 375 hp | 21 mpg | 34.6 in | 17.4 cu ft | 7,700 lb | 7.8 (2020-2025) |
| Cadillac Escalade | $102,700 | $2,895 | Body-on-frame | 6.2L V8, 420 hp | 17 mpg | 34.9 in | 25.5 cu ft | 8,100 lb | 1.7 (2021-2025) |
The Reliability score runs from 1 to 10, with 7.0 as the class average. It compares powertrain complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, against similar vehicles of the same age.
Best Full-Size: Lincoln Navigator
Third-row passengers in the Navigator get 36.5 inches of legroom, more than in the standard Escalade, the QX80 or any of the car-based SUVs. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 440 hp and 510 lb-ft on Lincoln’s 2027 site, and it tows up to 8,700 pounds with the heavy-duty package.
At $89,995 plus $2,895 destination, it starts $12,705 below the Escalade. Stretching to the Navigator L costs $3,000 more per trim, and it holds 37.4 cubic feet behind the third row. Its Reliability score of 6.3 covers the 2018 to 2025 Navigator.
Best Record: Mercedes-Benz GLS 450
Scoring 7.8 for 2020 to 2025, the GLS has the best record of any SUV in this group, above the 7.0 class average. For 2027, the GLS 450 uses a 375 hp turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system, rated at 21 mpg combined, and tows 7,700 pounds.
Its third row offers 34.6 inches of legroom.
Mercedes now lists the 2027 GLS 450 with six seats as standard and seven as an option.
Most Room Behind the Second Row: BMW X7
With the third row folded, the X7 holds 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.4 with both rear rows down. Its xDrive40i’s 375 hp inline-six is rated at 22 mpg, and the 523 hp X7 M60i costs $115,000.
Seating is for seven, or six with second-row captain’s chairs. Its 2019 to 2025 generation scores 6.8, and its record by model year shows where the complaints sit.
Least Expensive: Lexus TX
Lexus prices the 2027 TX from $58,890 including destination, more than $30,000 below the X7. Its base 2.4-liter turbocharged four makes 275 hp, and the TX 500h hybrid makes 366 hp. Lexus dropped the plug-in TX 550h+ for 2027.
Behind its third row, the TX holds 20.2 cubic feet, the most of the car-based SUVs here. Our database does not yet have enough owner complaints on the 2024 to 2026 TX to score it.
Best Fuel Economy: Volvo XC90
The XC90 B5 is rated at 25 mpg combined, the highest of the nine, and starts at $62,445 with destination.
A plug-in T8 Long Range arrives as a 2028 model, with deliveries expected early in 2027.
Volvo now measures cargo to the headliner, which gives the XC90 10.6 cubic feet behind its third row. Its 2016 to 2025 generation scores 6.7.
Newly Redesigned: Audi Q7
Audi’s new third-generation Q7 starts at $70,900 with a 429 hp twin-turbo V6 and tows 7,700 pounds.
The SQ7 adds a 591 hp V8.
Its score of 5.6 belongs to the previous 2017 to 2025 Q7, and the new generation has no owner record yet.
Best for Towing: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
A properly equipped Grand Wagoneer tows up to 10,000 pounds, and the base rear-drive model tows 6,210. Its 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six makes 420 hp. Prices run from $65,000 to $101,400 for the Summit Reserve, plus $2,795 destination.
For 2022 to 2025, the Grand Wagoneer scores 3.1. Our database marks that score as early, based on the first years of owner complaints.
Most Cargo Space: Cadillac Escalade
Behind its third row, the Escalade holds 25.5 cubic feet and 120.5 with both rear rows folded. The longer ESV holds 41.5 and 142.2. Its 6.2-liter V8 makes 420 hp and tows up to 8,100 pounds.
At $102,700 plus $2,895 destination, it is the most expensive SUV here. Its 2021 to 2025 generation scores 1.7, a score set by owner complaints of major powertrain failures, which run well above those for similar SUVs. Read the Escalade’s full reliability record before buying one.
Most Torque: Infiniti QX80
The QX80’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 450 hp and 516 lb-ft, the most torque of the base engines here, and it tows 8,500 pounds. Prices start at $85,590 with rear-wheel drive and $88,590 with four-wheel drive, plus $2,275 destination. This generation arrived for 2025 and has too little owner data to score.
The Alpina XB7
BMW’s 2027 lineup no longer includes the Alpina XB7, the 631 hp version of the X7. The 2025 XB7 started at $152,400, and the final 120 cars are a 2026 Manufaktur edition at $180,000 plus $1,550 destination. My 2025 BMW Alpina XB7 page has the full price and specifications.
How to Choose
For adults in the third row or heavy towing, the body-on-frame Navigator gives the most third-row legroom of the standard-length models and 8,700 pounds of towing for $12,705 less than the Escalade, and the Grand Wagoneer tows the most. Among the car-based SUVs, the GLS has the best owner record, the X7 the most room behind the second row, and the Lexus TX the lowest price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luxury SUV with a third row?
The Lincoln Navigator, for its 36.5 inches of third-row legroom, the most of any standard-length model here, and its price $12,705 below the Escalade. Among car-based SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz GLS has the strongest owner-complaint record, with a Reliability score of 7.8 for 2020 to 2025.
What is the least expensive luxury three-row SUV?
The 2027 Lexus TX, at $58,890 including destination. The Volvo XC90 B5 follows at $62,445 with destination.
Which luxury three-row SUV has the most third-row legroom?
Among standard-length models, the Lincoln Navigator, at 36.5 inches. The extended Cadillac Escalade ESV offers 36.7, and the standard Escalade 34.9.
What is the most reliable luxury three-row SUV?
The 2020 to 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS has the highest Reliability score of the group at 7.8, measured from powertrain complaints filed with NHTSA. The BMW X7 follows at 6.8 and the Volvo XC90 at 6.7.
Which luxury SUV tows the most?
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer, at up to 10,000 pounds. The Lincoln Navigator tows 8,700 and the Infiniti QX80 8,500.
Which one has the most cargo space?
The Cadillac Escalade ESV, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 142.2 with both rear rows folded. Among car-based SUVs, the BMW X7 holds 48.6 behind its second row.
Should I buy a body-on-frame or a car-based SUV?
Body-on-frame SUVs like the Navigator, Escalade, QX80 and Grand Wagoneer tow 8,100 pounds or more in their most capable versions. The car-based SUVs here tow 5,000 to 7,700 pounds and are rated at 19 to 25 mpg combined.
Is there a luxury three-row hybrid?
The Lexus TX 500h is a 366 hp hybrid, and Volvo’s plug-in XC90 T8 Long Range arrives as a 2028 model. Lexus dropped the plug-in TX 550h+ for 2027.
How much does a BMW X7 cost?
The 2027 X7 xDrive40i starts at $87,500 and the M60i at $115,000, each plus $1,550 destination.
Is the Alpina XB7 still sold?
BMW’s 2027 X7 lineup includes only the xDrive40i and M60i. The last XB7s are the 120-car 2026 Manufaktur edition.
The manufacturer provided the vehicle shown in the photographs, a 2025 BMW Alpina XB7. No driving evaluation informed this article.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
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