Three-row SUVs are among the most practical family vehicles, but their size and weight can make fuel economy a concern. Fortunately, the latest hybrid models are changing that. Some now achieve better than 35 MPG combined while offering seating for seven or eight passengers.

The 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid leads this comparison at 37 MPG combined. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid follow at 36 MPG, while the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieve 35 MPG.

We ranked mainstream three-row SUVs using their most efficient published gasoline or conventional hybrid configurations for 2026–2027. We also compare AWD efficiency, annual fuel costs, and which SUVs offer the best balance of passenger space and gasoline consumption.

Every Three-Row SUV Ranked by MPG (2026–2027)

The following table uses the highest published combined MPG for each model. Gasoline and conventional hybrid versions of the same SUV are grouped together. The listed model year identifies the rating being compared.

Ratings apply to the specified model year and configuration. The table focuses on prominent mainstream family SUVs rather than every luxury, full-size, or specialty three-row vehicle. Some smaller three-row SUVs and mild-hybrid models are discussed separately below. Plug-in hybrids are excluded from the main ranking because MPGe and gasoline-only MPG are not directly interchangeable.

1. Kia Sorento Hybrid — 37 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2027 Sorento Hybrid EX FWD

EPA MPG: 37 city / 36 highway / 37 combined

The Kia Sorento Hybrid leads this comparison with an EPA-estimated 37 MPG combined.

Its turbocharged hybrid powertrain produces 232 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Unlike a plug-in hybrid, it does not need external charging.

The Sorento includes standard third-row seating, although its rear seats are better suited to occasional passengers than the larger three-row SUVs in this comparison.

AWD models achieve 34 MPG combined for 2027, making them attractive alternatives for drivers who need additional traction.

The Sorento Hybrid is a particularly compelling choice for families who want three rows but do not need the largest possible vehicle.

Best for: Families prioritizing maximum fuel economy in a relatively manageable three-row SUV.

2. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid — 36 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE FWD

EPA MPG: 37 city / 34 highway / 36 combined

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid combines strong fuel economy with substantially more passenger and cargo room than many smaller three-row SUVs.

Its standard hybrid powertrain produces 245 combined horsepower.

The most efficient front-wheel-drive XLE achieves 36 MPG combined. AWD versions of the standard hybrid generally achieve 34 MPG combined.

Buyers should distinguish the regular Grand Highlander Hybrid from the more powerful Hybrid MAX. The Hybrid MAX delivers stronger acceleration but achieves only 27 MPG combined.

The Grand Highlander’s generous third row makes it one of the most practical choices for families who regularly carry more than five passengers.

Best for: Buyers wanting substantial third-row and cargo space without the fuel consumption of a traditional large gasoline SUV.

3. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — 36 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026–2027 Santa Fe Hybrid FWD

EPA MPG: 37 city / 36 highway / 36 combined

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid matches the Grand Highlander at 36 MPG combined.

It uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain and offers three rows of seating as standard equipment.

The 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid produces 231 combined horsepower, providing adequate power for everyday family transportation.

For 2027, Hyundai lists AWD hybrid configurations at 35 MPG combined, only one MPG below the FWD version.

The Santa Fe’s boxy design helps provide useful interior space, although the third row is not as accommodating as those in some larger competitors.

Best for: Families seeking an efficient three-row SUV with distinctive styling and available AWD.

4. Toyota Highlander Hybrid — 35 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Highlander Hybrid AWD

EPA MPG: 35 city / 35 highway / 35 combined on XLE

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves 35 MPG combined while offering standard AWD in its 2026 hybrid configurations.

Its 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain produces 243 combined horsepower.

The Highlander Hybrid is more efficient than most conventional gasoline three-row SUVs, although its third row is smaller than the Grand Highlander’s.

The gasoline Highlander achieves 24 MPG combined, illustrating the substantial fuel-economy benefit of the hybrid powertrain.

Best for: Families wanting efficient AWD transportation with occasional third-row seating.

5. Kia Telluride Hybrid — 35 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2027 Telluride Hybrid EX FWD

EPA MPG: 34 city / 36 highway / 35 combined

The redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride introduces a conventional hybrid powertrain for the first time.

Its turbocharged 2.5-liter hybrid system produces 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, giving it substantially more power than many other fuel-efficient three-row SUVs.

The EX FWD achieves 35 MPG combined, while AWD hybrid versions achieve 31 MPG combined.

The new Telluride Hybrid also offers a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

For buyers who want a larger family SUV with strong performance and significantly improved fuel economy, the hybrid Telluride is an important addition to the segment.

Best for: Buyers seeking a roomy three-row SUV with strong hybrid power and good highway efficiency.

6. Hyundai Palisade Hybrid — 34 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026–2027 Palisade Hybrid SEL FWD

EPA MPG: 33 city / 35 highway / 34 combined

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid brings substantially improved efficiency to one of Hyundai’s largest family SUVs.

The most efficient SEL front-wheel-drive hybrid achieves 34 MPG combined.

Other Palisade Hybrid trims return lower ratings. For 2027, Hyundai lists 31 MPG combined for certain higher-equipped FWD trims and 30 MPG combined for AWD versions.

The Palisade emphasizes passenger comfort, family-friendly features, and a more spacious third row than smaller crossovers such as the Sorento.

Best for: Families seeking a comfortable, spacious SUV with conventional hybrid efficiency.

7. Ford Explorer — 24 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Explorer 2.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, RWD

EPA MPG: 20 city / 29 highway / 24 combined

The Ford Explorer is one of the more efficient conventional gasoline three-row SUVs in this comparison.

Its standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder achieves 24 MPG combined with rear-wheel drive.

Unlike the leading hybrids, the Explorer relies on a conventional gasoline powertrain in the configurations compared here.

It offers strong highway efficiency for a three-row SUV, although the gap between its 24-MPG rating and a 36-MPG hybrid is considerable.

Best for: Buyers seeking a gasoline-powered three-row SUV with available AWD and solid highway fuel economy.

8. Nissan Pathfinder — 23 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Pathfinder 3.5-liter V6, FWD

EPA MPG: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined

The Nissan Pathfinder uses a naturally aspirated V6 engine rather than a turbocharged four-cylinder or conventional hybrid.

It achieves 23 MPG combined in its most efficient front-wheel-drive configuration.

The Pathfinder offers seating for up to eight and emphasizes conventional SUV capability, including substantial towing capacity when properly equipped.

Its fuel economy is reasonable for a V6-powered family SUV, but it trails the latest hybrid alternatives by a wide margin.

Best for: Buyers who prefer a V6 engine and need practical family seating and towing capability.

9. Volkswagen Atlas — 23 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Atlas 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, FWD

EPA MPG: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined

The Volkswagen Atlas ties the Nissan Pathfinder at 23 MPG combined.

It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and offers a spacious cabin with a particularly usable third row.

The Atlas is well suited to families who regularly carry adults or older children in all three rows.

However, its conventional gasoline powertrain cannot match the fuel efficiency of the hybrid leaders.

Best for: Buyers prioritizing passenger space and everyday practicality in a gasoline SUV.

10. Honda Pilot — 22 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Pilot 3.5-liter V6, FWD

EPA MPG: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined

The Honda Pilot is another three-row SUV that continues to use a naturally aspirated V6.

Its most efficient front-wheel-drive version achieves 22 MPG combined.

The Pilot offers a roomy interior, versatile seating, and available AWD, making it a practical family vehicle.

Its main disadvantage in this comparison is gasoline consumption. A 36-MPG hybrid SUV uses substantially less fuel over the same annual mileage.

Best for: Buyers prioritizing passenger space, family practicality, and conventional V6 performance.

11. Chevrolet Traverse — 22 MPG Combined

Best configuration: 2026 Traverse 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, FWD

EPA MPG: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined

The Chevrolet Traverse matches the Honda Pilot at 22 MPG combined.

Its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides strong power and helps move a relatively large vehicle.

The Traverse’s main attraction is interior space. Its large cargo area and usable third row make it appealing to families with several children or substantial luggage requirements.

However, buyers who drive long distances every year should carefully consider the additional fuel cost compared with a hybrid three-row SUV.

Best for: Families who prioritize maximum passenger and cargo room over fuel efficiency.

Which Three-Row SUV Gets the Best MPG With AWD?

AWD is especially popular among three-row SUVs, but its fuel-economy penalty varies considerably.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are particularly efficient AWD choices, achieving up to 35 MPG combined.

For families who need a larger third row, the Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD offers 34 MPG combined.

How Much Gas Does a Three-Row SUV Use Per Year?

The following comparison assumes 15,000 miles driven annually.

Annual gallons are calculated as 15,000 divided by combined MPG and rounded to the nearest whole gallon.

A 37-MPG Sorento Hybrid uses approximately 277 fewer gallons annually than a 22-MPG gasoline SUV.

At an illustrative gasoline price of $3.50 per gallon, that represents approximately $969 in annual savings.

Over five years, the fuel savings could approach $4,850, assuming unchanged mileage, gasoline prices, and efficiency.

Those figures exclude purchase-price differences, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and financing.

Are Plug-In Hybrid Three-Row SUVs More Efficient?

Several three-row SUVs are available with plug-in hybrid powertrains, including the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid.

Plug-in hybrids can travel some distance using electricity alone before their gasoline engines become necessary.

However, their efficiency is commonly reported in MPGe, which measures the energy equivalent of electricity and gasoline. MPGe cannot be directly compared with the combined gasoline MPG figures in the main table.

Plug-in hybrids also have a separate gasoline-only MPG rating for driving after their battery’s usable charge is depleted.

For shoppers who can charge regularly, a plug-in hybrid may consume considerably less gasoline than a conventional hybrid. For those who rarely charge, the advantage may be much smaller.

Does the Third Row Affect Fuel Economy?

Third-row seating itself is not the main reason larger SUVs consume more gasoline.

The biggest factors include vehicle weight, aerodynamic drag, tire size, drivetrain design, and engine efficiency.

Three-row SUVs are generally longer and heavier than comparable two-row models, requiring more energy to accelerate and maintain speed.

Hybrid systems help offset these disadvantages by recovering energy during braking and reducing gasoline-engine operation during low-speed driving.

That is why a relatively large Grand Highlander Hybrid can achieve better fuel economy than several smaller gasoline-only SUVs.

Which Three-Row SUV Has the Best Balance of MPG and Space?

The answer depends on how often the third row will be occupied.

For occasional third-row use: The Kia Sorento Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid provide excellent efficiency in relatively manageable vehicles.

For frequent third-row use: The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers a more spacious rear seating area while still achieving up to 36 MPG combined.

For buyers who want strong acceleration: The Kia Telluride Hybrid combines 329 horsepower with up to 35 MPG combined.

For buyers who require AWD: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid are among the strongest efficiency choices.

Which Three-Row SUV Gets the Best MPG in 2026–2027?

• Best overall MPG: 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX FWD — 37 MPG combined.
• Best large three-row hybrid: 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE FWD — 36 MPG combined.
• Best efficient family crossover: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — 36 MPG combined.
• Best AWD efficiency: Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — up to 35 MPG combined.
• Best high-output hybrid: 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid — 329 horsepower and up to 35 MPG combined.
• Best gasoline-only MPG among the principal models compared: 2026 Ford Explorer RWD — 24 MPG combined.

Bottom Line

The Kia Sorento Hybrid leads the principal three-row SUV comparison with 37 MPG combined for 2027.

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid follow closely at 36 MPG, while the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Kia Telluride Hybrid achieve 35 MPG.

For families who regularly use all three rows, the Grand Highlander Hybrid is especially compelling because it combines a spacious interior with excellent fuel economy.

Buyers who prefer conventional gasoline engines still have many choices, but the fuel-consumption difference is substantial. Over years of family transportation, the latest three-row hybrids can save hundreds of gallons of gasoline.

Sources and Methodology

This comparison focuses on prominent mainstream U.S.-market three-row SUVs from the 2026 and 2027 model years. Vehicles are ranked using the most efficient published conventional gasoline or non-plug-in hybrid configuration. Where 2027 specifications are unavailable, verified 2026 figures are used. The main table is a focused comparison rather than an exhaustive listing of every luxury, full-size, mild-hybrid, or specialty SUV.

Plug-in hybrids are excluded from the primary ranking because their electricity-inclusive MPGe figures cannot be directly compared with conventional combined MPG.

Actual fuel economy depends on driving conditions, speed, tires, passenger and cargo load, climate, and driving habits.

• EPA and U.S. Department of Energy — Fuel Economy Ratings
• Kia — 2027 Sorento Hybrid
• Toyota — 2026 Grand Highlander Specifications
• Hyundai — 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid EPA Ratings
• Toyota — Highlander Hybrid Specifications
• Kia — 2027 Telluride Hybrid
• Hyundai — 2026–2027 Hybrid EPA Ratings
• Cars.com — 2026 Three-Row SUV MPG Comparison