Three-row midsized SUVs offer a lot in terms of versatility. There’s enough seating for seven or eight passengers in a vehicle that doesn’t require a special license to drive. Yet if you really need that third row, you’ll want to do your due diligence when car shopping to make sure that its usable. That’s because the third row in many SUVs is technically there but isn’t really all that great. In fact, if you’ll be using your third row regularly, you just might want to skip these SUVs with small third rows.

3. The 2022 GMC Acadia is a three-row SUV to skip if you need the back row

If you want a three-row SUV that will give you enough space in the rear row for your kids, you might want to skip the 2022 GMC Acadia. It’s not that it isn’t a good SUV, but its third-row isn’t as spacious as other SUVs. In fact, it’s one of the things that current owners of the new GMC Acadia say is one of the top things they don’t like about their SUV.

J.D. Power surveys current owners of vehicles that are within the first 90 days of ownership to see what they think about their new ride. While the Acadia gets an overall score of 80, that third-row is a top dislike about the SUV. Other negatives about the Acadia include being able to “carry everything you want” and using voice assistance.

2. The 2022 Kia Sorento has a small third-row

The 2022 Kia Sorento is a popular three-row SUV, yet its back row leaves something to be desired. Overall, the Kia Sorento is ranked #4 on the J.D. Power list of the Best Midsize SUVs of 2022. It has a score of 81 and current owners love its fuel economy, how easy it is to maneuver, and the engine’s sound.

Yet the “ease of getting in/out of third row seats” is one of the top things that current owners dislike. Other negatives of the Sorento include the sound quality of its sound system and the “attractiveness of your vehicle’s screens and displays.”

1. The 2022 Toyota Highlander is the best three-row SUV with a small back row

The 2022 Toyota Highlander is tied for #2 on the list of the Best Midsize SUVs of 2022. Yet the new Toyota Highlander isn’t exactly perfect. A tight third row is one of the things that people don’t like about their new SUV. That’s in addition to the “experience of using voice assistance in your vehicle” and the “comfort of the rear seats.” That means that in addition to the third row being difficult to get in and out of, it’s also uncomfortable once back there. If you’ll be using all the seats in your SUV regularly, you may want to bypass the Highlander.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander, 2022 Kia Sorento, and 2022 GMC Acadia may be three really great three-row SUVs, but they don’t have back seats spacious and comfortable enough for regular use. If you’re looking for something with a little more space, you may want to check out some of the best three-row 2022 SUVs instead.