2021 Mid-Size Three-Row Luxury SUVs

The mid-size three-row luxury SUV is perfect for a big family. It will offer everything – power, space, additional features that will keep the attention of children during long trips… This class is not as big as the full-size segment. But, some mid-sizers will offer the same amount of power. But, you will save on the purchase cost and fuel economy. On the other hand, there is enough room for six, seven, and even eight persons. None compact model can match that.

The premium class of mid-size SUVs is the most competitive. No other segment offers so many vehicles. Japanese and US carmakers are delivering their offers behind luxury brands. German manufacturers are well-known for their quality and reliability. Don’t forget British posh models. Of course, Volvo is also there with a dose of Swedish character and luxury. And finally, electric vehicles started to take over. Tesla is the only company that produces seven-seaters… for now.

So, let’s see which models you will find in dealerships next season.

2021 Lexus RX 350L

RX is the best-selling luxury SUV in the US. The Japanese carmaker made this lineup very versatile, offering plenty of options. The base configuration, RX350, comes with two rows of seats and a V6 engine. Optionally, you can add the third row. This version is available as the 2021 Lexus RX 350L. This SUV also offers a hybrid engine. In that case, the trim is 450h. It can also come with seven seats – 2021 Lexus RX450h. The only model that doesn’t support a three-row configuration is F Sport. This one visually upgrades the SUV, but seating is only for five persons.

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2021 Lexus RX350 changes

2021 Lexus GX

Another Lexus model belongs to the mid-size and three-row section. Nevertheless, the GX is not going to offer a two-row or hybrid drivetrain. Plus, its only engine can produce enough power for off-road adventures. It is a 4.6-liter V8 mill. One of the options on this SUV is to install the captain’s chairs in the middle row. In this case, the 2021 Lexus GX becomes a seven-seater. More options are coming next year and beyond when the carmaker updates this large mid-size luxury SUV. A hybrid engine is not an option, but the V8 could be replaced with equally capable turbo-six.

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2021 Lexus GX interior

2021 Acura MDX

We are staying with Japanese carmakers. Acura is Honda’s subsidiary. But, the MDX is more than the luxury sibling of the Pilot SUV. It offers a lot more. First of all, the vehicle is going to be redesigned for the upcoming season. Well, Pilot and MDX are mechanical twins, looking at the base configurations. However, a 3.5-liter V6 is not the only drivetrain available for the mid-size three-row luxury SUV. A hybrid configuration boosts power output to 320 hp. It is based on a 3.0-liter V6 unit and also offers the Super-Handling AWD system. The company also offers Technology and Advanced packages as optional upgrades to an already luxurious SUV.

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2021 Acura MDX three row SUV

2021 Infiniti QX60

The 2021 Infiniti QX60 is one of the SUVs from this list we expect the most from it. The parent company, Nissan, is revising all the vehicles in its portfolio. The mid-size luxury SUV is one of the priorities, alongside Rogue crossover. The carmaker could skip the hybrid configuration. Full electrification is a plan, but we doubt it will happen next season. The new look is coming, as well as the fresh set of packages and features. But, for the QX60 EV, we might wait a bit longer.

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2021 Infiniti QX60 redesign

2021 Lincoln Aviator

We are moving to domestic carmakers. Ford’s premium models are coming with the Lincoln badge on them. Aviator is a new SUV and it won’t suffer big changes for the upcoming season. Nevertheless, it will be worthy of attention because of its hybrid system. A 3.0-liter engine, mated to an electric motor, can provide nearly 500 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. It makes the 2021 Lincoln Aviator one of the most powerful seven-seaters on this list. Nevertheless, the extra power will cost hefty, starting at $70,000. The Sport Touring and Black Label will offer a hybrid engine, and these are six-seat models. The rest of the lineup is coming with a capacity of seven.

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2021 Lincoln Aviator grand touring

2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 slots between XT5 and Escalade. For a long time, the company had no mid-size three-row luxury SUV in the lineup. Well, the full-size Escalade offered plenty of room. But, its initial price was the stumbling block for most buyers. The 2021 Cadillac XT6 is more affordable. However, the company has to work on improvements to make it more competitive. For example, a single engine choice is available. A 3.6-liter V6 is not powerful enough for this class. The performance-oriented XT6-V might fix the problem.

2021 BMW X5

By default, the 2021 BMW X5 is a five-seater. But, the German carmaker offers everything to lure more buyers. The legendary SUV can stun you with its M Performance version. Also, if you need more seating spots, then the third row becomes available. Unfortunately, the X5M is not offering this upgrade. Still, you can get 520 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from the M50i version. That is more than enough juice for this type of SUV.

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2021 BMW X5 xdrive45e

2021 Audi Q7

Unlike the X5, the 2021 Audi Q7 is a seven-seater by default. Optionally, you can cut one row, or one spot, by replacing a bench with chairs in the middle-row. The SQ7 is top of the line version with a powerful V8 configuration. It keeps a three-row layout. The total output of this system is 500 hp and 570 lb-ft. The standard offer will get you a 2.0-liter turbo-four. You better forget about it. The engine is more suitable for the compact class. A V6 is not so expensive. The mid-size three-row luxury SUV with this unit will cost about $62,000.

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2021 Audi sQ7

2021 Mercedes GLE

Sometimes, we can say Mercedes is a class for itself. The German carmaker is always a step ahead of its rivals. Its GLE is the mid-size three-row SUV with plenty of options. The carmaker recently updated the MBUX infotainment. The impressions are more than positive. However, that is just a start. Powerful and reliable units are there. A seven-seat layout is optional for the 2021 Mercedes GLE. The good thing is almost all versions will offer this upgrade Bad news – you guess that AMG is not on that list.

2021 Volvo XC90

Swedish luxury is best shown on the Volvo’s largest SUV. The XC90 is spacious, full of interesting features, and atop of everything, it is very safe. That is not all. The company bases all the engine configurations on a 2.0-liter unit. But, don’t let this small displacement trick you. At its best, the total output is 400 hp. The T8 is a plug-in hybrid setup. But, engineers are working on the next XC90. The all-electric mid-size three-row luxury SUV is a plan that could debut already in 2022. We must take Volvo very seriously about this since the XC40 is already in production.

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volvo

2021 Tesla Model X

Speaking of EVs, there is only one fully-electric SUV in the market (for now). The 2021 Tesla Model X is still stunning and other carmakers are trying to catch up with a leader in this segment. Well, the vehicle offers it all – power, luxury, comfort, enough space for people and cargo. The bad things are the high price and fast-charging stations network. The first one could be softened with a tax credit for electric vehicles. The other one will cover more states soon. If you are looking for the only SUV that can hit 60 mph from a stop in less than three seconds, then the 2021 Tesla Model X is the one.

2021 Tesla Model Y

Even with a tax credit of $7,500, Model X i very expensive. Tesla had to deliver something closer to the buying power of US citizens. The 2021 Tesla Model Y debuted and it will be available at dealerships next season. The lower price is a result of savings, including some interior features, and power. The range of the electric SUV will be 230-300 miles. Well, the new model also has its lacks. The third row is cramped and we don’t recommend this SUV if you plan long trips with your family.

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2021 Tesla Model Y specs

2021 Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Range Rover Sport is a five-seater. You can add two more spots, but it is not recommendable. Why? Access is everything but easy. Even when you take a seat, there is no enough legroom for adults. So, it is better to stick with the two-row version. If you are really after posh British mid-size three-row luxury SUVs, the 2021 Range Rover Sport will also offer its top trims with the optional upgrade. A 5.0-liter engine is going to produce 575 horsepower. But, you will have to spend at least $120,000.

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2021-Range-Rover-Sport-redesign-1

2021 Bentley Bentayga

If you think the Range Rover Sport is expensive, let us introduce you to another British product – the 2021 Bentley Bentayga. The starting price of this model is $157,000 and goes up to $250,000 for the new Speed edition. The base configuration of the SUV can seat only four persons, leaving plenty of room around occupants. But, the latest version of the Bentayga can get the third row. For this price, you can expect a lot. Well, Bentley is not going to disappoint any of its buyers. With plenty of luxury and power, it is hard to find a downside of the mid-size three-row luxury SUV.