3 Row EV: Best All Electric SUV People Haulers

The rate in-which electric vehicles (EVs) are evolving can be hard to grasp.

Not that many years ago, electric cars were either small sub-compacts with limited range, or high-priced toys for the rich. Now, EVs are wholly part of the automotive landscape. Sedans, SUVs, Pickup Trucks, and Sports Cars; EVs come in all shapes and sizes and at nearly all price points.

One area that’s still growing is the segment of 3 row EV SUV s. With three row SUVs built to haul a multitude of people over long distances, weight and driving range are two factors engineers are having to overcome. Some manufacturers have been in this segment for a while now, most notably Tesla. Others are starting to come on board and soon there will be close to a dozen 3 row EV SUV choices. Below we have summarized each of these vehicles, listed in alphabetical order.

The Kia EV9 is not yet on sale, but will be soon. Most of the details on the three-row, all-electric SUV are now known. Available with seven seats, the EV9 is a little bit longer than Kia's gas-powered three-row SUV, the Telluride. Like that SUV, the EV9 offers an impressive 20+ cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row as well.

Two battery sizes will be available as well as a choice of a single rear-wheel drive motor or dual motors powering all four wheels. Single motor versions should be good for 300 miles or range while the dual motor is slated to have 379 hp and 516 lb-ft. of torque, albeit with a bit less driving range.

If towing is needed, the EV9 can drag up to 5,000 pounds, but of course range will diminish.

EQ is Mercedes-Benz all-electric sub-brand. It uses the same naming convention as regular Mercedes models by affixing the vehicle’s segment after the EQ moniker. So the EQB SUV is essentially an all-electric alternative to the current GLB compact crossover. Like its gasoline powered sibling, the EQB is offered with a third-row of seating, albeit a fairly cramped one.

The EQB 300 is then entry level vehicle with a 225 hp electric motor. The step model is the EQB 350 which will have a dual motor setup good for 288 hp. Pricing for the electric SUV starts in high $50,000 range.

Like the EQB, the larger Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is an all-electric alternative to the gasoline powered GLS SUV. More rounded and modern looking, the EQS SUV borrows some design cues and technology from the recently introduced EQS sedan. Power for the large SUV comes from either a 355 hp electric motor in the EQS 450+ trim level, or a 536 HP set-up in the dual motor EQS 580 4MATIC.

Being a larger vehicle, there is more room for third row passengers in this EV SUV. Of course, pricing for the EQS SUV will also significantly higher than the EQB starting well into the six-figure range.

Easily the most traditional looking SUV on our list, the all-electric Rivian R1S joins the R1T pickup truck in the young manufacturer’s lineup. Measuring over 200 inches in length, the R1S is a large SUV and should provide one of the more spacious third row options. It will also be the most off-road ready three-row EV SUV with a maximum ground clearance that can reach as high as 14.9 inches.

Powering the R1S will be a choice of dual electric motor setups, with most powerful option good for a combined 835 hp and 908 lb-ft. of torque. Maximum range for the R1S should be around the 316 mile mark and it can tow upwards of 7,700 lbs.

The oldest model on this list, the Tesla Model X has been in production since 2015. Although 9+ years of production is a long time, Tesla is constantly updating the EV SUV to keep it fresh. Currently, two versions of the vehicle are available. The standard Model X features a dual motor setup with 670 combined horsepower and a driving range of 348 miles. The more ludicrous Model X Plaid has 1,020 hp, can reach 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and has an official driving range of 333 miles.

The Model X can tow up to 5,000 lbs. and features 7 passenger seating in regular models and 6 passenger seating in Plaid models.

The Model X’s little sibling is the Tesla Model Y. Like the Mercedes-Benz EQB, the Model Y is more of a compact EV SUV that still has a third row seating option. Like the Model X, there are two versions of the Model Y. The standard version is called the Model Y Long Range AWD and features a dual motor setup that is good to travel upwards of 330 miles on a single charge.

The other version is the Model Y Performance that utilizes a dual motor setup as well, but can reach 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The Performance has less range at 303 miles and does not offer a third row of seating. Only the Long Range AWD can accommodate seven passengers.

Perhaps the most unknown quantity on this list is the VinFast VF 9. VinFast is a relatively new automobile manufacturer based out of Vietnam. The brand plans to make a big impact in a short period of time, refocused as an all-electric vehicle manufacturer that is now expanding globally. This expansion includes Canada and the United States, where the two-row VF 8 is currently on sale.

The next offering is scheduled to be the 3 row VF 9. Initially, two trim levels will be available, the Eco or the Plus. VinFast claims all vehicles will be equipped with 402 hp from a dual motor setup. The Eco with Enhanced Range is estimated to travel 369 miles on a single charge. Being a boxier, more traditional shaped SUV like the Rivian R1S, we expected third row space to be decent in the VinFast VF9. Eco models will accommodate 7 passengers while Plus models can seat up to 6 individuals.

The only entry here that is not an SUV, the upcoming Volkswagen ID.Buzz is an all-electric minivan of sorts. Using classic micro bus styling, the ID.Buzz is a fairly large vehicle measuring 192.4-inches in length. Combined with a boxy body, the ID.Buzz easily has the most accommodating third row out of any electric-vehicle currently on sale.

Like most vehicles featured here, the VW EV will be offered with a single motor or dual motor set up. The single motor powers the rear wheels, making 288 hp and 406 lb-ft. The dual motor set up will be all-wheel drive and should make around 330 hp. More details on the ID.Buzz will be available closer to its launch date.

Another brand about to jump into the three-row EV market is Volvo. The EX90 should be on sale next year and is a large, three-row SUV. Nearly as long as the Rivian R1S, the EX90 should be a very spacious offering. Like any Volvo worth its weight, safety will be a top priority for the EX90 as it includes 5 radars, 8 cameras, long-range lidar, and 16 ultrasonic sensors.

Equipped with a 111-kWh battery pack, the EX90 should be good for about 300 miles on a single charge. The all-wheel drive, dual-motor EV has 496 hp and is capable of running from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.