Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Victor A
Hyundai offers some interesting SUVs, yet it’s quite hard to find large ones that can seat up to eight people. Hyundai 3rd row SUVs have always been a few in the line-up, and in 2023 the offering is as limited as ever.
That’s why here we are going to tell you everything about past, current, and future 3rd row Hyundai SUVs.
How many current 3rd row Hyundai SUVs are there?
For the 2023 line-up, there is only one SUV with three rows of seating, the Hyundai Palisade.
This full-size SUV serves as the most luxurious SUV model, it comes with a big trunk and seating for up to eight people.
For the 2023 model, Hyundai facelifted the Palisade and gave it a more square look which works well in this mode. They’ve also introduced new wheel designs, and the interior has been improved.
In the cabin, the 12.0-inch infotainment screen has received a higher resolution, Hyundai has also redesigned the steering wheel, and they’ve updated the upholstery options.
They’ve also introduced some new features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, massaging driver’s seat, and heated third-row seats.
Hyundai presents the Palisade in five trims, SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.
The SE serves as the entry-level version, while the SEL is the most balanced one. Both trims can seat up to eight people since they include second-row bench seats.
The newest addition is the XRT model which debuted in 2023 with a focus on off-roading, and with a maximum seating capacity of seven passengers, due to its second-row captain seats. This trim includes exclusive 20-inch wheels and a black-out exterior trim.
The Limited and the Calligraphy serve as the high-end versions, which replace the 2nd row bench seats for captain seats, reducing the maximum seating capacity from eight to seven passengers.
The Hyundai Palisade features a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 291 hp (295 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque.
It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and RWD, however, Hyundai offers the AWD as an option for $1,900.
Pricing for the Palisade SE starts at $35,550, while the SEL starts at $38,550. Then the XRT gets a starting price of $40,850, and the range-topper models receive a price hike to $47,100 for the Limited, and $49,500 for the Calligraphy.
Past Hyundai 3 row SUVs
Before the Palisade, there were other Hyundai 3rd row SUVs, the most recent one is the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL, which was discontinued, and only the standard Santa Fe remains today.
The Santa Fe XL had a greater length than the standard Santa Fe, which allowed it to offer an extra row of seating, making it the only three-row Hyundai SUV at the time, until in 2020 the Korean automaker introduced the Palisade.
But the Hyundai Santa Fe XL wasn’t that large compared to the current Palisade, since it was just an extended wheelbase mid-size SUV while the Palisade is a proper full-size SUV. Nevertheless, the Santa Fe XL still offered plenty of room for all passengers.
The maximum passenger capacity was limited to seven passengers, one less than the Palisade, while the cargo area was also lower.
Future 3rd row Hyundai SUVs
Hyundai has good news for those who want a 3rd row SUV, but want something different from the Palisade.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 7 is a showcase of what Hyundai can do and is planning to do for 2024.
The Ioniq 7 is based on the Hyundai SEVEN Concept which comes with an interior that resembles a living room, with a third row that features a sofa lounge instead of standard seats.
The Ioniq 7 will be based on the all-new Kia EV9, so expect to see many common things between both models, especially in the interior design.
There are plans to launch next year a production version of the SEVEN, the Ioniq 7 which will be an electric, seven-seat mid-size SUV, that will feature a 3rd row of seating.
Just be mindful that the interior will look way different than the concept one since many regulations force the automaker to use a more standardized approach for car interiors.
The Korean automaker wants to continue its strategy of electrifying its whole line-up while offering attractive and sleek models that will attract new customers.
As of now, they haven’t announced any plans to discontinue the Palisade, but it’s likely unlikely since they don’t have a full-size SUV in their plans yet, and what could likely happen is that we will soon see a hybrid version of this model.
