This is a Motormouth couple car review of our 2025 top-5, mid-size, 3-row SUVs in the non-luxury category.
In alphabetical order:
The Chevrolet Traverse.
The Traverse offers updated technology and plenty of standard features including the larger screens and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It has a spacious and comfortable interior, lots of storage for families and it offers some great value on the lower trims especially if you are on a tighter budget. Powertrain: 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. In Canada standard AWD and the US FWD and AWD models are available.
Reliability Scores: JD Power gives the Traverse an overall score of 85/100. Consumer Reports has not rated this SUV yet, it’s currently being tested.
Pricing:
$52,433 CAD - $68,433 CAD
$38,995 USD - $57,595 USD
AWD Fuel Economy:
13.8L/100 km city 17 MPG city
9.6L/100 km highway 25 MPG highway
Towing: Up to 5,000 pounds
Honda Pilot
The Pilot offers plenty of power and it still have a V6 powertrain as many manufacturers are moving to turbo 4’s. It’s spacious, comfortable, offers great storage solutions for family and this is an 8-passenger vehicle with a bench seat on all trims except the TrailSport. The middle seat on the bench seat can be removed in the second row and stored in the cargo area so you have the best of both worlds, a bench seat or captain’s chairs.
Powertrain: 3.5L V6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission, 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, standard AWD. In the US FWD and AWD options are available.
Reliability: JD Power gives the Pilot an overall score of 84/100 and Consumer Reports 77/100.
Pricing:
$55,483 CAD - $67,233 CAD
$40,200 USD - $54,580 USD
AWD Fuel Economy
12.4L/100 km city 19 MPG city
9.3L/100 km highway 25 MPG highway
Towing: Up to 5,000 pounds
Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade is a spacious and comfortable 7-8 passenger SUV. The power is great whether you are in the city or on the highway. Manufacturers are starting to eliminate V6 engines from their lineup so if you want one this is a good option. The steering is quite light which is similar to other vehicles in this class. The Palisade offers a power folding third row which is a nice feature to have and it feels more upscale in the cabin.
Powertrain: 3.8L V6 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Standard AWD in Canada. In the US, FWD and AWD options are available.
Reliability Scores: JD Power and Consumer Reports gives the Palisade an overall score of 83/100.
Pricing:
$53,231 CAD - $62,031 CAD
$36,800 USD - $54,100 USD
AWD Fuel Economy:
12.2L/100 km city 19 MPG city
9.7L/100 km highway 24 MPG highway
Towing: Up to 5,000 pounds
Kia Telluride
The Telluride has a refined driving experience, there’s plenty of power from the V6, it’s spacious, offers great cargo space, easy to use technology, user-friendly controls and it’s a great looking SUV. I also like that the side mirrors are power folding on most trims and the mirrors tilt down when parking.
Powertrain: 3.8L V6 engine with an 8 speed automatic transmission, 291 horsepower and 262 lb-feet of torque, standard AWD in Canada. FWD and AWD options in the US.
Reliability Scores: JD Power gives the Telluride an overall score of 85/100 and Consumer Reports and 83/100.
Pricing:
$53,477 CAD - $66,177 CAD
$36,190 USD - $53,385 USD
AWD Fuel Economy:
12.8L/100 km 18 MPG city
9.8L/100 km 24 MPG highway
Towing: Up to 5,500 pounds
Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander is the only 3-row SUV on our list that offers three powertrains, two electrified and that’s a big deal in this category. You have a very large 3-row SUV with two hybrids. The fuel economy on the base hybrid is terrific and the Hybrid Max is a great blend of performance and fuel economy. The gas model also has the best fuel economy on our list.
Powertrain: The gas model has a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The base hybrid has a 2.5L 4-cylinder matched to an ECVT, it has a combined 243 horsepower. Standard AWD in Canada. FWD and AWD options are available in the US. The Hybrid Max powertrain has a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a combined 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, standard full-time electronic AWD. You can put regular fuel in the Grand Highlander.
Reliability Scores: JD Power hasn’t rated the Grand Highlander yet but Consumer Reports gives it an overall score of 87/100.
Pricing:
$53,542 CAD - $68,502 CAD
$43,320 USD - $58,475 USD
Fuel Economy:
Gas
11.2L/100 km city 21 MPG city
8.6L/100 km highway 27 MPG highway
Hybrid
6.6L/100 km city 36 MPG city
7.4L/100 km highway 32 MPG highway
Hybrid Max
9L/100 km city 26 MPG city
8.8L/100 km highway 27 MPG highway
Towing: Gas and Hybrid Max can tow 5,000 pounds and the 2.5L Hybrid 3500 pounds.