Edmunds: The best midsize SUVs for families in 2025

Along with smartphones and streaming subscriptions, the three-row SUV is now a staple of American family life. And since nearly every automaker sells one, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Some buyers will want the best fuel economy, while others may value tech and safety features. But all three-row SUV buyers can likely agree on room. You can never have enough passenger or cargo space in a family SUV, and here Edmunds’ car experts have gathered their top picks based on roominess, value and versatility. Call it the battle of the Oversized Midsized. All prices include the destination fee.

Chevrolet Traverse

To get anything bigger than the Traverse in Chevy’s lineup, you’d have to buy a Tahoe or Suburban. The Traverse seats up to seven passengers and its cargo space — 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row — is outstanding for a midsize SUV. When you really need to haul things, folding both rows serves up a maximum of 98 cubic feet, which is more than six times as big as a typical midsize sedan’s trunk. The Traverse’s cavernous cargo space is complemented by generous legroom for adults in the third row. The Traverse’s 328-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine helps this SUV tow up to 5,000 pounds and get up to an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined in regular driving.

2025 Traverse starting price: $41,995

Kia Telluride

With its upscale interior, standard eight-passenger seating and many standard driver assist features, the Telluride works great as a family hauler. There’s lots of second-row legroom, so even the tallest kids and adults have room to relax. Even the third row offers up ample legroom and still leaves 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. The Telluride’s 291-horsepower V6 engine gets up to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined and is backed by a long 10-year powertrain warranty. Buyers who prefer a little more luxury can opt for the Hyundai Palisade, a mechanical twin to the Telluride underneath the sheet metal. It’s not hard to see why the Telluride remains one of Edmunds’ top-rated SUVs.

2025 Telluride starting price: $37,585

Nissan Pathfinder

Bridging the gap between Nissan’s compact Rogue and the big, truck-ish Armada, the Pathfinder is a just-right three-row choice. It seats eight, comes with a 284-horsepower V6 engine and gets up to 23 mpg combined. It’s also one of the more inexpensive choices in the class, even when fully loaded. Like the Traverse, the Pathfinder is a boon for taller drivers thanks to lots of front legroom. Second- and third-row passengers also get plenty of space, although it comes at the expense of cargo space. There’s only 16.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row. What the Pathfinder lacks in cargo, however, it makes up for with extra towing potential. Properly equipped, the Pathfinder can pull up to 6,000 pounds, about 1,000 pounds more than its rivals.

2025 Pathfinder starting price: $38,460

Toyota Grand Highlander

As you can likely gather by its name, the Grand Highlander is an even bigger and fancier version of Toyota’s regular Highlander SUV. The Toyota’s 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row is only fractionally smaller than the Kia Telluride’s, which means there’s ample room for gear and goods. It’s also massively roomy for second- and third-row passengers. The Grand Highlander is a bit pricey, but buyers seeking fuel efficiency will appreciate its EPA estimate of up to 24 mpg combined. There’s also the even more efficient Grand Highlander Hybrid version that gets up to 36 mpg combined that starts at around $46,000.

2024 Grand Highlander starting price:$45,08

Volkswagen Atlas

With a name like Atlas, you’d expect this Volkswagen SUV to be big, and you’d be right. The third row is big enough to seat many adults, and there’s 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. Folding the two back rows delivers 96.8 cubic feet, almost the same as the Traverse. There are also plenty of spaces inside to stash small personal items. A 269-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets up to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. Volkswagen also sees to it that even a base Atlas comes with a lot of standard features, including heated and ventilated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery and a wireless phone charger.

2025 Atlas starting price:$39,625

When buying a midsize three-row SUV, you want to get the most passenger and cargo space for your money. Fortunately, some of the best picks are also the roomiest.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Dan Frio is a contributor at Edmunds.

This photo provided by Volkswagen shows the 2025 Atlas. With a massive cargo area and space for adults in all three rows, it's one of the most spacious midsize SUVs you can buy. (Volkswagen of America via AP)

This photo provided by Toyota shows the 2024 Grand Highlander. It has one of most adult-friendly third rows you'll find and scores high for fuel efficiency, comfort and technology. (Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

This photo provided by Nissan shows the 2025 Pathfinder. The Rock Creek version pictured here has all-terrain tires and a lifted suspension to provide a bit more off-road capability. (Nissan North America via AP)

This photo provided by Kia shows the 2025 Telluride. It boasts a quiet cabin, impressive tech, extensive standard features and adult-friendly third-row seating. (Kia America via AP)

This photo provided by Chevrolet shows the 2025 Traverse. The Traverse got a redesign last year and is one of the roomiest three-row midsize SUVs you can buy. (General Motors via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center was running out of options Friday evening to keep President Donald Trump's name on the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.

A judge earlier in the afternoon rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy Center's operations. The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.

Scaffolding was erected earlier in the day around a section of the building that includes Trump's name. After a round of storms passed Friday evening, multiple workers were back at the scene further building out the scaffolding in an apparent effort to prepare for removing the letters referencing the president.

Dozens of people gathered in the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center taking pictures and cheering occasionally as workers built the scaffolding.

After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return to office. Just a month into his second term, he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman. Trump's name was quickly added to the building.

In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to start in July and last for two years.

The Kennedy Center's leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump's speech patterns, of interfering in the effort.

“The District Court is not allowing us to close in order to properly fix up and repair the Building, including potentially life threatening structural damage like beams and parking garage ceilings that are rusted, and in serious danger of falling onto people below,” according to the appeal. “Indeed, total collapse!”

Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.

A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”

The Kennedy Center’s website has dropped Trump's name. And an earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump’s name.

Associated Press journalists Anna Johnson, Mark Sherman and Emily Wang in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Workers construct scaffolding at the sign for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers construct scaffolding below the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

A worker sits on scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)