Electric vehicles are hitting the market in all shapes and sizes from small sedans to large crossovers and SUVs. But there were very few three-row electric vehicles just a few years ago.
There are eight including on sale in 2022 and coming soon (2023 and 2024), with more being announced almost monthly. If a buyer has a large family, most any these would work. However, those families might want to focus on the largest of the group if adults might ever land in that last row.
Prices range from about $50,000 to more than $100,000, but each buyer will have to check the status of the EV tax credit when they make their purchase. Vietnamese automaker VinFast said that if the credit goes away, it will cut a similar amount of its base price.
Here are all the three-row battery electric vehicles you can buy now, and some that are coming soon.
2022 Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is the SUV form of the company's R1T pickup truck. It sports the same quad motor powertrain as the truck delivering 835 horsepower (hp) and 316 miles of range. The R1S seats seven with just two seats in the third row.
The R1S is formidable off road with 15 inches of maximum ground clearance and the ability to ford 3 feet of water. It has an approach angle of 35.6 degrees and a departure angle of 34.3 degrees. Those are the angles of the slopes the R1S can approach and climb.
Drive modes adjust the accelerator, suspension and steering for All Purpose, Sport, Off-Road modes for crawling, drifting and rally, a Conserve mode to optimize range and Tow Mode. The R1S can pull 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.
The 2022 Rivian R1S starts at $78,000.
2022 Mercedes EQB
The Mercedes EQB SUV uses a modified platform from a traditionally powered vehicle for its three-row layout. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and in two configurations, EQB 300 4Matic and EQB 350 4Matic. The EQB 300 makes 225 hp while the EQB 350 lands with 288 hp.
It can recharge at a home wall box in 11 hours and 15 minutes. On a DC fast charger it takes just 32 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent. The EQB can be had in either five- or seven-passenger configurations and comes standard with wired smartphone connections.
Though 2022 EQB is in the small-to-medium crossover category, so the third row is tight for adults. The EQB SUV is on sale now starting at $55,000.
2023 Mercedes EQS
The Mercedes EQS SUV is shorter and narrower than the full-size and gasoline-powered Mercedes GLS SUV. The seats and electronics are similar, including the 56-inch Hyperscreen. The seven-seat EQS SUV has less cargo space than the GLS SUV, but the seats split and fold for more room. The EQS SUV can also be laid out for five passengers.
Rear seat entertainment is available with touchscreens in the back of the front seats. The center portion of the second row also folds down and features a standard touchscreen for back passengers to adjust the radio, climate and navigation.
The Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic delivers 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive. The EQS 450+ is rear-wheel drive and makes 355 hp from a single motor. The EQS 450 has a range of 305 miles, the EQS 580 4Matic goes 285 miles on a charge. It takes 12.5 hours to recharge at home and 31 minutes to get to 80 percent on a DC fast charger.
The 2023 Mercedes EQS 450 SUV starts at $104,000. All-wheel drive adds $3,000 to the price. The EQS 580 SUV starts at $125,950.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 7
The Ioniq 7 will by Hyundai's biggest electric vehicle seating at least seven passengers. It will be about the same size as the Palisade SUV and will ride on the company's E-GMP electric platform, which also carries the Ioniq 5 and Kia's EVs.
The Ioniq 7 wears the futuristic illuminated design of the Ioniq 5. It should use the same trim names of the smaller vehicle including SE, SEL and Limited. Range is expected to be near 300 miles and like the other Hyundai EVs it will be able to charge 10 to 80 percent on a 350-kw fast charger in less than 30 minutes.
The concept version of the Ioniq 7, pictured above, features rear-hinged back doors, which are not expected to make production. The interior has a lounge feel that will only partially transform into the production vehicle. The Ioniq 7 is expected to cost about $50,000 when it debuts in 2024.
2024 Kia EV9
Like the Hyundai, the production version of the Kia EV9 won't be revealed until 2023, but the concept shows a design that's a cross between the company's Telluride SUV and the electric EV6. As with those, the new vehicle uses creative lighting in the front to delineate itself from the gasoline-powered Kias.
Also like the Ioniq 7, the EV9 will use the E-GMP platform allowing for super-fast charging and a range of around 300 miles with all-wheel drive.
It features three modes, though only one is for driving. Active mode is for when the EV9 is traveling, "making sure the driver and passengers have an optimal experience". It also has Pause Mode when the seats turn around and the lighting changes for a lounge-like atmosphere. Finally, Enjoy Mode turns all the seats backwards and opens the tailgate for enjoying nature "while sitting comfortable inside the SUV".
The 2024 Kia EV9 will start at an estimated $50,000.
Tesla Model X
The Model X has been on sale for the longest of all the three-row EVs, entering the market in 2016. It's most notable feature is its falcon-wing doors that open vertically, though with sensors to avoid hitting ceilings and other obstacles.
The Model X is only available in Long Range trim with an EPA range of 360 miles and the Plaid trim with 340 miles. Both feature all-wheel drive and even the slower of the two can get to 60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds.
Inside, the Model X comes with a 17-inch touchscreen for information, entertainment, and gaming. It uses an airplane-style yoke for a steering wheel, which brought criticism from some reviewers. The only configuration is three second-row seats and two third-row seats.
The 2022 Tesla Model X starts at $98,940
2022 Tesla Model Y
The smaller Tesla Model Y landed in 2020 as a three-row-optional battery electric compact crossover. It's based on the Model 3 using the same platform and powertrain options. It's offered in rear- or all-wheel drive.
The range varies from 244 miles on the Standard Range RWD model to 326 miles in the Long Range AWD trim. Sprints to 60 mph take between 5.5 seconds in the Standard and 3.5 seconds for the Performance model.
Notably, the optional third row in the Model Y is forward facing (there were rumors they might face rearward) and is only suitable for children or short adults. There is space for two child seats, and the second row seats slide to add legroom.
The 2022 Tesla Model Y starts at $64,990.
2023 VinFast VF9
The Vietnamese VF9 will land in the United States soon as a 2023 model. The three-row SUV is more than 200 inches long, making it roomier than even the Rivian R1S. It debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2021.
The VF9, featuring a 110-kWh battery from Samsung, has a range of 369 miles with 402 horsepower from two motors providing all-wheel drive. VinFast says the VF9 will hit 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds. It will be offered in Eco and Plus trims, with the Eco having the longest range.
Read more
- Next-gen 2023 Honda Pilot is a Bigger, Better Carpooler
- New, electric Volvo EX90 SUV Is a 'computer on wheels'
- Sleep Under the Stars With the 2023 Ford Transit Trail 4x4 Cargo Van
The luxury Plus model comes with a panoramic glass roof, second-row captain's chairs and leather wrapped seats. It also has three zones for climate control and massaging front seats. A power liftgate is also standard on the trim.
One thing VinFast is doing differently than the rest is selling the battery separately. Buyers can purchase the battery outright, or lease it, with all of the advantages that entails. The 2023 VF9 will start at $57,500, excluding the battery cost. For the VF9 the battery price was recently raised to $219 per month. Customers can buy it for $18,500.
