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A black 2022 GMC Yukon Denali is shown from the front at an angle.

When you need three or four people to ride along with you, then just about any SUV out there can do a great job of it—five people all packed into a compact SUV might be a bit tight, but it works, and it’s safe. Once you have a sixth passenger, however, then you need something with more than two rows of seating inside it; having six people in a five-passenger SUV is a disaster waiting to happen. Fortunately, car companies understand this, which is why there are three-row midsize and full-size SUVs available that give you seating inside for seven, eight, or even nine passengers, depending on what you need.

As you’re looking at used SUVs for sale near Mooresville, it’s important that you always keep in mind just what you need from a vehicle and shop accordingly. While this includes things like a good engine and plenty of cargo space inside your vehicle, it’s just as important that you consider how many people you need to have along with you. To help with that, let’s take a look at the major brands that you should have in mind when it comes to an SUV that will work well for a family of six (or more) and which models in their lineups to focus on as you look at used SUVs that will work for you.

Chevrolet: The King of Options

As you’re looking at used SUVs with an eye toward more-than-average passenger room, Chevy is one of the best brands out there with three models to choose from (Toyota matches that, so more on them below). For starters, you have the three-row Chevy Traverse, which is a large midsize SUV that has a third row of seating in the back. In this class, the Traverse is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market—even when sold as new—so a used Traverse is a great choice if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget.

If you want something even larger, which will give you more cargo space inside and let your passengers stretch out a bit more, then Chevy has two full-size models for you to choose from. The Tahoe is a terrific option if you want something bigger without going overboard, with numerous powerful engines available that provide a great ride. For one of the largest SUVs on the road, the Chevy Suburban is an absolute beast with tremendous room inside for cargo and passengers alike. You can actually get nine passengers into the Suburban, making it an incredible choice if you have a big family or need extra room for friends to come along while driving around Mooresville.

We should note that while Chevy has some of the best options out there, the entire GM family of brands gives you even more models to choose from. The GMC Acadia is a good three-row model, while the Yukon and Yukon XL give you sophisticated alternatives to the Tahoe and Suburban. With the Buick Enclave, you find a great choice similar to the Traverse, while the Cadillac XT6 and legendary Escalade are gorgeous options if you have the budget for them. All of these models come together to make a massive range of options from GM that share similar platforms and engines, providing tremendous flexibility.

A red 2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line is shown from the front at an angle.

Ford: Two Great Models to Choose From

Although it might not have quite as many options as Chevy (or GM in general), the Ford lineup includes a pair of impressive SUVs that are great choices for a large family. The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV that has been earning fans and making drivers happy for quite a few years now. One of the great things about the Explorer is that it’s available with impressive engines that deliver tremendous power, making it a larger SUV that’s still incredibly fun to drive. If you need something even bigger, then the full-size Ford Expedition is a terrific choice that gives you plenty of room inside for passengers and cargo alike. This is a great pick if you need something for your next road trip, ensuring all of your passengers have a lot of space to stretch out in and stay out of each other’s way while on the road.

Kia: Comfortable Budget-Friendly Choices

When looking at used SUVs for families, Kia is one of our favorite brands to recommend since it gives you multiple options that are incredibly affordable. For starters, you have the Kia Sorento, which is a three-row model that is a little light on cargo space—you still get plenty, but not a massive amount—while hitting the road at one of the lowest prices available for an SUV in this class. If you want something with more cargo room inside, then the Kia Telluride is a three-row model that has much more rear cargo volume on offer, plus more cargo space overall. The great thing is that the Telluride doesn’t cost that much more when sold as new, which makes these both terrific options for used SUVs that go easy on your wallet.

Toyota: A Variety of Unique Options

Right up there with Chevy in terms of offering you plenty of models to choose from, Toyota delivers one of the most diverse and comprehensive lineups in the auto industry. In terms of spacious SUVs with plenty of seating, the Toyota Highlander is a terrific option: a three-row SUV that has been a favorite of Mooresville drivers for years now. The Highlander is sporty and adventurous, even given its size, so you get a vehicle ready to take you out and have some fun. If you need something a bit larger, then the full-size Toyota Sequoia is a great choice with a powerful engine, an incredibly spacious interior, and terrific features throughout. We would regret it if we didn’t at least mention the Toyota Land Cruiser, which is a gorgeous and luxurious full-size option at the same level as the Cadillac Escalade—though the sophisticated features in it can stretch the budget of some families. Finally, the Toyota 4Runner is a rugged off-road SUV that, while normally sold with two rows of seats, has a three-row option, making it a great choice if you need more passenger space than the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco offers.

An orange 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is shown from the front at an angle after leaving a dealer that has used SUVs for sale near Mooresville.

More Great Options: Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Others

Along with the SUVs we just looked at, you have many more options to choose from if you look at other brands, though they typically only have one good model for a big family with six or more people. The Honda Pilot, for example, is an excellent three-row SUV that works well for a lot of drivers and is available at an incredibly budget-friendly price. Similarly, the Mazda CX-9 is a three-row model that gives you plenty of seating inside while sticking to a smaller overall size that can more easily fit into many lifestyles. The Nissan Armada is a bold and stylish full-size SUV that is a terrific choice if you’re looking for something large, while other options like the Subaru Ascent and VW Atlas give you three rows of seating without threatening to take over your garage (or the rest of your life).

Find the Perfect SUV for Your Family

No matter what you’re looking for in your next SUV, you can see that you have a lot of options available, giving you plenty of models to choose from. This is part of what makes shopping for a used SUV so much fun—you can consider a wide range of styles, makes, and models as you explore what’s out there and find the perfect vehicle with everything you need. Whether you are looking for something that will work for your daily commute around Mooresville or want a stunning SUV for vacations and family road trips, we can help you find it. All of these options can make it tricky to narrow things down and get exactly what you need, but that’s why we’re here to assist and make sure you get the perfect ride. Now, all you have to do is look at what’s out there and decide on which features and options are right for your family.