Three-row SUVs are big, so they aren’t always renowned for their frugal gas use; they usually cater to those of us who need seven or eight seats to ferry our family around or need extra space for weekends away. However, the 2025 SUV market offers a good number of three-row SUVs that are good for everything we want in a modern SUV: comfortable cabins, lots of passenger and cargo space, and high combined mpg ratings. Hailing from a good range of automakers with varied price ranges, these are the most fuel-efficient three-row SUVs you can buy in 2025.
Models are listed from least to most fuel-efficient.
2025 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid (RWD)
Average Fuel Economy: 22 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21 MPG |
24 MPG |
22 MPG |
$2,150/YR |
Boasting a starting price of $62,425, this year’s Toyota Sequoia is available in six well-appointed trims, which include the SR5, the Limited, the Platinum, the 1794 Edition, the TRD PRO, and the Capstone. Prices top out at just shy of $84,000 for the top-tier luxurious Sequoia Capstone, and all trims come equipped with a 3.4-liter i-FORCE MAX bi-turbocharged V6 that can kick out 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.
​​​​​​According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2025 Toyota Sequoia (RWD) can achieve a combined MPG rating of 22. If you opt for one of the four-wheel drive models, that rating drops to 20 combined MPG. The Sequoia became a hybrid-only model for the 2023 MY after the best engine configuration, the V8, was dropped for a more economical choice. Though we aren’t complaining, with the most economical engine/driveline configuration, you can still tow up to 9,520 pounds.
2025 Mazda CX-90
Average Fuel Economy: 25 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
24 MPG |
28 MPG |
25 MPG |
$1,850/YR |
With a starting price of under $40,000, seating for up to eight people as standard (which can be reconfigured to seven seats in some trims), the 2025 Mazda CX-90 is relatively affordable, plush inside, and reliable. There are six 2025 Mazda CX-90 grades available with the most economical engine (the 3.3 Turbo trims), including the 3.3 Turbo Select, the 3.3 Turbo Preferred, the 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport, the 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus, the 3.3 Turbo S Premium, and the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus.
The base-level 280-horsepower 3.3-liter turbocharged hybrid inline-six under the hood can achieve 25 combined MPG, which, for an eight-seat, relatively luxury SUV that comes equipped with i-ACTIV all-wheel drive as standard, weighs in at 4,885 pounds, and can hit 60 mph in around 7 seconds, we think is very impressive. For a low price point, the 2025 CX-90 does offer a good amount, and owners have rated it highly all-around, with a J.D. Power rating of 76 out of 100.
2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Average Fuel Economy: 25 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
24 MPG |
27 MPG |
25 MPG |
$1,850/YR |
As the more expensive (MSRP: $49,995) and more powerful sibling of the Mazda CX-90, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV is available in fewer trims and is far more exclusive in comparison. The available trims are the CX-90 PHEV Preferred, the CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport, and the CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus, and are well-equipped as standard. All CX-90 PHEV models feature a power-sliding glass moonroof, a 12.3-inch LCD Meter Display, and wireless smartphone connectivity, while if you opt for the top-end Premium Plus, you benefit from luxe appointments such as Nappa leather seats, a Bose audio rig, heated second-row seating, and a heated steering wheel.
​​​​​​Under the hood is a 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv inline-four paired with a 68-kW motor, which is mated to an eight-speed auto box and a rear-biased i-ACTIV AWD system. When you run the CX-90 PHEV on regular gas, you get 319 horsepower. However, if you run the CX-90 PHEV on premium gas, the inline-four can eke out 323 horsepower. Level 1 battery charging times go from 20 to 80 percent of total capacity in 6 hours and 40 minutes, while Level 2 battery charging times go from 20 to 80 percent total in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Utilizing gas and electric power, the CX-90 PHEV’s EPA-estimated gas tank range is 490 miles (gas and electric), while the all-electric range is a respectable 26 miles.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Average Fuel Economy: 26 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NA |
NA |
26 MPG |
$1,400/YR |
This year’s Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is well-equipped from the off. You get spacious first and second rows of seating, with 41.7 inches and 38.1 inches of legroom, respectively (the third row only boasts 19.1 inches of legroom); there is 64.7 cubic feet of storage space available; an eight-inch touchscreen is fitted as standard; seven seats are equipped as standard, and with a low starting price of just over $34,000, means you get a lot of bang for your buck. There are five grades available for the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: the ES, the SE, the SEL, the SEL Premium, the SEL Black Edition, and the Platinum Edition, with starting prices topping out at $50,445 for the Platinum Edition.
The only engine option available this year is a 2.4-liter MIVEC DOHC inline-four mated to two electric motors. The engine can trickle out 131 horsepower by itself, but when paired with the motors, the total combined horsepower is a respectable 248 horsepower. EPA fuel consumption estimates suggest that the Outlander PHEV can achieve 26 combined MPG when using gas only, or 65 MPGe when using gas and electric power. This gives you an estimated tank range of 420 miles and an all-electric range of 38 miles from a fully-charged battery. The Outlander has been utilizing a plug-in engine as an option since the 2018 MY, and with an overall owner-rated score of 4.1 out of 5 on Kelley Blue Book, we would suggest that it is continuing to work well.
2025 Volvo XC90 Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 27 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
22 MPG |
27 MPG |
27 MPG |
$1,850/YR |
This year’s Volvo XC90 Hybrid has a hefty starting price of $73,000 for the base trim and is available in a further five trims, with prices stretching up to the $82,000 mark. All grades are luxe; you get seven seats over three rows as standard; the cabin is minimalist yet cozy; standard fare includes a nine-inch touchscreen, a ten-speaker audio rig, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and comfortable, well-bolstered seats. You also benefit from a respectable maximum cargo capacity of 85.7 cubic feet, and plenty of legroom across all three rows (front: 40.9 inches/ second row: 37 inches / third row: 31.9 inches).
The most economical 2025 Volvo XC90 Hybrid is the plug-in flavor. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four mated to a rear-mounted electric motor and 14.7-kWh battery, which combined shifts out an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. You can tow up to 5,000 pounds with this luxe mid-size SUV, and owners have commented on how comfortable and smooth the ride is. The first plug-in Volvo XC90 hit our roads back in 2016, and since then, Volvo has ensured that the teething problems (rear axle failure and electric failures) of the first T8 XC90 have been fixed. So, today you get a spacious three-row SUV that is quietly luxurious, comfortable, and handy to own.
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 33 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NA |
NA |
33 MPG |
$1,150/YR |
Boasting a relatively low starting price of $49,435, the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is available in two kitted-out trims that bring a more affordable yet still sleek three-row SUV to the market. The two available trims that boast plug-in motivation and achieve the best combined MPG ratings out of all the other Sorento trims are the EX PHEV and the SX Prestige PHEV. The EX PHEV is the entry-level model, but you won’t be left disappointed with what is included; you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, 19-inch alloys, and impressive safety features in the shape of Forward Collision-Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The SX Prestige PHEV takes things up a notch with a suede headliner, a Bose audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and a curved panoramic display that links dual 12.3-inch screens.
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid is equipped with a small yet perky 261-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-four paired with an AC motor that is linked to an 11.8-kWh battery. All the power is fed through a six-speed auto box to all-wheel drive. When you are driving using both gas and electric power, the Sorento Hybrid can achieve an impressive 74 MPGe, while just using gas, you get a still-impressive 33 combined MPG. FuelEconomy.gov has said that the total gas tank range is 440 miles, and you can get around 30 miles of all-electric driving from the setup. For a three-row SUV that can hold 75.5 cubic feet of stuff, is a little cheaper than some of its plug-in competitors, and means you only spend an estimated $1,150 a year for gas and electricity, we think it is quite impressive.
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid (FWD)
Average Fuel Economy: 36 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
36 MPG |
36 MPG |
36 MPG |
$1,300/YR |
Available in two trims: the EX and the SX Prestige, like the plug-in hybrid Sorento on our list of the three-row SUVs with the best fuel economy, the Kia Sorento Hybrid goes a long way in offering versatile and comfortable driving. As standard, the Sorento Hybrid comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an impressive 75 cubic feet of storage space with all the seats folded away. Overall, owners seem very happy with the Sorento, giving it an overall score of 76 out of 100 on J.D. Power, which includes a score of 74 out of 100 for reliability and 76 out of 100 for driving experience.
All-wheel drive is an option for the 2025 Sorento Hybrid, but if you are looking to get the most miles from the tank and the lowest fuel costs from the 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four under the hood, it is the front-wheel drive configuration you have to choose. FuelEconomy.gov says that, with this setup, you get an average fuel tank range of 637 miles, it will cost you just $53 to fill the tank, and just $2.10 to drive 25 miles. With seating for up to seven passengers over three rows, low starting prices, and enough space to lug things around, we can see why the Sorento Hybrid has garnered such high reviews.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 36 MPG
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City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
36 MPG |
35 MPG |
36 MPG |
$1,300/YR |
Available in eight trims, with prices ranging from $48,000 to $56,000, the 2025 Toyota Highlander brings a good amount of versatility, comfort, a well-equipped cabin, and high rates of reliability, with RepairPal rating it as 4 out of 5 for dependability. The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trims are the XLE, the Nightshade, the XLE Nightshade, the Limited, the 25th Anniversary Edition, the Limited 25th Edition, and the Platinum. Even from the base trim, though, you get a lot in the way of tech and comfort, with the XLE coming equipped with a wireless charging pad, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and an eight-inch touchscreen.
There is just one engine option for this year’s Highlander Hybrid: a 243-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four mated to two electric motors. Electric all-wheel drive is equipped as standard, so when the road ends or the rains start, it can handle things well. While we sometimes see AWD SUVs tank the MPG ratings a little, the Highlander Hybrid doesn’t; you still get a very impressive fuel return in the city and on the highway. You get high combined MPG ratings, three rows of seating come as standard, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds behind you with it, and owners have complimented its ride quality. All in all, it is Toyota doing what Toyota does best: efficiency and versatility.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid (FWD)
Average Fuel Economy: 36 MPG
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|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
37 MPG |
34 MPG |
36 MPG |
$1,400/YR |
This year’s Toyota Grand Highlander, which includes the hybrid models, saw a surge in sales in Q2 2025, and we can see why. It boasts a low starting price of $45,000, there is 97.5 cubic feet of storage space inside, it is Toyota-grade reliable, 41.7 inches of front legroom, 39.5 inches of second-row legroom, and 33.5 inches of third-row legroom are available, and all grades come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. There are five trims available this year: the LE, the XLE, the Limited, the Nightshade Edition, and the Platinum, with the Nightshade Edition and Platinum offering the most in the way of luxury. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Night Shade Edition offers 20-inch alloys, black leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a JBL audio rig, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Grand Highlander will set you back at least $60,270, but you do benefit from heated and ventilated front seats, a HUD, a 360-degree camera, and suede and leather finishing.
There are two hybrid engine options for this year’s Grand Highlander Hybrid: a 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid good for 245 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter turbocharged Hybrid MAX inline-four good for 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. While the more powerful MAX engine sounds tempting, if you want the best fuel economy, it is the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter hybrid setup paired with front-wheel drive you should choose. The Grand Highlander boasting this engine has been given an EPA combined MPG rating of 36 MPG and a total gas tank range of a very impressive 619 miles. They have said it will cost you just $2.10 to drive 25 miles, and it will cost you $1,750 less over five years compared to the average new vehicle.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (FWD)
Average Fuel Economy: 36 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
36 MPG |
35 MPG |
36 MPG |
$1,300/YR |
According to FuelEconomy.gov and EPA estimates, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is up there with the most fuel-efficient three-row SUVs in 2025 and will cost you the least for gas. It boasts a starting price of just shy of $40,000 for the base trim SEL, $46,195 for the mid-tier Limited, and just under $50,000 for the high-end Calligraphy. Three rows of seating are featured as standard, which can be either seven or eight-seat capacity; towing capacity is a reasonable 2,000 pounds; you get just shy of 80 cubic feet of storage space inside, and sustainable leather upholstery is available throughout the cabin. What may stick out to tech-lovers is that a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a touchscreen share the same flowing curved panel on the dash, while a separate 6.6-inch touchscreen is showcased to handle climate controls. For the amount of space and tech you get, even the high-end 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid trim can be seen as relatively well priced.
Under the hood sits a 231-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four/electric motor partnership, which can be paired with either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Rest-to-60 times are not hugely fast, at 7.8 seconds, but if you are in the market for a fuel-efficient three-row SUV, this likely won’t matter. If you live in a cold area or somewhere that is prone to a downpour, the AWD will likely be the obvious choice, but if you are looking for the best fuel returns, it is the front-wheel drive model that offers the best stats. The non-hybrid Santa Fe may be faster to 60 mph (6.3 seconds), but its 24 combined mpg compared to what the hybrid flavor can offer is no match.
Sources: FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.
