What Families Really Compare Before Buying a Three-Row SUV Shopping for a three-row SUV is one of those purchases that starts with browser tabs and ends with gut feelings. Before most families schedule a single test drive, they've already spent hours comparing cargo numbers, reading about third-row legroom, and wondering which vehicle will still feel right five years from now. Buyers tend to narrow their research to the same core questions: how many people fit comfortably, how much gear can go with them, and what they'll spend at the pump. Among the most researched options in this segment are the 2025 GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot, each with real tradeoffs worth understanding before you visit a showroom. Knowing the actual numbers ahead of time saves you from surprises and helps you ask smarter questions once you're in the door. Seating: How the Rows Actually Feel Passenger capacity is usually where the research starts. All three vehicles offer three rows, but how those rows feel to actual adults varies more than the spec sheets suggest. GMC's Acadia seats up to eight with a bench second row, or seven with optional captain's chairs. Second-row legroom measures 41.5 inches, and third-row legroom sits at 32.1 inches. Workable for older kids and shorter trips for most adults. Honda's Pilot also reaches eight-passenger capacity in bench configuration, and its 32.5 inches of third-row legroom is nearly even with the Acadia. Ford's Explorer caps at seven passengers with its standard bench, or six with captain's chairs. Its third row is fine for kids, but anyone who regularly carries adults back there should make a point to sit in it before signing anything. Cargo Space Side by Side This is where the Acadia separates itself in ways that actually matter on a family road trip. All numbers below come from each manufacturer's official website. Metric 2025 GMC Acadia 2025 Ford Explorer 2025 Honda Pilot Max Seating 8 (bench) / 7 (captains) 7 (bench) / 6 (captains) 8 (bench) / 7 (captains) Cargo Behind 3rd Row 23.0 cu ft 16.3 cu ft 18.6 cu ft Cargo Behind 2nd Row 57.3 cu ft 46.0 cu ft 48.5 cu ft Max Cargo Space 97.5 cu ft 85.8 cu ft ~87.0 cu ft Horsepower 328 hp (2.5L turbo) 300 hp (2.3L base) 285 hp (3.5L V6) Hwy MPG (base drivetrain) 27 mpg (FWD) 28 mpg (RWD) 27 mpg (FWD) Max Towing 5,000 lbs 5,000 lbs 5,000 lbs AWD / 3,500 lbs FWD Standard Infotainment Screen 15 inches 13.2 inches 9 inches (most trims) At 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, the Acadia has a real-world advantage over the Explorer's 16.3 and the Pilot's 18.6. That nearly seven-cubic-foot gap over the Explorer is something you'll feel the moment you try to load bags for a full family. Across all three cargo measurements, the Acadia holds the lead. Technology Inside the Cabin Screen size has become a genuine differentiator in this segment. Standard on every 2025 Acadia is a 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, one of the largest you'll find in the class. It pairs with a Google-powered interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available Super Cruise hands-free highway driving. Families who regularly make long hauls tend to find Super Cruise one of the more practical available features going right now. Ford's Explorer runs a 13.2-inch touchscreen with Amazon Alexa and Google built-in, and BlueCruise hands-free driving is available on higher trims. Both are capable setups, but the Acadia's screen is noticeably larger. Honda's Pilot uses a 9-inch center display on most trims, stepping to a 7-inch unit on the base Sport. It's clean and intuitive, though it doesn't match the screen real estate of the other two. Power and Towing All three can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. One catch with the Pilot: front-wheel drive models drop to just 3,500 pounds. If trailering is on your list, that's worth knowing before you fall in love with an FWD trim. Under the hood, the Acadia's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. That outpaces the Explorer's base 2.3-liter EcoBoost at 300 horsepower and the Pilot's 3.5-liter V6 at 285 horsepower. Highway fuel economy is close across all three. Running front-wheel drive, the Acadia and Pilot both hit 27 mpg highway, while the Explorer reaches 28 mpg in rear-wheel drive. Numbers Worth Taking Into the Showroom Researching specs before you go doesn't mean your decision is made. It means you walk in with the right questions. Third-row legroom that reads well on paper can feel different once you've sat in it. Cargo numbers tell part of the story, but so does how the seats fold, how flat they lie, and how easy the whole process is. Put it all together, and the 2025 GMC Acadia covers a lot of ground in one package, and the specs back that up before you ever pull into a parking lot. See the Acadia at Greg Lair Buick GMC We carry the 2025 GMC Acadia at our dealership in Canyon, and our team is glad to walk you through the full lineup in person. Whether you're coming in from Amarillo, Lubbock, or anywhere across the Texas Panhandle, we can help you compare trims, set up a test drive, and answer the questions that matter for your family's situation. Every new Acadia purchase also comes with our Free Lifetime Powertrain Warranty at no extra cost. Browse our current inventory at greglair.com or stop by and experience the Greg Lair difference for yourself.
GMC Acadia
If you’ve been shopping for a three-row SUV that can keep up with your family’s schedule, the GMC Acadia deserves a serious look. Its redesigned cabin grew in almost every direction, seating up to eight passengers with enough cargo room to handle Monday morning school runs and fully loaded road trips. But how does it really perform when you’re wrestling car seats, loading strollers, and shuttling the whole crew around town? Second-row LATCH anchors are exposed and easy to connect, earning top marks from certified car seat technicians at Cars.com. Behind the third row, 23 cubic feet of cargo space beats the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander. Captain’s chairs tilt and slide forward at the touch of a button, so you can reach the third row without uninstalling car seats. Third-Row Seating That Adults Can Actually Use Third-row seats in midsize SUVs have a reputation for being cramped penalty boxes. GMC did a solid job pushing back against that trend with this one. A 6-foot adult can fit in the wayback with some minor adjustments from the second row, and kids will be comfortable on even longer drives. Headroom measures 37.2 inches, and the bench splits 60/40 so you can fold one side for extra cargo while keeping a seat open. For pickups after soccer practice or weekend trips with the cousins, the third row handles it without complaints. Cargo Space That Keeps Up With Your Life One of the biggest improvements in the redesign is the cargo area. With all three rows in use, you still get 23 cubic feet behind the third row. That’s an 80 percent jump over the previous generation, beating the Ford Explorer (18.2), Honda Pilot (18.6), and Toyota Grand Highlander (20.6). A double stroller, grocery bags, and sports equipment all fit without playing cargo Tetris. Fold the third row, and cargo room jumps to 57.3 cubic feet. Drop the second row too and you’re looking at 97.5 cubic feet of flat space. A hands-free power liftgate opens automatically when you walk up with the key fob in your pocket. Car Seat Fit and LATCH Access in the Second Row Young families, pay attention here. Cars.com’s certified child safety seat technicians tested the Acadia and gave the second row straight A’s across the board. Rear-facing convertible, forward-facing convertible, infant carrier, and booster all fit without issues. Two sets of lower LATCH anchors in the second-row captain’s chairs are exposed and easy to reach. Top tether anchors sit right on the seatback and are clearly marked, so installation takes minutes. A rear-facing infant seat fits behind the front passenger with plenty of legroom to spare for a 5-foot-6 adult up front. Both second-row seats also have a car seat tilt function. This lets you tip the seat forward to access the third row without removing a car seat first. If you’ve ever had to uninstall and reinstall a car seat just to get a kid into the back, you know how much time and frustration that saves. Third-Row Car Seat Realities Now, the third row is a slightly different story. There are no lower LATCH anchors back there, so you’ll use the seat belt for installation. Top tether anchors are on the seatback, so forward-facing seats can still be secured properly. Cars.com gave the third-row convertible and booster a C grade, mainly because fixed head restraints on the outboard seats push larger car seats away from the seatback. Your best bet for a third-row car seat is the middle position because it has an adjustable head restraint. For most families, the second row will be the primary car seat zone, and the third row works best for older kids who’ve graduated to boosters or are riding on their own. Everyday Usability for School Runs and Road Trips Car seats aside, the Acadia is loaded with tech that makes daily family life smoother. Tri-zone climate control is standard across all three trims, USB charging ports are in every row, and the available Wi-Fi hotspot keeps tablets connected on longer drives. A big 15-inch touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s an available rear-seat entertainment system for the kids. Under the hood, a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 328 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic. That’s more than enough muscle for highway merges with a full cabin, and the GMC Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds for pulling a camper or boat on vacation. See the Acadia Up Close at Greg Lair Buick GMC If the Acadia sounds like a fit for your family, we’d love to have you check it out at Greg Lair Buick GMC in Canyon, TX. Bring the kids and your car seats along for a test drive so you can try the LATCH system, test third-row access, and see how everything fits your daily routine. We carry the full Acadia lineup and our team has been helping Texas Panhandle families find the right vehicles for over 30 years. Every new Acadia also comes with our free Lifetime Powertrain Warranty, giving you added confidence for all those school runs and road trips ahead. Stop by or browse our inventory online at greglair.com to get started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdvCeww7nD0