If you’re looking for a spacious, performance-powered vehicle with third-row seating, look no further than a Kia. Several Kia models, including the Sorento, Telluride, Carnival, and Sedona, offer generous third-row seating for passengers. When you drive a Kia with third-row seating, you can bring even more friends and family members on your next road trip. Learn more about the Kia third-row SUV and multipurpose vehicle (MPV) options below.
Kia Sorento
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The Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV with three rows of seating. It’s an ideal family SUV, offering plenty of space for the kids to sit and spread out. With room in the cabin for six passengers, the Kia Sorento can comfortably take you and your passengers on your next adventure. Choose between the LX, S, EX, SX, X-Line EX AWD, X-Line SX AWD, X-Line SX Prestige AWD, and X-Pro SX Prestige AWD trim options for the 2025 model year.
The standard 50/50-split folding third-row seats in the Kia Sorento can accommodate many passenger and cargo combinations. When you’re not carrying a full passenger load, you can fold the third-row seats down to expand the available cargo space. The premium material in the seating ensures that your third-row passengers will be comfortable wherever you roam.
Accessing the third row in the Kia Sorento is easy. The reclining captain’s chairs in the second row slide forward at the touch of a button, so your third-row passengers won’t have trouble getting in and out of their seats.
Kia Telluride
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Kia drivers with growing families or tall passengers will appreciate the seating in the 2025 Kia Telluride when this vehicle hits the market this fall.
With its three rows of seating, the 2025 Kia Telluride is an attractive vehicle with interior space for up to eight people. The roomy cabin is welcoming and allows occupants easy access to all three rows of seating.
The 60/40-split folding reclining third-row seats in the Kia Telluride allow you to conveniently switch between full-passenger and cargo-carrying modes as needed.
The Kia Telluride’s appeal as a family-friendly vehicle with third-row seats hasn’t gone unnoticed. In March 2024, U.S. News & World Report named the Kia Telluride the best three-row SUV in its “Best for Families” award program for the fifth year in a row. This award honors the cars, SUVs, and minivans that offer the best combination of safety, reliability, space, convenience, and connectivity within each class.
Kia Carnival
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The 2025 Kia Carnival is an ideal MPV for large families who need a lot of passenger space. The LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims accommodate eight passengers within the cabin, while the base LX trim accommodates seven.
You’ll enjoy the 60/40-split folding third-row seats available in vehicles of every trim level in the Kia Carnival model lineup. The versatile design allows you to carry longer cargo items alongside rear-seat passengers. To haul even larger cargo loads, fold down both sections of the rear seats to maximize your cargo space.
You can choose second-row captain’s chairs to allow seating for seven or choose a middle bench for eight seats. VIP lounge seats are available for the vehicle’s second row, which enable passengers to recline and pop out an under-leg rest extension using the vehicle’s voice-command system.
Kia Sedona
Beginning with the 2022 model year, Kia replaced the Sedona minivan with its Kia Carnival MPV (above). If you’re seeking an older model Kia vehicle with third-row seating, the Kia Sedona might appeal.
Looking at the 2021 Kia Sedona, for example, you’ll appreciate the generous eight-person seating in the cabin. Passengers can easily access the third-row seats without disturbing those in the second row. Standard Slide-N-Stow seating in the Kia Sedona lets you fold the second row of seats upright while you stow the third row under the floor. This storage function maximizes available space in the Kia Sedona without removing seats.
The 2021 Kia Sedona’s three trims, the LX, EX, and SX, offer the following dimensions for third-row seating capacities:
- Headroom: 38.9 inches.
- Legroom: 34.8 inches.
- Shoulder room: 59.4 inches.
- Hip room: 50.0 inches.
Kia Model Comparisons
Understanding your third-row seating preferences for your Kia can help you select the model that suits your needs and accommodates your passengers. Use the following table to compare the rear seat dimensions of the Kia models with third-row seating described above.
| Rear Seat Dimensions | 2025 Kia Sorento | 2024 Kia Telluride* | 2025 Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Headroom (Without Sunroof) | 36.8 inches | 38.1 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Rear Legroom | 29.6 inches | 31.4 inches | 35.6 inches |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 53.0 inches | 55.3 inches | 59.5 inches |
| Rear Hip Room | 42.5 inches | 43.7 inches | 50.4 inches |
*This column is based on 2024 Kia Telluride model year specifications. We anticipate information about the 2025 Telluride from Kia when the vehicle model arrives at dealerships this fall.
Bring More Passengers on Your Journeys in a Kia From Huffines Kia McKinney
No matter where your travels may take you, you and your passengers will appreciate the journey in a Kia with third-row seating. The Kia Sorento, Telluride, Carnival, and Sedona are exceptional vehicles that deliver comfort and convenience for your passengers. Test-drive one of these Kia vehicle models by visiting us today at Huffines Kia McKinney. Visit our dealership showroom at 1201 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas. Call us at 469-525-4400 or send us a message online. Find out how our Huffines Kia McKinney team goes the extra mile to help you find a Kia that suits your needs.