10 of the Best Two-Row SUVs

2019 Honda CR V Exterior Profile ・ Photo by Honda

If cargo capacity is a must-have and you don’t need a third row, then two-row SUVs are the way to go. Smaller SUVs are less costly to purchase, eaiser to park, and get better gas mileage than their bigger three-row siblings. They’re especially well-suited for small families, empty nesters, and sport-minded singles. The trick is finding the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle and budget.

Our list of the best two-row SUVs runs the gamut from subcompacts through mid-size vehicles, and includes luxury cruisers along with more affordable crossovers. This is a diverse group. Among the entries, you’ll find an electric SUV, a plug-in hybrid, a fuel-efficient diesel, and one model built to tackle the toughest trails. Here are 10 of the best two-row SUVs.

2019 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V tops our list of two-row SUVs for its roomy cabin, cargo capacity, fuel efficiency, Honda Sensing safety technology, and ride quality. Pricing starts at $24,350 for the base LX model, equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine. We’d opt for one of the higher trim levels, which feature a responsive 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

The 1.5-liter front-wheel drive CR-V is EPA rated at 28 city/34 highway/30 combined MPG, with a 14-gallon fuel tank that provides 420 miles of range. The EPA rates the all-wheel drive 1.5L turbo at 27 city/33 highway/29 combined MPG. The 2019 Honda CR-V EX, EX-L, and Touring trims are Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks.

Photo by Honda

2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Nothing takes to the trail like the 4X4 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It’s America’s favorite two-row SUV for soaking up the sunshine. You’ll want to choose the four-door Unlimited over the two-door model for more cargo space and ease of access to the second row.

The Wrangler is a commitment. While it’s extremely capable off-road and the interior is a big step up over the previous generation, it’s less civilized on the pavement and more thirsty than most smaller SUVs. The four-door turbocharged 2.0-liter Wrangler Unlimited is EPA rated at 22 city/24 highway/22 combined MPG, with a 21.5-gallon fuel tank that provides an ample 473 miles of range. Pricing starts at $27,945.

Photo by Jeep

2019 BMW X1

The 2019 BMW X1 dukes it out with the Volvo XC40 for dominance in the red-hot subcompact luxury SUV class. It delivers a massive amount of cargo space, dynamic performance, and a top-notch cabin, with optional slide-and-recline rear seats.

The X1 covers the 0-60 sprint in a very respectable 6.3 seconds, with a responsive and efficient 228-hp 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged engine under the hood. The front-wheel drive X1 sDrive28i is EPA rated at 23 city/32 highway/26 combined MPG, with a 16.1-gallon fuel tank that provides 419 miles of range. The EPA ratings for the X1 with all-wheel drive are 22 city/31 highway/25 combined MPG. Pricing starts at $34,950.

Photo by BMW

2019 Jaguar I-Pace

The all-wheel drive 2019 Jaguar I-PACE stands alone as the only pure electric luxury entry on our list of the best two-row SUVs. It’s fast, fun to drive, quiet, and distinctive, with a cabin that sets it apart from the crowd of Teslas at the country club.

You can expect 0-60 times in the mid-four-second range. The EPA rates the I-Pace at 80 city/72 highway/76 combined MPGe, with a total range of 234 miles. I-Pace pricing starts at $69,500 for the I-Pace S, and runs up to $85,900 for the I-Pace First Edition. The I-Pace is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Photo by Jaguar

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Premier Turbo Diesel

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is a compelling two-row SUV for long-distance travelers when equipped with the optional 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine in the LT ($30,795) or range-topping Premier ($34,495) trim levels. The front-wheel drive Equinox diesel is EPA rated at 28 city/39 highway/32 combined MPG, with a 14.9-gallon fuel tank that provides a generous 477 miles of total range. The all-wheel-drive version is rated slightly lower at 28 city/38 highway/32 combined MPG.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and heated front seats are standard. Choose the Confidence and Convenience II option package to add a full suite of safety technology, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats, along with a panoramic sunroof.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Hyundai Kona

The 2019 Hyundai Kona is an affordable two-row SUV sweetie, offered in both conventional gasoline- and electric-powered models. While the base SE trim level starts at $19,990, you’ll want to opt for the Ultimate trim level ($27,500) to gain the zippy 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, LED headlamps (with high beam assist), heads-up display, leather upholstery, and a full suite of advanced safety technologies. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

The front-wheel drive 1.6-liter Kona is EPA rated at 28 city/32 highway/30 combined MPG, with a 13.2-gallon fuel tank that provides 396 miles of total range. The EPA rates the all-wheel-drive version is at 26 city/29 highway/27 combined MPG. The 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid delivers a winning combination of standard all-wheel drive, fuel efficiency, and in-cabin technology. It’s EPA rated at 90 combined MPG while running on gasoline and electric power, with 35 combined MPG on gasoline alone. The lithium-ion battery pack provides a pure electric range of 17 miles, and charges in two hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charger or five hours on house current. The total drivetrain range is 480 miles with a full charge and a full tank of fuel.

The Starlink multimedia system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, with an integrated 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. A $4,500 federal tax credit takes some sting out of the $34,995 MSRP.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Audi Q5

The 2019 Audi Q5 luxury compact SUV goes toe-to-toe with the BMW X3 and Acura RDX, with precise handling, standard Audi Quattro all-wheel drive, and thrilling performance. The 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine propels Q5 to a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds. The Q5 is EPA rated at 22 city/27 highway/24 combined MPG, with an 18.5-gallon fuel tank that provides 444 miles of range.

Pricing starts at $42,950 for the base Premium model. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range. Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim level ($49,950) gains LED headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, and Audi’s marvelous “virtual cockpit” dashboard. The top-of-the-line Prestige model ($53,850) includes the full suite of safety technology and a heads-up display, along with a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Photo by Audi

2019 Acura RDX

The 2019 Acura RDX is a splendid alternative to the European luxury compacts and is one of our favorite performance-oriented two-row SUVs. Pricing starts at $37,400 for the base front-wheel drive (FWD) model. We’d opt for the top-of-the-line Advance Package with Super Handling all-wheel drive (AWD) at $47,500, for its superb interior accommodations and road manners.

The FWD RDX Advance is EPA rated at 22 city/28 highway/24 combined MPG, with a 17.1-gallon fuel tank that provides 410 miles of range. The EPA AWD ratings are 21 city/27 highway/23 combined MPG. The 2019 Acura RDX is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.

Photo by Acura

2019 Nissan Kicks

With its lack of available all-wheel drive, the brand-new 2019 Nissan Kicks might be the most controversial choice on our list of the best two-row SUVs. The sleekly designed Kicks replaces the frog-like Juke in Nissan’s SUV lineup, and earns a spot on the list thanks to its affordable starting price of $18,540, massive cargo space, solid fuel economy, and driving range.

The EPA rates the 2019 Kicks at 31 city/36 highway/33 combined MPG. The 14.5-gallon fuel tank provides a massive 493 miles of range. You’ll need to step up to the SV trim level ($20,250) to gain Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. While the Kicks is stylish and fun, it lacks the advanced safety technology found in competing models.

Photo by Nissan