10 SUVs with Second-Row Captain’s Chairs

When buying an SUV, you have a choice between a three-person bench seat in the second row, or a set of captain’s chairs. So equipped, these SUVs with bucket seats in the back give passengers individual seats to themselves. Another benefit for SUVs with captain seats and a third-row seat is the convenient pass-through for people to use to access the rearmost seats.

Which SUVs have captain’s chairs? Most three-row SUVs offer them, but that’s a long list. Below, we’ve listed 10 of our favorite SUVs with second-row captain’s chairs — five mainstream models and five from luxury brands. They appear in alphabetical order.

The Acura MDX isn’t the freshest design, or the most luxurious of SUVs. But in Sport Hybrid Advance specification, it comes with heated second-row captain’s chairs and a powerful hybrid drivetrain rooted in the same technology used for the Acura NSX sports car.

A useful center console divides the captain’s chairs, and the MDX Sport Hybrid Advance includes rear climate controls and rear window sunshades. A rear entertainment system is optional, featuring a 16.2-inch widescreen display, wireless headphones, a 110-volt power outlet, and HDMI connections for a game console. With 321 horsepower, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in mixed driving, and a price of less than $60,000, the MDX Sport Hybrid Advance is worthy of consideration.

A new model for 2020, the three-row BMW X7 offers power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs as an option. The X7 isn’t cheap, though, and with this upgrade the opening price is more than $76,000.

For maximum second-row comfort, you’ll need to spend more than that. Heated rear seats are extra, packaged with a five-zone automatic climate control system. Power rear side window sunshades are also available, along with a panoramic glass roof featuring Sky Lounge LED lighting. A rear entertainment system is also available, installing two display screens and giving rear passengers the ability to access navigation data, place phone calls, and control the music.

Among full-size mainstream-brand SUVs, the Ford Expedition reigns supreme. And when equipped with its available rear captain’s chairs, you can enjoy expansive passenger and cargo space for less than $57,000.

The Expedition’s huge second-row captain’s chairs are ready to accommodate just about anyone for a long, comfortable road trip. A panoramic glass roof is available, and FordPass Connect brings 4G Wi-Fi hotspot service for up to 10 different devices. An optional rear entertainment system provides individual displays for each captain’s chair. Viewers can watch a DVD, connect a game console and play their favorite games, stream content from mobile devices, or stream live TV via Slingbox. Inflatable rear seat belts are also available, helping to better protect occupants in a collision.

While captain’s chairs are desirable in an SUV, they’re often installed in vehicles that aren’t much fun to drive. The Ford Explorer ST solves that conundrum.

Equipped with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, sport-tuning, and a blacked-out exterior, the Explorer ST is a downright blast to drive — at least for an SUV. And with the optional High Performance Package, which adds better brakes and 21-inch wheels, you’ll maximize the thrills. The Explorer ST isn’t cheap, though, starting at just under $56,000. Captain’s chairs are standard, though, along with triple-zone automatic climate control and FordPass Connect service with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades include a twin-panel sunroof and a dual-screen rear entertainment system.

A new SUV for 2020, the Hyundai Palisade blends high style with high utility, offering plenty of space for people and cargo in an affordable, value-rich package. Captain’s chairs are standard in the Hyundai Palisade SEL model, which costs less than $35,000. They face front seatbacks with built-in smartphone and tablet storage areas, as well as quick-charge USB ports incorporated right into the sides of the front seats. Triple-zone automatic climate control is also standard with SEL trim, along with a Bluetooth system that supports two devices at the same time.

Option packages for the Palisade SEL install heated rear seats, rear side window sunshades, and a Driver Talk intercom system that allows the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the SUV’s stereo speakers. And if you upgrade to the Limited trim, you’ll enjoy premium leather, dual sunroof panels, and both heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs. That’s a rarity no matter how much money you’re spending.

The Kia Telluride is a new family-sized SUV, and it shares its platform, vehicle architecture, and other mechanicals (including a 291-horsepower V6 engine) with the Hyundai Palisade. Both also provide one of the most comprehensive warranty and roadside assistance programs you can get.

So, the Telluride is basically the same as the Palisade, except for different styling and tuning that gives it a unique driving character. The Kia is also built in Georgia, while the Palisade is assembled in South Korea. The most affordable version of a Telluride equipped with second-row captain’s chairs is the S trim, at just over $35,000. You can option the SUV with lots of rear seating area upgrades that mirror the Hyundai Palisade. Neither of these SUVs, however, is available with a Wi-Fi hotspot or a rear-seat entertainment system.

A luxury version of the Ford Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator provides similar amounts of passenger and cargo room, as well as added comfort no matter where you’re sitting inside of the SUV.

In the Navigator, heated second-row captain’s chairs are standard equipment. The Reserve and Black Label trim levels also equip the SUV with a huge center console between the captain’s chairs, complete with a 4.2-inch display screen and stereo controls. Inflatable seat belts are an option, designed to better protect passengers in a collision. Every Navigator has a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, while a rear entertainment system with dual display screens is optional. It offers the same capabilities as the one in the Expedition. The Ford, however, doesn’t promise the same levels of quiet as the Lincoln, which starts at just over $77,000.

For rear-seat passengers, the redesigned 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is a dream come true. But to live that dream, the SUV’s owner will need to add lots of options to the already lofty base price of more than $76,000.

Captain’s chairs are optional, but they don’t cost extra. If you want them to be heated, ventilated, and massaging (yes!), you’ll need to get both of the available Executive option packages. These upgrades also include rear side-impact airbags, wireless rear smartphone charging, wireless tablet control of the MBUX infotainment system, and even head restraint pillows. Additional upgrades to ensure rear passenger comfort include four-zone automatic climate control, heated rear armrests, power rear sunshades in the side windows, and heated and cooled cupholders. A panoramic sunroof is also available for the GLS, and every version of this SUV includes Pre Safe Sound technology, designed to protect occupants’ eardrums in the event of a collision.

For less than $36,000, you can get a Volkswagen Atlas equipped with second-row captain’s chairs. They’re a $695 option on every trim level except for the base S, and it doesn’t matter what engine or drivetrain the SUV has.

Beyond this upgrade, though, Volkswagen offers few improvements for rear-seat passenger comfort and entertainment. What is available, however, is what counts the most. Triple-zone automatic climate control and rear USB ports are included with the SE trim and higher, while the SEL adds a panoramic glass roof. Universal tablet holders are dealer-installed accessories. And for 2020, Car-Net subscription services adds Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, making those tablet holders even more useful.

For 2020, Volvo adds a new six-passenger seating option to the appealing XC90, and is making its plug-in hybrid powertrain available at a lower cost than ever. Combine these two features, and you can get a plug-in hybrid luxury suv with second-row captain’s chairs for less than $69,000.

Beyond the captain’s chairs, the XC90 Recharge T8 offers four-zone automatic climate control and available heated rear seats. Accessory options include both head pillows and neck cushions, making Volvo’s legendarily comfortable seats even more so.