When it comes to hauling a big family, nothing tops a three-row, eight-seat vehicle. While hulking full-size SUVs are fading away, automakers are releasing more sedan-like crossovers that meet larger families’ needs in seating and cargo space.
That said, a few full-size SUVs and minivans make the cut in our list of the top eight-seater vehicles.
The Best 8-Seater Vehicles in Canada
Only an eight-seater vehicle will do the trick when you’ve got a huge family to haul around. These 13 8-seater SUVs are sure to work for you.
1. 2016-2022 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot has been a staple in this Japanese automaker's lineup since 2003, and it remains one of the best three-row, eight-passenger crossovers you can buy.
The third-generation Pilot, which debuted in 2016, features room for up to eight people. The second row features 975.4 mm of legroom and 1,574.8 mm of shoulder room, giving it plenty of room for everyone. The third row is tighter with 810.26 mm of legroom, but it'll fit young children pretty easily.
Lower the third row and unlock 1,325 litres of cargo space. With all the rear rows folded, you can cram 2,372.9 litres of cargo in the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot.
2. 2020-2023 Toyota Highlander
The newest-generation Toyota Highlander is another capable, people-hauling crossover.
Not only is the 2020-2023 Toyota Highlander among the sharpest-looking models in its class, it also has loads of interior space. The second row is massive with up to 1,041.4 mm of legroom, but the third row suffers at just 703.6 mm.
The Highlander recovers with its spacious cargo area that can haul 1,370.5 litres of cargo with the third row folded and 2,387.1 litres with both rear rows folded.
The Highlander Hybrid also helps with fuel costs thanks to its fuel consumption ratings of just 6.1 L/100 km city, 6.8 l/100 km highway, and 6.7 L/100 km combined.
3. 2021-2023 Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevy Suburban underwent a full redesign in 2021, bringing in a is the longest-running nameplate in North America, and it's done so with a focus on passenger space and comfort.
This three-row SUV — yes, it's one of the few legit body-on-frame SUVs remaining — delivers up to 1,067 mm of second-row room and a relatively spacey 932 mm of third-row legroom. Plus, it's a notorious cargo hauler with up to 4,097 litres of cargo space with both rear rows folded.
The downside is the hulking 5.3-litre V8 engine. While it's quite capable at 355 horsepower, it's also rather thirsty at 13.4 L/100 km combined. Buyers can also choose from a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 or a 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
4. 2021-2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
You can't have the Suburban on a list without its downsized twin, the Chevy Tahoe, also present. The Tahoe entered its fifth generation in 2021 following a big redesign.
A bit shorter than the Suburban, the Tahoe is far easier to maneuver in traffic. However, it suffers slightly in interior space with 1,067 mm of second-row legroom and just 866 mm of third-row legroom.
Cargo space is also tighter at just 2,681.6 litres with all the rear seats folded.
Tahoe shoppers have three engine options to pick from. The standard engine is a 355-horsepower 5.3-litre V8. Buyers can also upgrade to a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 or a 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
5. 2021-2023 GMC Yukon
Sticking in General Motors' wheelhouse, the GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL are great eight-seater SUV options. The base Yukon is closely related to the Chevy Tahoe, while the Yukon XL is related to the Suburban — in fact, they share almost all their mechanical bits.
Being a GMC, the Yukon and Yukon XL are a bit more premium than their Chevy counterparts, giving them more posh features, especially in their Denali trims.
The Yukon and Yukon XL are close to their Chevy cousins in interior roominess. The Yukon offers 1,067 mm of second-row legroom, but its third row is tighter but still OK for kids at 886 mm of legroom. Cargo space is plentiful at up to 3,480 litres with all the rear seats folded.
The Yukon XL has the same second-row legroom as the base Yukon, but its third-row legroom jumps to 932 mm. It also can carry up to 4,097 litres of cargo.
Like the Tahoe, the Yukon has three engine options: a standard 355-horsepower 5.3-litre V8, a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8, or a 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
6. 2018-2023 Ford Expedition
Ford partakes in the eight-passenger SUV race too with its massive Expedition and Expedition Max. The base Expedition is spacious with 1,054.1 mm of second-row legroom and a whopping 1,038.9 mm of third-row legroom. Plus, it offers plenty of space for cargo with up to 2,961.9 litres with all the rear seats folded.
Opt for the 11.9-inch-longer Expedition Max, and its second-row legroom swells to 1,082 mm, but the third-row legroom remains the same. The most significant growth area in the Max model is its 3,437.7 litres of max cargo capacity.
The Expedition is also a surprising performer, as its twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine pumps out 375 to 400 horsepower, depending on the trim. Plus, this powertrain helps it deliver a 4,218-kg towing capacity.
7. 2020-2023 Hyundai Palisade
Sticking with the Hyundai Palisade's lower trim levels leaves you with a three-passenger second-row bench seat in place of the captain's chairs in higher trims. This ups the passenger capacity to eight, qualifying Hyundai's midsize SUV for our list.
The Palisade offers 1,077 mm of second-row legroom, giving even adults plenty of room. Things are a little tighter in the third-row seats at 797.6 mm, but it's plenty for young children — or older children and teenagers in a pinch.
For a midsize crossover, the Hyundai Palisade has loads of cargo room at up to 2,446.6 litres with both rear rows folded. Plus, its 291-horsepower V6 engine delivers plenty of punch.
The Palisade’s well-equipped cabin includes a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also an optional 10.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen for buyers who want something more upscale.
8. 2018-2023 Chevrolet Traverse
In its lower trims, the Chevrolet Traverse forgoes second-row captain's chairs in favour of a three-person bench seat, giving it the eight-person capacity your large family needs.
The Traverse offers a respectable 975.4 mm of legroom in its second row. The third row is best suited for children, but it can handle adults in a pinch with up to 850.9 mm of legroom.
The Traverse also offers a potent 310-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that allows it to tow up to 2,268 kg.
Cargo space is also plentiful with up to 2,780.7 litres with both rear rows of seats folded.
9. 2020-2021 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a close cousin to the Hyundai Palisade and has a similarly roomy cabin for big families. Its second- and third-row legroom are identical to the Palisade's at 1,076 mm and 797.6 mm, respectively.
The Telluride has the same 291-horsepower 3.8-litre V6 as the Palisade, which delivers smooth, powerful acceleration.
The Telluride differs with its cargo room, as it’s slightly roomier than the Palisade with up to 2,463.6 litres.
10. 2017-2023 Nissan Armada
Nissan's largest SUV, the Armada, is a great three-row option thanks to its roomy second row with 1,041.4 mm of legroom. The third row is far tighter at just 721.4 mm of legroom, making it a place for small children only.
In terms of cargo room, the Armada has plenty at 2,701.4 litres with both rear rows folded.
On top of being roomy, the Armada has a potent 5.6-litre V8 with 400 horsepower. This power affords it a 3,855-kg towing capacity.
11. 2018-2023 Honda Odyssey
The lone minivan on our list is the Honda Odyssey. Not only is it quite stylish for a van, but the Odyssey also features 1,038.9 mm of second-row legroom and 967.7 mm of third-row legroom, so adults and kids fit just fine in all three rows.
Lower both rear rows of seats and unlock a massive 4,103.1 litres of cargo space.
12. 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent
Subaru leaped into the three-row SUV market with the Ascent’s release in the 2019 model year. Like all Subaru models, the Ascent comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) and standard features focused on safety, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more.
The Ascent also packs a wallop with its 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This platform gives it a respectable 2,270-kg towing capacity. On top of that, it also has up to 2,061 litres of cargo room with all the seats folded. The legroom is a little tight at 805.2 mm in its third row, but that’s plenty for younger kids. In the second row, it’s roomier with 980.4 mm of legroom.
Like all Subaru SUVs, the Ascent is ready to head off-road with its 220 mm of ground clearance.
Keep in mind that not all Ascents have eight seats. Some are only seven-seater models.
13. 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer
After tons of rumours and speculation, the Jeep Wagoneer finally returned in the 2022 model year. This luxury SUV with room for up to eight people
This massive SUV rolls in with a 5.7-litre V8 engine that pumps out 392 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque and ships it to all four wheels via one of two different four-wheel-drive systems. There’s also an optional 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque and a 6.4-litre with 471 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque.
The Jeep Wagoneer has plenty of legroom in both rear rows at 930 mm in the third row and 1,085 mm in the second row. Plus, it can swallow up to 3,304 litres of cargo with all the seats folded.
The Wagoneer is also well-equipped with a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, active noise control, a 12-way power driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and much more.
Clutch Is Your Destination for an Eight-Seater Vehicle
Clutch has a wide range of high-quality pre-owned vehicles that have been through a 210-point inspection and carry a 90-day or 6,000-km warranty, including a collection of 8-seater vehicles. This includes a wide range of eight-seater vehicles.
Check out our online inventory, choose the model you like, and complete your purchase 100% online. We'll even deliver the vehicle to you. Plus, we can get you pre-qualified for financing with one of our lenders and accept all trade-in vehicles, further streamlining the car-buying experience.
