Overview
As a class, SUVs offer a range of benefits to drivers, including an expanded capacity for passengers. Full-size SUVs and some larger mid-size SUVs often provide a third row of seating. The largest SUVs can hold eight passengers, comparable to many vans. Fortunately, drivers have no shortage of options when it comes to eight-passenger SUVs: here are the best 8-passenger SUV models.
Table of Contents
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
For the 2022 model year, Jeep rolled out a new full-size SUV model, the Grand Wagoneer. It was a successful addition to Jeep’s product line, winning J.D. Power’s #1 Driver Appeal award in the large premium SUV category for 2022.
Its popularity is primarily a result of its attractive list of features. Starting at $88,640, the Grand Wagoneer is a premium vehicle with a premium price tag. However, its list of features provides the value drivers look for in a vehicle with such a high price tag.
The Grand Wagoneer is built for rough terrain and is 79.7 inches tall with a 123-inch wheelbase. Its large size provides 28.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Under the hood, its 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo 510 I6 engine is one of the best in its class, providing 510 horsepower, 500 pounds per foot of torque, and 9,750 pounds of towing cargo capacity with a stable rear-wheel drive.
Another reason the Grand Wagoneer is one of the top large SUVs on the market is its class-leading level of integrated technology, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot, compartmentalized zone climate controls, and a top-notch infotainment center.
Combined, there is a total of 75 inches of display area, including a personal screen for each seat in the front two rows. The rear-seat entertainment makes the Grand Wagoneer a fantastic option for families with children. Its features are enough to earn the vehicle J.D. Power’s best residual value award honors.
2022 Kia Telluride
Starting at $35,690, the 2022 Kia Telluride is one of the best 8-passenger SUV options for drivers who want to stretch their dollar as far as possible. And while the Telluride comes with a reasonable price point, it doesn’t sacrifice features for the sake of its MSRP.
With dual 12.3-inch infotainment centers, heated and ventilated second-row seating, and a noise-canceling cabin, drivers and passengers will be treated to a comfortable ride. Its standard 291-horsepower V6 engine provides a 5,500-pound towing capacity with the help of a self-leveling rear suspension and a tow mode with trailer stability assist.
The Telluride stands out from the pack with its active safety features. Forward-collision avoidance assist technology, highway driving assist, blind spot warnings, cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance, and navigation-based smart cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities are available on all Telluride trim levels. These features were good enough to earn the Telluride Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
2022 Hyundai Palisade
Starting at $33,600, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade is another reasonably-priced eight-seater SUV option that does not sacrifice features for the sake of price. One of the standout characteristics of the 2022 Palisade is its 22 miles per gallon fuel economy rating, making it one of the most efficient gas-powered eight-seat SUVs on the market.
Beyond its fuel economy rating, the 2022 Palisade offers a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter GDI V6 engine in its standard drivetrain package, more than capable of accelerating the large SUV as needed. This capable drivetrain is tethered to a 10-speed automatic transmission to provide a luxurious drive quality.
Its interior cabin is lush and spacious, which helped the Palisade earn best family car honors from Kelley Blue Book three years in a row.
The Palisade also offers several active safety and driver assistance features on the standard model. Receiving a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Top Safety Pick+ honors from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the Palisade is considered one of the safest SUVs on the roadways.
Blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross traffic monitoring, rear occupant alert, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, smart cruise control, lane follow assist, lane keep assist, driver attention warnings, and safe exit alerts are all standard features on the Palisade.
2022 Cadillac Escalade
One of the most well-known large SUVs, the 2022 model year Cadillac Escalade is one of the top eight-passenger SUVs on the market, but with a $77,990 starting price, it is also one of the most expensive on this list.
Despite the elevated sticker price, the Escalade offers value in spades. From a performance standpoint, the 2022 Escalade offers one of the most powerful engines on the market, boasting a 6.2-liter V8 engine. This beats similar vehicles, such as the 2022 GMC Yukon XL, the 2022 Ford Expedition, and the 2022 Subaru Ascent.
Besides the iconic exterior design, the Escalade offers one of the most luxurious cabins of any SUV. One of the main calling cards for the Escalade’s interior is its OLED entertainment system, with its large, high-definition screen, easy-to-use and customizable interface, and plenty of useful features. Passengers will be treated to individual streaming screens, where they can access their favorite show or movie with the tap of a finger.
The large cabin can make it difficult to hold a conversation; however, the engineers at Cadillac have you covered with in-cabin conversation assistance technology that amplifies voices on demand.
Another major calling card for the 2022 Escalade is Cadillac’s new Super Cruise technology, which allows drivers to cruise on the highway hands-free. The Super Cruise technology uses LIDAR mapping, lasers, sensors, and a state-of-the-art driver attention system to drive with your hands off the wheel.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse
Starting at $33,700, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is a fantastic eight-seater SUV option for buyers on a budget. Less expensive than the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban and 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, the Traverse provides incredible value for the price. One of the limited number of mid-size SUVs with eight seats (and three rows), the Traverse is also an excellent option for large families that often traverse tight city streets.
Perhaps the most attractive feature included standard on all Traverse trim levels is Chevrolet’s new Chevy Safety Assist. Newly standard, the Chevy Safety Assist suite is one of the most cutting-edge safety packages to come standard on a mid-level SUV, offering forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, Intellibeam auto high-beam assist, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning.
Beyond the Traverse’s newly-standard Chevy Safety Assist Suite, the Traverse continues to pile on standard safety features to improve the safety and reliability of your commute.
With teen driver tech features, a rear-vision camera, rear camera mirror, safety alert seat, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert with blind zone alert, rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and HD surround vision, the Traverse’s standard safety features are more akin to those offered in SUVs costing tens of thousands of dollars more.
As a result, the Traverse is highly recommended for families, where seating capacity, safety, and price are major considerations.
Find the Perfect SUV for Your Family with SUViews
As SUVs continue to grow in popularity in the United States, more manufacturers are beginning to expand their product offering lines to include larger SUVs. As a result, there are more suitable eight-seat SUV options on the market than ever before.
As you shop, check out SUViews’ insider reviews. Our industry experts review everything you need to know about all of the leading SUV models, and our blog posts cover a wide variety of SUV-related topics to help you make an informed vehicle purchase.
