Which 2025 Toyota SUV Has the Best Third-Row Comfort for Jacksonville Families?

Finding an SUV with comfortable third-row seating can be challenging, especially for Jacksonville families juggling kids, carpools, and weekend beach trips. Toyota’s 2025 lineup offers several options, but there’s a world of difference in comfort between the Highlander, Grand Highlander, 4Runner, and Sequoia models. Some third rows feel more like airline economy seats, while others welcome full-grown adults. Our Keith Pierson Toyota team has prepared this guide to Toyota’s best three-row SUVs for 2025. Let’s compare Toyota’s SUVs to determine the most comfortable third-row experience.

In-Depth Review of Toyota SUVs With Third-Row Seating

Toyota’s 2025 SUV lineup includes six models, from the Corolla Cross to the Sequoia, but not all of them work for bigger families. If your family needs more than five seats, only four models are relevant.

The 2025 Highlander is a family-friendly midsize choice for occasional third-row use. It’s significantly larger than the RAV4, with a back row suitable for children or adults on shorter trips around Jacksonville’s sprawling suburbs. All hybrid versions now come standard with all-wheel drive, perfect for those occasional downpours during Florida’s rainy season. The Grand Highlander addresses drivers’ main complaint about the regular Highlander — its cramped third row. It may be the best midsize three-row SUV, offering substantially more room for passengers and cargo when all seats are occupied, making it ideal for larger families.

The LE trim level and the Nightshade Edition are new for 2025, as are Cement and Heavy Metal paint colors that look sharp under Florida’s bright sun. Edmunds named the hybrid version a Top Rated SUV, highlighting its spacious third-row seating and good visibility — two things Jacksonville parents absolutely need.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is available with third-row seats, accommodating five passengers as standard or seven with the extra row. Toyota has completely redesigned this model, introducing two four-cylinder engines (including a hybrid) and new trim levels: TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and the new Trailhunter, designed for adventurous families.

The Sequoia is Toyota’s largest SUV, providing comfortable seating for eight, a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and a towing capacity of 9,520 pounds, which is plenty to pull your boat to the Intracoastal Waterway. The Grand Highlander offers 97.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity and seats seven, while the 4Runner fits five to seven passengers with 90.2 cubic feet cargo space (two-row models) and a 6,000-pound towing capacity.

Comfort Across the 2025 Toyota SUV Range

Here’s how Toyota’s SUVs compare in size and comfort:

Model	Length (inches)	Width (inches)	Height (inches)	Cargo Space Behind Third Row (cubic feet)	Max Seating
Highlander	194.9	76.0	68.1	16.0	Up to eight
Grand Highlander	201.4	78.3	70.1	20.6	Up to eight
4Runner	194.0	75.8	71.5	N/A (second row only standard)	Up to seven
Sequoia	208.1	79.6	74.2	22.3	Up to eight

Interior and Safety Features

Jacksonville’s notorious summer heat makes climate control a must-have, not a luxury. The 2025 4Runner includes dual-zone climate control as standard, with tri-zone control available for third-row models, making it ideal for summer beach trips. The Grand Highlander features multizone climate control, allowing different cabin temperatures. The 4Runner seats seven if you add the optional third-row seating (seating for five is standard). Power-adjustable front seats offer heating and cooling options, while 60/40-split folding rear seats provide flexible cargo configurations.

Safety matters for families navigating Interstate 95 traffic and busy school zones. Every SUV includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard: pre-collision systems with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and radar cruise control. The Grand Highlander offers optimal third-row comfort in a midsize package, while the Sequoia delivers maximum capacity for those times when you’re the designated driver for half the neighborhood.

Choosing the Ideal Toyota SUV for Your Family’s Needs

Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city by both population and land area, requiring flexible family transportation. Three-row SUVs have become family essentials, much like smartphones and streaming services. In fact, SUVs and crossovers claim 56% of the vehicle market.

The Highlander suits families who occasionally use a third row. All trims feature a 265-hp 2.4L four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine yields 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, while hybrid versions reach 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway, depending on the drivetrain. The Grand Highlander’s hybrid version gets 36 mpg city/32 mpg highway, depending on the drivetrain, combined with truly usable third-row space. Car and Driver ranks it No. 2 among midsize three-row SUVs for 2025, behind the Kia Telluride but ahead of the Honda Pilot.

Adventurous families might prefer the 4Runner. The hybrid i-FORCE MAX engine achieves 23 mpg city/24 mpg highway, while the standard rear-drive i-FORCE manages 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Consider these factors: third-row usage frequency, passenger ages and sizes, cargo needs with full seating, budget for trim levels, and fuel economy priorities. Extras, such as heated second-row seats, premium audio, and advanced safety features, improve family comfort significantly.

Finding Your Perfect Toyota SUV for Jacksonville Family Adventures

The Grand Highlander stands out among 2025 Toyota SUVs for Jacksonville families. It strikes a perfect balance between passenger comfort, cargo space, and daily practicality: not too cramped and not too big. While the Highlander is a great midsize three-row SUV for folks who just want a family hauler that’s easy to live with, the Grand Highlander improves on that formula with spacious seating and generous storage. It’s the difference between everyone arriving happy versus someone complaining about being squished for the entire ride to Fernandina Beach.

Each Toyota fits different lifestyles, much like choosing the right tool for the job. The Highlander excels at daily efficiency for families who occasionally need that third row. The Sequoia handles large families easily — think your extended family, along with everyone’s gear for a road trip. The 4Runner combines off-road capability with extra seating for adventure-seeking families who enjoy weekend camping at Fort Clinch State Park.

For most growing families, the Grand Highlander combines the best of comfort, space, and Toyota reliability. You may want to take advantage of our value your trade tool and get preapproved for financing so you can decide which SUV is best for your budget. Remember, though, that any of the Toyota SUVs will provide smart long-term value for Jacksonville families through years of school runs, beach trips, and weekend adventures.

Test-Drive a Toyota SUV at Keith Pierson Toyota Today

A test-drive will help you decide which SUV is for you. Sit in the seats, check accessibility, and feel the differences yourself. You can use our contact us form to schedule a visit to our Keith Pierson Toyota dealership to explore our complete 2025 Toyota SUV lineup. We understand Jacksonville families and their transportation needs, from navigating downtown traffic to weekend trips to St. Augustine. We’ll match you with the right SUV based on your passengers, budget, and usage patterns.

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