Although the EV market seems swamped with new models launched in the past year, there are few options for families needing more than five seats. To make matters worse, Ford announced that its planned three-row electric SUV will not happen. Here’s what you can buy instead and what new models are launching by the end of the year.
Of course, EVs are not selling as fast as anyone would want to, including Tesla. However, there’s a significant difference between an EV startup saying EVs don’t sell and a traditional carmaker stating the same. First, an EV startup is constantly raising money and is expected to burn it as it scales its operations. It’s unimportant if it’s losing money for a while because that’s what all startups do. However, investors might turn away if they get to the bottom of their coffers without a path to profitability. That’s when an EV startup gets in trouble, like Fisker did.
For traditional carmakers, things look simpler but are, in fact, even more complicated. They usually have solid financials that could allow them to finance new EV projects. However, their shareholders expect them to make profits, not lose money on far-fetched projects they don’t care about. Although surprising, a big company like Ford or GM is even less likely to tolerate risks associated with EV development. Any CEO who would burn money on unprofitable models risks their position.
Ford scrapped its three-row electric SUV project
This might help you see recent decisions to scale back EV operations across the automotive industry in a different light. Everyone pledged to go all in on EVs, thinking it would be easy to beat Tesla. Later, they discovered that selling EVs profitably was impossible with the supply chain and the dealership networks they are tied to. Changing this model completely and becoming a nimble EV startup is not on the table for a major automaker, so they are now backtracking on EV plans.
Even if founding a startup for their EV operations seems like an easy solution, this is easier said than done. Volkswagen is trying to do it with Scout, but we’ve already seen its dealers pressuring the German carmaker to give up on the idea. Selling Scout EVs directly to consumers is a mortal danger for dealers, and they will fight it as hard as they can. The same can be true for the parts suppliers, as cutting them out and producing major components in-house will risk retaliation on mainstream operations.
This is why I’m not surprised that Ford decided to kill its three-row electric SUV. Instead, Ford commissioned a small team (“skunkworks team,” as CEO Jim Farley introduced it to the public) to develop a clean-sheet EV platform to allow it to build cheaper but profitable EVs. Ford can certainly do this, although the supply chain and dealership network hurdles still remain.
For EV buyers, any canceled project restricts the number of options and makes existing EV makers complacent. It’s a lose-lose situation. It’s even worse when a three-row SUV is taken off the table, considering how few options are available and how badly they are needed. Currently, only six three-row electric SUVs are on the market, with another four launching by the end of the year. Here’s your best bet if you want or need a seven-seater electric SUV.
Kia EV9
Price: from $54,900
Power: 201-379 horsepower
Battery capacity: 76-100 kWh
Range: 230-304 miles
IRA tax credit: soon
Photo: Kia
The Kia EV9 is one of the most exciting EV models launched in 2024. It features three rows starting with the base trim and can be ordered in 6- and 7-seat configurations. The swiveling captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation on the second row are a signature feature of the all-electric SUV.
The Kia EV9 is built on the E-GMP architecture, sharing many technical details with the smaller EV6 as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. These include the 800-volt architecture, which promises very short charging times thanks to a maximum power capability of 350 kW. In this case, charging from 10% to 80% takes 20 minutes for the 76-kWh battery and 24 minutes for the 100-kWh pack.
Besides being one of the coolest EVs you can buy now, the Kia EV9 has another ace up its sleeves: Kia started local production at its West Point assembly plant in Georgia earlier this year. This means that the EV9 should benefit from the IRA tax credit once Kia nails the right mix of raw materials and battery components. Until then, Kia is offering a $7,500 customer cash to “well-qualified buyers.”
Rivian R1S
Price: from $75,900
Power: 533-850 horsepower
Battery capacity: 92.5-141.5 kWh
Range: 270-410 miles
IRA tax credit: no
Photo: Rivian
The Rivian R1S is a cleverly packaged mid-size SUV, offering reasonable comfort for the passengers seated in the third row. Thanks to its impressive off-road capabilities, it’s also the only option if you’re the adventurer type. The R1S is the electric equivalent of a Range Rover, if you will, except that it has a far better build quality. With up to 850 horsepower in a tri-motor configuration, the R1S is also one of the most powerful all-electric SUVs you can buy now.
Even though Rivian is a new carmaker, you’ll find the build quality of the R1S to be on par with that of the best in the industry. Unfortunately, the 2025 R1S is not yet approved for the EV tax credit, which makes it even more expensive. Those who bought the refreshed model think it’s still worth the money, thanks to many improvements under the hood.
Among them is a new infotainment and driver assistance computer, which allows Rivian to offer more advanced functions. Rivian is also working on an automated driving solution. There’s still no Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, but the refreshed models offer UWB connectivity, enabling advanced features like location-aware digital key.
Tesla Model X
Price: from $79,990
Power: 670-1,020 horsepower
Battery capacity: 100 kWh
Range: 326-335 miles
IRA tax credit: yes, $7,500
Photo: Tesla
If we disregard the Model S with its two jumper seats in the trunk, the Tesla Model X was the first three-row electric vehicle on the market. The iconic SUV is easily recognizable thanks to its rear falcon doors, which are unique in the automotive industry. Although sales have significantly cooled down, the Tesla Model X is still one of the best seven-seater EVs you can buy.
Tesla has kept it fresh with repeated updates after a major overhaul in 2021. Not all changes have been made with the customer in mind, though, as Tesla recently removed Steam support as a cost-cutting measure. To compensate, the Model X has been fitted with improved seats, inspired by the refreshed Model 3 Performance.
Although the Model X offers the option of six- and seven-seat configurations, it’s not cheap. Buyers are asked $6,500 for the six-seat interior, whereas the seven-seat option costs $3,500. However, those who order the FSD package ($8,000) are offered any seating configuration for free. This helps buyers keep the EV tax credit and allows Tesla to sell the FSD capability. Win-win.
Tesla Model Y LR AWD
Price: $47,990
Power: 384 horsepower
Battery capacity: 81 kWh (estimated)
Range: 287-308 miles
IRA tax credit: yes, $7,500
Photo: Tesla
Despite Tesla critics claiming otherwise, the Model Y is the best electric vehicle money can buy. It’s no wonder Tesla crossover is the best-selling car in many markets, even when considering combustion vehicles. Add to that the benefit of having the Supercharger network at your service, and you see why most people considering an electric car have the Model Y at the top of their list.
The Model Y offers impressive features, including huge interior and trunk space, which allows Tesla to provide a three-row configuration. This is an optional feature available only on the Long Range AWD variant and will add $2,000 to the price of the car. The space for third-row passengers is not great, but it can be useful for short trips.
The Tesla Model Y LR AWD can go up to 308 miles on a charge when configured with 19-inch wheels. The 20-inch Induction wheels add $2,000 to the configuration while also causing the range to drop to 287 miles. Thanks to a massive improvement in the suspension comfort, the Tesla Model Y should provide a fairly smooth ride, even in the third row.
Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV
Price: from $53,050
Power: 188-288 horsepower
Battery capacity: 71 kWh
Range: 207-251 miles
IRA tax credit: No
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is one of the best-packaged battery-electric crossovers on the market, with plenty of space in a small footprint. Like the Tesla Model Y, it also offers the option of a third row, although the space is better suited for children or short trips. Adding the third row of seats will set you back $1,250, which is pretty neat for a Benz.
The fit and finish are in the Mercedes-Benz territory, although the selection of materials could have better reflected its luxury-car status. The pricing is very sensible considering the badge, starting at $53,050. No federal tax credit is offered for the German crossover, though.
Offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, the Mercedes-Benz EQB provides decent performance despite a relatively underpowered drivetrain. The most powerful version is the EQB 350 4Matic, with 288 horsepower from a dual-motor configuration. The efficiency is not impressive since the EQB is built on an ICE architecture inherited from its brother GLB. That’s why a 71-kWh battery can only provide a maximum range of 251 miles in the FWD EQB 250+.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Price: from $104,400
Power: 355-536 horsepower
Battery capacity: 118 kWh
Range: 330-339 miles
IRA tax credit: No
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Slightly shorter than the gas-powered Mercedes-Benz GLS, the EQS SUV is basically a slightly raised version of the Mercedes-Benz EQS. This offers a solid base, considering that the electric sedan was the first model built on the new EVA architecture. It’s also the first Mercedes-Benz software-defined vehicle, which means you’ll find advanced connectivity options and enjoy new features added with software updates.
Luxurious as you’d expect, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV will not benefit much from the impressive aerodynamics of its sedan brother. The EQS sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.2, the lowest of a production car when it was launched. However, the EQS SUV loses points in this department, which means it also loses range. Still, with at least 330 miles for the dual-motor variants, the EQS SUV still offers an impressive range.
The third row will cost you $1,250 extra, the same as for the EQB above, which shows that Mercedes-Benz can be price-conscious even in its top-of-the-line models. The fact that the EQS SUV costs the same as the sedan can be regarded as another trick to make the SUV more attractive to customers.
Three-row electric SUVs arriving later in 2024
Volvo EX90
Price: starting at $79,995
Power: 402-510 horsepower
Battery capacity: 111 kWh
Range: 296-308 miles
Photo: Volvo
When it arrives late this year, the EX90 will be the first Volvo built in the US at the company’s plant in South Carolina. Volvo announced a starting price of $79,990, but the SUV is not yet eligible for the EV tax credit. The Scandinavian 7-seater will come packed with technology, although things went rough on the software front, causing delivery delays.
Equipped with a 111-kWh battery pack, the electric SUV can travel up to 308 miles on a charge. Volvo also promises fast charging times, with less than 30 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%. The EX90 relies on an up to 510 horsepower dual-motor setup, with a less powerful variant developing 402 horsepower.
The Volvo electric flagship is one of the few native 7-seat SUVs on the market, providing plenty of space for third-row passengers. For $500 extra, you can configure the EX90 with two individual seats in the second row, turning it into a six-seater.
Cadillac Escalade iQ
Price: starting at $127,700
Power: 750 horsepower
Battery capacity: 247 kWh
Range: up to 460 miles
Photo: Cadillac
The Cadillac Escalade is arguably the brand’s most successful model, and GM wants to preserve this attribute in the EV era. The electric Escalade is longer than the gas-powered variant and only three inches shorter than the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV. This offers luxurious space and comfort even on the third row. If that’s not enough, rest assured that Cadillac is preparing a long-wheelbase version.
Mechanically, the Cadillac Escalade IQ is based on the GMC Hummer EV SUV, which tops at 830 horsepower. However, initial specifications list 750 horsepower as the maximum power available. This means the Escalade IQ will be a tad slower, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Expect the same 247-kWh battery pack, of which 213 kWh are usable.
Despite keeping the enormous proportions of the Escalade SUVs intact, the IQ variant will likely feature a more streamlined design, with cues borrowed from other Cadillac models such as the Lyriq and Celestiq. Aerodynamics is essential for an electric vehicle, and even more so for a big boxy SUV like the Escalade IQ.
Lucid Gravity
Price: starting under $80,000
Power: up to 800 horsepower
Battery capacity: TBD
Range: over 440 miles
Photo: Lucid Motors
Lucid officially unveiled the Gravity SUV in November 2023, with plans to start production later this year. The latest information indicates that the EV startup began Gravity pre-production at its Casa Grande, Arizona factory. Judging by the design, Lucid designers love station wagons, although they have fallen out of fashion lately.
Thanks to the 800 horsepower of its electric powertrain, the seven-seat SUV promises exhilarating performance, with 3.5 seconds needed to reach 60 mph (97 kph). Like its little brother, the Air sedan, the Gravity SUV will have an unusually long range. Lucid estimated it at over 440 miles, although it didn’t offer technical details about the battery pack.
The Gravity SUV should start sales this winter if things go smoothly and Lucid doesn’t go bankrupt by then. Price estimates begin at $80,000, putting it on a collision course with the Tesla Model X. However, that would make it more affordable than the Lucid Air. This doesn’t make sense, considering that Lucid is losing tons of money and is desperate to reach profitability as soon as possible.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
Price: TBD
Power: 201-379 horsepower
Battery capacity: 76-100 kWh
Range: 230-304 miles
Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai is set to launch the three-row SUV this year at the LA Auto Show. This is the sister model of the Kia EV9, so expect pretty much identical specifications. The design will closely mirror the Seven concept that Hyundai unveiled in 2021 in LA. Although the concept’s name suggested this might be named Ioniq 7, it’s more likely to be called Ioniq 9.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 will use the same E-GMP architecture as the Kia EV9. This means that the Hyundai seven-seater will feature two battery options, at 76 kWh and 100 kWh, respectively. The latter will be enough for over 310 miles of range in an RWD configuration with a 201-horsepower electric motor. The AWD variant boasts 379 horsepower thanks to a dual-motor setup.
Like its Kia sibling, the Ioniq 9 will come with swiveling captain’s chairs in the second row. Expect less headroom for the third-row passenger, considering the Hyundai Ioniq 9 has a sloped roofline. Deliveries are planned for late 2024, although Hyundai might choose to open the order books sooner.