The Best SUVs with Captain Seats

If you’re in the market for a new SUV, why wouldn’t you want an SUV with captain seats? Find which vehicles equip you with captain's thrones of your own.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you haven’t sat in one, have you really even lived? Captain’s seats kick traditional bench seats to the curb and provide maximum flexibility and comfort for
SUV
passengers. 
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, checks out thebest three-row SUVs equipped with second-row captain’s seats.

Why you should buy an SUV with captain seats

Captain seats bring front seat features and comforts to the second row. Each chair can be adjusted to suit individual needs and usually include inboard armrests. Children can easily access the third row without having to move a second-row chair (depending on configuration). 
Separate seats can also be an invaluable tool for parents to keep bickering siblings separate. According to
Cars.com
, “Some captain’s chairs have tilt-and-slide access to the third row that lets parents leave an empty forward-facing child seat installed while giving passengers access to the wayback—something few second-row bench seats allow.”
Assuming the third row can actually fit three passengers, choosing an SUV with Captain’s Chairs will drop the seat count to seven. Cars like the Kia Sorento, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, or Volkswagen Atlas only offer seating for two riders in their third row. So essentially, having an SUV with captain's chairs could drop your seating down to six.
High-end SUVs like the new Lexus LX, the Land Rover Range Rover, or the Bentley Bentayga offer four-seat configurations with roomy and plush captains “thrones” in the second row.
Other captain seat variations are found in high-end SUVs such as the Bentley Bentayga and the new Lexus LX  and Land Rover Range Rover: a four-seat configuration with a spacious second row featuring plush captain’s “thrones” and luxury fittings without the third row.
Unless you’re opting for a more expensive trim level, incorporating captain’s chairs will likely be an extra cost, even with the most mainstream SUVs. To get captain's chairs on the 2022 Honda Pilot, you must first shell out $6,000 for the Touring trim, and then another $300 for the chairs.
MORE: According to U.S. News These Are the Best SUVs of 2022
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Top-notch SUVs with captain seats: Part 1

Everyone loves the off-roading
2022 Toyota Highlander
. The popular family SUV offers lots of flexibility with a large interior, three rows, and a large range of features. The midsize SUV sports a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 hp and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid version with 243 hp. 
The practical SUV with captain seats comes with a standard 8.0-inch infotainment system on basic trims, and a 12.3-inch screen with an upgrade. 
The
2022 Volvo XC90
family SUV is more attractive than most, sporting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. You can also opt for the FWD 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, plus a supercharged version that cranks out 316 hp. The plug-in hybrid is eco-friendly and pumps out a whopping 455 hp. 
The interior of this SUV with captain seats is where it's at. With high-end materials and a suite of safety features, your family will be as safe as they are comfortable. Lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring all come standard. 
While Acura isn’t quite known for its SUVs, the redesigned ​​2022 Acura MDX is worth a look. The luxury crossover features a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 hp and a 10-speed automatic transmission. 
The three-row SUV comes with the ability to get second-row bucket seat captain’s chairs. French-stitched leather covers the dash, giving us major luxury vibes. You’ll also get seats with 16-way power adjustments and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

Top-notch SUVs with captain seats: Part 2

If you’ve got expensive energy, but don’t have the cash to back it up, the 2023 Kia Telluride may be your jam. The premium quality ride gives drivers a sleek, low-profile alternative with plenty of functionality. The redesigned SUV with captain seats offers a naturally-aspirated V6 engine with 291 hp and 262lb-ft of torque.
The responsive ride has a more high-end feel than other more expensive luxury SUVs. Drivers will receive a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an available Nappa leather dash and center console. 
The 2022 Hyundai Palisade far exceeds its class. The smooth SUV with captain seats sports a 3.8-liter V6 engine that cranks out 291 hp. It’s also great for towing vehicles or campers, as it has a 5,000-pound capacity. 
All Palisade trims except the base come with standard second-row captain’s chairs. For its category, the interior is luxurious and comfy, with better legroom in all rows than many of its rivals. The 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is user-friendly and intuitive. 
If you want a hefty full-size SUV, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban is calling your name. Recently redesigned, the Chevy lets drivers choose between a strong V8 engine or a turbo diesel engine. 
Its second-row captain’s chairs not only slide forward and backward, but they flip forward, too!
The captain’s seats are available at the LT trim level, and come standard on the seven-seater High Country and Premiere trims.
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