Jeep Third-Row Seating: Which Jeep Vehicles Have It?
When you buy a Jeep, you’re guaranteed stylish good looks and rugged power, but it can be difficult to cram in all your friends and family for that next adventure. Third-row seating is not standard in all Jeep vehicles, but the good news is that Jeep now offers three models, the Grand Cherokee L, the Wagoneer, and the Grand Wagoneer, with third-row seating to fit between seven and eight passengers. Here we’ll explore these Jeep three-row SUVs with size and seating for all the people you love.
Which Jeep Models Have Third-Row Seating?
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the first Jeep model with third-row seating since the discontinued Jeep Commander. Introduced in spring 2021, the L is the fifth generation of the popular Grand Cherokee SUV line. It seats up to seven passengers and has ‘Best in Class’ second-row legroom, more than the Jeep Compass, so there’s plenty of space to stretch those gams. The second-row seats fold and slide forward to give you convenient access to the third-row, which has 30.3 inches of legroom, comparable to the Ford Explorer and the Kia Telluride. Plus you can fold all the seats flat to haul your skis, tools, or other gear, for 85 cubic feet of total cargo space.
To seamlessly incorporate the new third-row of seating, the L is larger and longer than the old two-row Grand Cherokee. It’s extended out by 15.1 inches and is 2.2 inches wider. The wheelbase has grown by seven inches, for a total of 121.7 inches. Including the front seats, the interior passenger volume has increased from 105 cubic feet to 159.1 cubic feet. With the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s increased size, you feel that extra space in the luxurious cabin interior, which comes standard with leather seats in every trim except the Laredo.
All 2021 Grand Cherokee L models come standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, brake assist, lane-keeping assist, and other top-of-the-line safety features. Under the hood, the base model has a classic 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with start-stop, 290 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque, 6,200-pound towing capacity, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. You can upgrade to a more powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine on the Overland and Summit trims, which buys you 357 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque, and 7,200-pound towing capacity. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has optional four-wheel drive, optional air suspension (which increases ground clearance), and comes standard with five terrain modes: auto, sport, rock, snow, and mud/sand. You’ll have the same Jeep “go anywhere” off-roading capability with the added bonus of a roomier and more versatile cabin.
Available now at your local dealer, the base model of the Grand Cherokee L starts at just under $40,000, with the Summit trim coming in on the high end at about $55,000. A 4xe plug-in hybrid model is predicted for 2022.
Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
First introduced in 1962 as the original luxury SUV but discontinued in 1991, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer roared back to life this summer. The 2022 Wagoneers provide Jeep fans with the size and versatility that the Wagoneer is known for but now with an opulent interior that includes dynamic third-row seating. Both the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer come with either a second-row bench seat (with seating for eight) or second-row captain’s chairs (with room for seven), and can be adjusted for additional legroom, comfort, recline angle, and cargo space. The second-row seats can fold and slide forward, giving you easier access to the third-row of seats. The Wagoneer has 6.3 inches more third-row legroom, too, than the Grand Cherokee L. Both second and third-row seats can be folded flat for additional cargo space with 116 cubic feet and 94 cubic feet of total storage for the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer, respectively. You’ll have the seating space to load your friends and family, but you can easily convert both Wagoneer models to haul your gear for adventures or materials for home improvement projects.
Although the Wagoneers look similar to the Grand Cherokee L, they are 4.0 inches taller, 6.3 inches wider, and 9.8 inches longer. They’re all available with larger wheelbases, making them comparable to the Suburban, Yukon XL, Expedition Max, Escalade ESV, and Navigator L. Both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have lavish interiors with leather seats, wood accents, aluminum trim, and the option for individual touchscreens for passengers in the front seats and second row. But what makes the Grand Wagoneer “grand”? It has next-level quality in powertrains, stylings, interior layout, and equipment, with up to 75 inches of total touchscreen space throughout the cabin. Both vehicles, however, have a luxurious modern interior that is perfect for a large and active family.
Under the hood, the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer are powered by V8 engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions, which gives them that trademark Jeep power. The Wagoneer has a 48-volt eTorque hybrid system with electric assist, which provides 404 pound-feet of torque and a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the Grand Wagoneer, which has a more powerful engine but is heavier, provides 455 pound-feet of torque and can tow 9,860 pounds. These premium three-row Jeeps feature the newest four-wheel drive off-road system. Wagoneers come equipped with four-corner air suspension and have five terrain modes--auto, sport, rock, snow and mud/sand--as well as hill-descent control. They also come standard with driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection. So while the Wagoneers provide that same Jeep power and off-roading capability, these state-of-the-art tech features ensure a safe ride too.
Both three-row Jeeps went on sale this summer. The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer ranges between $60,000 and $75,000, although the base version won't arrive until later this year. The Grand Wagoneer starts at $89,000, with the Grand Wagoneer Series III topping out at $106,000. We expect these models to soar in popularity for those looking to buy a luxury three-row SUV.
Why Haven't There Been Third-Row Jeep Models in the Past?
Prior to 2021, Jeep didn’t equip any of its vehicles with third-row seating, save for the Commander, which was retired in 2010 after only a four-year run. The third-row of the Commander was essentially unusable, and prompted Fiat Chrysler’s late CEO, Sergio Marchionne, to say, “That car was unfit for human consumption.” The Commander was discontinued to make way for the redesign of Fiat Chrysler’s other three-row SUV, the Dodge Durango. But it’s surprising that Jeep did not offer third-row seating before the Commander or sooner after it. Many Jeep rivals like the Ford Explorer, the Kia Telluride, and Cadillac Escalade offer a third seat, which may have caused Jeep to lose some sales.
Perhaps a third-row of seating conflicted with Jeep’s off-road brand. Jeep is synonymous with rugged adventure so a reasonable answer is that it left the soccer mom kid-hauling to other makes and models. With Jeep’s off-roading capability, there’s also the safety issue. When you go mudding, you probably don’t want your vehicle packed with little ones. And if Fiat Chrysler was still making money with the Dodge Durango, there was little incentive to enter the three-row SUV market to basically compete with yourself. But now Stellantis seems to have come around to the pent-up demand from Jeep lovers for more spacious and versatile SUV options. We may see the development of more three-row Jeep models if the L and the Wagoneers rise in popularity.
How You Can Best Utilize Your Jeep Vehicle’s Third-Row
For the 2021 Grand Cherokee L or one of the 2022 Wagoneers, adjusting the seats is pretty much the same. First, you can adjust the second-row seats manually. If you want to access the third-row, press the easy entry button on the outboard side of the second-row seat back to slide the seat forward. To return the seat, push it back into position until it locks. Easy.
But if it’s additional cargo space you’re after, the second and third-row seats can be folded flat. To manually fold either of the third-row seats, pull on the release straps located on the seat back. You can also fold the seats automatically. If equipped, a one-touch power folding seat switch bank is located on the right rear trim panel inside the cargo area. From here you can fold the second and third-row seats with the push of a button. There are also power folding switches for the third-row seats located on the seat pillars just behind the rear doors on the trim panels. Second-and-third-row head restraints will lower automatically when the seats are lowered. You can also lower the third-row head restraint by pressing the headrest fold button in the UConnect system. Though this might seem like a lot of buttons, the design is pretty intuitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Have a Third-Row Seat?
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited doesn’t come with third-row seating, but there are custom aftermarket kits available. If you need that third-row of seating, here’s an install showing how you can put one in yourself.Is There a Seven Passenger Jeep?
Yes. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers exactly seven seats. Both the 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will seat seven passengers if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs.Which Jeep Models Have Eight Seats?
The 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer can seat eight passengers with a second-row bench seat option. Jeep is also relaunching the Jeep Commander in the Latin American market so there’s a chance we’ll have more eight-seat Jeep options soon in the United States as well.
Can a Jeep Wrangler Be a Family Car?
Absolutely! There is certainly space for a family. The Jeep Wrangler currently seats five passengers comfortably. If you need even more seating, there are custom aftermarket kits available to convert your Jeep Wrangler to seat up to eight passengers. If you value safety in a family vehicle, Jeep scores as “good” on several major tests. While other SUVs score higher in safety ratings, the Jeep Wrangler is not unsafe in a crash and is unlikely to roll over, and the 2021 Wrangler still scored “great” in the JD Power Quality and Reliability rating. So while it’s not as safe or dependable as some competitor SUVs, you can still feel comfortable carting around your family. Besides, the Wrangler is designed for extreme off-roading and adventure, which can be a benefit depending on your type of family. Camping, anyone?