Tesla Model X is Out, But What's the Best 3-Row EV Now?

Tesla has officially thrown in the towel on the Model S and X, but if you're still in the market for a three-row electric vehicle, don't worry. There are plenty of great alternatives out there. As someone who's driven a lot of them, I'm here to break down what's available now that the original Model X is leaving the scene.

Key Takeaways

• Tesla Model X: Still available until June 2026, offers luxury and Tesla's FSD, but the third row is tight for adults and the model is being discontinued, raising questions about future support.
• Lucid Gravity: Boasts the best third-row space and impressive range, but its software still needs work, making it feel less complete.
• Rivian R1S: A strong contender for adventure, offering good space and off-road capability, with rapidly improving software.
• Kia EV9: Stands out as the best value, offering comfortable third-row seating and a great overall package for the price.
• Hyundai IONIQ 9: A promising option with good range and charging, though its styling might be divisive.
• Volvo EX90: A luxurious and quiet ride, but the third row is quite cramped.
• Cadillac IQ/IQL: Offers immense luxury and range, but comes with a very high price tag and surprisingly tight third-row space in the standard IQ.
• Mercedes EQS SUV: A luxurious option with potential for future self-driving upgrades, but it's expensive and has a small frunk.
• Tesla Model Y 7-Seater: A budget-friendly option, but the third row is extremely cramped and best suited for very small children.

The Discontinued Tesla Model X

Even though Tesla is discontinuing the Model X and S, you can still get the Model X until June 2026. It comes in 5, 6, or 7-seat configurations, and I really like the captain's chairs. It starts at almost $100,000 and includes a luxury package with free supercharging for life, four years of windshield and tire protection, and free premium connectivity. That's a pretty solid deal. You get 352 miles of range, charge from 10% to 80% in about 15 minutes at Tesla superchargers, and it drives great with excellent visibility. Tesla's FSD is still the best in the business, though I do wonder if owners will still get updates once the model is discontinued.

Compared to the Model Y, it has more space, but the third row isn't the best, especially for adults. It's okay for small kids. There's a button that slides the second-row seat forward, giving you more access. With the captain's chairs, there's an aisle, so you can actually get comfortable back there. It's a solid car, but it's also a bit outdated. Used Model X prices range from $23,000 to $55,000. However, buying used means you might have a degraded battery, reducing your range. Plus, with the discontinuation, there are questions about parts replacements and future software updates. While Tesla will likely still provide updates, it won't be a top priority over newer models.

Lucid Gravity: Space and Style, But Software Woes

The Lucid Gravity drives better than the Model X. It comes in a 5 or 7-seat option, meaning no captain's chairs. But it has the best third-row space of any three-row EV I've driven, along with great storage and tons of interior space, including a sub-trunk and the best frunk ever. Prices start at $79,900 up to $94,900, though I saw a used one for $87,000. You get 337 miles of range with the Touring model and 450 miles for the GT version. It's NACS Tesla compatible and charges incredibly fast – 200 miles in under 11 minutes.

Lucid's "Dream Drive" is their version of FSD, but it's not nearly as good as Tesla's. The main issue with Lucid has always been its software. You get random bugs that should be fixed, and it just doesn't feel like a complete car yet.

Rivian R1S: The Adventure-Ready Choice

The Rivian R1S is a 7-seater only. The third row is okay – good headroom, but legroom can be a bit cramped. Pushing a button slides the seats forward for better access. The glass roof provides a lot of light, and there are air vents, a speaker, a cup holder, and a USB-C port in the third row. Even with the second row all the way back, I could get comfortable.

Storage is great in the R1S, with space in the trunk, sub-trunk, and a massive frunk. Prices start at $76,900 for the dual motor and go up to $121,900 for the quad motor. You can find used Rivians for around $60,000. Range is between 270 and 410 miles. It has a NACS Tesla charge port, but it's on the front left. This isn't a huge issue with newer V4 superchargers that have longer cables, but you might need to get creative at some charging stations. Charging takes about 27 minutes for 10% to 80%. The R1S is like the best adventure car, especially for off-road driving. While it's super fast, especially the quad version, its boxy shape limits handling. Rivian's version of full self-driving is decent in beta and improving quickly. Rivian seems like a company that will be around for a while, expanding into things like e-bikes.

Kia EV9: The Best Value Proposition

The Kia EV9 is, in my opinion, the best value and bang for your buck. It comes in 5, 6, or 7-seat options, with captain's seats available like the Model X. The captain's chairs have electronically folding seats that move out of the way automatically. Even with the seats upright, there's a manual lever to adjust them. It's very comfortable, with air vents at the top, USB-C ports, and great visibility. You don't feel cramped in the back, even at 6'3". My knees don't touch the seat in front, and I can even put my leg in the middle if no one is sitting there.

Unfortunately, it has a super small frunk and the sub-trunk is just okay. Prices start at $54,900 up to $71,900, and you can find used ones for around $38,000. Range is 230 to 305 miles. It has a NACS port on the back right, so it's compatible with Tesla superchargers. Charging takes 24 minutes for 10% to 80%. It's a good daily driver with a decent lane-keep assist system. I think it looks great.

Hyundai IONIQ 9: A Stylish Contender

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 is another option I haven't fully reviewed yet, but it comes in 6 or 7-seater configurations with captain's chair options. Prices range from $58,955 to $76,490, with used models around $56,000. It offers 335 miles of range, a small frunk, and a sub-trunk. The second and third rows have power folding seats. While the rear styling might be a bit much for some, the boxy shape likely means a lot of interior space. Charging from 10% to 80% takes 24 minutes on 800 DC fast charging or 40 minutes on a Tesla V3 supercharger. It has a NACS port on the right side, which can be tricky with V3 chargers requiring two spots or a creative approach.

Volvo EX90: Luxury and Quiet Ride

The Volvo EX90 is comfortable, quiet, and smooth, with good power and handling. It doesn't feel boaty. You can get it in a 6 or 7-seater, with captain's chairs available. However, the third-row space is pretty cramped, a tight fit even for adults, and headroom isn't the best. It's definitely better suited for smaller kids. It's luxurious, premium, and has an amazing sound system. It also includes LiDAR for future autonomous driving features. There's a frunk and sub-trunk for smaller items. It's not cheap, starting at $81,290, but used models are around $65,000. Range is 310 miles, and charging from 10% to 80% takes about 30 minutes, which is a bit slow.

Cadillac IQ/IQL: The Status Symbol

The Cadillac IQ and the longer IQL are all about status. The IQ feels like a giant tank, but the interior is very luxurious. It comes in a 7-seater or 6-seater configuration. The IQL adds an extra 4.4 inches of legroom in the third row, as the standard IQ's third row isn't the best. It has a ginormous frunk. Prices are steep, from $130,450 up to $151,250. You get 460 miles of range. It uses CCS charging, so you'll need a Tesla adapter, but it's compatible with Tesla superchargers and charges fast – 100 miles in 10 minutes at a 350 kW max. It also features Super Cruise, which keeps the car in its lane.

Mercedes EQS SUV: Premium with Potential

The Mercedes EQS SUV is a luxurious option with a third-row option (5 or 7 seats) and 317 miles of range. With their partnership with Nvidia, it will eventually have self-driving on city streets. I tested the beta, and it works great. However, there's no frunk, and interior space isn't the best. It's a bit expensive for what it offers, but you can find used ones for around $50,000. Charging is a bit slow, taking 31 minutes for 10% to 80%. It uses CCS charging, so you'll need an adapter. The software is typical legacy car software – nothing special.

Tesla Model Y 7-Seater: A Tight Squeeze

Tesla also offers a 7-seater Model Y. The second row is a bench, and the third row has two seats. It's very cramped back there. Friends with kids who bought the third row said they never use it because it's too small and hard to get kids in and out. If you have a three-row Model Y, let me know if you actually use the third row. It starts at $51,490 with the 7-seater option and offers 327 miles of range, FSD, and supercharging. It's a great deal if you only need it for very small children.

Cadillac Lyriq-V: A Smaller Option

The Cadillac Lyriq-V is a smaller version of the IQ. It offers a 6-seater captain's chair option or a 7-seater bench. It has 305 miles of range and is expensive, ranging from $77,395 to $96,495. You can get 80 miles of range in 10 minutes. Like other Cadillacs, it has Super Cruise. It's not a bad choice considering its size, but if the Cadillac IQ has poor third-row space, the Lyriq-V likely has even less.

VinFast VF9: Proceed with Caution

I'm just kidding about the VinFast VF9 being a favorite. Watch my video for details. They've reportedly closed local stores due to decreasing sales. While Tesla is successful even discontinuing models, VinFast's situation is less certain. The VF9 comes in 6 or 7 seats. The third row has abysmal legroom, with knees and feet touching the seat in front. It's super high up. Prices start at $62,900 with 291 to 330 miles of range. Charging from 10% to 70% takes 35 minutes. The software isn't good, there's no self-driving, and the acceleration lag and steering are problematic. It's a hard pass.

Which 3-Row EV is Right for You?

While FSD 14 on the Tesla Model X is amazing, and newer models have updated hardware, other brands are catching up. Lucid and Mercedes can use Nvidia's Alpha Mayo for their self-driving, and Rivian's system is constantly improving. In a few years, these systems might rival Tesla's. However, Tesla's app and software integration remain superior. Even if Tesla stops updating the Model X, its current software is still better than most automakers'.

If you love camping, outdoors, or off-roading, the Rivian R1S is the hands-down choice. If you love driving, canyon carving, and need lots of space, the Lucid Gravity is a good option. With the Model X gone, other brands have less competition. The Model Y 7-seater is an option, but the third row is really only for small kids.

If Lucid can fix its software issues and provide a fully functioning car with all advertised features, and if their self-driving software becomes truly good, I'd get a Lucid. But right now, if I needed a three-row SUV and couldn't get a Model X, I'd go with the Rivian R1S quad motor. It's expensive, but the software and app integration are good, making it the closest thing to a Tesla experience. Or maybe the Lucid. I honestly can't decide. What do you guys think? What would you get?