Honda CR-V 3rd Row Seating (Does It Exist?)

If you’re looking for a family SUV, the Honda CR-V should definitely be on your radar. However, since the CR-V is a compact SUV, you may wonder if it is available with three-row seating.

In this short guide, I will explain whether the CR-V offers three rows and suggest alternatives if the CR-V doesn’t meet your needs.

3rd-Row Availability

The Honda CR-V does not offer a three-row seating option in the North American market. However, certain CR-V models in other countries have three rows and can accommodate up to seven passengers.

All North American CR-V models are designed to seat up to 5 people including the driver, with no option to add a third row.

In some Asian countries like China, Thailand, and Indonesia, Honda sells the CR-V with three rows of seats, as you can see in the picture below

If you require a third row, your best alternative is to purchase another Honda model. We will delve into this further later on.

Aftermarket 3rd-Row Seats

Although aftermarket third-row seats were once available, it’s best to forget about them now. The Honda CR-V is a two-row compact SUV not intended for three-row seating, and adding an extra seat behind the second row could pose safety issues.

Adding an aftermarket third-row seat was possible a few years ago, but now the government has deemed it unsafe.

On April 21, 2020, the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) issued a press release warning drivers against purchasing such seats. Those who already have them are advised to cease using them as these seats lack Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certification.

Here are some of the primary reasons why aftermarket third-row seats are unsafe:

• The seats are not securely attached to the vehicle
• As additional seats, they often lack proper seat belts
• The construction and specifications of the seats may not meet the minimum safety requirements
• The vehicle’s suspension is not designed to accommodate three-row seating

Alternatives to Consider

If you hope to find a CR-V with three-row seating and a capacity of up to seven passengers, this article won’t be very helpful. While the CR-V is ideal for four or five passengers, there are other Honda vehicles and brands that can meet your needs.

Here are some three-row SUVs with prices that are comparable to the Honda CR-V.

Honda Pilot

In terms of size, the Honda Pilot is 15.1 inches longer at 199.9 inches compared to the CR-V at 184.8 inches. The Honda Pilot is also slightly taller than the CR-V at 70.9 inches compared to 66.5 inches.

The Honda Pilot’s larger dimensions mean it also has a more spacious interior. All Honda Pilots come as three-row crossover SUVs for 7-8 passengers. Those of you who need extra seats will love it.

Besides having more seating capacity, the Pilot also has a bigger powerplant. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine produces up to 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque—that’s a lot of power! Yes, the Honda Pilot is also a good option if you need a family car with a powerful engine.

Your sentence is clear and correctly lists the rivals of the Honda Pilot. Here’s a slightly refined version for improved readability:

The Honda Pilot’s top rivals include the Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a family car that has been very popular in the United States. You might say, “The Odyssey is not an SUV!” Yes, you are right—the Honda Odyssey is not a crossover SUV but a minivan.

As a minivan, the Honda Odyssey boasts a spacious and comfortable interior in all three rows of seating. On top of that, the Odyssey also offers a huge cargo space.

Under the hood, the Odyssey has the same engine as the Honda Pilot: a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower. Yes, it is a powerful minivan.

A minivan is not the right choice if you need a vehicle with high ground clearance and AWD, like an SUV. But if you’re not concerned about needing those features, then the Odyssey is something to consider. After all, the Honda Odyssey is a fantastic minivan.

Recap

Unfortunately, Honda does not offer the CR-V with a three-row seat option in North America; it is only available in certain countries.

While you may have seen advertisements on social media for aftermarket third-row seats, it is not recommended to DIY a third-row seat upgrade these days due to safety concerns.

If more passenger capacity is your priority when choosing a vehicle, Honda offers other options, such as the Pilot and Odyssey, that include third-row seating.