If you’re someone who enjoys a bit of comfort and luxury when you’re traveling, or maybe you’re just an introvert… let’s be honest, buying an SUV with captain seats is the best investment!
Captain seats in a car can be valuable for families and for anyone who wants to provide a more comfortable ride for those in the second row. Think more space, better armrests, and easier access to the third row. Because they just look cool.
Before diving in, let’s talk about what these captain seats are and how they’re different than bench seats.
What are Captain Seats?
Captain seats are single seats that you can find in the second row of SUVs, or even in the third row. A captain’s seat or chair is not a standard bench seat because it doesn’t span the width of the car and separates the passengers, which provides some distance between passengers while allowing each one to have a dedicated space with an armrest.
Most captain seats also have additional features like recline, heated seats, or ventilation. Captain seats give passengers better lumbar support, luxury, and a first-class feeling in the vehicle.
And guess what? It’s even better for third row access because the passenger doesn’t need to climb over a middle seat to get to the back.
Pros & Cons of Captain Seats
| Pros | Cons |
| – Personalized comfort and space – Easier third-row access – Enhanced luxury look and feel – More legroom for third-row passengers | – One less passenger seat in the second row – Can reduce cargo space – Usually limited to higher trims and pricier models |
So which SUVs have this feature? Let’s get right to it!
Here are 7 of the best SUVs with captain’s chairs for 2025 that give you the right mix of style, space, and family-friendly features.
1. Kia Telluride
Don’t let its relative newness to the automotive landscape (2020) fool you! The Kia Telluride is a fan favorite.
Featuring second-row captain’s chairs when you select higher trims and offering comfort and spaciousness worth the upgrade, the Telluride is one cool ride sure to please you and your crew. It has the extra padding and armrests that feel like an upgrade even when tackling long distances.
Chairs: Extra comfortable second-row captain chairs, plentiful legroom
Price: Starting around $38,000
What Makes It Great? It’s a luxury feel at a midrange price, a comfortable ride, and a roomy third-row seat.
2. Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander
Both Toyota’s Highlander and its longer counterpart, the Grand Highlander, offer captain’s seats starting from the mid-trim level. These seats are ideal for families looking for extra space but with an eye for some separation and styling between second-row passengers.
The Highlander’s captain chairs are easy to access, making it a little less of a hassle to get to the third row. Best of all, Toyota doesn’t skimp on creature comforts.
Seats: Comfortable captain chairs with armrests, sometimes heating
Price: Starting around $40,000
Best fit: Families needing reliability and a smooth ride.
3. Ford Expedition
Big space and even bigger comfort can be found in the Ford Expedition. Captain’s chairs are an option that turns this full-size SUV into a luxury cruiser.
With these captain seats in the second row, your SUV can provide passengers a premium feel, with soft materials & support for long drives.
Seats: Roomy seats with available heating and ventilation.
Price: Starts at around $55,000.
Highlights: Lots of room for passengers, lots of room for cargo, strong V6 power.
You May Also Like Best Ford Explorer Years: Most Reliable Picks
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L features captain seats, which is an added perk for a three-row vehicle, combining off-road capability and family comfort. If you want to take the kids off-road without leaving comfort behind, your Jeep will be perfect.
The individual second-row captain chairs offer individual comfort and greater legroom, and are a small upgrade that Jeep owners feel is a bonus.
Seats: Individual padded seats with easy access to the back
Price: Starts around $50,000
Why is it unique? Jeep’s off-road capability combined with family comfort.
5. Volvo XC90
For those who want true luxury, you can’t beat the Volvo XC90. You can option this SUV with second-row captain seats that feel like first-class airplane seats.
Volvo prides itself on safety, and you can see its design focus on safety with supportive seats that have a massage function and excellent driver-assistance systems.
Volvo XC90 is one of the top picks with excellent safety ratings from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
Seats: Expansive and tech-heavy captain chairs
Price: Starts near $58,000
Why It Shines? Scandinavian design combined with high safety ratings.
6. BMW X7
The X7 is luxury at its finest, and the captain’s seats are no different, with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and a massage function.
This full-size SUV seamlessly combines performance and passenger comfort, ideal for those who want the best seats on the road.
Seats: Fully adjustable, heated, and ventilated with a massage function
Price: Starts over $85,000
Outstanding feature: Sporty feel with luxurious interiors.
7. Subaru Ascent
Finally, the Subaru Ascent is an excellent choice that combines all of the affordability and comfort of other models. The higher trim features captain seats that make the second row much more welcoming for passengers.
Subaru’s reputation for All Wheel Drive and safety complements these comfortable seats perfectly.
Seats: Comfortable with armrests, available in top trims.
Price: $38,000.
Who is it Good For? Families that want a reliable, budget-friendly SUV.
Best SUVs with Captain Seats (Summary)
| SUV Model | Starting Price (Approx. in USD) | Seating Capacity with Captains | Notable Features |
| Kia Telluride | $38,000 | 6 or 7 (with captains: 6) | Plush captain seats, upscale interior, smooth ride |
| Toyota Highlander | $40,000 | 7 or 8 (captains reduce by 1) | Reliable, comfortable captain seats, easy access |
| Ford Expedition | $55,000 | 7 or 8 (captains reduce by 1) | Spacious cabin, heated & ventilated captains |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L | $50,000 | 7 or 8 (captains reduce by 1) | Off-road capable, padded captain seats |
| Volvo XC90 | $58,000 | 6 | Luxury captains with massage, advanced safety |
| BMW X7 | $85,000+ | 6 | Luxurious seat adjustments, heated & ventilated |
| Subaru Ascent | $38,000 | 7 | Budget-friendly, comfortable captain seats in trims |
Some notable mentions include Lincoln Aviator, Lexus GS, and Acura MDX Type-S, according to Redditors.
“I ended up getting the Lincoln Aviator! Found a 2023 with under 10k miles and financed,” shared a Reddit user. “Definitely a nice ride.”
Why Choose Captain Seats?
Captain seats offer you more than comfort:
- Easier access to the third row; no climbing over a bench.
- Additional room and fewer fights on road trips.
- A little bit of luxury style without the luxury price.
Keep in mind that if you choose captain’s chairs, you are typically reducing total seating capacity by one seat from a bench.
But I’m sure, for the majority of you, the comfort and the ease of access are worth that trade-off. If you’re thinking of buying a used SUV with captain seats, make sure you know how to check the car’s history.
Bottom Line
If comfort, access, and a hint of style matter in your next SUV, captain seats are always the best bet. If I ever upgrade to an SUV from my Sedan, I definitely want a second-row captain seat SUV. My pick from this list would be the Volvo XC90 because of its excellent ratings.
