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Versatility is what sets the SUV segment apart, and for the most part, this comprises SUVs with fold-flat seats. This classification is known for its practicality, and the ability to drop down the back seats and increase interior volume for maximum storage takes things to a whole other level. This makes SUVS and crossovers with fold-flat seats the best of the best when it comes to hauling cargo. Some even go so far as to allow you the option of folding the front passenger seat for an even larger cargo area inside the cabin. Virtually every SUV on sale – including high-scoring models from Genesis, Volvo, and Cadillac – in America has back seats that can fold down, so let’s look at the best of them in more detail.

2025 Lexus NX Hybrid

Base Trim Engine

2.5L I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

41/37/39 MPG

Base MSRP

$45,125

Base Trim Horsepower

203 hp

2025 Lexus RX

Base Trim Engine

2.5L I4 ICE

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

22/29/25 MPG

Base MSRP

$48,975

Base Trim Horsepower

275 HP @6000 RPM

2025 Volvo XC40

Engine

2.0 L Inline 4 Mild hybrid

Horsepower

247 hp @ 5,400 rpm

Drivetrain

All wheel drive

Base MSRP

$40,650

2025 Acura MDX

Engine

3.5-liter V6

Horsepower

290 hp

Drivetrain

FWD or AWD

2025 Chevrolet Blazer

Engine

2.0 L Inline 4 Gas, 3.6 L V6 Gas

Horsepower

228 hp @ 5,000 rpm – 308 hp @ 6,700 rpm

Base MSRP

$35,400

2025 Mazda CX-50

Base Trim Engine

2.5L SKYACTIV-G I4 ICE

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

25/31/28 MPG

Base MSRP

$30,300

Base Trim Horsepower

187 hp

2025 Genesis GV80

Engine

2.5L Turbo Inline-4 | 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo V6

Horsepower

300 hp (I4) | 375 hp (V6)

Drivetrain

AWD

Base MSRP

$58,700

2025 Genesis GV70

Base Trim Engine

2.5L I4 ICE

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

22/28/24 MPG

Base MSRP

$45,700

2025 Volvo XC90

Base Trim Engine

2L I4 Hybrid

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

22/27/24 MPG

Base MSRP

$58,450

Base Trim Horsepower

247 HP @5400 RPM

Characteristics Of SUVs With Fold-Flat Rear Seats

Most SUVs and crossovers today allow you to fold the rear seats flat, and some even allow the front passenger seat to fold, too. Here are the defining characteristics of an SUV with fold-flat rear seats:

• Design: Naturally, the primary defining factor is the ability to fold down the seats at all. Most SUVs in the USA are able to do this, not only to stow away the third row in case it isn’t necessary, but to enhance cargo-hauling capacity overall. On rare occasions, you may even find an SUV with a fold-flat front passenger seat. In most cases, it is just the second or third rows that fold down.
• Practicality and Versatility: Since fold-down seats improve cargo capacity, and thereby practicality, it only makes sense that vehicles that already focus on this aspect would add the feature. Large cargo areas with adjustable floors are common within this category. This means you can also create seating space for as many passengers as you want, on a whim. Some SUVs even come with a fold-flat front passenger seat.
• Technology: To make it easier to fold the seats, many vehicles that fit into this classification include power-folding functionality. Power sliding is also useful in cars that have three rows of seating, and a power liftgate with hands-free technology is just as useful.
• Price: You can expect pricing to follow the regular scaling according to size, with higher MSRPs as you move through the compact, midsize, and full-size categories when it comes to an SUV with flat-folding seats.

Related

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If you need to seat six or more people, all of these three-row SUVs are up for the job.

What To Consider Before Buying SUVs Or Crossovers With Fold-Flat Seats

Most modern vehicles allow you to fold down the rear seats in some capacity or other, although some sedans don’t offer this at all. Some, like SUVs and crossovers, are better suited to it. If you’re looking for the best crossover or SUV with flat fold-down seats, keep the following in mind:

Pros

• Various cargo area sizes, depending on which seats you fold
• Power folding is a great bonus that really speeds things up
• An adjustable cargo floor helps you customize the area even more
• Turns an impractical three-row SUV into a cargo-hauling beast
• Folding front passenger seats make it easy to transport longer items

Cons

• Captain’s chairs don’t really fold at all, so this applies mainly to those with bench-type seats
• Extra friction on moving parts causes wear and tear
• Folding the seats decreases the number of passengers you can carry
• Larger, heavier SUVs are pricier and heavier on gas

What SUVs have seats that fold into the floor?

Almost every SUV offers fold-flat seats. They will, however, differ in how easy it is to fold the seats, how flat the floor is with the seats folded, and how much space is available with the seats folded.

What is the best SUV for sleeping in?

When you fold the rear seats flat in an SUV, you create a great area for a mattress or just some blankets that can serve as a makeshift sleeping area in a pinch. This could be useful when you’re out camping or even if your car should break down in the middle of nowhere. Some models that excel at this include the:

• Volkswagen Atlas
• Ford Expedition
• Chevrolet Suburban
• Hyundai Santa Fe

Which SUV has the most cargo space with the seats folded down?

The Chevrolet Suburban offers a whopping 144.7 cubic feet of total cargo area when you fold all the seats down. This is the same as the GMC Yukon XL, which shares a platform with the Chevy.

Which SUVs seat the most passengers?

Though rare, there are a few SUVs that can actually seat up to nine occupants. This requires trading out the standard front-row seats for a bench, which can be a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

What about fold-flat front passenger seats?

Traditionally, rear seats are the ones that fold down for storage space. But the ability to fold the front passenger seat flat means you can load longer items without a fuss, too. Naturally, this means you won’t be able to carry any passengers, but it does help in a pinch.