SUVs with fold flat seats of 2022

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. 

List of SUVs and Crossovers With Fold-Flat Seats

Here is a list of every crossover and SUV with fold-flat back seats:

BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
#1
2022 Honda CR-V
8.6
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
7
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#2
2021 Ford Expedition Max
8.5
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
7
Value
#3
2022 Ford Explorer
8.3
BuzzScore
7
Design
9
Performance
7
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#4
2022 Volkswagen Atlas
8.3
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
8
Value
#5
2022 GMC Acadia
8.3
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
8
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
Unrated
2022 Ford Expedition
N/A
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
2022 Mazda CX-5
N/A
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
2023 BMW X7
N/A
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value

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.
  • Technology: To make it easier to fold the seats, many vehicles that fit into this classification include a 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 range, but since these vehicles are all about giving you the most value for money, automakers try to keep the cost down.

What To Consider Before Buying SUVs or Crossovers with Fold-Flat Seats

Most modern vehicle allows 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

FAQs About SUVS With Fold-Flat Front Passenger and Rear Seats

What SUVs have seats that fold into the floor?

Quite a few models boast this feature, especially those with three rows of seating. When not in use, the rear-most seats disappear into the cargo floor to give you access to a decent-sized trunk. Even two-row cars offer fold-flat seats, though, including the:

  • BMW X7
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Honda CR-V
  • Ford Explorer

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. Models that excel at this include the:

  • Volkswagen Atlas
  • Ford Expedition
  • GMC Acadia

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 passengers. This requires trading out the standard front-row seats for a bench, which can be a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Nevertheless, those wanting to maximize occupancy can consider the:

  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • GMC Yukon
  • Chevrolet Suburban
  • Ford Expedition

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.
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