Which Mercedes-Benz SUVs have a third row?

The five SUVs with seven seats

Model years are the ones mbusa.com shows today.

• GLB 250 4MATIC (2026): five seats, seven optional. A 2.0L turbo four with mild hybrid drive, 221 hp.
• EQB 300 4MATIC (2025 on mbusa.com): five seats, seven optional, fully electric. 225 hp combined and 205 miles of EPA-estimated range.
• GLE 450 4MATIC (2027): five seats, seven optional. A 3.0L turbo inline-6 with mild hybrid drive, 375 hp, and 7,700 lbs of towing.
• EQS 400 4MATIC SUV (2027): five seats, seven optional, fully electric. 355 hp and 3,500 lbs of towing.
• GLS 450 4MATIC (2027): six seats standard, seven optional. The same 375-hp inline-6, and 7,700 lbs of towing. The GLS 580 4MATIC has a 4.0L V8 biturbo with mild hybrid drive, 530 hp.

How much room the third row really has

Third-row legroom is the number to look at, and Mercedes-Benz USA publishes it for three of the five:

• GLS: 34.6 in of third-row legroom
• GLB and EQB: 29.1 in of third-row legroom, 34.8 in of headroom and 43.8 in of shoulder room
• GLE 450 and EQS SUV: Mercedes-Benz USA lists the optional third row but no third-row dimensions

Occasional seats or everyday seats

I sort third rows into two kinds. In the GLB, EQB, GLE and EQS SUV, the third row is for occasional use: kids, carpool days, the cousins who are in town for a weekend. In the GLS, it's a row you can use every week.

The second row tells the same story. The GLS lists 41.4 inches of second-row legroom, the GLE 40.9 and the GLB and EQB 38.1. Folding the third row gives you the cargo space back: the GLB is listed at 12.4 to 62.0 cu ft, the EQB at 25.9 to 61.8, the GLE at 33.3 to 74.9, and the GLS at 17.4 to 84.9.

Mercedes-Benz USA also describes five-zone climate control for the GLS, with a zone of its own for the third row. On a Florida summer afternoon, whoever is sitting in the back will notice.

GLE or GLS: the comparison most families end up making

The GLE 450 4MATIC and the GLS 450 4MATIC share the same 375-hp engine and the same 7,700 lbs of towing. What you get with the GLS is a bigger SUV built around the third row: 205.4 inches long against 193.8 for the GLE, the published 34.6 inches of third-row legroom, half an inch more second-row legroom, and 84.9 cu ft of cargo space with the seats folded against 74.9 in the GLE.

What you get with the GLE is a shorter, easier SUV to park that can still seat seven when you need it. If the third row gets used once a month, the GLE is usually enough. If it gets used every week, or by adults, I'd point you to the GLS.

Electric with a third row

Two electric Mercedes-Benz SUVs offer a third row today. The EQB is the compact one and shares the GLB's third-row dimensions. The EQS SUV is the large, luxury one, with 355 hp in the EQS 400 4MATIC SUV.

Mercedes-Benz USA has also announced an all-new 2027 GLB with seating for up to seven, due in dealerships in early 2027, and an all-electric 2027 GLB. If you're shopping for a compact seven-seater and can wait, ask me where those stand.

Match the SUV to how often the third row gets used

For a third row the kids use now and then, in an SUV that is easy to park, look at the GLB, or the EQB if you want electric. For a large electric SUV with an occasional third row, the EQS SUV. For seven seats plus real towing in a mid-size SUV, look at the GLE 450. If adults ride in the third row, or it's used every week, go with the GLS.

Before you buy, put the tallest person who'll ride back there in the third row, with the second row set where you'd actually use it. It takes five minutes.

Questions people ask

Which Mercedes SUV has the most third-row room?

The GLS, with 34.6 inches of third-row legroom listed by Mercedes-Benz USA. It is also the only Mercedes-Benz SUV with three rows in every version.

Does the GLE have a third row?

As an option on the GLE 450 4MATIC. The GLE 350 4MATIC seats five.

Is there an electric Mercedes SUV with seven seats?

Yes. The EQB and the EQS SUV both offer an optional third row, and Mercedes-Benz USA has announced an all-electric 2027 GLB.

Does the GLC have a third row?

No. The GLC seats five in every version.

Models in this guide

• Mercedes-Benz GLB
• Mercedes-Benz GLE
• Mercedes-Benz GLS

Keep reading

• GLC vs GLE: which one to buy
• Which Mercedes-Benz SUV fits you
• See the SUVs on the lot