Excluding SUVs and minivans, vehicles with three rows of seating are rare but can be found in a few new models, including the 2009 Mazda5, 2009 Kia Rondo and 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon.
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon ($57,250) is one of the few remaining wagons with a rear-facing seat. The pop-up seat is standard and when in use supplies room for up to seven occupants in the E-Class.
Some less expensive wagon-like vehicles with three rows include the Mazda5 ($17,995) and Rondo ($19,145, including optional third row). The Mazda5 comes with room for six while the Rondo has standard seating for five but with the optional third row bumps capacity to seven.
Wagons used to be the go-to vehicle when you needed more than five-person seating, but there aren’t many wagons left as SUVs, crossover SUVs and minivans have filled the market. All of the mentioned models have minimal backseat room, so don’t expect to fill the car with six or seven average-sized adults.
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Both, Rondo and Mazda5 have same problem. When you put passengers on that 3rd row, you out of trunk. Mazda5 is notorious for being a 4 passenger car. Really, Mazda3 with 4 comfortable seats and more cargo, or Mazda3 with 4adults+2 children seating + no cargo.
Rondo is better in this way. You have 5 pass car + cargo.
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there is no way that that third row is safe for anyone larger than a small child. its just too small.
the Mazda5 is pretty much a minivan, its just a mini-minivan. the rondo would probably be the only vehicle that isnt a minivan or SUV and has three rows
that is if you count the R-Class or dead Taurus X as SUV's, but those are just bloated wagons. you could probably find some new 2008 Taurus X's for sale. they did not sell well.