What is the most fuel efficient vehicle with three rows?

[phillymom]

Hello folks,

I thought this would be an easy question to answer with a few google searches, but it hasn't proved so easy.  We need a vehicle that fits 6.  What is the most fuel efficient three-rowed vehicle?  The 5 speed Mazda 5? The Kia Rhodo?

Or are the SUVs with three rows now more competitive in terms of fuel efficiency?

Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Marta

[sol]

Google was full of lists, which mostly focus on new models but at least it's something to compare to

http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/best-cars/209319/top-fuel-efficient-suvs-and-minivans-with-3-row-seating.jsp

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/01/top-10-fuel-efficient-three-row-suvs.html

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1070029_third-row-7-seat-family-vehicles-with-highest-gas-mileage

Summary from perusing those lists:

The Toyota Highlander hybrid gets 28 mpg city and highway.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is 31/25, so maybe even better if you mostly do highway driving.
And the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid gets 27.

Of the three, the Mitsubishi is by far the cheapest to buy new, at $24k for the base model.

[mom2_3Hs]

The Mazda5 has absolutely NO storage room when you use all three rows (like you can't fit a regular sized suitcase, unless you sandwich it between the two people sitting the middle row.

[5oclockshadow]

I believe the Nissan Rogue (2014 and 2015 models have 3 rows) is both cheaper to buy and gets better mileage (33mpg highway) than any mentioned thus far.

[lizzzi]

Echoing what mom2 said--the Mazda 5 has very little storage room. I had trouble fitting groceries for a family of five in the back of it when all the seats were in use.

[dunhamjr]

I believe the Nissan Rogue (2014 and 2015 models have 3 rows) is both cheaper to buy and gets better mileage (33mpg highway) than any mentioned thus far.

only cheaper than some of them... and only if you are thinking new.

2014 rogue starts at $25k.
2014 mazda5 starts around $21k.
2014 outlander is around $25k.

but you can get a used highlander hybrid with 3 row seating for as low as $10k. 
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ctd/4845347660.html

though $15k is more likely.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4835215539.html

[jerekson]

We purchased a 2001 Mercury Sable LS wagon with 3rd row seat several years ago--seats 7 with the fold-down back seat (same car as the Taurus from the same years). The 2004 was about the last year for this wagon. If you can get one with low mileage, the mpg will still be good. We get about 27-29 hwy and 23-24 city. At the time, the best SUVs and vans were only getting 18. Another upside, these are priced great!