Many drivers pick SUVs for comfort and impressive off-road capabilities. They are, undoubtedly, great travel companions. 

A comfortable SUV seat is vital because long road trips may take you over bumpy roads and rugged terrain. Conventional bench seats don’t offer optimal comfort. This is why manufacturers actively make SUV models with captain seats. 

Today we are going to talk about captain seats, discuss their pros and cons, and provide you with a list of the best SUVs with captain seats. 

Captain seats are a new offering on the market, slowly making their way to many popular SUV models. Compared to standard bench seats, they look exactly like the driver's seat and fit a single person. You can usually find captain seats in the second row.

If you like going on long car trips with friends and family, an SUV with captain seats may be the ideal choice. Bench seats offer far less comfort and make passengers “rub elbows” with each other while offering limited legroom.

As was mentioned, captain seats are similar to the driver's seat. They are individually installed for each passenger and provide exceptional lumbar support. Comfort is significantly better as you don’t have to squeeze in and adjust with others. All passengers have enough legroom, get 3-point seatbelt support, and can recline their seats to their heart’s content. Plus, the seats are easier to move in whenever someone in the third row doesn’t have enough space. 

However, you will surely notice that you can’t fit as many passengers with captain seats. They are generally more expensive and tend to be somewhat inconvenient because it renders the space in the middle unusable due to their placement. There are even car models where you can’t fold the seats individually, making it difficult to get and exit the back two rows. 

Now let us talk about specific SUV brands and models with captain seats. 

When you shop for such SUVs, keep in mind that they usually are three-row and offer enough room for six or seven passengers. Captain seats allow you to play around with space and fold, decline, or recline them. Among recently-made cars, there are three that we can solidly recommend: 

The Subaru Ascent made its debut just a few years back and took the spot as the largest SUV in Subaru’s lineup. It’s notable for its extensive list of standard and optional driver aids, a slick infotainment system, and a classy interior made of high-quality materials. 

The car can fit seven passengers while also providing enough legroom for comfort. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for all-wheel drive and off-road capabilities. Plus, it comes with second-row captain seats on the up-level Premium and Limited trims. 

The recently redesigned 2022 Chevrolet Suburban has loads of interior space and solid V8 engine options. It offers a notably more comfortable ride due to a new independent rear suspension, an air spring, and adaptive shock absorbers.

The Suburban is also fitted with captain seats that slide forward and backward and fold to provide easy access to the third row. Choose a High Country, Premier, or LT trim and prepare for a very comfortable road trip!

The 2022 Ford Expedition is a roomy SUV that sits at the top of the lineup. It is a truck-based SUV that more closely resembles the Ford F-150 than the Escape or Explorer. This vehicle excels at towing, while the spacious interior offers excellent comfort.

In this model, captain seats are in the second row. To have them on board, pick any trim starting from Limited (where captain seats are an option) to replace the middle bench with captain seats. The King Ranch and Platinum trims offer captain seats as standard equipment.

Ford’s captain seats offer a convenient folding feature that makes them easy to tip forward and slide when climbing into the rear of the vehicle. 

If you’re looking to maximize passenger comfort on long trips, it’s a great idea to consider SUVs with a captain’s seat option. While you won’t be able to fit three passengers in the second row, captain seats offer outstanding comfort for up to four passengers. 

Real insights from real owners

© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.

© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.