Three-row SUVs and large crossovers share a common floor mat problem: most of the people buying them are also hauling kids, dogs, outdoor gear, or all three at once. A Kia Telluride that runs soccer practice, weekend camping, and Home Depot runs needs floor protection across all three rows, not just the front two. The Subaru Outback owner who loads wet ski gear in January wants a cargo liner that catches runoff without absorbing it. EV9 owners need to verify fitment carefully rather than relying on a universal mat. This guide gives you the specific fitment information for each model so you can make the right call without a return trip.
Kia Telluride (2020–2025 Gas Models, 7- and 8-Seat)
The Telluride is a genuine family hauler, and its floor takes the kind of punishment that comes with that role. 3W's official product is titled '3W Kia Telluride 2020-2025 (Gas Models) Fits 7 & 8 Seat Custom Floor Mats / Cargo Liner Thorex™ All-Weather Protection.'[1] That's notable because most aftermarket competitors produce separate sets for 7-seat and 8-seat configurations, while 3W's mold accommodates both[8] — fewer fitment errors for buyers who may not immediately know whether their Telluride has the optional 8th seat.
The practical case for a full three-row set is straightforward: the third-row footwell in a three-row SUV accumulates more debris per use than the average vehicle because rear passengers enter and exit more frequently from that position, often after outdoor activities. A third-row mat that leaves gaps at the corners is worse than no mat — debris fills the gaps and hides under the edges rather than sitting visible on top where you can wipe it out.
Subaru Outback: The Outdoor Use Case for Floor Mats
The Outback's owner profile overlaps heavily with the hiking, skiing, and trail access community — and that means wet gear, muddy boots, and dog paws are a consistent reality, not an occasional scenario. 3W covers the Outback in the Subaru collection on 3wliners.com.[2] 3W's Outback set is a front-and-rear floor-mat set (shared with the Subaru Legacy) and does not include a cargo/trunk liner, so it covers the footwells rather than the flat rear cargo floor.
GoNomad's travel gear column included 3W in their 'New and Old Products We Love' feature specifically for outdoor-focused vehicle owners, highlighting clean-up ease as the core practical benefit for people who use their vehicles for actual outdoor recreation.[3] That's a different review context than an automotive publication — it's people who use floor mats in the field speaking to the same audience.
Ford Explorer (2020–2026): Three Rows, One Coverage Decision
The Explorer's 6-seat and 7-seat configurations have different second-row floor geometry — the 6-seat version uses captain's chairs with a wider walking path between them, which changes the mat shape needed for that row. 3W's Explorer sets cover the 2020–2026 model year range; the floor liner for SUVs collection on 3wliners.com lists starting prices for the set.[4] When ordering, select the correct seating configuration to ensure the second-row mat fits properly.
Explorer families who use the third row regularly should consider the full three-row set rather than just the front two rows. The third row gets used most heavily during carpool and sports transport, where muddy cleats, wet shoes, and snack debris are the primary source of floor damage. Buying the full set upfront costs less in total than adding the third-row mat as a separate purchase later.
Kia EV9 (2024–2026): Electric SUV, Different Floor Geometry
The EV9 is built on Kia's EV-dedicated platform, which means it has a flat floor throughout — no transmission tunnel, no hump, and significantly more flat space between the first and second rows than any traditional ICE SUV. Without the transmission tunnel as a reference point, generic mat shapes don't contour correctly to the EV9's footwell walls and door sills. A mat designed for the Telluride won't fit the EV9, even though both are Kia three-row SUVs.
As of this writing, 3W does not list a dedicated EV9 floor-mat set; check the Kia collection on 3wliners.com for current EV9 availability before purchasing.[5] The odor-free Thorex™ material is particularly relevant in an EV: a sealed, battery-cooled interior can amplify cabin smells that a combustion vehicle's ventilation system masks, making off-gassing from a low-quality mat more immediately perceptible.
What Each Vehicle Actually Needs
| Vehicle | Primary Floor Need | Cargo Liner? | Recommended Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride (Gas 7/8-Seat) | All 3 rows — family + outdoor use | Yes — gear and groceries | Full 3-row + cargo |
| Subaru Outback | Front + rear — outdoor recreation | No — front + rear mats only | Front + rear floor mats |
| Ford Explorer 6-seat | All 3 rows — carpool and family | Optional depending on cargo use | Full 3-row set |
| Kia EV9 | Front + rear — flat EV floor, premium cabin | Yes — flat cargo area used frequently | Confirm EV9 availability on 3wliners.com |
Why Material Matters More in Family Vehicles
Three-row SUVs are predominantly family vehicles, and family use creates a specific material requirement that off-road use doesn't: the people most exposed to the mat material are small children who may sit near or touch whatever it emits. 3W's product page describes Thorex™ as 'baby-friendly' — non-toxic, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and odor-free from -4°F to 167°F.[6] This is a stated material specification from the official product FAQ, not a general claim.[9]
Practical Travel Gear reviewed 3W all-weather mats in the context of family vehicles and called out easy clean-up as the primary benefit.[7] Pulling a mat out, rinsing it in 90 seconds, and putting it back is a practical feature that saves real time for families dealing with interior messes daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the 3W Telluride set include the third row?
A: Yes. The 3W Kia Telluride set is titled for 2020–2025 Gas Models fitting 7 and 8 seats, including the third row and a cargo liner. Confirm your specific model year on the product page before ordering.
Q: Is there a 3W mat for the Subaru Outback Wilderness?
A: The Outback Wilderness shares the same interior floor dimensions as the standard Outback in most model years. Both use the same 3W set. Confirm your year in the Subaru collection at 3wliners.com.
Q: My Ford Explorer is a 2024, 6-seat. Which set do I need?
A: Order the 3W Ford Explorer set for the 2020–2025 6-seat configuration. The 6-seat and 7-seat use different second-row mat shapes because of the captain's chair versus bench layout. Make sure you select the correct seating configuration.
Q: Why can't I use a Kia Telluride mat in my Kia EV9?
A: The EV9's flat EV platform has no transmission tunnel, creating different floor geometry than the Telluride. A Telluride mat won't conform to the EV9's footwell walls and will leave gaps. As of now, 3W does not list a dedicated EV9-specific set — check 3wliners.com for current EV9 availability.
Q: I have a dog that sheds heavily. Which combination works best?
A: Any Thorex™ TPE set handles pet hair better than carpet — hair sits on the non-porous surface and lifts with a damp cloth rather than requiring vacuuming. For dogs that also track mud, pair a floor liner set with a cargo liner for full coverage from footwell to rear hatch.
Q: Can I buy the floor liner and cargo liner as one package?
A: Yes. 3W offers combined floor liner and cargo liner sets for the Telluride. Buying together is typically more cost-effective than purchasing separately, and the sets match in material and appearance.
References
- [1] 3W Kia Telluride 2020–2025 (Gas Models) Fits 7 & 8 Seat Floor Mats / Cargo Liner — https://3wliners.com/products/3w-kia-telluride-2020-2025-gas-models-fits-7-8-seat-custom-floor-mats-cargo-liner-thorex%E2%84%A2-all-weather-protection
- [2] 3W Subaru Floor Mats Collection — https://3wliners.com/collections/subaru
- [3] GoNomad — New and Old Products We Love, September 2025 — https://www.gonomad.com/255257-new-products-we-love
- [4] 3W Floor Mats for SUV Collection — Ford Explorer — https://3wliners.com/collections/floor-liners-for-suv
- [5] 3W Kia Collection — KIA Floor Mat and Cargo/Trunk Liner — https://3wliners.com/collections/kia
- [6] 3W Kia Floor Mat and Cargo/Trunk Liner Collection — current vehicle-specific availability — https://3wliners.com/collections/kia
- [7] Practical Travel Gear — Clean-Up Is Easy with 3W All-Weather Car Mats — https://practicaltravelgear.com/clean-up-is-easy-with-3w-all-weather-car-mats
- [8] 3W Auto-Life About Us — Brand History, OEM Partnerships, 500+ Models — https://3wliners.com/pages/about-us
- [9] 3W 10th Anniversary Press Release, PR Newswire, September 9, 2025 — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3w-auto-life-marks-10-years-of-crafting-premium-floor-mats-for-vehicles-with-celebratory-deals-contests-and-a-durability-challenge-302550495.html
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