We put a 6-foot, 3-inch fellow in the Outlook's third row, and he said it was fine. But how did Outlook get that leading legroom in the third row? By squeezing the second row. Witness the second-row legroom: Tahoe, 39.0; RAV4, 38.3; Rondo, 38.2; Pilot, 37.4; and Outlook, 36.9, the least of the bunch.
However, the Outlook's second-row seat slides rearward, providing more legroom when the third row is unoccupied or when kids back there are small enough that you can get away with squishing them.
So this legroom thing is a bit misleading. You can't have it both ways. Still, when we add the legroom of the second and third rows together, the Outlook wins with 70.1 inches; then Rondo, 69.5; RAV4, 68.3; Pilot, 67.6, and Tahoe, 64.3.
As for ease of entry, the Outlook takes the cake, at least for a vehicle that doesn't have sliding doors like a minivan. But even with sliding doors, access to the third row couldn't be improved by much over the Outlook's system, called Smart Slide. Using a massive lever on the either side of the 60/40 split seat, each side of the second row slides way forward on rails, and then the seatback tilts until it touches the back of the front seat. It's an easy one-handed operation, opening a wide path to the third row. Smart Slide is also a feature of the optional captain's chairs.
Cargo capacity with both rows folded is 116.9 cubic feet. With the third row down it's 68.9 cubic feet, and behind the third row it's 19.7, all of them healthy numbers. The third row easily folds flat, from either the second row or through the liftgate.
The rest of the Outlook interior is aces. Our XR test model had the standard cloth interior, in black, and it was comfortable and classy; Who needs leather?" asks our notes, although the leather-wrapped steering wheel in the XR is sweet. The wood trim in the XR is way prettier than that in GM's past, and the analog instruments are tidy. All the other things are present, and right. Cupholders galore, a deep console compartment, DC and 115-volt AC outlets, an attractive center stack with good HVAC controls, including standard controls for the second row on the back of the console between the seats."
