Ok, now we're talking. We have three kids so we needed a usable 3rd row up to adult size, along with storage space behind the seat. Our criteria were good feature content, reasonable perceived quality, second row captain's chairs, and at least decent to drive. We did not even consider a large body on frame SUV because I already have a gas guzzling truck and neither of us like huge vehicles. Plus you really don't get a lot of practicality for that big huge Tahoe or Expedition.
Our final list:
Dodge Durango R/T - this is the sport model with the Hemi. It was the best to drive of all options, had nice feature content, offered captain's chairs, had a decent third row, had ok room behind the 3rd row, and did I mention the Hemi? Negatives were a real lack of storage inside and a cheap feeling interior, and it's on the big side for us. If you don't care about the Hemi you can get a V6 and it's still a nice driving SUV.
Ford Explorer Sport Ecoboost - again the sport model, this time with the turbo V6. Again really nice to drive, fairly nice interior, good features, available captain's chairs, good 3rd row, good room behind the 3rd row. Downside was not very comfy seats and sorta weird ergonomics up front.
Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost AWD - we bought this one, a 2017 with 5k for about $31k in mint condition. If you go a few years older they are easily in your price range. Honestly I can't say enough good about it. Great power, nice controlled but comfortable ride, surprisingly good steering and transmission, adult sided 2nd and 3rd row, available captain's chairs, huge behind the 3rd row, and I think they look cool as hell.
Other stuff to look at:
Mazda CX9 - I would have bought this one if we only had two kids. Really nice inside, great to drive, comfy second row. 3rd row is for kids only, not much space behind it.
Honda Pilot - sorta boring but ok to drive and super practical.
Infiniti QX60 - has gone by several names but it has a nice interior and good features, but was too small for us.
Acura MDX - a fancy Pilot that drives a little better, again too small for us but would meet your needs.
Mazda5 - this is oddball but we used to have one. Small outside, big inside, fun to drive, great MPG, sort of a mix between minivan SUV and hatchback. And you can get a stick!
Audi Q7 - beautiful inside and out, nice to drive, could potentially make you hate life.
MB GL - see Audi above.
Land Rover LR4 - see Audi above.
Lincoln MKT - basically a fancy Flex with less 3rd row headroom.
Stuff we didn't like:
Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia - felt super cheap and dated, very big on the outside. New Acadia is smaller but still feels cheap.
Nissan Pathfinder - also felt cheap inside, very oddly styled
Dodge Journey - had them as rentals, terrible POS
Toyota Highlander - my parents have a 2018, it's the most dull car and the transmission requires flooring to downshift.