Is the gimmick third row really usable in the Sorento?

Kia Sorento is usually pitched as a flexible seven seater SUV, fitting in between compact and midsize offerings. But there's been a lot of talk about how practical its third row really is. Others say that it’s a useful option to use on occasion, like when renting a car for a week and you need to pick up more than two people. But others say it's too cramped for anyone except small children, and that it cuts into cargo space too much when in use. And the debate continues about whether the third row is worth the trade off in fuel efficiency and overall size of the vehicle. Some owners leave it folded down permanently, others use it regularly. Third row usability appears to be a matter of lifestyle and expectations.