Hi, Im having my third child and he is not going to fit in our 5 seater sedan. I know the honda pilot has an option of three rows, does anyone know of or own any others? I'd really appreciate the help, obviously safety and gas mileage are also a consideration but first we have to have somewhere for our kids to sit!!!
Amanda, I believe the huge SUVs are the ones with a lot of seating. And, if you envision having your kids and playdates and all sorts of stuff to haul around for/with... I really recommend a minivan. I know, I know. I call my "The Mothership". I drive Honda Odyssey and absolutely love it. It seats 7 comfortably and you have a TON of room in the back. And, the feature of opening doors with remote comes in very handy.
Hope it helps.
Masha M.
Minivans get much better gas milleage than a large SUV will!!! They are also easier to get the kids into the third row. An SUV you'd have to fold down or move up a 2nd row seat to have access to the third row. Minivans have bucket seats in the second row so that there is an aisle to walk back to the third row.
Also, my understanding is that SUVs have much higher rollover risks than minvans do. I doubt that has changed since we were car shopping (my minivan is a 2004).
My husband REALLY resisted getting a minivan, thinking it was too uncool. Now he says he doesn't know what he was thinking.
I'd suggest test driving both minivans and SUVs so you understand the tradeoffs.
We are expecting our third child in February and went car shopping (and buying) back in July. We finally decided on a Toyota Highlander. Now granted it only seats five, but the back is so roomy for us, we can fit 2 car seats easily and my 12 year old still has comfortable room to sit. I know the 2008 model is coming out with a third row seating option. And paid a little more up front and bought a hybrid.. and boy the gas mileage is great! 32 miles to the gallon in the city, 27 on the hwy for an suv to help lug all our stuff around town.
Good Luck.
I just bought a Chrysler Pacifica, and I couldnt be happier with it. I used to have an SUV, an Armada, but it was just TOO big and bulky.. Plus the mileage was ridiculous. For my pacifica it costs only slightly more than a big sedan. Plus I can comfortably seat 7 people in it, and have tons of room. I am so happy with my choice. It's a hybrid between a minivan and a sedan, so I think you should check it out! It's got 3 rows... I've also herd rave reviews about the Pilot and almost got one, but opted for the Pacifica because of how sleek it looks. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!
They also just came out with a Buick Enclave for 2008.
the new toyota rav4 has an optional 3rd row seat to make a total of 7 seats. the mazda 5 seats 6 total and has all the features of a minivan, but in a much more compact size. check 'em out :).
before you decide on an SUV don't discount a mini-van. I know the stigma that word has. My husband refused to consider it until he sat in a Honda Odessy. We have the Touring addition with all the bells. It's a great car and drives better than an SUV. There are some really nice models out there that will sit 5 and have additional room for the many trips to costco. I have 3 friends with Pilots. i've driven them and they run like a machine. The third row doesn't give much space for storing things in the back.
there is a chrysler suv that sits 6 or 7 that is very cute and looks like an suv not a van, your a hair stylist where do you live?
Hey Amanda I have a Tahoe and LOVE it! When we got pregnant we needed a bigger car and being a younger mom I refuse to drive a minivan (no offence). I can seat 9 if all rows are in (7-8 comfortably). I love the fact that I can take out the back row or put it in pieces (right now we have one of the back seats in so we sill can fit a stroller, baby swing over night bed and other baby essentials in the back but our nephew can still ride back their since its his favorite seat).
I love the look and power of my truck and though I have a soccer mom truck I don't feel like I sacrificed anything (my youth) by buying it. Gas is ok, I get about 18ish freeway miles per gallon but it is a V-8, we would like to trade it in for the new Tahoe hybrid though for that reason.
Happy car shopping and congrats on the new arrival!
HI Amanda....We recently purchased a Tahoe that has a 3rd row and I LOVE it!! It has great power and is very comfortable. I love the fact that the 3rd row comes out and you have a ton of room in the back for all your kids gear. If you don't want something that big we also considered the GMC Acadia and the Toyota Highlander. They both have 3rd row seats. We decided on the Tahoe because of the cargo space the Tahoe has. With kids you seem to have a lot of stuff to travel with. I think all are great cars. Good luck!
I drive a Saturn station wagon with 3 kids. You can get the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 carseats which are very skinny and fit three across in the car.
I have the Rav4 with the third row. I didn't want a large SUV, so I thought this was a great option. I love it, BUT the third row really is only for kids or short adults. It can seat 6.
The Toyota Highlander and Subaru Tribeca also have a third row seat option.
LOVE my Honda Pilot. Third row seats kids comfortably. Adults can sit there for short rides, but not recommended for longer rides, it can get kind of cramped. We also looked at the Toyota Highlander, but the back seat is VERY small. Good luck!
Hello Amanda
I actually expanded my family and also needed room for 8. With these high gas prices I found an excellent car that met all my needs. I bought the Saturn Outlook which is a 6 cylinder, better on gas than the Pilot (8 cyl). The Outlook also has a third row which fits 3 adults comfortably. My cousin has a pilot and her third row is significantly smaller. Also there is the GMC Acadia (the faternal twin of the Outlook) The only difference I saw was the price the Acadia is about $2000 more with the same options... It's a choice of preferance- even though both the Saturn & GMC are made by GM.. Both have great warranties...Happy shopping !!!
Hello. My husband and I are looking for the same type of vehicle. Twice now we have rented "Crossover" type cars to travel in and have been very pleased with these vehicles. First one was a GMC Acadia and the second one was a Buick Enclave. They are both the same body style and type of car, seating 7. Nice ride and so-so gas mileage. Pretty roomy inside and LOTS of bells and whistles. Overall, they were good cars and we will probably be purchasing one of them. Also, the Saturn Outlook has the same body style and type of car but we haven't driven that one yet. Hope this helps.
I have a Volvo XC90 that has a third row and I love it. It is such a wonderful and safe car. The new Toyota Highlander also comes with a third row and a great stow away seat in the second row so kids can walk through (kind of like a mini van.) There are lots of other cars with a third row... the Toyota 4Runner and the Acura MDX.
We have a Toyota Sequoia and love it! This is our 3rd and I hate driving anything else. We got it before we had kids because my husband was in the Marine Corps and he was communting with some other Marines down to San Diego. He had 5 Marines plus gear in that SUV and they all said they were comfortable. The 3rd row is just like sitting in a regular seat (plenty of head and leg room). Also comes with front and rear side curtain air bags. We only have 2 kids so we only use the 2nd row now, so double check that the side airbags go all the way to 3rd row especially if you are going to be using it regularly. Gas mileage is bad around 16-17 MPG, and supposedly the 2008 model will get 5+ MPG better mileage. Can't say enough good things about the Sequoia, let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Amanda,
I currently have an '04 Dodge Durango that seats 7 but I'm pregnant with twins (and we have a 13 year old) and we're thinking of looking for something else. Saturn has a new SUV that's called the Outlook; seats 7 or 8 and is very cute! The Mazda CX9 seats 9 and is very nice looking with great reviews.
Good luck!
Amber
We have a Nissan Pathfinder which seats 7. The third row is pretty small so best for short people/kids. But it drives really well and when the third row of seats is not being used, has great cargo space.
Best,
Rie Collett
www.embodyspa.com