Recommend your SUV

lc&jw

DH was in an accident this morning. Fortunately he is fine, but his car is most likely going to be totalled.

We weren't planning on buying a car for another 2 years, but apparently we're going to be car shopping ASAP. At least the accident wasn't his fault and the other driver's insurance has accepted liability.

We are looking at SUVs and I don't even know where to start. I normally research and deliberate for a long time before making decisions, but there isn't much time to do that now.

We aren't sure if we're done having kids, so we need something that can accommodate 3 car seats if need be. I also want something with decent gas mileage.

If you have an SUV you like, please recommend it and tell me what you like about it. Also, did you buy it new or used?

lbonga1

We don't have one personally, but FI's dad has a Honda Pilot. It's an older one...the one that was still mid-sized but still had third row seating. He loves that car. He bought it new, and it now has 240,000 miles on it. He's never had a problem with it.

I'm glad your H is ok!

tamarar5

Also look at whether 4wd would be useful where you live and travel. Not a lot of SUVs have 4wd now. But the Subaru Forester is good (but might be tight with 3 car seats, definitely check, but I have a friend who had 3 britex seats in a Prius...). Also, the Ford Escape is okay on mileage.

Personally, I'm okay sacrificing a bit on mileage in exchange for winter reliability. We are still looking for a Diesel Suburban/Excursion.

ericalee27

We have a Forester and love it, but I would think it would be super tight with 3 seats unless you have radians

Poppy523

We have a GMC Acadia. The third row
Fits a carseat fine and it's easy to get to if you opt for captain's chairs in the second row. Great in the snow and easy to drive. We bought it new, we don't usually do that but since DH was working for Bridgestone we got a lot of benefits for buying new. Now I would buy used, but either way we love it!

singingsea

I love my Kia Sorento. I have a 2015 and it gets up to 20 city, 27 highway. Have no clue if that's good or not Really good crash safety ratings though. I've got 3rd row seating but I don't think they're meant for car seats. Maybe boosters though.

djm31012

we have a jeep but sounds like you need something with a 3rd row. we are between the pathfinder right now and the durango.

mrr5058

We are looking to buy in the spring but have been test driving. We loved the GMC Acadia and Chevy traverse. After test driving we definitely liked the captains seats in the second row.

pebbleann

I have a Ford Edge and really like it. The back seat is roomy enough for three adults.  It's AWD which is a must for the Northeast.  I bought it used.

nlp1990

I LOVE my Honda Pilot! Car seats are easy to install and the third row is easy to pop up and down.

Amstreagle

GMC Yukon is very comfortable and family friendly. So happy your dh is safe.

mishka29

Glad he's okay! Love my rav4

mcmullena

We also have a gmc Acadia and love it roomy but not too big and I can from driving a Jetta my entire life

ally2011

I have had my 2002 RAV4 for 12 years with no major issues and have been very happy with it.  

sjames2

I do not like my edge. And it's probably me being very picky. With one convertible carseat in the middle one side will seat an adult comfortably but the other wont. Plus with 2 strollers , big and small, there isn't much room in the back for grocerys. I don't know if it'll fit 3 car seats in the back. Other than those items I like it.

wells2010

Glad your husband is alright! That is scary!!

We have a 2014 Honda Pilot. We love it! It seats 8 with LATCH systems for up to 5 seats-- three in the second row and 2 in the third. With any mid-sized SUV you aren't going to get a lot of trunk space with the third row up... my only complaint (but I don't think I could park a big Suburban or something like that). It drives so nicely, which is why I bought it. It doesn't feel like you are driving a truck or SUV. I get about 18-20 mpg, but mostly take it on shorter trips to/from work (15min away) and around town. We were hitting 22mpg on a recent road trip. 

We used to own a 2006 Ford Explorer-- I would NOT recommend this vehicle. We went through 3 radiators and a transmission. It finally caught on fire in July and we traded it in. Extreme money pit as it had only 95,000 miles when the transmission went. It was also a bit smaller and really cramped with our car seat (we only had a 5-seater, but it does have an opt 3rd row I believe).

When shopping for our Pilot we seriously considered the Nissan Pathfinder. Seats 7, smooth ride, and lots of nice features. The reason why we went with the pilot was because I felt it was easier and more "car-like" to drive. Our friends have an older Pathfinder (maybe 2010?) and they were complaining that it was a little cramped with the rear facing carseat. I think the newer ones have a bit more room though.

lc&jw

Thanks for all the feedback ladies! @wells2010, it's helpful to hear about SUV's you didn't like too. We're going to look at the Explorer but it's not high on my list. I think we've pretty much ruled out the Toyota Highlander and the Acadia (felt really big when we drove it).

We test drove the Chevy Traverse and that's definitely in the running. Plan now is to go drive the Pathfinder and the Nissan Pilot. I wish the dealers were open on Sundays!