For those that have 3 kids or more

Andrea Isaacs

Sorry for all the new posts, but I have tons of questions.  We were planning on getting a new vehicle before we found out about the twins.  Now that there will be 3 in carseats, we are trying to figure out what vehicle would have enough room.  I really don't want a mini van, but my hubby thinks that is the only option. 

krisc

I don't have three, yet...but I love my minivan.  I have a honda odyssey and it's great, tons of room, drives really well, and I don't feel like I'm driving a minivan when I'm in it.  The dual sliding doors are a lifesaver. 

pea-kay

I love my minivan! Honestly, they're not so bad, and here's why they're so good - they're low to the ground. When you're getting three babies (or two babies and a toddler) into the vehicle, you don't want to be climbing up high to get them in. Also, power sliding doors. Heaven!

lutzcowgirlie

There are vehicles with third row seating that aren't minivans, but I think you should consider the difficulty of getting kids in and out of the car every.single.day. If you have to flip up a seat to get to the back it will mean that you have to put two kids in the third row. So, you'll have to flip the seat and crawl in the back to lift in bucket seats or squirming kids.

 

I have a Toyota Sienna. I thought I hated minivans. I freaking love mine. It has the auto open doors - so nice! We got the 8 passenger set-up. We have the two babies in their r-facing convertible seats right next to each other in the second row. For now we took the third seat out - but it is super easy to install if we need more seating. My two year old is in the third row behind the open space, so I can lift her in and buckle her from the doorway area. The seats are lower than in an SUV, so you don't have to do as much lifting and the cargo area is fantastic. My sis has a baby and I can fit four car seats, three strollers (including my double), three adults and whatever we buy at the mall with no problems! 

 

Seriously - minivans may not look cool, but the level of convenience for someone dealing with three little ones is pretty much unmatched. Just a thought.

copwife08

we are trading cars with my mom. I have a subaru forester and she has a minivan. there is no way all 6 of us will fit in one car without a minivan esp. with 2 infant seats and step daughters car/booster seat. As much as I hate driving her van (very loud and bumpy) we have no other choice until we can afford a new van in the summer.

mommyof4boys

We have a minivan.  We had a Tahoe before our Caravan.  My sister joked and laughed at me when we bought it but is now so in love with our van that she wants to buy one with her singeton.

JBC1011

We have an expedition and have three across on the bench middle seat.

itsallover

We bought a Tahoe.  We went with the 2nd row bench seat rather than captains chairs so we can have all three in that row.  It has the 3rd row if we need it but, will likely leave it folded up or in the garage to allow the most room in the trunk.  Most minivans still have room for only 2 in the second row so one kiddo would have to be in the 3rd row.  With a 3rd row in place, the storage even in a minivan is not great. 

Although we could put my son in the 3rd row and have it folded part way to store stuff next to him, I dont feel that that is a safe option.  We always ensure that any cargo we have is kept low enough and wedged in enough that in a crash, it wouldnt fly up and hit him.  If the cargo was next to him, I dont think that is possible.

ES-6-26

I didn't want a minivan, either, so we sold my husbands Xterra and got a used Acura MDX - 3rd row seats, too, so you can even put more passengers if need be. ?Fits 3 carseats across the 2nd row (not all SUV's do) - we have 2 graco snugrides and a britax.

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MNheidi

We were planning on the possibility of 3 when we bought the mini-van - we may try for it.  We'd then take out a Captain chair and put 2 on the back seat and the 3rd on the remaining captain chair.  Not sure how 3 accessible carseats would work otherwise.  I was kicking and screaming about the minivan but it's the sweetest car I've owned.

carissasmom

I have a Pontiac Torrent and will have 3 carseats on the backseat.  They will fit snugly.  I'm honestly considering a mini van just for the convenience factor, but my car is paid for and I really don't need car payments on top of twins.  Sigh.

Andrew+2

We have a Saturn Outlook, which is the same as the GMC Acadia. I love it. We have to fit 4 kids-- 3 in carseats & a teenager, and I just didn't like the idea of putting my 2yr old in the 3rd row. The Outlook fits all 3 carseats across and the 3rd row is roomier than most SUVs.

spygirl29

We were totally anti-minivan, so we bought a Yukon Denali XL. I wanted something with captains chairs in the second row so that the third row would still be easily accessible and I wanted a big trunk. Frankly, I think minivan trunks are pretty puny. So we have the infant carseats in the second row and my 2YO in the third row. If there are two adults (ie me and DH), one (that would be me) sits back there with him. When it's just me driving, he's fine back there alone. He can still walk into the car and I just follow him back there to strap him in. Takes an extra few minutes, but it's not difficult at all. Bonus: We got a REALLY good deal on the Yukon because so few people are buying huge cars right now.?

laceymb

We bought a minivan when we found out we will have 3 kids. I also thought I would never have a minivan but after test driving one I will never go back. The power sliding doors are a lifesaver, there is more storage than we will ever need even with all the rows of seats up, and it is soo convenient and way cheaper than any SUV that would carry everyone. I highly suggest you just go look at them to give them a fair chance before you shoot them down. They really have come a long ways and I am in love with mine. By the way, we have the Chrysler Town & Country.