who has a honda pilot or other 3 row, not minivan, vehicle

Halo79RN

how hard is it for a person to get into the 3rd row ?   

We're thinking of getting something with three rows for long car rides home and for when family travels to see us... so the third row would not be in use the majority of the time... I want something to fold down for day to day (until dc start inviting friends to go places)... but to have the seating room when the GPs visit.  

recs.  we live in a big city.    

dnagal

I'd love to see the comments here.  DH and I have been car shopping aggressively, lately.  We haven't looked at the honda pilot, but have checked out:  The Ford Flex, Mazda CX-9, Chevy Traverse, Volvo XC-90

so far: REALLY Like the Ford Flex, but definitely couldn't get one in black, looks too much like a hearse!  We get a decent amount of snow (Westchester, NY) so AWD is key, but the flex has the lowest profile of the four, which makes me a little concerned.  Super easy to get into the 3rd row, and nicely outfitted 3rd row.

Mazda CX-9:  Looking great so far, love the power lift gate (on most of these) and it's really easy to move the 2nd row seat to get into the 3rd row. DH is over 6' and can sit in the 3rd row.  My only caveat, the quality of the leather is not as nice as the Flex (IMHO)

Chevy Traverse:  great design.  3rd row seats 3 passengers, making it an 8 passenger vehicle!  Awesome features all around, but PRICEY! Also love the GM and Buick versions of this model but they are even pricier.

Volvo XC-90.  New is out of our budget, but lots of used models available that have the same features (the model has barely changed in teh last few years) at significant savings.  However:  The third row feels like an uncomfortable, hard to get into afterthought (unlike the others above)

 

SLPgirl

We have a Pilot and that is what we use the 3rd row for- when grandparents come. The seat easily and quickly pops up, but my mother in law has to climb through the back so it's pretty akward for the person to get in the seat. I really wish I had just swallowed my pride and bought a minivan instead.

idoinjuly

I LOVE our Honda Pilot and IMO it's pretty easy for people to get to the third row.  I mean, you don't want to do that in a short skirt and you won't look very graceful, but still.  The third row only fits two comfortably.  I will say that we have dd's convertible carseat in the middle of the second row of seats, and it's impossible to fold down either side for someone to get in the back.  My nephew had to jump back there when he rode with us.  So, that kind of sucks.

jettagurl

SLPgirl:

We have a Pilot and that is what we use the 3rd row for- when grandparents come. The seat easily and quickly pops up, but my mother in law has to climb through the back so it's pretty akward for the person to get in the seat. I really wish I had just swallowed my pride and bought a minivan instead.

We were very close to buying a Pilot, but we'd be using the 3rd row on a daily basis.   If there two seats in the middle row & outsides, it is impossible to get into the 3rd row - you'd have to remove a seat (it's a 60/40 split) unless it's an infant carrier base, but it still wouldn't be easy.  I may go to Pilot eventually, but not until all kids are out of carseats and they can all fold seat/get in/buckle themselves.   Even if you're only using it occasionally, it will be a PITA  for the time you are using it. 

We went with the Odyssey.  

DaiLyght

I have a Mazda 5, which has three rows of seating. The thing I love about it is that it's not an SUV, but it has sliding doors like a minivan, which makes it so easy to get the kids in and out. It can seat two in back, and two in the middle row. There is space between the two middle row seats to access the back row seats. However, depending on the age of the people, elderly for example, they may not be comfortable climbing back there. For flexibility and day to day driving, I love it!

shouldbworkin

We have an Acura MDX.  It's kind of a PITA to fold down the seat to get to the back seat with 2 britaxs in the way.  But, if they're not, I think it's very easy to get in the back.  But, not so comfy when you're back there.  The flex is actually really comfy in back in comparison.  And, easy to get back to.  But, since we have an MDX, the plan is to put DS in the 3rd row as he gets older and can buckle himself and leave more room up front for others.

Our plan for #3 is to put DS in the back and keep the 3rd seat folded down so he can climb back and forth and #2 and #3 will be in the 2nd row leaving one extra seat in the back.  If we had adults in the car with us, I would probably move #2 to the back row also.

*Amy*

I have a Pilot and it is a PITA to get into the back row.  The middle row seat just doesn't slide forward enough to make it easy.  I am going to invest in new carseats b/c I would have to have the two boys in the back and the baby in the middle b/c you can't get in unless you leave one side open. I want a mini-van more and more every day.

Angela814

We have an Acura MDX (2002 older model). The 2nd row seat moves forward pretty easily, and it's not too horrible to climb into the back. It's harder to move with a carseat in the middle. It might work better with a thinner carseat like the Radian.

The 3rd row itself isn't bad. I'm only 5'4" and fit comfortably, but DH is 6'3" and says he's not too cramped. The problem with having the 3rd row up is that you have very little cargo space. You may be able to fit 2 average sized suitcases behind the seats. With only 1 of the 2 seats up in the back, it's pretty easy to climb in through the hatch. We were able to fit a wagon and a stroller in back that way, so it gives a little more space.

I think a minvan would be more practical. Our problem is that we need the SUV for towing. We have a small trailor and borrow a large one when DH does his projects (such as rebuilding the deck this month). He also uses it to pull his snowmobile or a friend's boat occasionally.

DandelionMom

DaiLyght:

I have a Mazda 5, which has three rows of seating. The thing I love about it is that it's not an SUV, but it has sliding doors like a minivan, which makes it so easy to get the kids in and out. It can seat two in back, and two in the middle row. There is space between the two middle row seats to access the back row seats. However, depending on the age of the people, elderly for example, they may not be comfortable climbing back there. For flexibility and day to day driving, I love it!

Ditto!  I have the Mazda 5 and love it. 

amy05-04

We have a Ford Freestyle and I have no problem getting into the 3rd row seat.  When DS#3 comes in September, we plan to put the baby seat in the 2nd row, and the two older boys in the 3rd row.  We will use the 60 portion of the 2nd row seat to fold up and down for access to the 3rd row. My 6'2" husband gets in and out to strap the boys in with no problems.

MelandJeff

I just looked at the Ford Flex, holy FUGLY!

dnagal

You know, I thought that initially, and thought THERE's NO WAY I'd get one. But I have to say that now that I've checked it out, it's starting to grow on me....

jnicks19

I just got an '08 XC-90, the V8 (which has WAY more pep that the V6).  And I absolutely love it.  We got it in Feb and have only used the 3rd row a handful of times.  But we liked that the second row could be scooted forward to give room for the 3rd row.  You can fold down the middle 2nd row seat and climb to the 3rd and not move our Britax seats.  Or you can climb in through the back to get to the 3rd row.  I mean it's not totally ideal, but for as often as we need it, it's fine.  Also, I don't think that the 3rd row is miserable.  I thought that the XC-90's 3rd row was better than most.

Also, we are able to fit an adult (even my 6ft. mother!) in the 2nd row between our Britax's pretty comfortably.  I doubt she'd want to ride hours like that but for running out to dinner or shopping and such, it's fine.

I had driven the V6 and wasn't at all impressed and had completely written it off.  Then I heard about the V8 and loved the pep and increase features and it's overall a little more stylish (just the small cosmetic differences).

 

All that said, we shopped pretty much everything (MDX, Lexus gx 470, Pilot, Sienna, Highlander, everything foreign anyway!)  And for me it was narrowed down to the Pilot and the XC-90.  The Pilot had everything we needed, totally functional, tons of space but the XC90 had a blingy-er feel and was more luxurious I guess.  Oh yeah, I'm a car snob so take that for what it's worth