Recommend Your SUV!

Katie Jean

Hey Ladies,

Since we are starting to think about #2, we need to think about a bigger car for ME! I have a Chevy Cobalt that will not fit 2 car seats right now and we are looking at finding an SUV. I want something with a 3rd row. What do you have that you love, what are the + and -'s that you have noticed.

 

THANKS FOR THE TIPS

kimbo1216

I used to drive a Cobalt as well.  DH drove an Equinox.  We switched since I needed more space and drive A 99% of the time.  When we are ready to purchase a new car with a third row, we will most likely go with the Traverse (also by Chevy).  They look nice, have a third row, and get descent gas mileage for the size.  And if you can't tell, we don't stray from Chevy. lol

 

MrsI

Personaly I love my Mazda CX-7. But it only has 1 back seat.  I want to get a Mazda CX-9 which is the exact same car with a 3rd row.  DH thinks it would be crazy to own two of virtually the same car but I love my car minus wanting the 3rd row!  I have driven a few different SUVs and have issues with the blind spot but don't have that problem with mine.  I also like the look of it which to some may be no big deal.  Also I think mazda is a good brand and have had no major issues with my car.  I owned another Mazda and it lasted forever so I was really happy when we found this one used. I absolutely LOVE my keyless entry.  I was driving a Nissan Rogue for 3 weeks while mine was in the shop from an accident and I hated it.  The #1 thing I missed was the keyless entry.  Although I thought it was silly when I first got the car I now love not searching for keys when my hands are full.  I will never own another car that doesn't have keyless entry!

cvl105

I love my Honda Pilot! It drives so nicely. It's wider than my old Accord, but the same length. It has a backup camera which is really nice. Third row is pretty roomy considering it's an extra row. 2nd row is very roomy, just like other Hondas. Pretty good on gas mileage as far as SUVs go. 

amypogg6

We have a Chevy Traverse with second row bucket seats and a third row. We LOVE it. It is perfect size and you can put the 2 car seats in the third row and have them completely out of the way, or on the bucket seats or one on each. It works great and people have easy access to all rows. When we aren't using the back row, we have it folded down for to s of storage. Love it!!! We also have a Ford Edge that we love, but it only has 2 rows. Good luck!!

aztoid2006

cvl105:

I love my Honda Pilot! It drives so nicely. It's wider than my old Accord, but the same length. It has a backup camera which is really nice. Third row is pretty roomy considering it's an extra row. 2nd row is very roomy, just like other Hondas. Pretty good on gas mileage as far as SUVs go. 

We also have a Pilot and LOVE it!  Most of the time we keep the 3rd row folded down which leaves lots of room in the back.  We don't have the back-up camera, but it is a great car!

Sunidaze

I plan to stick with Jeep GC's for a while, but that is obviously not what you are looking for.  A co-worker has a newer (like '11 or '12) Honda Pilot and definitely roomy enough.  Whenever we all go to lunch, she drives because of the third row and everyone fits comfortable.  Two other coworkers have the Chevy Traverse and love them. 

folkfemme

My sister has a Toyota Highlander, and I LOVE it. 

I drive a Tacoma, which I also love, but when we get pregnant I'll most likely get a Highlander too. 

 

Magenta728

My ILs have a Honda Pilot, and I love it so much!! I wish that's the car DH got, but he chose an Acura MDX, which is also great (and supposedly has a 3rd row), but I prefer the Pilot. It is a great car. Handles beautifully in the snow.

Diver0214

We have a GMC Acadia. It has the third row which I love having. I just wish we could have afforded the one with buckeet seats in the middle instead of the bench seats.

RingOfFire11

I used to have a Honda Pilot and now have a Toyota Highlander. They both have a folding 3rd row although the Highlander's is less roomy. I love(d) both of them! I would say the new Highlander is a little prettier though, IMO. Btw, Toyota offers 2 years of included maintenance on new vehicles too. GL!

mesr

i love my subaru forester.  it has great visibility! 

Joyfullnoise

aztoid2006:

cvl105:

I love my Honda Pilot! It drives so nicely. It's wider than my old Accord, but the same length. It has a backup camera which is really nice. Third row is pretty roomy considering it's an extra row. 2nd row is very roomy, just like other Hondas. Pretty good on gas mileage as far as SUVs go. 

We also have a Pilot and LOVE it!  Most of the time we keep the 3rd row folded down which leaves lots of room in the back.  We don't have the back-up camera, but it is a great car!

We live pretty near you and recently traded my Mazda3 in for a Kia Sorento with 3rd row option. My bil has a Mazda7 and it, much like my smaller car, doesn't handle well in winter. The Kia drives like a truck but I didn't want a car payment. A friend has a Pilot and this will be our next vehicle I think. 

nic5606

Acura MDX.  Love it!  Highly rated for safety.

BRUGGS10

MrsI:

Personaly I love my Mazda CX-7. But it only has 1 back seat.  I want to get a Mazda CX-9 which is the exact same car with a 3rd row.  DH thinks it would be crazy to own two of virtually the same car but I love my car minus wanting the 3rd row!  I have driven a few different SUVs and have issues with the blind spot but don't have that problem with mine.  I also like the look of it which to some may be no big deal.  Also I think mazda is a good brand and have had no major issues with my car.  I owned another Mazda and it lasted forever so I was really happy when we found this one used. I absolutely LOVE my keyless entry.  I was driving a Nissan Rogue for 3 weeks while mine was in the shop from an accident and I hated it.  The #1 thing I missed was the keyless entry.  Although I thought it was silly when I first got the car I now love not searching for keys when my hands are full.  I will never own another car that doesn't have keyless entry!

 

 

I have a cx9 and LOVE it!

Andie_83

I love my Chevy Tahoe, and the 3rd row seating can be folded down or taken out for more space, but it really is a hog on gas! Maybe it's because we live 30 minutes each way from work and always drive that when we do our errands (we also have a Ford Explorer)

Jaytee501

We also love our Honda Pilot. Bought it @3 weeks ago, took it on an 800 mile family trip @2 weeks ago.

So comfortable, travels beautifully (great space...for luggage AND people!) and as CLV said, not bad on gas as SUVs go.

Nige!!a

Another pilot lover here. I love having the option for a third row. 

slstine19

When we were looking at a different cars, we test drove many SUV's with third row.  Both my DH & I loved the Toyota Highlander.  We tried the Ford Explorer, GMC Arcadia, and Chevy Traverse.  Before we drove, we went to the Chicago AutoShow and was able to see all of them, sit in them, ask questions, etc.  We didn't try the Honda Pilot.  Right now Toyota has 0% interest.  If you are not in a real hurry, I would test drive the different ones you want to look at, then look for 0% promotion.  We did this with the last car we bought.  We realized that Honda never offers 0%.  Both Honda & Toyota do hold their value though for trade-in.

Telly21182

We've been looking around lately, and I definitely want a 3rd row option.  My first choice before looking was a Kia Sorrento, but with the 3-rd row option you totally limit space so I think that's out.  Also on my list to check are: Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander.  I actually didn't know the Chevy traverse had a 3rd row option so I'll have to look in to that.

My parents and BFF both have Buick Enclaves and if I could afford one I'd totally get it.  They're fantastic vehicles.  middle row is bucket seats and 3rd row is roomy still.  That's what I want in a car, but if I have to get a bench seat middle row I will, I'd just prefer bucket.  Makes it easier to get to the back row!