3 row SUV or minivan recs please!

Telyco · November 2011

We're going to look at the SIenna - which I believe is the only AWD mini-van (and I had to talk DH into even looking at it!)

Acadia, Traverse, Explorer....any others?

Under.the.Rose · November 2011

We had a Buick Enclave (same as the Acadia/Traverse) for a while and it was nice, however I would have preferred a minivan because the swing out doors were huge and heavy. It was difficult in parking lots to have enough room to open the door sometimes.

There also isn't very much storage space behind the third row. The one time we took it on a weekend trip, we had to put the third row down to fit our stuff and we're not heavy packers!

Daisy22 · November 2011

We have a Honda Pilot with a third row plus the middle row has 3 latch positions. I actually know someone that has put 3 car seats in the middle row of our Pilot. I have another friend that has an Acadia with 3 carseats - oldest is in the 3rd row with it split, other two are in the middle seats.

sometimesalwayschaotic · November 2011

We just bought a Ford Taurus X. I really like it so far. They don't make them anymore though but they're great for a slightly used option. It's a crossover.

TheBuddha · November 2011

We have a GMC Acadia and I really like it. It is very spacious and doesn't handle like a van...but has the room of one.

When this baby comes my 8 year old will have to sit all the way in the back and the carseats will be in the 2 captains chairs in the second row.

I plan to drive my acadia for many years. We took it to Florida for Spring break this year and it was fabulous.

JenniferL923 · November 2011

I just bought an Acadia two weeks ago and I freaking love it. We can fit 8 people comfortably and it handles really well. I think it's fun to drive. Plus you can't beat the backup camera and remote start.

Telyco · November 2011

Thanks ladies!

I have some sticker shock looking at these though! yikes!!!

marielovestimothy03 · November 2011

I love our Pilot. My BIL and his wife drive one as well with 4 boys (3 in carseats, 1 in a booster) and have plenty of room and LOVE it. We bought ours because of how much they raved about theirs and we've been nothing but happy!

mrsseguin · November 2011

The are considering an acadia, traverse and a ford flex. We are just not minivan people...

kagl04 · November 2011

We are getting the Acadia in the next couple months. While we don't have it yet, it's the only one that has everything I want. I really wanted the captain seats. We are 2 and through so the 3rd row will be for storage, other passengers then eventually the kid's friends. I wanted easy access to the 3rd row, so the captain seats are perfect! The Enclave is similar but it just wasn't everything we wanted. We will either be leasing it or buying it used because the prices scared us too!

MammaBear81 · November 2011

Telyco:
Thanks ladies!

I have some sticker shock looking at these though! yikes!!!

This is why we went for a van (dodge caravan), that and the sliding remote doors.

Daisy22 · November 2011

Telyco:

Thanks ladies!

I have some sticker shock looking at these though! yikes!!!

Not sure if you have Costco where you live but we actually found ours through the costco new car program. They have certain dealerships they have agreements with that they have to give you the car at a certain price. We saved quite a bit on our pilot going through this program. Not sure if other warehouse stores do this too but it might be something to check into. Also we brought ours 3 days before the end of the year which also helped with financing.

jerseymom98 · November 2011

I've got a suburban, its got a third row and tons of room especially in the cargo. The price is insane for a new one, but we got one that is three years old about a year ago and its been good. I do miss my avalanche, but wasn't going to work well with two kids and more junk in the vehicle......

KissyFishyLips · November 2011

The Acura MDX has a fold-down 3rd row. We've had it since 2007 and love it.

JenniferL923 · November 2011

If you can find 2011 Acadias, they are offering decent deals on them since the 2012s are on the lots, at least they were here!

monkeyqueen · November 2011

My friend has an acadia and it is really really nice.......But, it really doesn't have the room/convenience that our Dodge Grand Caravan '10 has. Also, mini-vans are pretty economical if that is a consideration for you. We live rural so we drives on lots of crappy road conditions..... our mini-van honestly handles better than our Ford F150 (4x4) did on mud and snow.

AutumnBride929 · November 2011

I have a 2011 Traverse. I love it. I have two kids and it's perfect for that. I'm not sure how it would be for 3+ kids though. In order to have ample cargo space, the third row needs to be folded down. Not really a problem for me. I have a carseat in each captain seat (middle row - I opted for captain seats instead of a bench to have easier access to the third row). If I need to put passengers in the third row, it's totally do-able. I've sat back there myself and it's not too bad. It would only be a problem if I had to put passengers in the third row AND bring the double stroller. I don't think it would work. That's never happened though and I don't anticipate that ever happening.

I have the DVD player which is a lifesaver when the kids are fussy. I usually save it as a last resort so that when one of them is completely on the verge of a meltdown, I bust it out and they are entertained. Smile I have had to do many many many long trips in my Traverse in the last four months and it has worked out well, all things considered. I am so happy I convinced DH to get the Traverse as opposed to the Equinox because if I had to move two kids from NC to MI in the Equinox... it would have been extremely cramped and inconvenient... damn-near impossible, really.

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3 row SUV or minivan recs please!

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