CRV owners or those that drive small SUVs

firefIy · January 2012

Lurker here coming from March 2012 Moms. I hope you don't mind if I seek some advice from you ladies. My DH and I have been saving for a new car since before we got pregnant and now that I'm 33 weeks we need to make some decisions! I really like smaller SUVs and currently drive an old Civic, so naturally I like the new CRVs. We'd pretty much decided on that, but now I'm getting cold feet as to if it's to small. This will be our first LO and we plan to have one more in the next 2-3 years. We'd like this car to last us 5-6 years. Anyone driving a CRV (or smaller SUV) that can give me your thoughts on how well it works for your family? Do you wish you had something bigger? Any features you like or wish you had? Any thoughts are really appreciated. It's hard to anticipate the needs of a growing family that isn't here yet. Thank you so much!

bethm03 · January 2012

We have a jeep compass-about the same size as a crv probably and I love it except the doors dont open very far so we have issues putting the car seat in. We have to kind of turn it around sideways. Also, the stoller takes up the entire trunk but I think you would have that wilth most vehicles with small trunks.

morsey2011 · January 2012

I drive a Chevy Equinox and I love it. I do wish we had more space behind the back seat. We went to visit my ILs for a week and had to bring the pnp, stroller, bouncy seat, luggage, etc. We were pretty crowded. I thought at the time that we wouldn't be able to fit another kid and their stuff in the vehicle. I'm sure we could make it work if we had to though. For every day travel I can't think of any complaints. The next vehicle we buy (several years from now, since ours is just a year old) I want a roomier one just for long distance traveling. Good luck and congratulations!

nikkiandchris · January 2012

We used to have an Element and now we have a Nissan Rogue. Both are plenty big (though the element was impractical for other reasons). I feel like I could easily another car seat in the rogue as well. Now, no way I could fit 3 kids in there, but it's perfect for now (even with groceries

).

morgs8384 · January 2012

We have a 07 CR-V. It has been great, I truly love my CR-V. It is just enough room for the city mini stroller in the back and DS in his car seat. We had enough room for extra bags, or people to fit in there as well. Now that #2 is on it's way we are going to be selling ours and getting a pilot. We could get by with the CR-V and two LO's but their wouldn't be much room for anyone else. Especially since we will be also needing a double stroller, it would be cramped. I wish my CR-V were slightly bigger, I don't want to give it up, because just like you I prefer smaller SUV's.

It depends on how much space you think you will need, and how far apart you really want your kids ( I know you mentioned two years) but that was our plan too! If you like space, and they will be closer in age I might look around at a roomier SUV. If not, totally go for it! I love mine.

lew0509 · January 2012

We actually just sold my CR-V to buy an Odyssey. I realized when LO was about 3 weeks old that it's just too small for us. The main issue is that the next size car seat won't fit in the back and leave DH and I enough room. We're also both at least 6' tall, so we need more leg room than the average person. Also, it was going to be interesting trying to go places with other people in the car. We went to the store with my mom, and between the stroller, car seat, groceries and three adults it felt very cramped. (She is also on the taller side). We also have a dog, so trying to pack the car to visit grandparents was interesting. I love the van because it feels so much roomier and I can run more errands. It just depends on your family, where you plan on going, if you think you'll have two or more car seats in it at a time, etc. I'm sure the dealership would let you put all of your stuff in it to see if everything fits. On the other hand, I LOVED my CR-V and miss having a cute little car to zip around in. GL!

jsong · January 2012

We have the CRV and love it. I mainly drive it now with LO. I think it's a perfect size for a mom to drive with enough room for LO and stroller in the back. I can see it being a tighter fit for a bigger person in the back. My DH is 5'11" and is fine driving it with the car seat in the middle but he might be a little squished if he were to sit in the back. It's a very reliable car and drives well. Good luck.

ElisalovesMatt · January 2012

I am obsessed with my Subaru Outback. I love, love, love it and could go on for hours about how awesome it is... Big Smile

Super safe, great ride, comfy and roomy and amazing in the snow. Wonderful family car!

ClickMama · January 2012

We just traded my 2001 accord for a 2012 Subaru Outback and I love it. I really wanted AWD since I got stuck in the snow a few times last year and did look at the CRV. I was also concerned about visibility. I felt the 2012 CRV had less visibility than the 2011 but wasn't completely sold on it. The Outback was more what I wanted and it's not much longer than my old Accord. I love it like the pp said.

Brie2006 · January 2012

I have a 2010 CRV and it is perfect for us. DS's carseat is easy to get in and out and I have plenty of trunk space for the stroller and other items.

MH has a much larger car (2011 4Runner) and it is a lot harder to get the carseat in and out of his car.

Structenggal · January 2012

I have a CRV and I LOVE it. I do have the older model (2005), but I disagree that there isn't enough trunk space. I went to costco this morning and totally forgot to take the double stroller out of the trunk. I have a really bulky double stroller (Chicco Cortina Together) and it does take up a lot of space. Even with the stroller in there, I was still able to fit 2 boxes of diapers, 2 boxes of wipes, a box of soup and everything else that I bought (I did have to put the package of toilet paper in the backseat), without stacking anything higher than the top of the backseat.

With two carseats in the backseat, we can't fit anyone in the middle, but not being able to take extra people with us doesn't bother me.

emolm · January 2012

I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and I think we'd need a new vehicle if we had another baby. The 12 hour there and 12 hour back Christmas vacation drive with two dogs in the very back, me and the babe in the backseat, and husband driving was pretty cramped. My husband (6'2") can't drive if the babe's seat/base are on the driver's side and he also barely fits into the passenger seat if the seat/base is on this side.

I love love my car but it's not feeling practical once there's another kid.

emolm · January 2012

LalaMama81:
emolm:
I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and I think we'd need a new vehicle if we had another baby. The 12 hour there and 12 hour back Christmas vacation drive with two dogs in the very back, me and the babe in the backseat, and husband driving was pretty cramped. My husband (6'2") can't drive if the babe's seat/base are on the driver's side and he also barely fits into the passenger seat if the seat/base is on this side.

I love love my car but it's not feeling practical once there's another kid.
I hate to belabor the point, but I think the issue isn't the car, but the dogs. Obviously, for you, getting a different car would probably be necessary so you can travel w/ the dogs. For most people w/o pets that travel, 2 kids should fit fine. I know it gets tight, believe me. I am short, but my husband is 6'4" & it works.

No, the issue would be having one car seat on each side of the backseat which would mean that I'd have to sit in the cramped middle seat and my husband would have no legroom whether he is the driver, passenger, or baby entertainer in the back. Also, the only thing that fits in the back without going over the top of the seats is the BOB so everything (else) had to be strapped to the roof (which would have happened dogs or no dogs).

So, yes, it works but it would not IMO work comfortably.

emolm · January 2012

LalaMama81:
emolm:
I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and I think we'd need a new vehicle if we had another baby. The 12 hour there and 12 hour back Christmas vacation drive with two dogs in the very back, me and the babe in the backseat, and husband driving was pretty cramped. My husband (6'2") can't drive if the babe's seat/base are on the driver's side and he also barely fits into the passenger seat if the seat/base is on this side.

I love love my car but it's not feeling practical once there's another kid.
I hate to belabor the point, but I think the issue isn't the car, but the dogs. Obviously, for you, getting a different car would probably be necessary so you can travel w/ the dogs. For most people w/o pets that travel, 2 kids should fit fine. I know it gets tight, believe me. I am short, but my husband is 6'4" & it works.

No, the issue would be having one car seat on each side of the backseat which would mean that I'd have to sit in the cramped middle seat and my husband would have no legroom whether he is the driver, passenger, or baby entertainer in the back. Also, the only thing that fits in the back without going over the top of the seats is the BOB so everything (else) had to be strapped to the roof (which would have happened dogs or no dogs).

So, yes, it works but it would not IMO work comfortably.

ClickMama · January 2012

Well the forrester does have less cargo space than the outback, 9 inches I believe. I think most cars are tough when dealing with the car seat the seat in front of it. Most cannot fit 2 seats + 1 passenger comfortably. We are resigned that it would be 2 seats in the back and everyone else travels in front.

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CRV owners or those that drive small SUVs

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