I'm going to trade my car in for a small to mid-size SUV, but I don't know which SUV to get. We plan to have 2 kids (we have a 2YO already), and we have 2 dogs (1 large, 1 small). Anyone have suggestions for what type of SUV can (or cannot) cart around my family comfortably?
Re: New vehicle for growing family?
I adored my Honda CR-V, if you're intent on the small SUV. It held an amazing amount of stuff, was fun to drive and easy to park, got good gas mileage, and easily maintained. All together just a great car.
BUT, I just got a new Ford Focus 2012 and I'm totally in love. It has nearly the same amount of storage as my CR-V did (which I tested when I drove home for Christmas--with laundry AND presents!), and it drives like a dream. Plus, its gas mileage and safety features are some of the best on the market in its class, and I'm not going to have any trouble fitting in 2 car seats. Ford redesigned it totally this year, and it now rides and feels like a luxury car in a small hatchback. Love it!
Good luck with your decision--new cars are fun!
The Focus sounds nice, but I have to be able to fit the dogs in it too. I'll take a peek at a CR-V though, thanks!
This is in the size range I'm hoping for, just worried the dogs won't fit.
If it's the size range you're looking for, I'd suggest going to one of the dealerships and looking at a few different makes/models that way you can get an actual feel for whether or not it will/won't fit your family.
We got a Rav4 last year. I like it. It fits our needs. It's nice because it has a 3rd row of seating that folds down when you're not using it. We have a large dog and plan to have 2-3 kids. We also travel a lot.
If I could do it all again, I would go with a Subaru Forester. I had an Impreza when DS was born and I loved it, but it wasn't practical for our family.
My parents considered the Highlander and Pilot and ended up with a Pilot. They have NOT been impressed by the gas mileage on the Pilot, though. I think the Highlander got better.
We just got a 2006 Equinox for my H (he was driving a 1997 Infiniti with 200k miles on it that had an oil leak and an exhaust leak so it was time lol). He loves his "mom car" a lot. With the seats up, there's not a lot of cargo space, but the seats fold down pretty flat when we need to haul things. We haven't fit 2 seats in the back yet but it'll be no problem.
TTC Baby #2 - BFP on 12/14/11 @ 10DPO - CP confirmed 12/18/11
BFP #2 on 1/13/12
BFP 2/10/2012!
Due Date: 10/15/2012!
Baby Boy Born 10/11/12! (Not on purpose)
I drive a CX7 but I'm a little nervous about how tight it will be with 2 rear facing carseats. The crossover is wide and has good "trunk" space but not alot of room between the two rows for rf carseats. DH said my next car can be whatever I want so I have my eye on the new Infiniti JX or the Volvo XC90. Both are 3 row crossovers.
I went from a ford focus to a ford expedition when we were expecting #2, we normally keep the 3rd row down for storage but will be putting one seat up to put my oldest in the back row now since #3 is on the way....and we will still have a ton of room back there....prob a bigger vehicle than you are thinking of getting but just a suggestion...I love my expedition!
~Stacy
MC #1 @12 Weeks 12/03
MC #2 @5 Weeks 6/04
Drake 5-26-05
Jackson 3-16-08
Expecting Our Final Addition! EDD 9/14/12
We bought the Volvo XC90 a few years ago and LOVE it!
We looked at the Highlander and Pilot also. My friend got the pilot and they love it for their 3 kids (no pets), and my MIL bought the Highlander and loves it for her large dog (no small kids). So I know both of those are good options (and the Highlander has a eco-friendly hybrid option).
We chose the XC90 for a few reasons,
#1 it was the highest rated safety vehicle in the mid size SUV category, it has something like 12 air bags (at the time, ours is a 2005- not sure where it dalls currently).
#2 It has 7 seats, all move independently of each other. We didn't realize this was important until we put our friend's kids in the car and we can scoot the middle seat closer to the front so we have access to the baby and the other kids can sit back a bit and not be crowded by the car sear. We can also put up 1 of the back row seats and one down (so if we needed to have 6 people and a dog everyone could be comfortable). Its really nice that it is not a bench- that is is two actual seats.
#3 When the back row is up, there is still a small trunk that I can use for luggage, groceries etc. When the back row is down, we can fit our Golden retreiver and lots of luggage, bags etc and everything fits great.
#4 It takes regular gas- most of the other SUV's took mid grade or premium
#5 It works great in all weather- we take it in the snow and Ice in PNW weather and drive it to Whistler and Sun Valley and it handles terrifically.
I don't have any downsides to give you, we are actually thinking that in a few years we will upgrade to a newer XC90, since we love it so much. **We bought a certified used one from a local dealership, and so VOLVO covered any and all repairs in the first few years of ownership- I would highly recommend that.
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away
Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect
4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs
Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11
Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:(
Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11
Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13
Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP
Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13.
Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
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LOVE LOVE LOVE my CX-9! I've had it for two years now and it's such an awesome car.
We just recently traded my car ('03 Hyundai Tiburon) in for a Pilot. WE LOVE IT. Right now we have an 8yr old son, a french bulldog/boston terrier mix, and we are expecting our second child in November, (We also intend on getting a German Sheperd) so the flexibility of the Pilot is just perfect for us. We opted for an older model but still had heated leather seats and DVD. We honestly were looking at the Honda Elements to start because they were 4 cyl. My mother in law has one and I think it is just the cutest thing ever! But when we went to the dealership they had us try out the Pilot and that was that! As far as gas mileage it is a V-6, but I haven't seen much difference between it and my car. Actually it seems to get a little bit better mileage if you ask me. Anything has more room than that little car of mine!!!