Car Recs. -4 kids under 4 - 3rd row w ample cargo-xp A14

ckred27 · September 2013

Hey All,

With the arrival of the the twins I will have 4 kids under 4 and will need to get a new car to accomdate the large family I am hoping to find something with a 3rd row AND lots of cargo room in back, but that seems to cancel each other out more often than not. Also, all 4 will be in car seats so hopefully will have LATCH for all rows. Any recommendations? This was also posted in April 2014 board. Thanks!

carrotcake06 · September 2013

Everyone seems to love Hondas. The odyssey (minivan) and pilot (SUV) mostly.

We have 3 across in an Acura MDX, but the issue you'll have with SUVs is that you need to fold down a seat to get to the third row and you can't do that w a car seat in that seat.

There are cars/SUVs w that capability so that may be the way to go.

ceechie · September 2013

I have a 4 yo, a 2 yo and 3mos old twins. We have the Toyota sienna. I love it so much. I couldn't imagine having all these kids and not having this car. It's low enough to e ground that the older kids can get in and out and I don't have to crawl in to do seat belts. I can reach from the door. Plus, the sliding doors that open with a push of a button, a life saver!!!!!

1+tripsmom · September 2013

We had a ford Expadation el it did not have enough latch or top tether it had lots of storage with all the rows up but gas was killing us and getting kids in and out was tough. We just got a Honda Odyssey and love it. We have 2 in the back row with seat belts and 2 in captains chairs slid over so can get to third row from door it is so much easier and still has cargo room we did lose some space but so worth it and our gas has gone down almost 50% along with payment and insurance.

ks3pink · September 2013

I am not sure about the latches but we are thinking about trading in my traverse for a suburban for the extra cargo room. They aren't very good on gas but I generally drive ten minutes to work and ten minutes back home every day so I'm not too worried about that

ShannonSky · September 2013

Following! We'll have a 4yr, 2yr, and twins, and the 2yr will also be RFing. We're looking at the odyssey and the sienna.

Ann003 · September 2013

I have an Escalade ESV. Not sure about the latches, but it's got a third row and a big cargo area. The Yukon Xl is the same size.

kellibelle0417 · September 2013

We just got a Honda Odyssey and LOVE it! I never wanted a minivan before, but I am now a changed woman!

Go test drive one.

bumpuser924057 · September 2013

We chose the Odyssey over the Sienna largely due to the fact that the Sienna only has one top tether anchor point in the third row and the Odyssey has one for every seat. I wanted flexibility, because I imagine the optimal seating configuration will change a lot as the kids continue to grow.

zxe1106 · September 2013

We have three that will be in car seats so we just purchased a Honda Pilot. The second row will fit our car seats across but for both the second and third row, the passenger side folds down and leaves 2 seats still up in each row. All 6 rear seats have Latch. Don't know if this is true for all model years, but we have an 03. Not a ton of cargo space if the third row is up, but I guess that's the trade off of the third row.

LottaLattes · September 2013

I gave my Pilot to my husband and got an Odyssey. I couldn't fit a stroller in the back with the third row up and it is crazy hard to do things like car school drop off when you're folding seats down and stuff. I have the twins in the driver and middle, removed the passenger side second row, and the bigs are in the back seat. Works great, plus I have some floor space for changing the babies. And it is about the same size if not a little smaller than the odyssey physically, but the trunk area is way more spacious. And side sliding doors is amazeballs when you get back to your car carrying twins to realize someone parked crazy close to you.

And I decided against the Sienna because I couldn't configure it the same way. You cannot safely install a radian car seat in the middle second row on the odyssey, though I have one marathon and one radian behind the driver, so that works well (but makes my ocd about everything being the same a little fussy

Happy shopping!

angie637 · September 2013

We just bought a Honda Pilot. We love it so far.

Twinsmakefour · September 2013

I have a 4yr old, 2 yr old and 3 wk old twins. We have the odyssey and love it. I did not want a Minivan but now I love it. Great ride and convientant

Paradisemoon · September 2013

I promise if you go test drive a Honda Odyssey you wont want to leave the lot without it!

g8trbaby01 · September 2013

We have a Pacifica with 2 captions chairs & the 3rd row bench in back. It's cargo is huge when 3rd down is up....but we are going to trade in and get the Dodge Journey(the new Pacifica) because it's newer features and safety ratings.

misswendyk · September 2013

I have been watching this thread because I too have been searching for the same vehicle. I do not have 4 children but 3.. I have yet to find something that is perfect for us (well our car is great now- Audi Q7), but was looking to separate the boys even more.

There is not a one fit wonder for a 3rd row with ample cargo. I looked at the Ford Expedition EL, the Suburban and have wondered about a mini van (only one with enough tethers is the Odyssey), but like you I do not want one. I don't think it would be practical in terms of cargo space in the back either.

I think unfortunately there is nothing that fits everything that I need. I am more concerned with safety, utilizing tethers than separating the boys so I will probably keep my Q7. Please post back if you do find something that has everything that you are looking for.. I would love to know:) Good luck!

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Car Recs. -4 kids under 4 - 3rd row w ample cargo-xp A14

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