Family-Friendly Vehicle

RedInLove · December 2013

So I drive a 2-door car. It's a 2010, average mileage, excellent condition. As much as I love my car, and it's paid off, we are giving serious consideration to trading it in for something more family-friendly. I thought I could get by another couple years with my car and go to a 4-door when we have a 2nd baby, but I'm becoming more convinced as I talk to others that have had babies and/or 2-door cars that trying to get an infant car carrier in and out over the flipped front seat will be a pain in the ass. I no longer feel I will last through the summer, let alone a couple more years. With President's Day sales coming soon, we're thinking of jumping on it now vs. taking a bigger depreciation hit come Memorial Day or July 4th or even later. Plus, I'd rather make the change before LO arrives vs. after, I think that would just be easier on me.

So we're considering putting me back into an SUV. We've been looking online only the past couple days, and we are interested in the Ford Edge, Dodge Journey, and are open to look at anything else that is of similar sizes. We're taking into consideration back seat depth (for leg room and car seat room), cargo space, AWD/4WD, 6-cylinder, automatic, and overall comfort.

What do you drive, love, are looking at? TIA!!

MrsT2008 · December 2013

A little bigger than you're looking at, but I just got a Honda Pilot and I'm obsessed. It is amazing. So much room and such a nice ride.

I also test-drove the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse and loved that as well.

mrspopsicle · December 2013

I drive a CRV and love it. It's worked out well with a car seat/loading DD in and out. There is actually more room in my CRV than in my moms larger Pilot to move the front seats back with a car seat behind it.

SNOakes · December 2013

We have a Chevy equinox. I'm not a fan of most SUVs, but we needed the room when we had DS. I liked that I could put the seat all the way back and not hit the cars seat. This is probably more important for your hubby, or it was for mine.

RedInLove · December 2013

MrsT2008 said:

A little bigger than you're looking at, but I just got a Honda Pilot and I'm obsessed. It is amazing. So much room and such a nice ride.

I also test-drove the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse and loved that as well.

@MrsT2008, we looked at the Pilot online, but like you said it is big! My SIL has one and loves it, she has 2 kids (11yo/9yo) and they take it everywhere. We have a Ford F350 that tows our 5th wheel, so we were thinking the Pilot might be bigger than we need, but if our other choices seem too small then the Pilot would be at the top of our list.

Does it feel real big when driving it? The F350 feels like a tank to me, and I don't want something that large-feeling to be my everyday driver.

@SNOakes, DH is a few inches taller than me so that is something to consider. He does have to push my seat back in my car if he drives it. Whatever we get now will def still be my vehicle if/when we have a 2nd child and have to put seats on the ends instead of having the center option with just the one.

MrsT2008 · December 2013

@RedInLove - no, it doesn't feel as big as it is/looks. I was really worried about that and almost didn't test-drive it just based on how big it *looked*. And my ILs have one and I've only ridden in it a couple times but for some reason I remembered it being HUGE. I drove a Ford Escape prior to this, so the SUV feel isn't new to me. It may feel bigger to you since you currently drive something smaller!

We also went bigger since this is our second baby, we needed more room for the stuff we have to pack up when we go to Cape Cod in the summer (we go a lot). The smaller SUV was fine when we just had the one!

CopperPoppy · December 2013

MIL drives a pilot and I've driven it a bit short and long distance. I really like it but it's bigger and more expensive than we needed. I have a Hyundai sonata 2013. I. Love. It.

DH just traded in his two door, two seater truck and we got a used 4runner. 6cyl Rear wheel drive. We considered AWD but it's an expensive upgrade that also isn't necessary for us where we live. We have had 4runners before and I love this one too.

You probably can't go wrong with a small or mid size suv. Maybe just depends on brand preference.

Katemr1146 · December 2013

We got the Nissan Pathfinder last year and I could not be happier with it. Drives super smooth, very safe, tons of space. We also like the Murano, and are considering that for my husband right now. We test drove a ton of cars over the past week. And nothing but the Cadillac compared to the Murano and Pathfinder.

dragossoul84 · December 2013

We have an Mitsubishi Outlander and we lover it. Its got tons of cargo room and room for both the car seats we need plus there is a third row of seats that folds up to use it when you need it. I am also a big fan because I normally get pretty car sick but in this car I notice its not so bad.

Hedgessm · December 2013

I had a truck with the 2 small back doors and finally have up and traded it in. It seemed to be a pain with getting groceries out or even a small child riding in the back so I couldn't imagine dealing with a bulky infant car seat in the back. We got a ford escape (the step down from the edge) and we LOVE it.

candrew05 · December 2013

dragossoul84 said:
We have an Mitsubishi Outlander and we lover it. Its got tons of cargo room and room for both the car seats we need plus there is a third row of seats that folds up to use it when you need it. I am also a big fan because I normally get pretty car sick but in this car I notice its not so bad.

I really liked the Outlander. We ended up with the RVR for the sake of price though. My parents drive a CRV and I find it very similar in space.

mrsbtobe20122 · December 2013

mrspopsicle said:

I drive a CRV and love it. It's worked out well with a car seat/loading DD in and out. There is actually more room in my CRV than in my moms larger Pilot to move the front seats back with a car seat behind it.

This. I LOVE my CRV. Its great in snow, on gas mileage, and it's not a boat either.

bumpuser9353653 · December 2013

We just bought a Mazda CX-9 over the summer and really like it. It has a third row which we wanted since we are on baby #2 and plan to add a second dog at point.

We also looked at the Ford Edge and really liked the look and feel of it. Nice and spacious with good cargo space and great mpg rating

hatrats · December 2013

Yeah, I cannot imagine trying to get a baby in and out of a 2 door car. I have a CRV and I love it, but I have no kids yet, so I cannot speak for the car seat situation personally. I was happy that PPs said it worked out well. @mrspopsicle - Can you move the front seats all the way back with carseat(s) in the back? What kind of carseat(s) do you have and what seats are they behind? DH is barely comfortable driving my car with the seat all the way back.. hah.

RedInLove · December 2013

MrsT2008 said:

@RedInLove - no, it doesn't feel as big as it is/looks. I was really worried about that and almost didn't test-drive it just based on how big it *looked*. And my ILs have one and I've only ridden in it a couple times but for some reason I remembered it being HUGE. I drove a Ford Escape prior to this, so the SUV feel isn't new to me. It may feel bigger to you since you currently drive something smaller!

We also went bigger since this is our second baby, we needed more room for the stuff we have to pack up when we go to Cape Cod in the summer (we go a lot). The smaller SUV was fine when we just had the one!

@MrsT2008, that's good to know it doesn't feel huge, DH agrees that if the ones we're thinking of won't provide the space we need for 1 LO and might need for 2 LO, we will look at the Pilot. I drove an SUV before I got my car, and I do drive the pick-up sometimes so I'm sure I'll adjust to a midsize pretty well at least.

Cape Cod, we must be somewhat neighbors! I'm in NH.

flowerx2 · December 2013

Probably more room than you need right now, but I have the Chevy Traverse and love it. My DH loves driving it as well. There is tons of room and easy to lay the seats down if you don't need the extra row.

MrsT2008 · December 2013

@RedInLove - we actually live not far from the NH border - I do most of my mall shopping there and go to the new(ish) outlets from time to time too!

RedInLove · December 2013

Katemr1146 said:

We got the Nissan Pathfinder last year and I could not be happier with it. Drives super smooth, very safe, tons of space. We also like the Murano, and are considering that for my husband right now. We test drove a ton of cars over the past week. And nothing but the Cadillac compared to the Murano and Pathfinder.

We like the Pathfinder as well; DH thinks the Murano might be too small, but it looks bigger than the Rogue at least.

RedInLove · December 2013

MrsT2008 said:

@RedInLove - we actually live not far from the NH border - I do most of my mall shopping there and go to the new(ish) outlets from time to time too!

@Mrst2008 YGPM!

katesy21 · December 2013

If you are only planning on needing space for 2 kids I loved my Murano! It has all the features you could want plus plenty of trunk and back seat space. If it was a 7 seater I would have just upgraded Muranos the rest of my life.

bumpuser10194737 · December 2013

With our first two I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee and LOVED it!!! Super fun to drive, great in the snow. Now with the third on the way we went with a Buick Enclave to have the third row seating, and I love it as well, though you probably don't want something that big yet. :-)

Katesy21 mentioned the Murano- two of my neighbors drive Muranos with their kids and they both really, really like it.

RedInLove · December 2013

We don't plan on there ever being a 3rd LO, so space for 2 LOs should do it.

So many choices, seriously!

jjtyler · December 2013

I was in a bad car accident and also did NOT want a minivan (but needed the third row), so I have very specific criteria. We ended up with the Volvo Truck XC90, which I absolutely love and my car insurance actually went down.

We were servicing our Volvo recently and drove the XC60 for a week and OMG, I am in love with that car.

talkthewholetime · December 2013

This weekend we got a jeep compass limited, and we LOVE it already. It's a smaller version of the grand Cherokee. It's a good mix of SUV and car comfort - not too high, lots of bells & whistles but 4WD etc. If you want bigger, totally check out the Cherokee.

My car would have be alright (I have a Pontiac G6) but my husband's sentra wasn't a good baby mobile... Unless I wanted to sit in the backseat all the time ha. Couldn't comfortably fit a rear facing seat behind the front seats, so we did a swap.

demofea01 · December 2013

My SO drives a Hyundai Tuscon and loves it. They have an amazing warranty. The Santa Fe is the bigger version if you're wanting something larger.

ThereBeDragons · December 2013

My '96 Mustang died a noble death near the end of 2008 and we knew we were going to be TTC starting in Jan 2009 so we went for a family friendly 4 door. Wound up loving the Toyota Prius. Have had car seats and boosters in and out of it for years carting family around without any issues.

Baby took a hell of a lot longer to get here than we expected, but we still absolutely adore our Prius. Best friend has one too with a baby- agrees that they're very car seat and family friendly. Just a thought if you decide to go a little smaller than a SUV. I can't imagine driving anything bigger, and were not likely to expand our family size past three anyway. The cargo space is like an awesome black hole, and its super comfortable and gets awesome gas mileage.

gypsymystic · December 2013

I have a Volvo S series, and it is a great sedan. Rarely have any trouble with it and they have really, really good safety ratings.

mrspopsicle · December 2013

@hatrats we have a Chicco Keyfit 30 and when it was behind the drivers seat in my mom's Pilot it did not fit with the seat back in the position my mom (5'7ish) was comfortable at. She had to move her seat up a bit to get it in and out. So I can't imagine how it would fit with a big guy driving! I'm not 100% what year it is, but it's at least a few years old so maybe the spacing has improved?

Turn4Cindy · December 2013

I have an Acura MDX 2011 and love it. I like having the 3rd row option even if Im only on my 1st LO because I take my nephews out with me sometimes. Also, if in a car accident, the backseat airbags dont deploy if the weight isnt met. I know thats how the front seat airbag works for all cars, but not sure if thats true about all back row. Enjoy car shopping!

glowworm0166 · December 2013

You could always see how it goes for the first few months and then decide rather than jumping the gun and making the transition now...

ksyknelvr73 · December 2013

I have a new Pathfinder and I LOVE IT. I can't say enough good things about it. It's pretty big, but it doesn't feel like I am driving a boat (I have never driven an SUV before this, I always had cars).

I will say, I had a Camry and I was amazed at the room in there...if that is even something you are considering. We were able to RF and FF comfortably for my DS and always had enough room. We went with a bigger vehicle with 3rd row since we're adding another kid and we travel often.

I feel your pain on using a 2-door with a baby....DH had a Mustang for the first year of DS' life and it sucked a lot.

d.sbrook10 · December 2013

Larger than what you are looking at but we just got a gmc Acadia last week. I love it and want to drive it forever. We are on #2 so we did bucket seats to make it easier to get to the third row in the future. Going into the dealership I was set on a ford explorer but once we got into the back, we realized we needed something bigger as we want this car to last 10 years and plan to have 3 or 4 kids.
Be aware of car seats not fitting in all cars. For us, the grace snug ride was way too big and I had to go buy a new seat the other day.

kristine526 · December 2013

We're *probably* going with a Chevy Equinox. If we wanted something bigger with a third row option, we'd be looking a little harder into the Chevy Traverse. I also love the Honda Pilot.

Bootsie327 · December 2013

Thanks, OP for posting! I'm actually going car shopping hopefully next weekend (replacing my 8 year old Corolla), and am looking at both CRVs and Pilots. Looks like both are well-liked on this thread!

kat8805 · December 2013

A fantastic car option is the Dodge Charger. They did come in an AWD option, not sure if they continued it. We had one as a rental when DD was still an infant, and the back seat space in that thing was like the Grand Canyon! We had her infant seat, minus the base, on a side seat, and the front seat was still a good almost foot away.

My mom bought a CX-9 on her companies dime back in 2010. It's got all the bells and whistles, leather, sunroof, satellite radio, third row, AWD. It's a really nice ride, and doesn't do horrible on gas for its size. We drove it out to IN in October while they were in Miami for a triathlon. It was a very nice, easy drive out, even though it was 10 hours. The third row isn't too roomy, but it folds down flat and at a good height for storage space.

PikaPikaChick · December 2013

We really like our VW Passat because the trunk is huge and the backseat area is more than large enough for two carseats.

We recently had a rental Chevy Captiva for a couple of weeks and loved it. It's not huge, but plenty of room for a carseat or two and whatever you need to haul in the back. The LATCH hooks are super accessible too, and that's been my biggest complaint about a lot of the cars we've rented over the last few years. If we were in the market for an SUV (we kinda are) it's one we'd seriously look at since the Ford Escape seems to be plagued with problems.

Katemr1146 · December 2013

I'll add that we leased a Ford Edge a few years back and really loved that car too. Weren't hauling around kids yet, but it was really spacious and we never had any problems with it. I was sad when we had to turn it in.

megmegs · December 2013

We just got a RAV4 a couple months ago; while it took a while to adjust to it from the little two-door Toyota Celica that I'd been driving for 10+ years (I cried when I traded it in, I suck), we LOVE the RAV4.

danabsd · December 2013

Two doors are SUCH a pain. We had a mustang we sold when Beb was about 3 months old. We needed space.
I have a Mazda CX-9 and it's FAB. We truly love it. The price is right, you get a lot of bang for your your buck. Tons of leg room even with a RFing car seat which I have found is not the case in a lot of cars. It has an optional 3rd row, with it down the cargo space is huge, with it up we can fit a stroller and shopping bags.
Andplusalso, Mazda's are fun to drive. #zoomzoom

If I was in the market I would be looking at the GMC Arcadia. Next time we are 100% going bucket seats in the middle row.

ciarasoleil · December 2013

I have a Jeep Patriot its awesome, its small like a ford escape. It gets me everywhere and it nice and easy to park. Not sure if you need 4x4 but its awesome in the snow

.

KatieP71312 · December 2013

We also bought a new Pathfinder and couldn't be happier with it! The issue with buying a car without a third row and having 2 babies is you can't ever take other passengers with you! Doesn't seem like an issue now when baby is so little but for us, our 6 year old wants to take friends places and/or we would like to take the grandparents to dinner and not drive two cars etc. This is baby 3 so 3rd row was essential but something to consider!

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