best vehicles for 3 car seats

amhah09 · November 2013

I know this has to be a repeat topic and I'm sorry! I tried to search, but kept coming up with threads recommending which seats to fit into specific vehicles and recommendations for fitting 3 across. I already know I can fit 2 radians and 1 snugride across in the vehicles we have, but I'm looking to buy a new one and I'd like to buy one to accommodate 7 passengers.

I'd like to avoid a minivan, but I'm falling in love with the practicality (DH does not want one, though). What SUVs are recommended for *comfortably* getting 3 car seats in and getting 3 small children in and out? I've read a lot of reviews that say the Toyota Highlander is not a good idea with 3 carseats and it was my top contender for a while. Any other suggestions?

jllmb79 · November 2013

Don't get a Durango. I have a 2012 Durango and wish I wasn't so hung up on not wanting to be a mini van mom last year when I bought it. We went to Disney last month and rented a mini van....so much easier....so kicking myself.

laura1 · November 2013

I know a few people that have 3 across in a Pilot. I think we are going minivan (we have 3 across in a CRV now).

rcbuko · November 2013

Go test drive a minivan. That's all it will take. We were residtant to a minivan but test drove the Odyssey and Sienna and wound up buying the Odyssey. Soooooo glad we did. The new one even has a vacuum cleaner! I told my husband to embrace these years and that one day he could get the car he really wants but for the years when we have small children and later bigger kids who will need to be driven everywhere, that a minivan makes the most sense. Thankfully, he bought that line and got on board for the minivan.

memali26 · November 2013

I've never understood the minivan hate. We're buying one before #3 is born and I am so excited. Probably too excited :P

If you are really against a minivan, I've heard that the Chevy Traverse is good for 3 across.

amhah09 · November 2013

Thanks, guys! I think we'll end up with a minivan. I actually have some mad love for the Sienna and Odyssey as of late... it's convincing DH that will be my issue. We have several months yet before #3 gets here so we'll probably go test driving and looking around in the next couple of months. Thanks!

jf198400 · December 2013

I have a Toyota sienna and love it! So much storage room, and you won't find power sliding doors on an SUV. Something to keep in mind that I wish I had known about is the number of latch and tether positions in the vehicle. I believe the odyssey has 6, sienna only has 3. Check out "the car seat lady" on Facebook, she had tons of info on this.

twister22 · December 2013

We have the Honda Odyssey and love, love, LOVE it. DH will need a bigger vehicle now that we have #3 on the way, but I know he doesn't want van either.

I'll have to look into the Chevy Traverse, and I look forward to seeing if anyone else has any other suggestions for non-van vehicles.

Meggiemegs27 · December 2013

Dodge journey can have a third row, my mom has one and love it. We just bought our first minivan and I have to say, it's pretty awesome

WhitePicketFence · December 2013

We have a minivan. I was not sold on the idea initially but, holy crap, do I love having one now. I love being able to have all the doors open with a push of a button as I very rarely have a free hand. Ours also has stow-and-go so we can fit so much crap in there. It gets awesome gas mileage, too. I'm really looking forward to not having to worry about car doors when trying to manuever a rear facing infant seat in and out of the vehicle this time. My favorite feature is that it functions as a containment device for my kids; I can unbuckle my oldest, have her stay in the vehicle while unbuckling my youngest, and get them both out the same side rather than having my 3 year old running away from me in the parking lot.

I honestly love my van so much that I'm not sure I could ever go back to driving an SUV, at least not until all of our kids are older.

LDQAM516 · January 2014

We LOVE our Suburban...wouldnt trade it for anything!

theoven · January 2014

The Diono car seats are made for 3 across in a van or an SUV. Check out that car seat first and you may not even have to buy a new car. They can be used front or rear facing.