Vehicle Suggestions

aelocke · June 2015

We currently have a Ford Explorer. The problem is that in order to hold a carrier, infant car seat, the front seats have to be all the way forward. It doesn't even work having it in the middle seat. We traded our Ford Edge for the explorer a few years back to have more room for our daughter. So, now we need something else.

What vehicle do you have, and why do you love it?

allslee · June 2015

We currently have a Honda Civic (which we love) but will be trading it in for a Honda CRV. The Civic just doesn't have the space we are going to need. We have test driven the CRV and love it for the space and also because it's similar in gas tank size to the Civic. So we will only be spending a little bit more in gas/payments will be similar. I just can't wait until we have a lot more space for baby/DH'S hockey/baseball gear.

robertin · June 2015

We just got a 2015 Toyota Highlander. We love it so much. It has an optional third row seat which we probably won't use often but it's nice to have it if we need it. With that third row down we have a TON of space in the back for hauling whatever!

xomeredith · June 2015

2015 Chevy Trax. We actually bought it months before we got pregnant, but we've tested it by putting car seats in to see how much room we have and we have plenty! It's a great little car, not quite an SUV and it gets great gas mileage!

bkc92 · June 2015

We have a Hyundai Accent and we are going to be doomed when the baby gets here. I honestly don't even know what's going to happen with the infant seat in that car. It's super tight with the my son's carseat in the middle backseat right now. We'll move his over to one side when he's foward facing at 2, but the passenger side is going to have to sit really forward with the infant seat. Maybe I can convince my husband to start shopping for my Jeep Grand Cherokee that I want

fragglemom · June 2015

Volvo XC90. I love it. There is a ton of space, third row seating, it rides really smooth and I feel super safe driving it.

ChipMonster · June 2015

I drive a two-door civic! With a diono convertable that is rear-facing at the moment. I was ok with the infant seat. That didn't bother me and I could still recline the passenger seat enough. But now, with the bigger seat, the passenger side is all the way to the front and can only be reclined one click. It's so uncomfortable! We are also looking into the CR-V! What a change it will be to have those back doors. No more sliding DS into his seat from the top!

SullyN · June 2015

I have a new Nissan Rogue and love it! The 3rd row is perfect for our needs since we don't need it often. If you're on Facebook check out the group Car seats for the Littles and they're great at reccomending cars based on your needs and car seats that work well with them!

abbi1995 · June 2015

I have a Nissan Pathfinder, and my partner has a Kia (car) baby brain just kicked in idk which one lol but we like both.

willashbaby · June 2015

DH has a Ford Focus hatchback which is technically a compact car. We're getting the Graco snug ride 30, it's one of the smallest but still highly rated seats available. Problem solved.

0leahmarie · June 2015

I'm from Dec 2015 but I'm going to stalk this thread... currently have an Altima Coupe so I need to change that!

laxdixdar · June 2015

I actually just got a new Camry in November. After trying so many years without luck it never even occurred to me to think about car seats fitting. Looks like time for more research...

erynashlee · June 2015

We currently have a Honda CRV and my 6 yr old and DH are very tall so it's noticeable that he and she need more room even though it's a mid size SUV. We will be trading our CRV out for a sienna by the time baby comes in Jan. still very good on gas like our Honda but extra room since well only be a family of 4 soon. Extra room will be fine. Plus DH says he'll get the one with the DVD player for the kids!

HimandMeplus3 · June 2015

I just traded to a mini van (which I said I was NEVER going to have). I had a Ford Focus wagon, but was constantly bumping little man's head on the ceiling trying to get him into his RF car seat. We LOVE the van so far. Our families don't live super close, so when we go for visits, we usually have our 2 big dogs and baby gear needed for the day/weekend. Trying to pack everything in the car was getting ridiculous. Things I didn't think about pre-kids.

Mamabeagle · June 2015

Ford Escape. This will be our first and I called it my mom car when I bought it last year. It can fit a stroller and the dogs crate, and since I prefer to sit really close to the steering wheel I don't think having the baby seat behind me would be a big deal.

But if the Ford Edge and Explorer aren't big enough for you, my little SUV wouldn't be either.

willashbaby · June 2015

Ok I'm really finding it hard to believe that so many people can't fit a car seat! Seriously? Buy smaller car seats! And a PSA, sit as FAR AWAY from your steering wheel as possible. That air bag goes off and you're too close a broke nose will be the least of your worries.

fragglemom · June 2015

willashbaby said:
Ok I'm really finding it hard to believe that so many people can't fit a car seat! Seriously? Buy smaller car seats!

I hear ya. I didn't have a problem getting one to fit in my Sentra when I was caring for an infant. My problem was when he got to be around a year old. It was a struggle to protect his head from the door frame and wrestle him into the seat bending at an angle that killed my back.

jennaonthego · June 2015

I have a Trailblazer and it is snug with 2 booster seats and a carseat. Now with number 4 coming in January, we are currently shopping for vehicles that have a 3rd row. DH refuses to look at minivans so we are considering a Pilot or a Traverse. I'd rather a Sienna. We live in MA so AWD is a must.

CaraBoonie · June 2015

@willashbaby I think maybe it's more people with several kids and big pets? (Some ppl mentioned dog crates). As it will literally just be me and baby (and sometimes hubby) in the car, I'm not concerned. I have a compact hatchback (hubby has a 2 seater convertible so basically he's useless lol) and we asked the lady at the car dealer before buying and she said she could fit her twins in the same car. If a grown adult can fit, so can a carseat, I've sat next to many a carseat and have always taken up more space than the baby lol.

leanneandryan · June 2015

My husband and I are also having this discussion right now. I am pregnant with my second and we don't see 2 cars seats and the kennel fitting in the Avalanche (pick up truck) and we aren't sure about the Ford Escape (small suv) either. We are trying to decide between big suv or mini van.

aelocke · June 2015

@willashbaby I'm a nurse and certified in carseat installation. It isn't that I couldn't cramp the car seat in, it's that it isn't safe and I would prefer my whole family ride safe and comfortably. My vehicle has a third row seat, which limits the space for the second row. As I stated in my initial post, the car seat will fit, just not without the passenger seat being all the way forward so my knees are hitting the dash, and I'm only 5'5".

Thanks everyone for their comments. We have been looking at going back to the edge because it doesn't have the third row or one of the other choices given.

Monilee1017 · June 2015

willashbaby said:

Ok I'm really finding it hard to believe that so many people can't fit a car seat! Seriously? Buy smaller car seats! And a PSA, sit as FAR AWAY from your steering wheel as possible. That air bag goes off and you're too close a broke nose will be the least of your worries.

I know right! DH and I both have pontiacs and not only do they fit a baby car seat and a toddler car set, they also fit a booster at the same time!

Mamabeagle · June 2015

@willashbaby now that I'm 9 weeks, it's super uncomfortable to sit straight up so I'm actually slightly reclined and further back while driving now. I don't know why I sit so close typically!

babybluu · June 2015

We just got a 2015 rav 4 and we love it. It's not too small or too big, and hopefully will stay with our family if we only have 2 kids. We also have 2'huskies so something with a big trunk was a must

CBWifey · June 2015

We had Acura RDX, not big enough for two car seats and dog kennel, sold it for a fabulous 2010 Ford Flex! This thing is huge. Ours has captains chairs in second row. We love it!

willashbaby · June 2015

@Mamabeagle I'm glad to hear you're sitting further away. I have quite a few EMTs in the family and there are so many injuries from sitting too close. Use this opportunity to retrain yourself to sit further away for sure!

mrhargr · June 2015

If you like your explorer, an expedition would probably suit you. Ours has a third row seat that folds down completely and the second row is plenty big enough for car seats.

smkerr14 · June 2015

I just got a chevy equinox and love it. Can't wait to put the baby seat in it

the next car will probably be a traverse. My husband had one of those for his company cars right now.

mysquishy18 · June 2015

We just bought a 2015 Kia Sorento. I had an older model and "needed" an upgrade. I love it! It fits our car seat perfectly. They expanded the second row by 6 in and it fits everyone. There's an optional 3rd row and it's nice when we need it. Only problem is if the 3rd row is up the storage is limited. Love it though because it's great for kids.

Sahara26 · June 2015

I got a Jeep Grand Cherokee in April and I love it! Plenty of cargo room in the back and plenty of leg space in the second row. It's a very similar size to the Explorer, but it doesn't have the optional third row. It's very similarly priced to the Ford Edge, but I liked the overall styling outside and inside on the Jeep.

smoothobturator@hotmail.com · June 2015

How easy/hard is it to get a kid (eg toddler) into a full size suv? Just thinking about lifting 30 lbs or so up. We are considering getting one for wintry weather and since we likely need a seven seater

willashbaby · June 2015

My way of thinking and situation is just different. I live and commute in an urban area so a big car or truck just isn't an option if you actually want to park anywhere. I have an Altima and that thing is a pain in the ass to park daily. Smaller is better for us, we find a way to cram anything and everything in and make it work. I'm sure if I had the option for something bigger I would probably want it. City living sucks sometimes lol.

MissMheMhe · June 2015

I drive a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. DH has a 2000 Honda Odyssey that is in great shape. The second row is captains chairs and the third row folds down for lots of 'trunk' space. Both have plenty of room for a car seat.

thepanicos · June 2015

@aelocke we have a Hyundai Elantra, and with the booster we already have in the back seat there won't be much room at all. My husband is set on getting the Ford Escape, which is smaller then the Explorer! Jeeze I'm nervous now. I test drove the Toyota Highlander, and also looked into a Ford Flex. It has so much room. Growing up my parents had an Expedition or Tahoe. That's always a good option.

mollyj931 · June 2015

Mini van concert here!!

We bought a Chrysler town and country mini van about 2 months ago and I LOVE it!! I never wanted to drive a mini van but gave in. Fitting 3 car seats, two dogs and traveling a lot, it was kinda a no brainier for us. Love love all the space, stow and go seats and push button doors and trunk. After a nasty door ding caused by my 5 year old this fall the sliding doors are awesome too!

sunnydlight · June 2015

I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra at the moment and hubby just bought a 2013 Ford 500. He can't drive his F350, 45 minutes to work everyday! I finally convinced him to downgrade it to farm use since we use it only for hay and horses. We'll use the Ford 500 for longer trips and I want to trade in my Tundra for a newer one that's a true crew cab, meaning it'll be like having an suv but I won't have to give up my truck. Cuz this farm wife has to still haul horse feed and hay as well as baby! And I'm not giving up my 4W drive as long as I'm in Ohio.

jonesl12 · June 2015

No longer a January 2016 mom unfortunately so I'm lurking ( hoping to be a mom tho in 2016 )

. The SUV decision is a hard one! I test drove quite a few before I decided on an Audi Q7. You can get one used and save quite a bit of $$. Our 2015 had 5,000 miles and we saved about 8,000 off msrp. It's super sturdy, well made, 100,000 mile warranty that includes roadside assistance ( if you run out of gas, flat tire, need a tow, etc) Audi has great customer service and while your car is getting serviced they give you a car if you need to run errands while yours is getting fixed if needed. Tons of airbags and hardly any blind spots. It doesn't sit up very high so I'm hoping God willing if we get pregnant again it will be easy to get baby in and out of. Plus it has 3 spots where there's an extra attachment for the car seat to be secured to the seat. Happy hunting !

JNGettinMarried · June 2015

We bought a Chevy Equinox in 2013 in preparation for our first born June 2014. We love it! We looked into third row SUV'S but found that the addition of the third row took a lot of space from the second row, and that was what we would primarily be using. The best feature about the Equinox (IMO) is the sliding backseat. It can slide forward and backward about 8 inches so fitting a rear facing infant seat or carseat has been no problem. Another thing to check for besides the car seat fitting is the space for a stroller. That's the only thing making us think minivan for the arrival of our second... not sure how well a double stroller will fit in the back.

Mamabeagle · June 2015

willashbaby said:
@Mamabeagle I'm glad to hear you're sitting further away. I have quite a few EMTs in the family and there are so many injuries from sitting too close. Use this opportunity to retrain yourself to sit further away for sure!

You think one of my coworkers would have said something when I drive to lunch...we are all bodily injury adjusters! I've only been doing it for a year so I haven't been handling the more serious injuries and fatalities yet.

willashbaby · June 2015

@Mamabeagle I just checked on consumer affairs, you should be at least 10 inches away and if you're too short (which many women are) they recommend pedal extenders.

js2552 · June 2015

I have a 2014 Honda Pilot and love it. Right now we have 2 britax convertible car seats in the second row. With baby 3 we could put all three car seats in the second row, which is difficult with most suv's. My oldest will be 4 so we will probably start with all three in the second row and eventually move him into the 3rd row as he gets older. It's a very roomy suv.

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