Family Vehicles

CRich15 · March 2016

How many of you have to or are considering getting a larger vehicle to accommodate the expanding family. We currently have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that I absolutely love but space is already tight with the other 2 kiddos car seats and crap they take on the daily. We are looking into the Dionos car seats but I still don't think there will be room when you figure in all they take to school/daycare and having a stroller in there. Thoughts/opinions?? We may be looking into the minivan here...

AnnaS930 · March 2016

Hello! My husband currently has a Rav4 - we will be keeping it as we move from 1 kid to 2, but I can see filling it up pretty easily as you're saying, we already travel with a LOT of kiddo stuff.
I had a Subaru Impreza sport - hatchback, but the back seat was not very room, meaning front seats had to be way up in the dash for rear-facing carseats. I have since upgraded to a Toyota Highlander!! WOOP WOOP! Hello 3rd row seating. With 2 kids we don't expect to use the 3rd row much, but it's nice to have, and the trunk space with seat down is amazing!! I looked at a couple vans, and if it was kiddo 2 -> 3 I think it would have been more compelling. Love being able to get past the carseats in captain chairs to reach 3rd row.

erinmarie86 · March 2016

I'm definitely looking into a larger car or 2...we currently have a jeep patriot and hyundia elantra. our biggest issue is space for car seats so they don't touch the seats in front (i'll have 2 rear facing)...we also have 2 dogs that need places to sit...in addition to all the stuff we need to bring on short or long trips.

I'm looking into SUVs with 3 rows. I'm really against minivans though my husband wants one. the thing is, I'll be the one stuck driving the mini van because he'll be in the small commuter car...not cool

Anya Lynn · March 2016

We had a highlander with the 3rd row and loved it @AnnaS930 ! It was great when we had two! (And two dogs) after #3 came along it got tight and we got an escalade esv (basically a suburban) and it's been the best thing ever! Now that we are expecting #4 and #5 we will still be able to fit everyone and all the kid stuff! But I would say just from current personal experience if you get a bigger suv with 3 rows go for something with the larger trunk space! It's 100% worth it. As the kids get bigger, ours are 7, 4, 2.5 it's so helpful for sports gear and just general hauling stuff. Plus you can have a stroller and still be able to fit groceries in!

AnnaS930 · March 2016

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12660572/family-vehicle-suggestions/p1

here's another family vehicle thread that happened a month or so ago. It didn't get a ton of responses, but might give you some other insight!

rfrazier611 · March 2016

We have a toyota yaris and a toyota corolla... and no budget for a larger car until baby is 5 months old or so. I'm trying not to stress over it. We certainly won't be the first family of 4 to travel in a sedan and we won't be the last. Once baby is here I will take the corolla and DH will have to cram himself into the yaris for work, and we'll just have to pack light when we go places as a family. When it IS time for a larger car, I've got my heart set on a Honda CR-V.

owlcup · March 2016

We went from a Jeep Grand Cherokee to a Suburban l last Autumn. It's been great! Tons of space for the kids and room in the back for the stroller and groceries!

Also, I had no problem fitting all three kids and their crap in our Jeep.

kknoll59 · March 2016

I feel your pain...it's a tough pull to swallow. I'm pregnant with #3 and we, up until recently, had a subaru outback that I just loved. We had considered getting the space conserving car seats and squeezing all 3 into the back. But then we took a family trip to Florida with the 2 kids, dog and all our crap (we live in WI). This was enough to convince me that we are just frankly at a time in our lives where mini vans serve a purpose. Driving 20 hours in that car was pure pain, we were crammed in like sardines and I could t recline my seat cuz it was so jammed in there. The thought of having 3 kids back there and having to maneuver getting the one in the middle and trying to find the seat belt latch jammed down between the seats everytime, oy vey. We explored every option as far as MV alternatives. But, truly, there is a time and place for the real deal...and baby #3 might just be it. You can't beat the value, space, versatility and ease of use...esp with the stow and go seats (or a dog!). From a mama who nearly cried as my outback drove away, it's not that bad. We get about 3 miles less per gallon but there is so much space and the kids love that they can open the doors and get in and out themselves. It doesn't have to be forever...you likely won't be driving a MV when you're 50 (though we bought ours from some folks going into a nursing home). You won't regret it

SaraJuul · March 2016

We upgraded last year to a 2015 Pathfinder and love it. We currently have 2 boys, 1 in a booster and one in a car seat with baby 3 on the way. We also have 3 dogs (2 labs and a golden retriever). I think we'll be ok because the Pathfinder does have a 3rd row and we rarely travel with all 3 dogs...We'll see how it goes. If we need more space it will be time for a mini van or a suburban.

vampirina · March 2016

I'm on baby #1 and I still want to upgrade to a mini-van ASAP! The reason? My dog! He goes everywhere with me and I refuse to let him ride in any trunk space (like in a hatchback) so I need a third row with easy access just for the pup. My dog also wears a seat belt and I don't want to have to crawl over the second row to get to the third, so mini-van it is. If you have an mini-van rec's I'd love to hear em!

mommytimesfour · March 2016

We currently have a Kia Sorento which is fine for 2 kids, but the third row is pretty much useless because of lack of space, so we will have to get a bigger car with #3 on the way. My biggest thing is having ample cargo space with a third row in use. We've looked at a Suburban and a Yukon Denali XL so far.

jackiel1987 · March 2016

I recently got a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport GT. This is exactly what my car looks like. This is our first kid. I had a lancer ralliart with two 10" subs in the back. I had to get rid of it last month due to some extensive repairs it needed. I was very sad since I LOVED that car. However, I see it as a blessing in disguise now. I have a brand new 2015 car with a great warranty and lots of room. It came with all the upgrades so now I have a back up camera, heated seats, panoramic roof, and a rockford fosgate sounds system with a built in 10" sub in the back. My fiance has a Dodge Ram quad cab and I know we'll all fit fine in there too. We like to go camping, so we'll probably take the truck when we camp. Mitsubishi also makes a larger version of this which is just called the Outlander and it has 3rd row seating standard.

Image: https://static.mitsubishicars.com/img/vehicles/osp/2015/trims/GT-2.4/large/octane-blue-d.png

marajay6 · March 2016

Shortly after DS was born we bought a minivan to replace my old, poorly running Blazer. I never thought I would be a minivan driver but my husband really pushed for it and I couldn't give any good counter-arguments. He wouldn't accept "it's not cool" as a legitimate argument. He is an engineer and always has to be so darn practical. I have to admit, the power sliding doors are nice on rainy days and in tight parking spaces I don't have to worry about the door hitting the car next to me. We went with the Honda Odyssey and it has worked very well.

SaraJuul · March 2016

I want a mini van! They are so practical and so much floor space. My husband says Absolutely Not! I try to remind him that I'm the one who will be driving it and he just won't budge.

star18star · March 2016

We're doomed. I drive a Mustang GT and my husband drives a Challenger R/t. Both 2-door, rear-wheel drive muscle cars which are fast and fun but not practical AT all. And neither one of us is willing to budge and sell our car lol. So we're going to make the Challenger our "family car" since it's bigger and tough it out for a year or two. Then we're looking at a Volvo C30 hatchback or Ford Edge Sport. I can't drive something without power and I REFUSE to drive a minivan.

Pepper6 · March 2016

Neither of us had planned on it when we had our DD, but once we had the car seat in my car (I had a scion xd which was a tiny hatchback) it was awful. We ended up trading my car in when dd was only a week old. I have a VW tiguan (small suv) and I love it, and since this baby will be our last (2 carseats will fit just fine in there) I won't need to upgrade for a while.

Dh had a 2 door BMW m3 (fast coupe) and it was kind of a pita to get her in and out. It worked until she grew out of the infant seat and then he ended up trading his car in as well for a BMW X3 (mid-size suv).

mamadomino · March 2016

Derp. I totally just asked about this on the btdt thread!

we have an 18 month old (rear facing as long as possible) and are having twins. I have to get a mini van, don't I? Frack. I'm not ready!!

also for anyone looking for an SUV, I strongly do not recommend an explorer if you will have more than 2 in car seats ever. The middle seat is so narrow it is literally useless. I LOVE my explorer, just not for little kids.

jhems776 · March 2016

What is the smallest but big enough car? I hate driving big vehicles. I currently have a tiny prius c that I love, well it's the only car but we will get a second this summer.

LeahKnits · March 2016

PoodleDoodleOoo said:

I'm on baby #1 and I still want to upgrade to a mini-van ASAP! The reason? My dog! He goes everywhere with me and I refuse to let him ride in any trunk space (like in a hatchback) so I need a third row with easy access just for the pup. My dog also wears a seat belt and I don't want to have to crawl over the second row to get to the third, so mini-van it is. If you have an mini-van rec's I'd love to hear em!

Definitely a Honda Odyssey. I don't have one, but I want one. When we upgrade in a year or so, it'll be to a Honda Odyssey. One thing I do know that you should check is how many forward facing tether anchors it has, and where they are. They're for forward facing carseats, so you wouldn't need it until baby is 2 or older, but if you plan to have more children it's something to be aware of. Currently I think the law is that each vehicle has to have 3, but I know some of them are placed inconveniently.

SuperFudge00 · March 2016

Initially we had an Altima and a Patriot. I actually bought the patriot thinking it would be a good family car, lol. My SS came to live with us and he's bigger than everyone. I ended up getting a Yukon and we're keeping the Altima for SS. We are also a bmx/biking family, the change was needed when we had to take two vehicles to a race in Napa.

eagregg · March 2016

We just upgraded my Jeep Compass to a Chevy Traverse. I'm so in love with it. We had been talking about it for quite some time, #2 sealed the deal. I know it was tight with DD's rear facing seats and just didn't want to deal with that plus her seat now. It's so roomy.

CRich15 · March 2016

Thanks for all the input!! I think after talking to DH about it more we are going to try and make it work with the Jeep. He doesn't think we can really afford a bigger vehicle right now and unfortunately, I agree. We may look into it after we see how the finances work out after the baby gets here. So it looks like Dionos car seats and lots of prayers that everything works out. Thanks for all the input, my mind is still reeling at all the options you all have gone with.

ElcaB · March 2016

I'm not changing vehicles, but when I purchased my car a couple years ago I knew I wanted a "family car," so I went with a Ford Escape. I love it. It's perfect for us, our dog, and what might someday be two children.

MammaJams · March 2016

We are expecting number three in September, so we definitely needed more space. I upgraded from my CR-V to a Sienna van and love it. I was totally anti van, and surprised myself completely when I took it for a test drive and fell in love. Never pictured myself driving a minivan ever, but they are so practical (and surprisingly luxurious!), and I feel with more than 2 kids it just makes sense. My husband drives a 4runner with a third row, and I felt that got cramped when we took family trips with 2 girls and 2 dogs, plus luggage in tow, if that gives you an idea. And 4Runners are pretty big. I did check out the Pilot and Highlander but they just didn't make sense.

LeahKnits · March 2016

CRich15 said:

Thanks for all the input!! I think after talking to DH about it more we are going to try and make it work with the Jeep. He doesn't think we can really afford a bigger vehicle right now and unfortunately, I agree. We may look into it after we see how the finances work out after the baby gets here. So it looks like Dionos car seats and lots of prayers that everything works out. Thanks for all the input, my mind is still reeling at all the options you all have gone with.

I don't know how old your kids are, but a good option for a baby car seat is the Cosco scerena NEXT from Walmart. We had three kids in an Oldsmobile Bravada until we got our van a month ago. The seats that worked for us with 2 rear facing and 1 forward facing, were a Harmony Defender, a scerena NEXT and a Britax B-Safe infant seat. The B-Safe only fit because the others were so slim. These seats are quite a bit cheaper than the Diono, so if money is a consideration, I suggest looking at them first.

Sbrown721 · March 2016

jhems776 said:

What is the smallest but big enough car? I hate driving big vehicles. I currently have a tiny prius c that I love, well it's the only car but we will get a second this summer.

I have a Prius as well and my fiance has a Tacoma truck. We are only planning on having 2 kids so, I plan on running my Prius to the ground. We have 2 big dogs so, it would definitely be too tight of a squeeze to go on a trip with the Prius, but I think it will be just fine for everyday use. Good luck!

beckz7 · March 2016

We have a Toyota 4Runner which will be plenty big enough for my husband, 11 yr old, baby, and myself. In August, I found a 2 door Honda Civic SI Coupe that I absolutely LOVE! Then, surprise, time for another baby I found out at the end of January. I fractured my back 5 years ago, so I know that it will be near impossible for me to fit an infant seat in my SI. I'm thinking that we will just keep both vehicles and I will make the 4Runner my main vehicle (unless I get to go somewhere alone). The thought of losing my car breaks my heart lol. I absolutely refuse to ever ever EVER have a minivan. haha. EVER.

When my son was a baby, I chose a Subaru WRX wagon as my 'responsible mom car' so I can't have a granny car lol

jensou · March 2016

I have an Acura MDX with three full rows. It replaced my Chrysler Pacifica that was wrecked in Dec. we have 3 teens plus this LO on the way so needed 3 rows. The Pacifica could have done it but the taller kids complained about the back row. The MDX is a little better in the back. We bought it used on Craig's List for $7,500 and I'm happy with it. Only gets 20 - 24 mpg though.

Thscary · April 2016

Reviving this thread. My husband had to get a rental car until he can pick up his new truck and was given a Dodge Durango. I want to keep it. It has third row seating and is so spacious and the ride is super smooth. You can control the trunk from the remote or just touch the button on the back to open it. I will seriously be considering ditching my Ford Escape (garbage btw) for a Durango.

frogdog06 · April 2016

@MammaJams why not the Pilot?

I upgraded from a Honda Civic (my college car!) to an Acura TLX (FTM here). DH will get a Highlander/Pilot (refuses the MDX) after we get a house (fingers crossed).

As far as the Acura TLX, I wasn't comfortable driving the RDX and the MDX felt way too big for me. The TLX has incredibly deep trunk space and I'm a Honda girl, so I was sold (pretty much after watching this video at the 6:30 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU1FqjV1Y4c ). It fits A LOT.

KimmySchmidt · April 2016

We drive a VW tdi Jetta sportwagen. You literally cannot buy them now. #vwscandal I'm pretty pissed there has been absolutely no news from
VW since like, October. But the size is good for a one baby family. We're going to make it work for two. My husband is anti-SUV and I'm anti-van, so station wagon it is.

RedMar · April 2016

@jhems776 I hear you on the intimidation of driving a bigger vehicle. I slowly worked my way up the scale. I had a sunfire, celica, then an Acura TSX (I actually sold this to a Mexican gentleman from buffalo in a local Walmart parking lot- shadiest Craigslist deal of my LIFE) before I finally surrendered and bought a highlander. I've heard the Rav4 or the CRV are very similar to cars when you're driving them, but they have a lot more space and you don't have to bend over as much to put a babe in. My back is destroyed after having DS and still hurts me to this day, so I'm thankful to not have a smaller car.

Side note (actually why I responded to your post in the first place) DH has a Prius since he drives all over creation for his job. Currently we have one car seat and it works, but it gets tricky when there are groceries and a stroller involved. I already know we will be taking my highlander everywhere once this babe arrives!

PSUBecky23 · April 2016

Don't buy a Honda Element. (Luckily they're not made anymore.) It was an awesome SUV pre-kids with tons of room but it sucks with a rearfacing car seat. The back seat sits really far back so I had to climb into the car and across the seat to be able to get my daughter buckled. Cannot wait to get a new SUV. Leaning towards a CR-V.

seitzy3 · April 2016

Does anyone here have a GMC Acadia Denali? DH and I are looking to upgrade our Jeep. How the heck do you configure three car seats, all on the first row? The oldest in the back? When do kids go from car seat to booster seat? So many questions I know. I am typing and thinking out loud. I think my girlfriend has a Toyota Highlander with a third row and loves it.

CRich15 · April 2016

I took the plunge and got a Toyota Sienna a couple weeks ago. It was a hard day being that I had to kiss my wonderful Jeep goodbye. But oh my!! I may be growing attached to the van! My kids can get in without assistance, I have room for days and tons of awesome features. We looked into the Durango because I felt it strongly resembled my Jeep but they are really $$ if you want one that has some decent features.

RedMar · April 2016

Glad it all worked out @CRich15 !!!

RedMar · April 2016

Wow @seitzy3 big pimpin!!

Want a personalized experience?

Family Vehicles

Re: Family Vehicles

Choose Another Board

Search Boards