Vehicle for a Family of 6+

PinkPrincessPiper · December 2016

Since Baby #4 is on the way, we need to upgrade from our 5 seater SUV to either a bigger SUV or a Mini-Van. Any recommendations from mamas with large families? We aren't looking to spend a fortune, but definitely want something safe & reliable. I'm secretly hoping my mom will let me buy her Honda Odessey, but the chances of her wanting to sell it may be slim to none! Thanks in advance.

cltweed · December 2016

We love our Odyssey! I also have a friend with a Suburban and she loves it.

midge519 · December 2016

Lurker from Oct 15 but I have a family of 7. We have a 2014 Honda Pilot and I absolutely love it!

Incandescent · December 2016

I am in the same boat! I'm glad you asked. I'm following this

Incandescent · December 2016

Also would love to know prices

bumpybump · December 2016

I grew up in a family of 6. My parents had a Caravan from the first year they came out and have always had one (or whatever model they are called now). My sister who has 4 kids drives a Honda Odyssey and loves it. Vans are really nice for large families as they allow the older kids the ability to get in and out themselves and have plenty of storage for trips. As a mom of one, upcoming two, I honestly debate getting one from the pure convenience/practical standpoint. I could always drive a SUV later when the kids are older.

moylauren515 · December 2016

I'm going to be a first time mommy this year but I am well versed in the automotive industry. I would say look at the Chrysler Town & County, or the more economical Dodge Grand Caravan. Same platform, same transmission, just depends on budget. The power, comfort and ease of driving are all reasons I recommend it. If you're looking for a larger vehicle that isn't a mini van, Ford Flex. Smoothest ride ever, great handling. All seats fold flat if need be and you can even get a refrigerated console that can freeze things. Think long road trips and storing snacks and drinks!

moylauren515 · December 2016

Oh, and forgot to mention, Chrysler mini vans are the number 1 selling mini van. In fact they build VW'S mini vans, VW just puts their logo on it lol

TheNewMrsLee · December 2016

Everyone that's in the car seat world would recommend a Honda odyssey

Bipster · December 2016

My mom and my FIL both own Honda pilots and they are amazing vehicles. We have gone on trips out of state with up to 7 people and completely comfortable. Plus Honda has great safety and reliability ratings.

tripledaggerWed95976 · December 2016

We just bought the new Mazda CX-9. It is awesome!!! And it's got plenty of room (3 rows)

middy411 · December 2016

I grew up in a family of 6 and we had one of those giant blue and tan Chevy vans with the ladder and tire on the back. My dad decided to paint it white when I was in middle school. Don't make your kids ride in a van that looks like a painter's van

jk. But seriously that thing had so much room and the captain seats were so comfortable. Too bad they don't make giant vans anymore. I'm only on child #2 and hoping my Infiniti FX35 will work for 2 kids at least. One day I'll venture to the world of big SUVs.

Incandescent · December 2016

I need something with 4 wheel drive as well

hupp0013 · December 2016

I love our Chrysler town and country. I looked at SUVs with 3 rows, and did not like how cramped they felt after driving the mini van. I love our van! I love the automatic sliding doors, the storage capacity, the traction control, the DVD player. Plus the stow and go seats are really awesome when we need to haul big items or a lot of stuff!

ETA: It was also a lot more affordable to buy the mini van. We got a newer model with a lot of features for less than we would have paid for an SUV. Plus the gas mileage is better.

strawberrytree · December 2016

I often see car seat people recommend against the Dodge Caravan and I believe the Town and Country for large families. The reason is because there are only 3 tether points for forward facing car seats and apparently the seat belts in the 3rd row on the sides often don't fit correctly, even when used by an adult, so depending on the number of car seats and booster seats you have you may be limited in seating arrangements.
Honda Odyssey and Pilot are frequently recommended!

Mango517 · December 2016

If you need real 4WD capabilities then the options are limited to large SUV's with 3 rows. Anything built on a truck platform like Suburbans or Expeditions will give you space and 4wd.

All Wheel Drive will open up a lot more options. You'd still have the Toyota Sienna minivan option, as well as many of the larger unibody SUV's like Pilots or Explorers. If you want the 4WD just for bad weather handling, my AWD car does amazing in poor weather. It can't go up the side of the mountain on a dirt road in 14" of snow, but driving on snow and ice is just fine.

Bountifulbride · January 2017

We have loved our 8 seat Honda Odyssey but we are looking to upgrade to something even bigger now that baby#6 is on the way..

kaydee5-2 · January 2017

We just bought an Acura MDX, it seats 7 and is great! I think it was around 42,000.

nbashley · January 2017

I have a Ford Expedition. It seats 8 with 2 benches instead of bucket seats. It's a gas guzzler, but they're very safe! Surprisingly enough, mini vans aren't always the safest. It has 4wd and handles well in bad weather.

akaska-2 · January 2017

Toyota 4Runner with third row - we love it

TRA0816 · January 2017

We just recently upgraded to a Dodge durango. A 2014 for 32,000. It has third row fold down seating and rear air conditioning which is nice. Ours has leather seats/wheel, auto start, and some other luxeries. A more basic model might be cheaper.

Rgriffin91 · January 2017

For those that have SUVs or crossovers with the third row, when the third row is up, is there enough trunk space to fit a double stroller? We're about to have 3 kids in carseats (not even boosters yet) and we need all the space we can get. I've seen with the Honda Pilot that once you put up the third row, your trunk space is nil. I wouldn't be able to fit the stroller and groceries back there unfortunately. I'm very interested in the responses!

OperaSingerMommy · January 2017

Lurking from July...

@Rgriffin91 I think a lot of the 3rd row SUV's have a 50/50 split for the back row so if you have 3 kiddos, you could fit a stroller on the other half of the back row. I have a Hyundai Santa Fe and that's what I'm hoping to do if I have a third. I *think* the Pilot also has the split in the back. If you have a side by side double stroller, I doubt it'd fit but an in-line would definitely work and you could squeeze groceries in the trunk space.

Rgriffin91 · January 2017

@OperaSingerMommy we have a graco side-by-side. Minivan it is! Thanks

turkeybabt · January 2017

I second Mazda CX-9! We bought it 2 months before I found out I had a BFP. It drives amazingly and is AWD. 3rd row was a must for me, and I didn't want a van. CX-9 is a SUV. Price is a lil high but if you look for a new used one, look at CarMax or the like, you can get a good price for like-new.

asun123 · January 2017

I have a 2015 Kia Sedona and I don't think it's possible for me to be any more in love with it. 3 seats in back, 3 seats in middle, two up front. Right now I have 2 kids but sometime have my niece with me so I have a rear facing carseat behind the passager seat, a forward facing carseat behind my drivers seat. In the middle of those carseats, I have the seat pulled down so they have cupholders in the middle. And then in the back I have half of the seat folded down into the bottom so its used for a spot to put my groceries, etc. Then a forward carseat in the seat. Behind that my two seater stroller fits perfectly standing up.

Hope all that made sense.

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