https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:30:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542298 Thu, 05 May 2016 14:12:18 +0000 agold 2542298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: If you are interested in Dodge, look at the Dodge Durango. I think it feels like a mini van! And thanks for the tip about thinking ahead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542296 Thu, 05 May 2016 14:10:08 +0000 skipra 2542296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have experience with a Kia Sorento? It has popped up as an option but I don't really know anything about it or anyone with one. Generally I don't know anything about Kias. </p> <p>@agold: My biggest suggestion is to figure out the max # of kids you might have someday and buy a car based on that! We got my current car just 3 years ago when my oldest was a baby and only considered having a second someday even though we never ruled out 3+. Oops. Also if you are ever planning on three or three across in one row, I think the Chicco Keyfit is generally the narrowest infant seat. Just my advice from personal experience but I bet you will get lots of different opinions! </p> <p>@bpcmarj: Thanks! Kias and Hyundais are brands that I just never remember or think to look into.</p> <p>@anonysquire: Thank you! Another one I have heard nothing about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542287 Thu, 05 May 2016 14:02:39 +0000 anonysquire 2542287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 3 rf car seats in my Dodge Journey. I was looking at the Ford Explorer vs the Dodge Journey and the Dodge Journey had every bell and whistle out there and was $15,000 less!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542236 Thu, 05 May 2016 13:36:15 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 2542236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: add me to team Pathfinder. You'll get more for your money than with a Pilot or Highlander and it also allows third row access without uninstalling a latched FF child seat, which is super nice.</p> <p>ETA I also really liked the Flex! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542191 Thu, 05 May 2016 13:03:10 +0000 bpcmarj 2542191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Mom just got a Hyundai Santa Fe with a third row and looooves it. I would assume that they have an AWD version for sure. She bought hers used (2009) and it was very affordable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542190 Thu, 05 May 2016 13:01:43 +0000 catgirl 2542190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: That will work on some models, but in some the latch still overlaps with the seat belt which is the same problem. It's so frustrating that vehicles that can hold large families are not actually designed to do so.</p> <p>Also, the link I posted only mentions a few vehicles with overlap but there are so many that do that are not on there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542187 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:57:52 +0000 agold 2542187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: @avivoca: Thanks for this clarification! I'm just on my first baby and looking at infant car seats AND a new car. Crazy timing on the car. But this conversation is so relevant so I'll keep following along as I feel I have so much more to learn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542185 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:55:56 +0000 skipra 2542185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: I didn't realize that about the Highlanders. I read that as long as you can use LATCH in one of the positions (I don't remember which) that the overlapping seat belts don't matter. I would be fine with a 2012 which doesn't have the issue and just get a narrow car seat like the Radian for the center position. But the overlapping seat belt is the reason why we can't put 3 in our current car and it is so frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542181 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:52:56 +0000 skipra 2542181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: I know absolutely nothing about Mazdas so I will definitely start some research! Thank you!<br /> @SeptMomma12: The Pilot seems very popular! DH would love a lot of trunk space with the seats down for his many trips to Home Depot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542180 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:52:42 +0000 avivoca 2542180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I wish more Nissan cars did, because I love my Versa and I'd love to be able to fit a third person back there if needed. But the no top tethers in the third row was the final nail in the Rogue coffin for me. It's a shame, they drive so well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542179 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:52:05 +0000 catgirl 2542179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Highlanders, at least for the past few years, have overlapping seat belts in the second row so you can't do three across. </p> <p>This breaks down LATCH locations in vehicles with three rows, and also points out some that have overlapping belts. </p> <p><a href="http://thecarseatlady.com/latch3rowvehicle/" rel="nofollow">http://thecarseatlady.com/latch3rowvehicle/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542178 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:51:09 +0000 skipra 2542178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: Yeah I know about the Rogue not allowing 3 across - but it would in a perfect world! We really need AWD because of my husband's drive to work so it's just non-negotiable and I think the Sienna has some issue with either 3 across or the top tether anchors but I don't remember off the top of my head.<br /> @agold: I don't know about LATCH but I thought some of the larger SUV's or minivans might have all three. I know in the past I have heard of a couple but I can't remember which ones. LATCH is not perfect anyway because they have weight limits so eventually you have to do seat belt installs regardless. I was talking about the top tether anchors because at some point we will have 3 in FF car seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542177 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:50:15 +0000 SeptMomma12 2542177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the new 2016 Honda Pilot and absolutely love it. We've only used the third row once in 6 months, but it's nice to know it's there, and the trunk is huge when it's down. We've also been very pleasantly surprised by the gas mileage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542173 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:48:10 +0000 ValentineMommy 2542173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Mazda CX9 and love it! I think it fits all your criteria? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542166 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:44:54 +0000 avivoca 2542166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Maybe not just LATCH (and most cars don't have three across for that), but FF seats require the usage of a top tether and not every car has those three across. A seatbelt install is just as safe as a LATCH install. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542164 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:42:47 +0000 agold 2542164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: By "tether anchor", do you mean the rigid LATCH things? Please tell me if you find a car that has three sets of the LATCH across the back!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542162 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:41:30 +0000 avivoca 2542162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: The Nissan Rogue doesn't allow for three across in the second row. In the second row, you cannot install a seat in the center seating position and the third row does not allow for any seat that needs a top tether. We love the Rogue but it's off our list because of that. Have you looked at the Ford Edge? They allow for three across and are pretty roomy for a smaller SUV. There's no third row option that I can see, but they do come in AWD. ETA: Here is CSR information for all Nissan cars: <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/snugkids/manuals" rel="nofollow">http://www.nissanusa.com/snugkids/manuals</a></p> <p>I'm on team minivan, but my husband wants an AWD/4WD SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542154 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:38:28 +0000 BSB 2542154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: Oh, okay. Yeah, I was looking into the new redesigned Pilot this year but then I saw the new sticker price. Yeah, we bought DH's truck new a few years ago but looking into larger SUV, we had to buy used. Minivans and large SUVs are expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542146 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:29:15 +0000 skipra 2542146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Canoli: I SO wish we had gotten a CRV when we bought my current car. I doubt we would even be looking now if we had. I don't want to make the same mistake twice and we like to be able to at least go places with my mom regularly so it unfortunately doesn't make sense now. I will add the Pilot to our list though. Thanks for the suggestions!<br /> @bluestriped bee: I don't know when 2017 comes out but we probably need it sooner and I'd guess new is out of the price range right now. The Rogue is similar to what I have now so I know trunk space is not much with the third row but we wouldn't need the trunk for more than a couple small bags or an umbrella stroller when we need the third row so I'm not worried about it. Plus I would be the one sitting in the back most of the time or maybe my nephews so it can be cozy back there! The Highlander is definitely on our list and I love the hybrid option. If we go with that we could probably put off DH's new car so I wouldn't mind spending a bit more. Love to hear it drives like a car and not a truck! Thanks!<br /> @Charm54: I will look into the Pathfinder too! My friend has one too and loves it. Should make it easy for me to check out witout the dealership pressure. Thanks!<br /> @whiskers: I really haven't heard much about the Ford Flex. Thanks! This is why I love getting all these suggestions :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542120 Thu, 05 May 2016 12:02:45 +0000 whiskers 2542120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Ford Flex and Nissan Pathfinder are on my list of possibilities when we decide to buy a new vehicle. I want to wait until #3 is here and see how well my CR-V handles 3 kids before deciding what we may want/need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542113 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:57:22 +0000 Charm54 2542113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love everything about our Nissan Pathfinder. We got a lot of features for the price compared to the Highlander (our 2nd pick). We've had it for 3 years and zero issues. It's handles our Canadian winters with ease, and the space is awesome!! We keep the third row folded up for the most part, but it is nice to have the extra seats in a pinch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542100 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:44:42 +0000 BSB 2542100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: Honda Odyssey might put AWD in their 2017 model. Sienna has an AWD option now. </p> <p>Have you seen a Rogue? My parents have an older one. I heard about the 3rd row but I wonder how much space there is for guests. Also, that 3rd row would give almost no truck space. We have a Toyota Highlander and with the 3rd row seats up, we have about less than a foot of truck space. With a Rogue, it could be a lot less. I have a CRV and compared to my DH's Highlander, it's definitely a bit more compact. We got a fully loaded used Highlander for a great deal. It's 3 years old and has a lot of features that are great (power lift gate, back up camera). Buying a new SUV was a bit out of our budget. DH is so happy with it. Oh, I prefer small cars but the Highlander drives like a car. I could drive it if I had to. DH traded in his Tacoma truck and we test drove a 4 Runner and they both drove like trucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542096 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:41:16 +0000 Canoli 2542096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband has a Honda Pilot and we love it. We can fit 3 across(2 Diono Radian's and a Chicco key fit 30). We haven't really used the third row yet and it definitely will make trunk room limited but in the third row you don't hVe to have all 3 seats up at the same time.</p> <p>I know this doesn't fit the criteria you are looking for but I just got a Honda CRV as my car because we didn't feel like we needed 2 bigger SUV's and it also fits the above 3 car seat configuration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542091 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:37:06 +0000 skipra 2542091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: Thanks! But unfortunately the Odyssey is firmly off our list because of the lack of AWD/4WD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542084 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:30:05 +0000 DillonLion 2542084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boss drives a 2012 Honda Odyssey and it can fit 3 car seats across the second row. They never have the 3rd row in for the most part (we ride in it weekly for office lunch trips so I see it on a regular basis)</p> <p>I just checked and it doesn't seem like it is AWD or 4WD, but I could be mistaken. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-pick-our-next-car#post-2542080 Thu, 05 May 2016 11:26:37 +0000 skipra 2542080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really love reading the minivan thread and all the differing opinions. We are lucky to have so many family friendly vehicle options but it can make the process of choosing one a little overwhelming. I am in the market for a new car because we are expecting our third and the car I currently drive does not allow for 3 car seats. I would love to hear opinions on what cars we should consider next!</p> <p>Our non-negotiable requirements are that I can have 3 car seats across in the second row all with tether anchors, AWD or 4WD (DH needs it to get to/from work safely in the winter), third row for when we have extra passengers, great safety and reliability ratings. </p> <p>My preferences are for it to be as small as possible with the best fuel economy we can get for the size. The third row would only be used occasionally and not for long trips where we need to carry a bunch of stuff (think trips to the beach, the zoo, parties etc.) so I really do not mind if the trunk space is minimal when the third row is up. I imagine the third row would be folded down the majority of the time. Affordability is huge too as I don't want to take out a loan. The more affordable, the more I am willing to compromise on the gas mileage because we are also planning to replace DH's car with a Prius V as soon as we can afford to, which we would use for longer trips and when we all go places. I am 100% open to buying used! I really do not need all the bells and whistles, just a basic car that will get me and the three kids around town and the occasional outings with grandparents. </p> <p>In an ideal world, the Subaru Outback would have a third row or the Nissan Rogue with the third row would allow 3 across. I have researched several cars but want to come up with a list to check out and test drive first. </p> <p>I really appreciate any suggestions and personal experiences! Thanks so much! </p>