https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 02:50:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2132124 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:50:47 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 2132124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you're set on AWD (which I fully support), but that doesn't mean you're stuck with an SUV. When I bought mine, I wanted a sedan with AWD. There are lots of options, and my Subaru is AMAZING in bad weather. We had to drive 90 miles in an ice storm, and there were probably 100 cars in ditches, and my car had zero problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2132006 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:57:28 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2132006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Keep us posted on what you end up getting and how you like it! We're in the market for a mid-size SUV and are looking at the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, and the Toyota Highlander. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131939 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:13:52 +0000 BSB 2131939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: Not to bring you back to the minivan discusion, I think the Sienna is the only minivan right now that offers a AWD option. I'm hoping Honda jumps on that idea soon and offers it to the Odyssey. I love my Honda and my DH has a Toyota truck and the options he has doesn't compare to my Honda. </p> <p>But I totally get you on the size of a mini van, it's definitely bigger. I wouldn't want to drive one and have to park it in a small train station lot. I'm definitely still on the team SUV. Once we have these twins, I'll see if I change my tune but right now I think my CRV will work and DH's truck (with extended cab) will, too. I'm a ways away from having a third and needing to upsize our cars.</p> <p>Good discussion, though. Good to know there are other options out there that aren't minivans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131856 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 09:02:38 +0000 MrsTal 2131856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are a family of three and just got a honda pilot, which I think is a mid size SUV. I think it would work with a second child, but we also have two dogs and regularly travel to visit family which requires us to take all our stuff with us (pnp, bouncer, our suitcases, etc) so we might need something bigger if and when we have a second. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131850 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 08:57:24 +0000 HLK208 2131850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: I'm with your sister - I NEVER would have bought my odyessy if I only had two kids! The only problem with midsize SUV's (if you decide to have another soon), it's hard to fit double strollers. I've never seen the trunk space in the X3 though. Just something to consider! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131817 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 08:35:47 +0000 honeybear 2131817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: :) The visibility really is awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131766 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:42:54 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2131766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: I miss my golf ! We sold it last year and got a rav4. I could see so well in that thing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131755 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:26:17 +0000 Charm54 2131755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our Nissan Pathfinder...even though we don't use the third row all that much, the trunk space is amazing and makes road trips a breeze. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131752 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:24:05 +0000 Modern Daisy 2131752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: i've had a few people recommend the acura rdx actually! To be 100% honest though, the main reason I am going with BMW is because it is the closest dealership to my house. I would have to drive a lot farther to get to the acura dealer and with the baby in tow that is my biggest nightmare,lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131749 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:21:41 +0000 Modern Daisy 2131749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: that's really helpful! We wouldn't need to rent though, because my parents are closeby and actually have 2 suburbans (im borrowing one right now) and an expedition so we could easily borrow one if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131156 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:59:19 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2131156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an Acura RDX, which I loved when living in the City because parking spots were always tight. Now that we're in the suburbs, with one kid and two dogs, I wish we had something a little bigger. In fact, we got a Thule box to carry extra gear. I'm not sure what your situation is, but we go up to Tahoe a lot and often take a lot of gear in addition to travel crib/stroller -- golf clubs, bikes, snowboards/skis/snowshoes, etc. so we would really utilize the extra space if we had it. With the Thule box we decided we can make the Acura RDX work until (and if) we have a third child. Then we'd have to move up to a full size SUV (we need 4-wheel drive for snow). ETA our UppaBaby Cruz and BOB each fit, but we often have to take off the BOB wheel(s) to fit additional gear in the back. DH is 6'1'' and I'm 5'3" and we have a Graco Size4Me (and had a Chicco Keyfit). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2131112 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:04:38 +0000 gingerbebe 2131112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: A lot of car dealerships offer rentals through their fleet program. I know people who have rented a Sienna from the Toyota dealership for a week at a time for vacations - it's like one long test drive for the dealership - and that's worked really well and is cheaper than a car rental place. So that might work if you have a trip. Day to day I think you will be fine in an X3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130857 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:03:39 +0000 Modern Daisy 2130857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: i was actually in the market for an odyssey originally because I was pregnant with #2, but after I miscarried my outlook totally changed. I spoke to my sister (who has 3 kids) who admitted that she never would have bought her odyssey if they had stopped at 2. For me, i really need a vehicle with awd and a minivan would be really annoying to park in the narrow/tiny train lot every day. So while I agree with your brother on the convenience of a van for kids, it doesn't make sense for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130835 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:54:00 +0000 BSB 2130835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry my advice from my brother said to get a minivan instead of an SUV. Not what you wanted to hear. Sorry. I currently have a CRV and would hate giving it up. I would get a Pathfinder or another larger SUV.... but....</p> <p>I told my brother that I would not want to get a minivan if we needed it and he told me that he would get a minivan. He currently has a Dodge Durango and he said it's so much easier to have a minivan with sliding doors and and not have to load up to get into the car. He also said that getting 3 kids in and out of the car is a challenge and to dear cars near him, he might have dinged some cars. So my brother is a minivan believer. I'm not completely sold but DH offered to trade his truck in to get a minivan. Works for me since he will be the one SAH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130702 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:44:19 +0000 honeybear 2130702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I agree with the travel point. You don't need a big vehicle to do a road trip reasonably comfortably. We drove LO and enough stuff to live for a month down the East Coast in the Golf. It was totally fine. (ETA: The stay was for a month. The drive was only a day.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130607 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:11:12 +0000 gingerbebe 2130607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a midsize will be fine. My mom-mobile is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. We've fit 4 adults and baby just fine, although DS' carseat pushes up the front passenger seat so its a little tight in legroom. We can throw our UP Cruz, diaper bag, and groceries in the trunk just fine.</p> <p>To add to the travel conversation, we drove 400 miles to my parents house with the baby, his stroller, our suitcase, DH's work roller bag, DS' PNP, and ALL of his stuff in a Prius. The car was packed full for sure, but we got everything in there and other than the tight legroom in the front passenger seat (again the carseat) it was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130552 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:40:08 +0000 BabyPenguinXO 2130552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are expecting baby 2 in a month and we just got a Tahoe. The midsized SUVs are often the same size as a sedan. </p> <p>My biggest recommendation is to bring your carseat to try in the newer vehicle. Also, anything you carry regularly or often. Perhaps a stroller?</p> <p>I tested out an explorer and a trailblazer and both seemed not much bigger then our sedan. </p> <p>I love love love my Tahoe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130539 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:37:14 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 2130539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a small SUV (Ford Escape) for our family of three, and it's completely fine. I can't imagine driving something bigger on a regular basis, but we live in the city (Seattle). Even when we have another child, we should be fine. LO is in a Clek Fllo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130457 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:57:53 +0000 Modern Daisy 2130457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Awesome! What is the 3 series? Im not familiar with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130395 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:26:15 +0000 youboots 2130395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: I test drove the X3 and loooooved it. At the time I opted for a 3 series instead. Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130368 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:13:47 +0000 dc yoga bee 2130368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: my DH was dead set on the Crosstrek, but I convinced him it would be too small for me, and I'm the daily driver! The forrester was pretty nice, but I didn't get to test drive it. They were super busy and we just walked next door to Honda instead, and test drove other cars from there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130366 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:11:25 +0000 Chillybear 2130366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lavender: Thanks... I thought that too when we looked at it during the car show, I felt like it was relatively close to the size of my soul. I much preferred the Outback in person. But my husband is pretty dead set on it and his day to day driving is without the kid(s) and pretty far so he'd like something with good MPG. I have a feeling that soon after he gets the crosstrek he'll feel like we need to trade my car in for an SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130340 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:57:52 +0000 lavender 2130340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: I have a Crosstrek now and I def don't recommened it if you plan on having 2 kids in the backseat. I have 1 FF and 1 RF and I t's tight and there is not enough cargo space. I usually have my umbrella stroller in the trunk and I have a hard time putting all my groceries back there. I'm actually looking to trade it in for the forester. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130272 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:23:41 +0000 birdofafeather 2130272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: We have similar cars: Scion xB and an outback!</p> <p>@Modern Daisy: we love our outback and the trunk is longer than the forester so it seems to fit more even though the insides of the cars are the same volume. We have a 2 year old and expecting another in the fall. It will be great with two kiddos and we travel a lot but we want 3, so we'll have to get a bigger car at that time but we'd trade the smaller car for that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130269 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:22:52 +0000 ShootingStar 2130269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are a family of a 3 plus a dog and I drive a Toyota Venza, which is basically a full size SUV but doesn't have a 3rd row. To me, it totally depends on how you're going to use it. Day to day I only drive it to work and have DS with me for half of the trip. For those days, I would do with a much smaller car, and I wish I had more of mid-size SUV (I used to have a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and I miss it)..</p> <p>On the weekends we drive my car and that's when I appreciate the extra leg room and the extra cargo space for the stroller, groceries, Ikea runs, Home Depot, etc. And then a few times a year we take road trips and that's when we actually *need* the space. My parents live 3 hours away so we go visit them every few months, we usually go on a family trip to Cape Cod at the end of the summer, and then we have random weekends away with all of us. Luggage for 3 people plus a dog and everything a baby/toddler needs really adds up.</p> <p>So if you're not taking trips in your car and all you ever do is commute or run errands on the weekend, then a small SUV will be perfectly fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv/page/2#post-2130239 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:13:38 +0000 MamaG 2130239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did I miss where you shared what SUV you are considering? I had a GMC Terrain when our first was born. We quickly deemed it too small and traded it in when she was a year for a GMC Acadia. We have two kids now and the Acadia is a good size for us. We also use our SUV as our primary vehicle. We take mini vacations and load up with luggage and gear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv#post-2130224 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:10:51 +0000 coopsmama 2130224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Highlander and love it for our family of 4. That said, we're looking to upgrade to a full size SUV soon before we start trying for baby 3. </p> <p>I've never found the Highlander too big or cumbersome to park but maybe that's because I grew up driving a Suburban. If anything it feels a bit small to me - it drives like a sedan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv#post-2130210 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:08:32 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2130210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a forester and are looking for a new car.<br /> There are four of us and a 60 pound dog.<br /> It's fine for day to day stuff, but way too small for road trips.<br /> We drove from Canada to Florida when DD1 was a year old and just getting luggage, stroller, pack and play, misc baby stuff was a tight fit.<br /> We can fit the dog and a stroller (G-luxe, forget the UBV or double) in the back but not much else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv#post-2130196 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:03:00 +0000 dc yoga bee 2130196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: @sungirl: vacations were a concern for us as well. Then my parents rented a car for $150 a week through our car insurance. We plan to do that for the two times a year we take long road trips. Cheaper than the larger monthly payment and gas had we gone full-size suv, plus I don't want to put the miles on my new car just yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/midsize-or-fullsize-suv#post-2130190 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 08:57:44 +0000 yoursilverlining 2130190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: I live in New England, so I hear you on AWD/4WD for sure! Especially after this winter…..<br /> My husband had an Audi All-Road and recently traded it in for a Lexus GS300 – both have AWD and are great in the snow. Not trying to sway you either way, and I love SUVs, but they definitely are not necessary when you only have 1 kid and the smaller ones are not tons bigger than a decent sized sedan or wagon-style car. I know the X3 isn’t that large either, so probably a better SUV choice for commuting too than larger models. </p>