https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:31:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808768 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:06:34 +0000 Madison43 2808768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: just a heads up - a Jeep might be too short for you if you're tall. We have a Jeep and ended up getting second car when #2 was born because my husband (who is 6"2) couldn't sit comfortably with a rear facing seat behind him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808738 Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:48:35 +0000 caitlanc 2808738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After my 2003 CR-V died we got a 2011 Outback (because I also hated the CR-V redesign! :silly: ). I love it but I also agree with @Alba4 that it doesn't have great visibility (not a big deal as long as you have the backup camera) but I wouldn't mind it improving. It's brilliant in snow. (I live in CO, drive mountain passes year round and always feel very safe in it.) It very comfortably fits two adults, two kids and a large dog for day trips but we have a Thule box for when we're going skiing or long road trips. I might have considered the Forester but I wanted to go as small as possible while still being comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808515 Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:42:19 +0000 MrsSCB 2808515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808458 Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:07:08 +0000 bubblegum 2808458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got an outback and its AMAZING! The trunk space is so incredible and it is super comfortable over all. Does amazing in the snow too (don't know if this is a concern for you) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808223 Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:14:47 +0000 birdofafeather 2808223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: the outback and forester also have the same volume of storage space (at least they did in 2013 when my sister and I got them!) but the outback is longer/shorter so for me, feels like more useable storage space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808175 Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:04:38 +0000 youboots 2808175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: plenty of room for 2 kids. We have captains chairs so it seats six but you can get a bench seat and it seats 7. I have a limited and it’s super fast. Test drive one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808174 Tue, 06 Mar 2018 23:52:08 +0000 Amorini 2808174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: :heart: :heart: Bernese mountain dogs :heart: :heart: More human than dog! </p> <p>FWIW, the Forester drives like a SUV and has a truck body while the Outback drives like a sedan. It has a lot of comfy features that come standard, making it an overall nicer car. </p> <p>Oh and I consider us lucky that the hurricanes were just a big, drawn-out inconvenience. Some weren’t so lucky. Now that we have our evacuation plan and evacuation mobile,, we are ensured of never needing them!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2808171 Tue, 06 Mar 2018 23:22:41 +0000 LCTBQE 2808171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: good to know, I'm definitely looking at the outback so I'll give the forester a look, too--I've never really gotten why the outback is more expensive when the forester is bigger (or at least taller?). going to check it out. thanks for the info on the level/package, we're moving to NJ, so, similar scene weather-wise. </p> <p>@Iced Tea: aww, not possible to lift front paws up and then hoist her rear half? also the only dogs that will use dog ramps are the ones in the SkyMall catalogue and they're only doing it because they're getting paid. it's on the same level as trying to brush your dog's teeth. </p> <p>@MrsSCB: cool, I was peering into one on the street yesterday after I read rave (rav?!) reviews from you and muffinsmuffins--looks like they fit the bill. also hahaha re trying to fit a child plus b-agile in a fiat :silly: </p> <p>@nana87: oooh all the space sounds luxurious but I'm too intimidated by that next-level-up size. also if I buy a car that big I'm worried my husband will try and make me take road trips to his hometown. </p> <p>@snowjewelz: yeah, I liked it too for size and practicality, but am I crazy or is there a big blind spot on the driver's side? like when I was trying to change lanes going to the lane to the left I couldn't see shit. I was driving a 2016 I think. </p> <p>@krispi: right, leg room is the big whoop for us because my husband and I are both really tall, and we'll have rear-facing bucket/baby throne convertible seats for the next 3 years, at least. our friends have one though, I'll check it out :) thx! </p> <p>@jennlin821: the ascent is the new SUV that's coming out? it sounds interesting but i'm not much of an early adopter. you're like the 90th vote for loving the outback though, on here and IRL!</p> <p>@agold: yeah Consumer Reports repair records will totally sour you on entire brands. what's amazing is how many luxury cars (like Audi) have total shit repair records. it's like, what are you paying for?</p> <p>@youboots: hadn't even heard of it! would you feel like it was enough room to add a baby in a bucket seat? (you have one boo right now, right?)</p> <p>@Amorini: we're getting a Lab :) :) likely a female, so not more than 65/70 pounds, and if we take any trips they'll just be 2-hour things to upstate cabins etc, no chevy chase stuff. I want to buy a car that's practical and works really well for the life we live 99% of the time and be uncomfortable the 1%, you know? I do think we're looking at a scenario like the one you said you'd have fought to keep your outback, though.<br /> What's a BDM? like a Mastiff?? I'm sorry to hear about the evacuations, I can't even imagine how stressful that must be post-baby :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807886 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:38:04 +0000 Amorini 2807886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might sound crazy, but my answer depends on what size dog you are thinking as a “large dog.” :wink: Giant breed or like greyhound tall but curl up small or Labrador size? Also do you plan to take trips with 2 LOs, said “large dog” and a bunch of travel stuff?</p> <p>I have two BMDs (and one LO) so large is relative! One dog is 85 lb and one is 100+. Exchange one LO with one BMD and maybe things balance out? (Not quite since large animals need to lie down in the car, but they also don’t require strollers and diaper bags!) We just got a SUV with three rows and it is just about large enough for everyone now with the cargo space down. It’s definitely fine for day trips and getting around town; it has yet to be tested, but it should work fine for travel, too, with space for everyone and their stuff. I resisted for a long time getting such a large vehicle but what convinced me is that we have needed to evacuate our low-lying coastal area twice in two years. It has been a huge pain each time figuring out how to get us and our stuff all in one car and safely out of town. Before those experiences, I thought we should just rent the large vehicle when we needed it for trips/vacations. This could still be an option for you if you will actually only occasionally need the extra space — and not on an emergency basis like us!</p> <p>We had my Outback until recently. In terms of a good car sans dogs, it’s that plus AWD and a bag of chips. With DS’s car seat, first Cybex Aton II and then Chicco convertible, and daily getting around (occasionally with one large dog in the back), it worked fine. I miss the size of the Outback for all of the everyday, non-hurricane evacuation reasons. It fits in the parking garages easily and is just an easy car to get around in. I think I will never quite adapt to the SUV, but it’s serving a purpose as the Outback was just too small for the size of our family...mostly skewed by the fact that we have large dogs! With one large (70+ ish lb) dog plus LO, I would have fought to keep the Outback, but we definitely would have needed the cargo thing on top of the car for anything but day trips and we would have been packing only the umbrella stroller up with LO. For a dog that size (80+ lb), you cannot fit anything other than the dog in the back of an Outback....so you have to fit the kid and travel stuff somewhere.</p> <p>If you third row it, my favorite is still the Toyota Highlander. I lust after it! We got a Chevy Traverse which is the same size just less luxury, less $. My rationale is that this is practical choice and I don’t love it, but I’m not regretting it every time I pay the car payment. I hate car payments! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807875 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:30:03 +0000 youboots 2807875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We loooove our Ford Flex. It’s basically an updated wagon/small SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807816 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 14:39:16 +0000 agold 2807816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a jeep grand cherokee and I actually think it feels sort of small. I think it would be great for having two kids if you are okay with a tight feel. </p> <p>Thanks for sharing your thoughts on VW. I've been considering looking into getting one, but you've given me a good reason not to. And for sure I'd look into a volvo suv! Just a little pricey, I think. But I'd love one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807769 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:59:07 +0000 jennlin821 2807769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love our outback!<br /> We need to upgrade our second car, and I want to get another one! We might just suck it up for another year or two to be able to get the Subaru ascent with the 3rd row. </p> <p>(I did not get a chance to read the rest of the answers, but good luck!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807728 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:21:28 +0000 krispi 2807728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check out the Kia Sorento. I have a 2011 Sorento and have been really happy with it. I bought it when I was still just dating my husband and we had 2 dogs to transport. The back worked really well for that. </p> <p>Before buying the Sorento, I had a 2 door Accord for 10 years that I loved, and I was scared to replace it because I was afraid I would be unhappy with any other car. Test driving the Sorento won me over, because it drives just like a tall car. It doesn't feel big or bulky at all. I work in the city, and I have no problem getting it in tiny parking spaces. </p> <p>Now that I have a kid, it's still a great family car. The only downside is that it doesn't have latch in the middle rear seat. So I have a Britax clicktight so we can do a seatbelt install easily in the middle. A rear facing carseat does take up a lot of space, but in the center seat it hasn't been an issue. Behind the driver or the passenger seat, I think it would eat up some of the front leg room, but I think that would be the case with any car of that size. </p> <p>I liked the CRV, but it was a little smaller and wasn't available with a 6 cylinder, which I really wanted after my sporty Accord. We also test drove the Nissan Murano, but the visibility in the rear was awful compared to the Sorento. I've had mine for 6 years now, and I feel I made the right choice for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807724 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:13:47 +0000 snowjewelz 2807724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Honda CR-V and love it. I think besides cargo space, we want a car that we know is safe, we can drive it to the ground and maintenance isn't expensive. We both like how Honda's drive/handle, and very safe in the snow with AWD. FYI we have 2 kids &amp; 1 dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807637 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:17:58 +0000 nana87 2807637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It’s probably bigger than what you’re thinking of, but we just bought a Toyota Highlander in nyc and are happy with it! We have 2 dogs and typically take big road trips w everybody to visit mil in dc so we wanted a 3rd row and enough room for luggage. The second row is captain seats w 2 car seats so it’s hard to get to that 3rd row but it’s important for us to have still </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations/page/2#post-2807617 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:14:47 +0000 MrsSCB 2807617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We recently bought a Rav4 and I looove it! It's plenty big. I just keep our B-Agile stroller in the back all the time, and there's still room for groceries and other stuff. I was switching from a Fiat, though, so it definitely feels super roomy comparatively ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807599 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:12:21 +0000 starchild 2807599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven’t had my Jeep that long, but I have not had any issues. My husband bought his Grand Cherokee new off the lot and it’s been fine for 4.5 years now. </p> <p>Absolutely yes to leather if you want a dog. We have a Rottweiler. Even with a seat protector her fur is everywhere! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807598 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 15:00:50 +0000 Iced Tea 2807598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a wagon until recently. It was my favorite of all the cars we’ve owned. A big plus is that our large dog could jump into the back by herself. Now that we only have SUVs, we have to lift her. She’s 85 pounds, and I can’t do it by myself. It’s a huge downside for me. We got a ramp, but so far the dog refuses to step on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807587 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 13:50:48 +0000 crazydoglady 2807587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: Just to give a comparison on cargo space, this is my Santa Fe with the third row down. </p> [attach=8671/18/p52xop.600x450.20180304_104721.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807561 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 08:31:49 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2807561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I found the CRV to feel the ‘biggest’ of all that we drove. At the time we compared the cargo space measurements and the RAV4 had the largest I think because of the interior angles. We have fit so much in it. We went to our parents cabin a few weeks ago and I can fit 3 duffles plus the dog in the back, or our biggest suitcase plus the dog. The Thule was very useful when our son was younger and one of us had to sit in the back with him. I can fit a lot on the seat and in the foot well too. Also we live in Canada and have horrific winters and we do not have AWD. It’s been no problem. If you can afford leather I would do it for the dog hair! We have fabric and will need to have it detailed when/if we sell or trade.</p> <p>ETA: we went from a Mazda protege hatchback and Nissan Versa to our Rav and it wasn’t bad to get used to the larger size. It has a great turning radius so I never felt I was driving this massive thing but I still feel secure in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807560 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 08:11:28 +0000 Alba4 2807560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I know I’m the outlier with my opinion of the Outback. I really liked the exterior, but after test driving the Outback on two different occasions, the Forester still won in my opinion. We got the Premium level with the cold weather package (we live just north of NYC). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807546 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 01:17:24 +0000 lamariniere 2807546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a car (my first car as an adult!) a Volvo XC60, but from 2012. We haven’t driven it yet since the import/registration process is still going on, and I actually won’t ever drive it, but we basically bought a car based on trunk size. The trunk is massive, if we still had our Bugaboo, we could easily fit it folded with 2 suitcases. A large dog would be comfortable back there. Even though it’s a used car, the interior looks new. It has leather seats and everything is in like new condition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807545 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 00:56:03 +0000 Kitkat 2807545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: pretty much what @crazydoglady said. The regular Santa Fe is probably closer in size to a pilot since it had a third row (the Sport only has two rows). The Tucson and a Toyota RAV4 are probably similar in size, with a CRV slightly bigger, and then the Santa Fe Sport slightly bigger than that (if I remember correctly from car shopping 4 years ago :silly:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807533 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 22:17:18 +0000 MamaCate 2807533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: it sounds like you already got a lot of good advice but I love my car and wanted to throw another option at you—we got a 2017 Toyota Prius V last summer and love it. We have two kids and a small dog. It handles well, is easy to drive, the hybrid is great for gas mileage, and the trunk is huge. </p> <p>We don’t do a lot of driving with the dog but he will usually sit in the back seat with the kids. He could go in the back with a couple days of luggage in theory. If I forget to take our bob stroller out of the trunk you can still fit a eeekly grocery run around it.</p> <p>No experience on snow driving though—we live in a place where that doesn’t happen. 😛 good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807527 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:04:57 +0000 PinkElephant 2807527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: Yes, my MDX is the "sports edition" and has 4WD. Where you are moving to you DEFINITELY want all wheel drive. So many hills and windy roads that ice really quickly in the winter - my husband drives an Accord as his commuter car and we know that when the weather is crummy, he can't take it many places (and not being very used to winter weather myself, I refuse to drive it pretty much any time there's snow on the ground).</p> <p>I think the main difference between MDX/RDX is the third row. The third row is not terribly useful, however, because once you have two carseats in the second row, you have to access the third row through the trunk (unless maybe you had FF Dionos side by side or something). The third row also isn't deep enough for my carseats RF, and if I put them FF, the child has to sit cross-legged. I think it would be fine for booster seats. The RDX also at least looks a little lower (more car-like, which is a negative for me - I like to be high) and possibly narrower. The MDX is very wide for a mid-size SUV. I can fit three of pretty much whatever carseat across without a ton of finagling. I do have an older model (2008, I think) - so things may be different with new or newer used models you'd see now.</p> <p>Oh, and to answer your seat question.....I think leather is always worth it, for both furniture and carseats!!! Wipeability with kids is key. Carseat impressions damage whatever kind of seat you have, so you (the adults) might as well be more comfortable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807519 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:43:33 +0000 raspberries 2807519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Hyundai Tucson with 2 little ones and I think it's the perfect size (although disclaimer, we do have to parallel park every day, so I'm fine with it being a little bit on the smaller end.) Plenty of space for a stroller and grocery bags. Our boys are both rear-facing still, and there's enough space in the backseat that I can sit between them if we're going on a long road-trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807506 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:06:58 +0000 crazydoglady 2807506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: You've basically got it (the Santa Fe is smaller than the pilot.) So I believe the CRV is slightly larger than the Tucson. I think you might like the size of the Santa Fe Sport. When we were car shopping, I was shocked to see how small the cargo space was on some compact SUVs. Some were smaller than the trunk of my civic. We have a big dog (and two others :silly: ) and wanted to make sure he fit back there with a double stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807499 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 19:36:28 +0000 LCTBQE 2807499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thank you so much for responding, everyone! so helpful to hear real feedback from like-minded mamas and narrow things down. this reminds me of my thread about choosing a stroller when I was pregnant with #1, except I think I was more concerned over choosing the right stroller than getting this car :)</p> <p>@Kitkat: @crazydoglady: is the Santa Fe more akin in size to the Honda Pilot, and the Tuscon is more like the CRV? I've lived in NYC for the past decade and I just haven't been paying attention to cars in so long! and damn, didn't realize pathfinders were that big--I can't imagine parallel parking a beast like that.</p> <p>@ChiCalGoBee: good to know, I too hate a light steering wheel--not sure if it's still the case, but that's something I associate with American cars especially--feels so cheap. I'm going to look closely at consumer reports re recent Volvo history. they look amazing and I'm sure drive beautifully, but we buy, and I'd be super pissed off to spend $$$ on a luxury car only to have it breaking all the time, especially because we like to drive our cars into the ground. </p> <p>@LBee: yeah I hear you on all of this--plus I think my husband wouldn't begrudge spending a little extra money because we've both had really good experiences with Hondas over the past 20 (god we're old) years.<br /> @PinkElephant: yeah I saw that you had an Acura SUV in another car post--does yours have a third row of seating and that's the difference? and do you guys have AWD on your cars? my husband is from Buffalo and was basically born driving shitty cars in snow, but I'm really nervous about it. </p> <p>@Alba4: oh interesting, people are so obsessed with Outbacks, I think this is the first criticism I've ever heard of one :silly: hadn't really considered because my mom has an ancient Forester and I hate it, it's super spartan and cheap inside--but I think it's like a 2001 or something, I'm sure they're much nicer now. Can I ask which model you got? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807490 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 18:46:21 +0000 birdofafeather 2807490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2013 outback and we love it. We’re expecting #3 soon and we’re keeping it with real plan to change it out. Storage space is huge and ATM we don’t drive extra people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807478 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 17:06:12 +0000 Alba4 2807478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are a family of 4 (Boys are 4.5 and 20 months) and we jUst bought a Subaru Forester last week. I was deciding between the Forester and the Outback. I love how well you can see in the Forester and the huge moonroof. Outback had terrible visibility and felt claustrophobic to me. I’m happy so far. (I had a CRV previously, but hated the redesign). </p>