https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:51:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707923 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:00:27 +0000 purplelilac 2707923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I am with you on team minivan!<br /> Previously we had an older Subaru outback and a Volvo V70 wagon, but with two kids we could not fit a third adult in the back seat. In addition, my husband is tall and could not sit in front of the seat with the RF seat. We bought a Sienna (only minivan with AWD) and though I have my complaints about Toyota as a company, I LOVE having a van. Seriously its amazing. We can fit lots of stuff and lots of people at the same time. My husband and I sit in the 3rd row when his parents are visiting and there is ample space back there. And with a third child now on the way I cannot imagine life without a van. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707917 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:57:02 +0000 Mrs D 2707917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Well that makes a big difference...I never got a V8! I couldnt care less how quickly my car accelerates... ;) I am in Michigan - so its probably a Michigan thing...I have never had to have significant service on any of the 3 I've owned so I have been lucky...but value I had in the I simply couldnt justify going to a different car...my cherokee essentially cost me $5K to drive for 4.5 years and my grand cherokee was more like $8K for 4 years.</p> <p>But I am team minivan for now! I would have gotten the Sienne if I had employee pricing with Toyota - my sister has it and I am so envious of her AWD. I'm loving the Pacifica! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707909 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:49:19 +0000 gingerbebe 2707909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: My husband is from snowy Michigan and everyone in his family drives Jeeps but we live in Northern California and we just don't need a V8 vehicle with AWD. The mileage was atrocious, the maintenance was ridiculously expensive, the tires cost a fortune, every time a light went off I would cringe because it was ALWAYS a $200 repair of some kind. I have never spent so much money on a car in my entire life. DH is floored by how cheap our Sienna is to drive - he had no idea others didn't spend the kind of money he spent to maintain his Jeeps all these years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707908 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:48:56 +0000 skipra 2707908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a Rav4 when we had 2 kids and it was OK but you can't really use the middle seat and are not allowed 3 car seats. If there is even the slightest chance of a third, do not even consider this car. I wish we had gotten a CR-V instead because we would have kept it when we had our third. I prefer the size of those SUVs over the Pilot. We have a Pilot now because we figured if we were buying a new car we should get something that we could carry more than just our family. It is huge and the gas mileage sucks. But we can fit 3 across easily and have a third row too. If you have 2 car seats you could even have them next to each other so a third person could sit on the outside.<br /> @Mrs D: we bought ours used with more miles than I would have liked. I wasn't willing to finance or lease a car so that's just what worked for us. I really wanted a Highlander hybrid which was even more expensive so I guess it's all relative! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707894 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:37:48 +0000 snowjewelz 2707894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a CRV where my 27 mo old is rear facing behind passenger, and baby is in infant seat in the middle so I can still sit in the back with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707885 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:29:55 +0000 Mrs D 2707885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All you ladies that are Honda Pilot fans - how did you level set with the price point? I was floored how much it was...now granted I was leasing not buying...</p> <p>@gingerbebe: I think you are the first person ever I have heard not love their Jeep! I'm the crazy person anxiously awaiting the wagoneer for a third row Jeep option!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707871 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 12:57:42 +0000 babynumber1 2707871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Pinecone316: We are team Honda Pilot and I will get another one when this one needs replacing. I love this car more than my husband some days! (just kidding!!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707845 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 12:28:17 +0000 gingerbebe 2707845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: My husband had literally only driven Jeep Grand Cherokees since he was 18 so he was like ummmm what. But I HATTTTTED our last one and I was pregnant with our second and I was like if I'm schlepping two boys around I need power sliding doors and a power lift gate. He was like FINE because I was seething about our Jeep every other week (it's a fine car but SUCH a money pit).</p> <p>Long story short, he was surprised by how nicely the V6 of our Sienna drove (being used to his honkin V8) and lovvvvved the power sliding doors and lift gate and thought the seats were so comfy and roomy (he's a tall guy). And then slowly over time he basically started gravitating to the van whenever he needed to go somewhere. Annnnd now he's a die hard fan and drives it more than I do. </p> <p>I've also gotten the reputation as the minivan enabler among my friends. I'm always hissing MINI. VAN. MINI. VAN. Come to the dark side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707835 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 11:59:16 +0000 avivoca 2707835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Oh how I want to join team minivan! My husband is so resistant though, but we have two kids and a dog and drive a Nissan Versa (compact car) and yes, anytime we go anywhere and need to bring stuff home we are bursting at the gills with things practically coming out the windows. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids/page/2#post-2707806 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 11:01:23 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2707806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our Nisaan Pathfinder! It has an optional 3rd row that folds down for extra cargo space. Even with it up, it has decent cargo space with leg room for anyone who sits back there. I'd highly recommend it. We currently have a 4.5 year old in a harness booster and a rear facing convertible, and there's still plenty of room for me to sit in between them if the 18 month old in the convertible gets cranky. The seat slides forward with a carseat in it for access to the 3rd row, so there's no uninstalling or crawling over to get back there. </p> <p>People complain about the gas mileage, but we've found that if you put it in 2WD on nice days, you save on gas mileage. We only ever use the 4WD in snow or ice. We get about 20mpg. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707710 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 08:32:00 +0000 catgirl 2707710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Pinecone316: I'm not a huge help because we only have one LO and our crossover feels too small but just wanted to say if you are looking at Ford's try to avoid the trim levels that come with inflatable seat belts. Only a few car seats are compatible with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707690 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 07:39:17 +0000 ShootingStar 2707690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm another one for team mini van. We have a new Pacifica on order and I can't wait until it gets here. </p> <p>I have a fairly good sized SUV - Toyota Venza, and we are just constantly running out of space. I feel crammed in the passenger seat because the bucket seat's behind it. And DS barely has any leg room behind the driver. We have a full size stroller that I love, but with that in the trunk if we do any shopping at all, the car's completely full. God forbid we do a target run and a grocery trip at the same time.</p> <p>I'm really looking forward to when our van gets here. Plus it'll be DH's car, so I get all the benefits but I don't have to drive it :grin: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707684 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 05:20:00 +0000 misolee 2707684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to drive and love love a 2012 Highlander. Love love loved it. But when I got pregnant with my second, we installed an infant car seat along with FF convertible car seat and it was too small. There was no middle seat latch so we had to install the car seats at the ends which was nbd itself but we quicky realized no adult or even an older child like a 5th grader could ever sit in the middle seat. There was no room. We also had a third row but with both car seats, you couldn't access it bc you had to fold a seat to get to the back. Right before I was due, My brother came through town for a business trip and we picked him up for dinner. He had to go through the trunk bc we had already installed the car seats. :shocked: </p> <p>My husband dragged me to car dealerships a week postpartum and made me get a minivan. (Toyota Sienna). I resisted and cried a little bc I loved the Highlander but after I started driving the minivan I haven't looked back :silly: </p> <p>FYI. I have a mom friend with 4 year old triplets and her husband drives the Pilot with three car seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707664 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 22:58:04 +0000 SeptMomma12 2707664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We LOVE our 2016 Honda Pilot! I would suggest at least test driving it. My husband wasn't a fan and now he's more obsessed with it than I am! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707662 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 22:40:37 +0000 FannyMae 2707662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I have a VW Passat Wagon, and I'm thoroughly converted to loving VW for life. Love the boot space! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707626 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:45:02 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2707626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: I love the ford explorer, thats on my list to go see! We get maybe 1-2 ice/ snow storms a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707624 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:34:29 +0000 erinbaderin 2707624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a VW Golf Wagon and I love it. Fits two car seats with room for me to squeeze in the middle if necessary (although not super comfortable), and has a tonne of trunk space as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707620 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:23:51 +0000 Modern Daisy 2707620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love our explorer with 2 kids! But when we upgrade I want an Acadia with captains chairs. I live in the north east so minivans are fine, but it does get icy in the winter so suvs are better. Plenty of trunk space, 3rd row for guests and all of the features you would want in a car/SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707615 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:15:59 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2707615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: hahaha this made me laugh. It is so funny because my husband LOVES mini vans. Right now we just have 1 car since we moved and haven't needed another yet and every now and then when we do need one we just rent one for the weekend and he gets so excited to rent a mini van. I love other peoples mini vans, they are the best to drive in. I just can't bring myself to get a minivan yet. I am still in denial that I am having a second kid and still feel like I am playing grown up some days haha :silly: I know I should get over it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707610 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:02:21 +0000 gingerbebe 2707610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to start the slow chant for minivans.</p> <p>Mini. Van.<br /> Mini. Van.<br /> Mini. Van.</p> <p>My husband is a full convert to our Sienna. This week he was like "Do you know what the greatest car in the world is? OUR VAN."</p> <p>Anyways, unless you live in a really rough wintry place with lots of snow and ice, I would NOT recommend a Jeep Grand Cherokee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707605 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 19:49:00 +0000 matador84 2707605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an Outback and LOVE. Cannot say enough good things about it. HOwever, I am expecting a 3rd and even with 3 carseats in the back it would be like driving a clown car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707564 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 16:49:41 +0000 tinyperson 2707564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a CRV and it's ok - it's jam packed when we go visit my parents, and the trunk isn't huge, but it works. I wouldn't do 3 kids though. We'd move up to a pilot at that point I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707558 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 16:35:42 +0000 fancyfunction 2707558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Subaru Forester and I like it b/c it's not too big but it's big enough. Only com ain't is when we have the stroller in the back there's not a ton of room for other stuff but we make it work. Going to start using an umbrella stroller now and that will free up a ton of space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707522 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 15:25:46 +0000 MrsSRS 2707522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have tall people in your family, we love our Flex! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707417 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 12:54:33 +0000 kodybear 2707417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2016 honda pilot!! the new version has a lot of great improvements. the 3rd row is really roomy (for a 3rd row..), vents for the 2nd and 3rd row, sleeker design. you guys should def test drive it at least before ruling it out! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707390 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 12:29:07 +0000 winniebee 2707390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had the Edge. It has been awesome for 2 kids. It does fit 3 across with certain car seats, but we will be opting for a mini van when #3 arrives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707388 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 12:23:41 +0000 MrsBrewer 2707388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: My parents have an Expedition, and LOVE it! We borrow it from time to time, and the extra space is amazing! If I could afford one, I would buy one in a heart beat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707356 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 11:47:59 +0000 hellobeeboston 2707356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our 2015 Honda Pilot!!</p> <p>This is the boxier one before they re-designed it - so i'm not sure about the newer models but we've been really happy with this car with our two kids, and all of our junk, and the third row if needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707349 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 11:34:33 +0000 sapphire 2707349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Subaru Outback. Currently LO1 is resurfacing in a convertible in the middle. When LO2. Ones there will be room for her infant seat. Who don't the driver, still leaving room for a passenger behind the front passenger. It can go 3 across although probably not with every seat combo. We use a Diono Radian (bought for many reasons, but one because it is narrow) and a Britax infant seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-suvcar-for-2-kids#post-2707299 Wed, 08 Mar 2017 10:22:21 +0000 Mrs D 2707299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got the Chrysler Pacifica right after having DD2...its been amazing! It helps so much with daycare pick ups/drop offs having DD1 be able to load herself into the car. </p>