I'm having our 3rd baby in a few months and we need to upgrade from my Honda CR-V. I've been resisting getting a minivan, but should we just get one?
Anyone have a large SUV whose 3rd row is actually usable (not too difficult to access a carseat) and leaves enough trunk space for a stroller? Experience with the Chevy Equinox or other 3-row SUV?
Minivan-wise, we'd probably get the Toyota Sienna, but haven't really looked into other models. Thanks!!!
grapefruit / 4663 posts
I have a honda pilot and while the 3rd row is easy to get to there is only about a foot of storage space when the seat is up.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
We love our Mazda cx-9 and I believe the newer models don't require you to take out the car seat to access the 3rd row. That's my only gripe about mine-- when we have a passenger for the back, we have to uninstall our booster from the 2nd row and install into the 3rd row and have the passenger sit in the 2nd row. I'd much rather be able to tilt the 2nd row with car seat installed so the passenger can climb into the 3rd row. With the 2nd row pulled forward you can easily lean in and help an older child buckle into their car seat.
My second gripe is the gas mileage. We spend so much on gas. I'm considering switching to a smaller car or minivan now that my kids aren't babies anymore and we don't need a stroller anymore.
bananas / 9628 posts
Get the minivan. If you take one of the captains chairs out, it's so nice to be able to get to all of them easily. And auto open & close doors are so nice when your hands are full.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
I should also add that we usually keep one side of the 3rd row up and our big stroller (uppababy vista) fit just fine next to it.
coconut / 8854 posts
@leeenie: I don't think the Equinox has a 3rd row? I think you might be thinking of the Traverse.
coffee bean / 39 posts
@Jetsa - good to know. Probably not the best for stroller storage then.
@mrs. bird - good point. do you have a minivan you like? plus it's easier to get kids in and out when you're parked because the doors slide instead of swing out.
@mrs. wagon - that does sounds like a pain. I"ll look into the newer model.
@mrsbrewer - you're right, I'm thinking of the Traverse.
pear / 1610 posts
@leeenie: I don't personally have any experience with this but I vote for the mini van, at least that's what our plan is when the time comes. My cousin got a larger SUV for a third and ended up trading in for a mini van because it was not practical for them… and they were very anti mini van to start but now they love it!
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@leeenie: yea I love my pilot but it wouldn't be ideal for more than 2 kids unless you put all 3 in the second row and then you'd have tons of storage space
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
My friend loves her pilot!
My other friend *loves* her Odyssey, though! They're getting spiffy
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@leeenie: We have an Acadia (identical to the Tarverse on the inside) and we have no issues with accessing our third row, but it's easier if the child back there can manage to buckle themselves (my 4 year old niece for example can do this and is fine back there.)
There isn't a lot of room between the bucket seats and front seats to squeeze back there. For sure can't get by a rear facing car seat.
pear / 1503 posts
We just bought the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (what the 2-row version is called in Canada). The show room model was the Santa Fe XL (3rd row), but we're expecting #1, and can't imagine 3 at this point, and I liked the storage solution options available with the Sport. The 2nd row, in both versions slides forward a bit, as I recall, and might meet your needs. It does have more rear space than any other SUV I've seen, so you'd prob be okay with a stroller in there. For sure, if you flipped one portion of the 3rd row down. Of course, the only way is for you to try it out at the dealership. I'd recommend browsing first, then taking your car seats with you to install right there in the show room. Most dealerships will let you. Ours let us bring the demo home (we live 10 mins away) to see if the storage space met our needs. Actually, it was my needs - my big a** telescope, which is the biggest thing we would want to transport with the seats still up.
persimmon / 1396 posts
I definitely would not recommend the Pilot for more than 2 children. Ours has the 3rd row seat, but it takes all the stirage space and is not easily accessible.
apricot / 324 posts
My good friend just had her 3rd and she pulled the trigger on an odyssey and she loves it. She had a Tahoe prior.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
I've thought about this a lot since we're likely not done at 2 and I'd really like a minivan. For one, I nannied for a family with 3 and they had a minivan and it was super convenient to be able to throw the kids in the car, shut the door, and then get everyone adjusted. That's not possible with your standard large SUV.
I have a Highlander now, and I really do like it and will be sad to see it go. But I can't imagine the logistics of 3 car seats in there -- I'm pretty sure it'd just be a big pain.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
We only have two kids but couldn't ignore the comfort and gas mileage of a minivan. We went for the odyssey because I like that it can have a three person bench in the middle or captains
cantaloupe / 6885 posts
I love love our Pathfinder. The third row is easily accessible and has lots of legroom. But when it's up the trunk space is minimal. You probably could have 3 older kids in it, but three car seats + all the crap that comes along with little kids (strollers, etc) I would probably just get a minivan.
coffee bean / 39 posts
Thanks everyone. It's looking more and more like I'll be a minivan-driving mom and I will have to check out the Odyssey. I like my Honda CR-V, but it doesn't have a very smooth ride (you feel all the bumps) and the front seats are not very comfortable for long rides. Anyone want to share re: comfort of the Odyssey or Sienna?
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I'm not a fan of mini vans, but if you must, the Honda Odyssey is really good! DH's parents had that and then the Toyota Sienna and loved the Odyssey a lot more.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
I am definitely getting a minivan for our next car. Odyssey or Sienna!
pomelo / 5678 posts
MINIVAN!!!! I never never never thought I would go near one, but we recently had the pleasure of driving one (as a loaner vehicle) while our SUV was in the shop. It was soooo amazing! So much easier on your back, so much easier to move around in, so much less stress. I can't wait to get one!
pomelo / 5791 posts
We love our CX9, but I definitely want a minivan in the future. DH is still resisting however lol
clementine / 948 posts
We only have one LO now, but plan to have 3 so I"m definitely following this thread. Since we live in the city, we only have one car. Right now it's a sedan (infiniti g35x) but once we have LO2, then I think we will need more space. So I've been thinking 3 row SUVs... LO1 would be 4 by the time he would need to be in a booster in the 3rd row. Could he just crawl back there and buckle himself in? Is that doable at 4 years old?
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I would totally go minivan, the third row in SUVs is still pretty tight, unless you get a beast, and then there's the price of gas.
@ChitownRo: I don't think so, my son's almost four and he is still riding in a 5 point harness and can't undo his car seat buckles yet, and I like it that way, lol.
coffee bean / 39 posts
@ChitownRo: my 3 yo can buckle himself, but there are times when he dawdles and I'd rather do it for him, plus I like to check and make sure it's tight enough. He can't undo the buckles either (I think they're meant to be that way). So if it's difficult to access an SUV's third row, that's definitely a strike (to me) against an SUV.
persimmon / 1343 posts
I was going to say the Odyssey is great for multiple kids! 
Good luck in your decision. I don't think there is much stigma against minivans anymore, they have gotten really nice!
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