Car Chocie for 3 Kids in Car Seats

I vote another Odyssey because I had one (electric doors are a must) and adored the walk-through path to get to the third row with ease. While kids are that little, I am a believer in the minivan. I've always had a used car (cars.com is my fav site) and I've never had a bad one (knock-knock).

I would vote for a mini-van vs. an SUV. With 6 kids, I have really had ALL types of vehicles, but my favorite for easy with kids was the mini-van. The biggest issue for us was always swinging the door open (versus a slider door) and ramming it into a neighboring vehicle. I have also had a door swing shut on a kid and even myself when it is windy out.

I have had 3 mini-vans over the years - a Toyota Sienna, a Pontiac Montana, and a Dodge Grand Caravan. I personally liked the Sienna the best (although we had the Montana the longest). I don't think that Pontiac makes the Montana anymore so that probably isn't an issue (unless you find an older used one).

If it were me, I would look for a used mini-van with dual auto sliding doors, but be willing to give up any other amenities to help with cost. I would stay away from a car as it will become less useful the older the kids get - even if car seats fit (we have a car as well and would never drive any distance with 3 teens in the back seat - what a nightmare!). I would also only buy something with 3rd row seating and captains chairs in the 2nd row (this is a blessing in a million ways, trust me).

If you can afford the extra charge, consider mini-vans with AWD. We had that in the Montana and LOVED it in the wintertime!

Good luck!

I have a Pontiac Montana (same as the Chevy Traverse, I think) and love it. It's my second one. I actually love Hondas and Toyotas for their reliability, but there is no way we can afford one, and the Montanas have served us well! I also noticed that they are longer and have more storage. I was surprised at how much shorter the Honda and Toyota minivans are.

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan. This is my second one, first bought new, this one used when the other was stolen. I would not call it noisy, can easily talk when driving. The engine and transmission are great, no problems at all. We had the first one for 12 years. For the room and the fact we had no problems at all with our first is why I opted to get another. I plan to start saving in January to purchase a newer model--2010 or newer.
Another reason is that I have no problems driving in Chicago's snow. We have had some pretty heavy snowfalls in the past few years.

We have a Grand Caravan, FWIW. Never felt unsafe in it.

I just went through this last year but I refused to get another minivan. If your not opposed to it, then that is your best option of easy loading and having great cargo space. I have 3 in car seats as well and I've found that bench seating in the second row to be a terrible option. I didn't want mine all right next to each other.

I found the Acura SUV and the Nissan Pathfinder too small / short on legroom. I loved the highlander but the cargo space was laughable with 3rd row up.

The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy a Traverse all have the best safety ratings for their class and have the same configuration and cargo / leg space. The traverse is the most affordable and I had one for a two week rental and it was great! I can get 5 large full reusable grocery bags in the trunk of my enclave with the 3rd row up.

Don't take my word for this but I think the 3rd row seat is wider in these 3 SUVs then in the minivan. I can more easily move all 3 kid seats to 3rd row in the rare occasion that I need the captains chairs for extra adults.

Fwiw I was a hard core Honda girl and LOVE my enclave

I can understand since I used to live in PA and most often a 4x4 is needed in the winters. My sister (who lives in upstate NY) and I both have town and country's. Her youngest is still in a booster, but its so nice as they get older they have the room to spread out. I love the fold and go seats along with the automatic doors.

Don't just consider what you need now, but in the near future as the kids get older. When I lived in PA I have a Ford Expedition, nice vehicle but a gas hog.

I have a T&C and it's no noisier than the Chevy Astro, Dodge Caravan,or Ford Explorer I've had before.
I'm past the stage of needing car seats, but I've had them in all of those vehicles for other people's kids, and haven't had any issues with any of them.

I drive an odyssey, and I love my second row captains, middle jump seat, and third row that doesn't take away from trunk storage. I can easily fit 4 adults and 4 kids in my car. Worth every penny.

When all 3 of ours were in car seats we had a Nissan Armada and a Yukon Denali XL. We loved both of them and plenty of room for 3 car seats. We now drive two Toyota's (Camry and Highlander), but are waiting for the Camry to be paid off to get back into a Suburban or Yukon...we need the space. We LOVED the Armada, but it isn't big enough for vacations when you are taking up 5 of the seats.

We have rented several different makes/models of minivans and SUVs with 3rd row. (We fly a lot and have to rent.) I've also driven company minivans.

I personally hate the SUVs with 3rd row. The 3rd row is so hard to get in and out of. If your child can't buckle himself in, I wouldn't even consider it. They also seem to have small cargo areas.

I have a Toyota Sienna. I really like it. I have driven Dodge Caravans, Kia Sedonas, Town and Countries, Hondas. I think the Toyota drives most like a car and it does seem quieter. Other than routine maintenance and some body work due to minor accidents we haven't had to have any major work on it in 7 years. I would definitely buy another one, but I'm guessing this one will last for a long time still.

We bought new. But I also bought a Toyota a Tercel that was a program car. Someone rented it for a year and then the dealer sold it. Great deal and great car. I drove it for about 5 years and only sold it when we had baby #2 on the way because both car seats wouldn't fit on the tiny back seat. Before that I had a Toyota Camry that I bought when it was 4 years old. I drove it 8 years and then my parents and brother had it for 4-5 years. My brother would have driven it longer except it was totaled in an accident. Toyota are very good/reliable cars. I don't think I'd buy anything else. Except for the Mini Cooper I want to buy when I have a midlife crisis.