What SUV with 3 Rows Should We Buy or Not Buy and Why?

I have a Suburban and love it! But I have a MUCH larger family!!! With 4 of them being teenagers, I have to carry a lot of stuff so the trunk space was a must!

The only one that I can tell you about that I've had personally is a Suburban. It has lots of room, is comfortable and safe. But it is bad on gas and not easy to get the little ones in and out of because it's so high off the ground. I checked into the Honda and Toyota suv's and they didn't seem to have enough room for us and we only have 2 kids. I just hate feeling cramped. It took me a REALLY long time to swallow my pride but I ended up getting a minivan. *gasp* I swore I'd never get one but I'm so glad I did. I suggest that you just drive a Honda or a Toyota minivan just for comparison's sake.

I went kicking and screaming into mini-van land, but life is SO much easier with one!!! Do a comparison and you'll be sold. I tried and tried to find an SUV that wouldn't be cramped, and only the super gas guzzlers worked. I joke about my mini van, but love it. You may want to check out the new VW minivan. You're going to be super-cramped in the MDX.

Hi. I never thought I would be driving a mini van but with three in carseats that's what we had to do. We tried 3 suv's but the mini van is the best especially with the doors that open electronically. I love my mini.

Gas guzzler but with that many kids who will invariably want to bring friends along to something some time, you will "need" a many-seater. I, very uncool I know, actually like minivans. If my husband can work past the prejudice, I may have one one day. Just as an exercise is comparing cool factor, gas mileage, comfort, price, and features -- check out the Mazda MPV. That's the one I almost got. And, cannot leave out the awesomeness of Hondas -- check out the Odyssey, while you're at it.

I actually just had to sell my MDX for a Honda Odyssey. I have a 3 yr old and 6mo twins and we just found out we have a surprise on the way! I too was anti-minivan which is why I had my 3yr old sitting between the twins in the MDX. She still needs help buckling her car seat which is why we didn't use the 3rd row. With the need for a 4th car seat I had to finally cave and get a mini-van. I must say I love my Odyssey! Yes, it's a minivan but it is so practical and so much more room. It's easy to get to the 3rd row and getting car seat carriers in/out is so much easier with the sliding doors. I highly recommend giving it a try!

The MDX is a wonderful car, but the 3rd row will only hold 2 small kids comfortably (at least in my model, 2003). To access it, you have to fold one of the seats which will not allow you to put a car seat in that seat. Just some things to consider!

Good luck!

Well.... Let me tell you...I've had a Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Chevy Tahoe and 2 Ford Expeditions in 10 years (yes, hubby likes to get something new every couple of years...And we do our research extensively before we get anything new.)

I now drive a Honda Odyssey minivan (almost 2 years now) and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! It has more room than any SUV I've had. It is more comfortable to sit in the 3rd row and the gas mileage is WAY better than the SUVs. Also, if you have kids, it is MUCH EASIER and more room to get in and out of the minivan with the sliding doors rather than opening doors...which you have to worry about smacking into the car(s) next to you....so...IMHO I'd recommend Honda Minivan over any SUV out there! (Toyota's are good, too; it's just all based on your physical preference.) Both rated extremely high on safety. We just liked the look and feel of the Honda over Toyota. If you are also thinking “I want to go American” well…all Hondas and Toyotas are actually manufactured right here in the good ol’ US of A!

I’ve also had friends and family with Toyota Sequoyas, Suburbans & Tahoes, and Nissan SUVs and since they’ve ridden in ours they all now say they wish they had gone with a minivan, too, especially with their kids/pets because of the room and ease of getting in and out. Last April, I drove from Woodstock, Ga to Tulsa, OK (17+ hours) with my 2 elderly grandmothers, my mom and my 11 month old baby and ALL the luggage and baby gear in the back and we were all comfortable for the whole ride. I cannot say the same for the other vehicles we’ve had! They were never as comfortable and spacious as the van!

Best of luck!
AM

We had a Yukon with captain's chairs and when my second was born we bought a Suburban - with the bench seat. We can keep the third row in and have tons of trunk space left. We are expecting #3 and although I can comfortably fit 3 car seats across the middle row I am putting my oldest in the third row. We LOVE our Suburban - it has tons of room and I have ridden in the 3rd row with a carseat for long road trips and been very comfortable - a lot of smaller SUVS or our old Yukon had smaller 3rd rows that could not seat adults. We travel a lot and we can take the Suburban skiing and feel great knowing we have 4 wheel drive. The kids - 4 and 2 can both climb up into the car on their own and we have the DVD player etc. which is nice. The other thing we liked vs. minivan was that we could drive it on a date night and it did not scream mommy mobile - my husband loves driving it. We will drive this one into the ground - with probably expanding to at least 4 kids this is the only car(maybe an expedition too) that really provides the most room to see kids and adults and have real trunk space. There are great "minivan" type features - the trunk opens and closes from your key chain and we have automatic start which heats up the car in winter and cools it off in summer for at least 10 minutes at a time before you have to put your keys in. It has a huge gas tank - over 30 gallons so I do not have to fill up that much - it goes almost 500 miles to the tank so I don't feel like I am using as much gas as a do. Just my opinion - good luck on your search!

i always thought I was too cool for a mini van.. and could never understand why my sister swore by them (and she could have any car in the WORLD she wants).. until I had my son. I am a convert, cause I got the top of the line Town and Country with all the bells and whistles, and for having a small one, there is nothing better. I had a Ford Explorer with the 3rd row seat, but you can't put a child in the 3rd row of those.... and even the good toddler seats are too big for the second row with a tall husband driving......

I've got to echo other responses and say you really should reconsider the minivan. I had a Honda Pilot(loved it) and then we had #3 on the way. (My kids are ages 3, almost 2, and newborn). The third row is hard to access, especially when you're talking car seats, and with the 3rd row up, you lose any storage room for strollers, groceries, etc. I swore I would never drive a mini van....but quickly realized the practicality of it and got a Honda Odyssey. Doors open with just a click of a button, which is great when you're carrying a new born and holding a two year old's hand in a parking lot. Plus, the minivan is low enough to the ground that the 3 year old and 2 year old can climb in by themselves and get in their car seats (I still have to buckle them in though), while I get the newborn in the car. It also has trunk space and additional storage space. Access to the 3rd row is also easy and you don't have to climb over seats to get there. So, if the only thing keeping you from a mini van is the soccer mom stigma...if you can get over it, it really will make your life easier.

I did not want a minivan either. My husband and I looked at everything. We decided on a GMC Acadia and I love it. Most of the other third rows wouldn't fit an adult and left you with no storage in the back. With the Acadia I can use the third row, have a stroller in the back and still have more room. It was a great alternative to a minivan, in my opinion. Good luck!

We have a Suburban...and I love it!! We have three children and one on the way. We origionally bought a Tahoo with the third row seat, but quickly decided that it was not for us!! There is no storage room in the rear. With the Suburban, we have three rows of seating, plus storage in the rear. Believe me, when your LO's get to school age or playing sports age, or dance classes, etc, you will be glad for the extra area. My hubby built a table for us in the rear that provides me with stroller storage, grocery storage and a place for their accessories!!! We are actually looking at buying a 2nd Suburban for our family. Ours is a 1999, and we do not have a secondary family vehicle if it should be needed--hopefully not!!!!!!
Anyway---we looked at a Expedition, not enough leg room for the kids in between the second and third row seats. We have also looked at full size vans.....they are also an option, but are harder to see out of for traffic.
The smaller third-row seater SUV's just did not work for us, but they might for your family. We have a baseball playing 3rd grader, and dancing K-5'er, an active three year old, and will have a newborn shortly. For us, the Suburban is the way to go.
BTW--I do know that carmax.com has a 2003 Suburban with leather interior for $13,000. Just FYI!! Good Luck!!!!

I have a 5 3 and one due this year. We just got a crossover the ford flex. My middle row has two captain seats with a walk through so that my oldest can get to the back row. We also get very good gas mileage

I have a Yukon and absolutely love it! I have the captain's chairs to that you can still get to the third row without having to put down the second row. The third row has two pieces for the seats and you can keep one up and put the other one down or take it out completely if you need more room for their/your stuff. With the third row completely up there isn't a lot of room for storage, but I can still fit single stroller back there. Hope this helps!

I have a Toyota Highlander with a 3rd row seat (2005) model. I love the flexibility it gives me for added space, but not sure how it would be for smaller children in booster or car seats in the 3rd row, the seat isn't made for comfort on long trips either.
My children were 12-14 years old at the time I purchased and it came in handy when the 3-4 year old grandchild or friends rode with us short distances. It made a difference in whether my children could or could not invite freinds over and we have a way to all go.
I love my Highlander! I understand the newer models have added space, haven't seen if the 3rd seat has been made more comfortable. My daughter's boss has the Honda Pilot and it seems to have more room and a more comfortable 3rd row seat. A little more pricier than the Highlander.
M. B.

If you do not mind the price of gas, I suggest you buy the three seater. I have one child and so often realize I could use the room for "stuff" and company.
Happy hunting!

Hello,
Right before I delivered my second son, I purchased a pre-owned Acura MDX and I have been very pleased. It has a V-6 so my fuel economy went down from my Camry, but it has served us well for daily errands and travel. Look at the ones with a rack for travel as when used with all three rows there is not a lot of cargo room inside.

Hi!

I have two kids (5 and 1) and just bought a used Acura MDX and I LOVE it! I had a Maxima, and needed something larger. I did a lot of research and test drove just about every crossover and SUV and kept coming back to the MDX - I even looked at two minivans, and I am with you, just couldn't do it!! (No offense to anyone!) The Honda Pilot was a good second, but it was not as comfortable, in my opinion. I went to Acura Carland in Duluth and had a wonderful experience and got a heck of a deal. If you have any questions about the MDX, shoot me an email! Good luck, the car buying process is frustrating!

I have an Acura MDX that I LOVE!!! We have four sons ages 12 - 3 and they all fit comfortably. We did three car seats at one point. Strollers fit in the back (even a double stroller). My husband & I both like to drive sports cars and the MDX is very sporty. The suspension is tuned well and it has 240 horses. Mine is 8 years old and running great with 143,000 miles on it. I looked at everything when we bought it and the only other thing I liked was the Toyota Sequoia. It drives more like a truck and is much larger than the MDX (helpful for long trips when you have to pack half the house ;-). Anyway, I will drive mine until it dies and then replace it with another MDX. I truly love it that much! Good luck in your search!

L.

I've had my Toyota Sequoia for 5 years and love it. Plenty of room and a nice ride. All the components have held up well and it still looks new. Will either buy another one soon or also check out the Infiniti (big SUV, not the FX). The new Sequoia's have the center seat independent in the second row for access to the 3rd row if your side seats are taken up by car seats. Plus the hatch can be opened with a click of a button now too. Steering radius is amazing, plus other sweet features like option for back up camera. We almost downsized 2 years ago and am so glad we didnt because we use all the available space most the time. We have 2 girls, maybe 3 one day. Good luck!

chevy uplander rocks!!!

I have an 03 Honda Pilot and love it! I've had it for 3yrs now and would only trade it for another one! I have two kids ages 3 and almsot 9yrs and they have plenty of room in the backseat. My oldest goes in the 3rd row sometimes if we have extra riders with us. Adults fit in the 2nd row just fine but it might be a little cramped in the 3rd but will fit children just fine in a car seat or booster seat. We travel at least once a year from SC to norther IN for the Holidays and it has always been a smooth ride. Not sure about gas miliage but I get about 350 miles to a full tank just running around town. It has plenty of get up and go, handles very well, has heat and a/c for 2nd and 3rd rows with 2nd row control. Plenty of room in back when 3rd row is down too. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!

Happy SUV shopping!
S.

I have a Ford Expedition 2003. Bought it new. 3 rows of seats. It has been WONDERFUL. I don't feel mommy-ish in it. I feel more sporty. There's plenty of room...even to go on playdates with friends and their kids in there. Seats 8.

Airconditioner in back. Lots of vents. Plenty of cupholders and the third row stores flat by pressing a button.

Minimal repairs if you stay on track with maintenance.

Good luck!

Hello,
I have three children 7, 4, and 2. We have a Nissan Armada and it has plenty of room. We went from a Durango and there is soooo much more leg room between rows with the Armada. We like it so far. Plenty of room in the very back even with the third row up. I would def get one with leather seats though. My tan cloth seats are ruined and I have a friend with an Armada with leather seats and hers still looks great. Good luck with your decision.
C.