3 kids in car seats + au pair. What are my vehicle options?

[Anonymous]

We are having #3 in the Fall (other two kids are 2 and 4), so we will have three kids in car seats for a while. We also have an au pair. While it’s rare that all six of us are in the car at the same time, I want it to possible. Budget is not a huge factor, but we aren’t generally car people. Right now we own a 2014 Subaru Outback and a 2002 Volvo XC70.

My initial research led me to believe that three car seats is generally minivan territory, so we will probably test drive the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna, and the Chrysler Pacifica. Any thoughts between these? We have a driveway at home, but I parallel park twice a day at preschool pick up and know it will be harder in a minivan.

Should we also look at some of the third row SUVs? The Audi Q7 and the like? I’m worried about getting to the third car seat in an SUV.

[Anonymous]

Also look at Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

[Anonymous]

We have a Highlander and I think 3 carseats would work, though our oldest is in a backless booster so we haven't actually done it.

I have friends who had 3 under 3 (surprise twins!) and said their Ford Explorer was fine with 3 carseats across. Another friend with older twins and a younger sib where they set up a carseat for one of the older ones in the third row of a CRV and he climbed in himself (I think he still needed help with buckling).

[Anonymous]

We are waiting for the Subaru Ascent to come out next month. Thinking Captain's chairs in the middle row, leaves easier access to the back row.

[Anonymous]

We sienna and love it. Parking has taken some practice, I basically went to DC and practiced parallel parking in Capital Hill. I am sure folks thought I was nuts. It isn't that bad with the camera.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with a minivan. Getting kids in and out of a 3 row minivan, especially with car seats) is much easier than in a 3 row SUV. Parking is much easier as well. I've had both and the minivan won out big time. Once we grew out of the minivan I went back to an SUV (Subaru Forester) which I love.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with the minivan.

[Anonymous]

“Budget is not a factor. . .” Shocker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go with a minivan. Getting kids in and out of a 3 row minivan, especially with car seats) is much easier than in a 3 row SUV. Parking is much easier as well. I've had both and the minivan won out big time. Once we grew out of the minivan I went back to an SUV (Subaru Forester) which I love.

When my baby #3 was on the way my parents encouraged me to get a minivan for all the reasons above but I wanted a 3 row SUV because I didn't want to me a minivan mom. On a recent vacation we had to rent a minivan and my parents were right. It is so much easier with the sliding doors, lower height etc. etc. It was so much easier to drive and park. I have not yet told my parents that they were right.

[Anonymous]

I don't think parallel parking will be an issue with a minivan vs a big SUV. They all have parking sensors and backup cameras.

[Anonymous]

Sliding doors are life changing. Go with a minivan.

[Anonymous]

You should be fine with any 3 row vehicle (there are tons). You can look up the widths online, and go for the widest ones, but I suspect you'll often put 1 kid in the 3rd row rather than trying to go 3 car seats across in the 2nd.

[Anonymous]

we only drive Range Rover.

[Anonymous]

sliding door with kids that age is a game changer.

imagine it is raining - you are walking to the car. You have the baby carrier and the oldest ran ahead to the car. Click the button - they get in. You come along to buckle them in.

I would also consider - removing 1 chair in the middle row and putting 2 in the back and baby in the middle. Much easier to buckle when you are not reaching over a seat.

[Anonymous]

If you can parallel park in general, you can parallel park the Sienna no problem. I don't pp that often but did it like a pro in front of a side-street Georgetown restaurant the first day we had ours.