Parking Full Size SUV in Parking Garages

[Anonymous]

We are going to be in the market for a new vehicle in about 8-10 months. We have three kids doing multiple sports year-round, all between the ages of 6-12, and one large dog that we also take with us on vacations and trips to visit family a few times each year. Plus my in-laws visit with us 3-4 times a year for a week or so each visit. We do not want a minivan, but have found a 3 row SUV is a must for our needs - and really need more space many times throughout the year. The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia looks really interesting to me but we've never owned a full size SUV.

Can those of you who have a full size vehicle tell me if it is challenging to find parking garages that fit ? I may need to drive this vehicle 2 days a week to my job in Arlington and occasionally to DC. We have an older/typical midsize SUV now and the rooftop radio antenna scrapes a few spots in the garages I've used this past year, so it's making me wonder if having a FS SUV would solve one problem but create another (i.e. a parking challenge). Is this a common problem for those of you with FS vehicles or rare?

P.S. Please don't reply just to trash full size SUVs or people that buy them. We are not trying to make a statement, we both work FT (not a 'soccer mom'), we just want a bigger vehicle to better meet our needs. And while it won't change minds, the 2023 Sequoia apparently has a new engine that gets slightly better mileage than the Tahoe/Yukon, similar to many mid size SUVs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are going to be in the market for a new vehicle in about 8-10 months. We have three kids doing multiple sports year-round, all between the ages of 6-12, and one large dog that we also take with us on vacations and trips to visit family a few times each year. Plus my in-laws visit with us 3-4 times a year for a week or so each visit. We do not want a minivan, but have found a 3 row SUV is a must for our needs - and really need more space many times throughout the year. The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia looks really interesting to me but we've never owned a full size SUV.

Can those of you who have a full size vehicle tell me if it is challenging to find parking garages that fit ? I may need to drive this vehicle 2 days a week to my job in Arlington and occasionally to DC. We have an older/typical midsize SUV now and the rooftop radio antenna scrapes a few spots in the garages I've used this past year, so it's making me wonder if having a FS SUV would solve one problem but create another (i.e. a parking challenge). Is this a common problem for those of you with FS vehicles or rare?

P.S. Please don't reply just to trash full size SUVs or people that buy them. We are not trying to make a statement, we both work FT (not a 'soccer mom'), we just want a bigger vehicle to better meet our needs. And while it won't change minds, the 2023 Sequoia apparently has a new engine that gets slightly better mileage than the Tahoe/Yukon, similar to many mid size SUVs.

Most parking garages will list the height clearance at the entrance. 6'4" is pretty common, though I've seen them as low as 6'0". When looking at SUVs, pay attention to the listed height, keeping in mind larger tires and roof racks will add to the overall height.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never had a problem parking my Sequoia. Pro tip for parking garages: back into the space.

[Anonymous]

We have a QX 80 and there is only one very old garage downtown I had some issues with. Otherwise we have fit into all other garages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a QX 80 and there is only one very old garage downtown I had some issues with. Otherwise we have fit into all other garages.

And I should note, it was a turning radius issue, not a height issue. I couldn’t get around a corner without hitting a wall or another car.

[Anonymous]

Have an XL Denali. So I know this well. Height is never an issue in garages, it's the tight spaces. I tend to park far away, not near cars or I'll try to park next to a tiny car so I have more space. Just get used to parking further away than you normally would and walking a bit more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a QX 80 and there is only one very old garage downtown I had some issues with. Otherwise we have fit into all other garages.

And I should note, it was a turning radius issue, not a height issue. I couldn’t get around a corner without hitting a wall or another car.

This is very valid point, when comparing SUV's consider checking the turning radius

[Anonymous]

Vehicle width and parking space size are likely to challenge you. Many garages and parking lots try to squeeze out extra revenue by making spaces quite narrow. Couple that with incompetent drivers who park closer to one side of a space than the other, and you may find it difficult to park alongside others, and to open and close your doors once you have parked. Expect door dings.

You'd be better off with something compact which is suitable for commuting, and a different vehicle for weekends/family things which you don't park in parking garages.

[Anonymous]

Replace the antenna with a short one from Amazon.

[Anonymous]

We've never had a problem with our Ford Expedition- and we have the XL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a QX 80 and there is only one very old garage downtown I had some issues with. Otherwise we have fit into all other garages.

And I should note, it was a turning radius issue, not a height issue. I couldn’t get around a corner without hitting a wall or another car.

This is very valid point, when comparing SUV's consider checking the turning radius

Agree with this. Our Sequoia has the best turning radius of any vehicle we have owned. We used to have an Acadia and it had the worst turning radius.

[Anonymous]

Have a 2021 Tahoe. Thank God for all of its parking assist devices (sonar, rear camera). Makes an otherwise difficult job not easy, but very doable.

Height never an issue (18" wheels). Has a 2 1/2" shark fin antenna.

Very tight turning radius too. That's an important point. Kudos to others who mentioned that before.

[Anonymous]

This is why we sold our Suburban and got KIAs. Just so much easier to park in downtown D.C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are going to be in the market for a new vehicle in about 8-10 months. We have three kids doing multiple sports year-round, all between the ages of 6-12, and one large dog that we also take with us on vacations and trips to visit family a few times each year. Plus my in-laws visit with us 3-4 times a year for a week or so each visit. We do not want a minivan, but have found a 3 row SUV is a must for our needs - and really need more space many times throughout the year. The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia looks really interesting to me but we've never owned a full size SUV.

Can those of you who have a full size vehicle tell me if it is challenging to find parking garages that fit ? I may need to drive this vehicle 2 days a week to my job in Arlington and occasionally to DC. We have an older/typical midsize SUV now and the rooftop radio antenna scrapes a few spots in the garages I've used this past year, so it's making me wonder if having a FS SUV would solve one problem but create another (i.e. a parking challenge). Is this a common problem for those of you with FS vehicles or rare?

P.S. Please don't reply just to trash full size SUVs or people that buy them. We are not trying to make a statement, we both work FT (not a 'soccer mom'), we just want a bigger vehicle to better meet our needs. And while it won't change minds, the 2023 Sequoia apparently has a new engine that gets slightly better mileage than the Tahoe/Yukon, similar to many mid size SUVs.

Just get a minivan. And many soccer moms work. Better gas mileage than a Tahoe is like the lowest bar.

As long as you are okay with your car getting scraped in the garage (it will be too tight, it’s about 1.5” wider than a Sienna, and I’m pretty sure has bigger side mirror.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a QX 80 and there is only one very old garage downtown I had some issues with. Otherwise we have fit into all other garages.

And I should note, it was a turning radius issue, not a height issue. I couldn’t get around a corner without hitting a wall or another car.

This is very valid point, when comparing SUV's consider checking the turning radius

Mercedes GLS has an insanely good turning radius by the way. I’m ready for a new car but my GLS gets me in and out of tiny spaces and I’m afraid other large SUVs will get me stuck.

I did hit the top of my GLS in a garage with low hanging pipes. We have a roof rack too which was the issue.