Three row SUV

[Anonymous]

Finally thinking of replacing the minivan, and I’m trying to gather info to transition to an SUV.

I’m all over the place with what I’m considering. I like the look of the Volvo xc90, Acura MDX, Kia Telluride and am also considering the Pilot or Highlander. Feel free to suggest others.

Priorities:
-seat comfort
-trunk space when 3rd row is down
-long lasting (we keep our cars a long time)
-not super high up to enter (short) or see over steering wheel

Things I don’t care about:
-I don’t need a billion camera views or beeping things
-I don’t care about interior tech or light up things
-not interested in anything I need to plug in
-legroom in 3rd row isn’t important, it’s really just our small dogs occasionally back there.

Would appreciate any advice.

[Anonymous]

Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve.

[Anonymous]

My DH recently bought the 3 row Telluride. Shaking my head with this one. We are retired and have no grandchildren yet. I need to find 5 friends who want to drive around me.

[Anonymous]

Consider a sedan.

[Anonymous]

I’m thinking about the same cars. I’d add the explorer to your list.

[Anonymous]

VW atlas or the MDX are favorites for me. We have both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider a sedan.

OP here. I really can’t do a sedan because I still need room for two teens and two dogs plus the two adults. My DH’s 5 seater SUV is too small for all of us, especially when we have luggage, so I imagine a sedan would be similar or smaller.

[Anonymous]

Nissan Armada or Infinti QX 80. The telluride and Highlander will present you with the same problem smaller SUVs have. Even with the third row down it leaves a lot to be desired.

[Anonymous]

I used to have a Honda Pilot and loved it. I’m someone loyal to brand though and will only buy Hondas or Toyotas. So for me I would go test drive a Pilot and a Highlander.

[Anonymous]

Your choices are pretty wide open if you don't actually care about the legroom in the 3rd row. Adequate 3rd rows that are comfortable for taller kids or adults are more rare. Most (all?) cars with 3rd rows will have a ton of cargo space with the 3rd row down.

All the ones you mentioned should be fine; I might be skeptical of a Kia if planning to keep it a long time, though Kias have long-term warranties. Would also add the Ford Explorer.

I would rethink not caring about the billion camera views and beeping. I have a fairly large car that I have to maneuver around tricky angles and garage clutter and love these features! YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Levis GX

[Anonymous]

This is all really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to respond!
-OP

[Anonymous]

We have a VW Atlas. Have 3 kids and shuttle their friends around too. Even when using the third row for passengers, we have plenty of cargo space in the trunk for groceries, backpacks and other things.This is a huge deal for us.

Accessing the third row is also really easy. Another big deal for us. The Volvo, which I looked at, had an annoying 3rd row access mechanism.

VW gets our vote. Audi is made by the same company and I would imagine their Q7 is also similar and good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nissan Armada or Infinti QX 80. The telluride and Highlander will present you with the same problem smaller SUVs have. Even with the third row down it leaves a lot to be desired.

That’s ridiculous. They are a family of FOUR.

Nissan? Did you read how they keep cars a long time??

[Anonymous]

Honda passport or 4Runner. These are 5 seaters with large cargo areas so can put a safe crate for dogs.