Best three row vehicle that is not a minivan

[Anonymous]

If you plan to use the third row semi-regularly, look into safety ratings for the third row in collisions. After seeing a friend's Honda Pilot's third row following a not-that-bad rear-end collision (completely crushed as the rear crumpled) I realized I would never feel safe having a kid back there. I had assumed that in a "safe" car the third row was equally safe, and it's not.

[Anonymous]

Mazda5. Excellent MPG.

[Anonymous]

Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You didn't say why you don't want a minivan, but I'd test drive one anyway (unless you already have). A lot of people have inexeplicable bias against minivans without ever having driven one, kind of like a child that refuses to eat something because without tasting it first. Minivans are surpisingly convenient. Plus, most of the alternatives are really fuel inefficient, ugly (i.e. they are SUVs, ugh) or pricier.

The fuel efficiency is comparable for a minivan and a mid-sized SUV.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the traverse!

[Anonymous]

I am planning to check out the new infiniti JX. The only one with a second row seat that moves out of the way for third row accesss while a car seat (minus child) is left in it. Roomier than the MDX apparently with a third row adults can actually sit it. I need to check out remaining cargo space when third row is up though. I am about to have three in car seats once twins come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You didn't say why you don't want a minivan, but I'd test drive one anyway (unless you already have). A lot of people have inexeplicable bias against minivans without ever having driven one, kind of like a child that refuses to eat something because without tasting it first. Minivans are surpisingly convenient. Plus, most of the alternatives are really fuel inefficient, ugly (i.e. they are SUVs, ugh) or pricier.

If you care about the driving experience and performance minivans are out

[Anonymous]

Those with an MDX, how Difficult is it to access third row aka crawling back to strap in a kid and can an adult or tall child sit in the third row? When third row is up what carGo space is left...room for large stroller?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.

Ha!! My Mom had one of these in the late 80's/early 90's.

[Anonymous]

Infinit qx, Mercedes gl, Mercedes r class, Acura MDX, Chevy traverse, Infiniti jx, lexus lx, lexus gx, land rover lr4 hse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you care about the driving experience and performance minivans are out

Because there's nothing more thrilling than a rollover. Wheeee!

[Anonymous]

Oh my god, lady, gas is almost $5/gallon. Do you REALLY need this huge car? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

+1 MDX

Anonymous wrote:Those with an MDX, how Difficult is it to access third row aka crawling back to strap in a kid and can an adult or tall child sit in the third row? When third row is up what carGo space is left...room for large stroller?

We regularly use the third ro for DC with a booster -- he crawls in through the trunk (with only one half of the third row up) and puts on his own seat belt. We have also had adults in the third row but it's pretty tight. One advantage over some other (non-minivan) three-row options is that the middle row can be adjusted. With 1/2 of the third row up, you can fit a good size stroller in the other half (probably not a double stroller, though I don't have one & don't really know how they compare when folded). With the third row fully engaged the trunk space is limited to about the depth of a grocery bag, so nothing but a fairly skimpy stroller would fit.

[Anonymous]

The only disadvantage of the MDX (at least our model year) is the gas mileage (and it requires premium).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god, lady, gas is almost $5/gallon. Do you REALLY need this huge car? Probably not.

She has 2 kids. If you carpool to soccer, birthday parties, ballet, etc., then, yes, you need a big car. Carpooling saves money, is green(er), and the kids provide some consumption value in the form of entertainment. There is almost nothing as funny as driving a bunch of tween boys to/from a Bar Mitzvah.