What's the point of 3-row SUVs

[Anonymous]

We have a third row in our highlander and rarely use it. We only got it for when grandparents visit (kids sit in the 3rd row) or occasional rides for other kids. We bought it know we would rarely need it, and when we did, it would be for around town so no need for a lot of cargo room. We have two DCs. If we had more, we would have gone with a minivan

[Anonymous]

For carpooling, I think the kids just kind of suck it up for a little while. Sorry if they are not 100% comfortable. We put boyscouts in the back of our Mazda 5 when needed even for out of town camping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking to transition from a 15 y.o minivan to an SUV. Thiking we could replicate the space in a minivan with a 3-row DUV we checked out a few.. Infiniti QX60, Acura RDX & Honda Pilot. The third row seating in ALL of them is terrible! An adult will have to with their knees up and they are so difficult to get in and out of. Not only that, when the third row is up, there's literally no storage space... And each of these vehicles are larger than my minivan so have to deal with parking issues as well.

Are there any SUVs with good third row seating? If not, we are probably better off buying a 5-row SUV.. Save the money and just rent a minivan if/when we need the space (which would be about 2-3 times a year when we have extended family visiting for a week +)

Why not buy a regular car and just rent a SUV or minivan if/when you need the space?

[Anonymous]

For people who need minvans but can't get over to get one.

[Anonymous]

If you need the 3rd row for seating on a regular basis and don't want to drive a Suburban (they are gigantic), you should just get another minivan. The SUVs with an optional third row are better designed to mostly use as a 5 seater and only put someone in the back for short trips where you need to pile in.

[Anonymous]

Mercedes GLs have good 3rd row room.

[Anonymous]

Kia Sorento

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mercedes GLs have good 3rd row room.

I have this. It’s a complete pita to get in the third row if you have car seats in the second row.

[Anonymous]

I loved my Volvo third row, but I wouldn’t have if I needed to use it more than occasionally. I test drove the VW Atlas recently and thought that seemed like a much more viable regular option and/or for larger teens/adults due to the size and the way the seats folded.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get the hate for Odysseys. Adults can sit comfortably in the 3rd row.

Also, so many of you are confusing crossovers with SUVs. Real SUVs are on truck chassis and can fit adults in the 3rd row. Like Suburbans

[Anonymous]

We have a vw atlas and I can sit comfortably in the 3rd row. We have a 13 year old, 5yo 2 yo and 8 mo. We needed room for car seats and boosters as well as room for the tall teen in the way back

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people who need minvans but can't get over to get one.

Yep.

My minivan has more leg room in the second and third row than any SUV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Suburban is a legit 3 row suv with cargo room too. I love mine!

Agreed - I love to drive mine to the nail salon after dropping of DS at SJC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kia Sorento

+1

We love the pop-up third row that we can use when we need to, mostly when my in-laws visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you need the 3rd row for seating on a regular basis and don't want to drive a Suburban (they are gigantic), you should just get another minivan. The SUVs with an optional third row are better designed to mostly use as a 5 seater and only put someone in the back for short trips where you need to pile in.

OP here. We are coming to realize that.. Kids will be out of the house in 3-6 years so doesn't make sense to get another van.. We typically buy cars new and drive them to the ground so buying a van now and replacing with another car in 3 years is not a preferred solution.

We are now thinking of just retaining the van as a third vehicle for when we need to haul more than 4-5 people and for long distance trips. Buy a 2-row, 5-seater or a well rated 3-row SUV (if price difference to the 2-row SUV is within 5K) as the daily driver..