Family of 4. Do we need 2 row or 3 row SUV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get away with a two-row Subaru Outback. It has a very wide 2nd row.

But if you think you will have grandparents, an au pair, etc fairly frequently, you'll want the 3rd row.

That said, mid-size SUVs with pop-up 3rd row are very difficult to get in and out. For example, no way in hell an elderly grandparent can crawl into the 3rd row in a Sorrento, Honda Pilot, or CX-9. It's too tight. Also, when you're using the 3rd row, your trunk storage capacity shrinks big time. So the pop-up 3rd rows are really not that great for roadtrips, in my experience.

If you don’t really need it save the extra money and stick with the 2nd row. You have two kids, don’t get n extra row for “other people”. They can figure it out. Or have your husband drive the grandparents. Since you said they live out of state. Don’t buy for the what if’s. Buy for What you currently need

+1. The expense of a larger car isn’t worth it for occasionally shuttling grandparents around; you could always take two cars to dinner when they are in town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get away with a two-row Subaru Outback. It has a very wide 2nd row.

But if you think you will have grandparents, an au pair, etc fairly frequently, you'll want the 3rd row.

That said, mid-size SUVs with pop-up 3rd row are very difficult to get in and out. For example, no way in hell an elderly grandparent can crawl into the 3rd row in a Sorrento, Honda Pilot, or CX-9. It's too tight. Also, when you're using the 3rd row, your trunk storage capacity shrinks big time. So the pop-up 3rd rows are really not that great for roadtrips, in my experience.

If you don’t really need it save the extra money and stick with the 2nd row. You have two kids, don’t get n extra row for “other people”. They can figure it out. Or have your husband drive the grandparents. Since you said they live out of state. Don’t buy for the what if’s. Buy for What you currently need

+1. The expense of a larger car isn’t worth it for occasionally shuttling grandparents around; you could always take two cars to dinner when they are in town.

Agreed. Buy the car that suits your day-to-day needs, rather than the car whose capabilities you'll only fully utilize a few days per year. Your wallet (and the environment) will thank you.

[Anonymous]

What? A sedan is fine. You sound insane. Three row car for two kids. Smdh

[Anonymous]

A sedan is fine but we feel squished and tight inside of a sedan. My husband has to put the seat all the way back since he’s tall and then my son legs are squished because of the seat going back. Then bending down to put them in their car seats hurts my back. And they’re on top of each other damn near in the back seat

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids with a two row SUV. For us, the ease of parking and cost of gas etc just don’t outweigh the benefits of being able to fit a 7th person in the car. We camp and have a dog and never feel like we need a bigger car. Pre covid when we had visitors we just had them take an Uber to where we were going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get 3 rows if you plan on eventually having anyone else in car (grandparents? Cousins? Carpooling? Playdates?).

We have this issue too. I think my ideal setup would be one three-row SUV and one small sedan or hatchback for around the town driving. So in my mind it depends on what the spouse's car is and which car is likely to be replaced first.

This. We have a 3 row svu and a compact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What? A sedan is fine. You sound insane. Three row car for two kids. Smdh

Wait until you have to drive carpools. Totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

Also consider future fuel costs. The US has no meaningful climate change legislation right now, but things cannot go on as they are.
If gas prices go way up in a few years, your 3 row SUV is going to be very expensive to drive and resale value won't be great.
I would buy the smallest car that works for day to day now.

[Anonymous]

We are a family of four and have an edge. Definitely not big enough to go on beach trips, etc. but Good for day to day and regular sporting activities unless you’re part of a carpool. The Ford Explorer it is a good option but make sure you don’t get the one with the captains chairs. Just gives you only six seats which is only one more than the edge.

[Anonymous]

You need a station wagon or a minivan if you have a lot of gear to transport. SUVs generally don't have much more cargo space than a sedan or hatchback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of four and have an edge. Definitely not big enough to go on beach trips, etc. but Good for day to day and regular sporting activities unless you’re part of a carpool. The Ford Explorer it is a good option but make sure you don’t get the one with the captains chairs. Just gives you only six seats which is only one more than the edge.

Gotcha! Makes sense. We don't have much equipment and when we go on trips we rent a car anyways to save the miles on our cars. Not part of a car pool and post covid, I don't mind not being a part of one. Minimize the people in my car. Ford Explorer seems like too big to drive day to day, going from a Sentra. I'm the type of driver that has my seat all the way up and my hands at 10 and 2 with my back straight lol. Day to day is most important for me, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need a station wagon or a minivan if you have a lot of gear to transport. SUVs generally don't have much more cargo space than a sedan or hatchback.

no gear, just a big stroller and groceries. in my sedan I carried a lot of junk, just stuff I didn't use day to day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What? A sedan is fine. You sound insane. Three row car for two kids. Smdh

Wait until you have to drive carpools. Totally worth it.

I do. It's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What? A sedan is fine. You sound insane. Three row car for two kids. Smdh

Wait until you have to drive carpools. Totally worth it.

I do. It's fine.

I have a 3 row suv, regret it because its just too big. rarely drove that many people in my car and its hard to park.

[Anonymous]

I would just go ahead and do it. When the kids are still in car seats, it's nice to have extra space for a random adult who may be tagging along (even if the third row is a tiny, your elder kid can scoot back there with their booster, and when the kids hit carpool/sports practice age, it's REALLY nice to have that extra row when you need it.