minivan or 3rd row SUV?

[Anonymous]

It's time - we officially need a bigger car. I'm just now starting the research process... Should we get a minivan, or an SUV with a 3rd row? There are 4 of us (me, DH, 8 yo, 6 yo, and big dog).

Bonus question: is there a specific model of either you'd recommend, or advise against?

[Anonymous]

Honda pilot if you're not planning on having anymore kids.

[Anonymous]

Minivan for the sliding doors.

[Anonymous]

The minivan is better in that it's more comfortable for everyone, it's more spacious, more practical.

But with only two kids, you can make do with a three-row SUV if you still prefer that style.

[Anonymous]

If you have a dog I would definitely get an SUV. I have one kid but carppol a lot and have 2 large dogs.
I have an older model Honda Pilot and mainly use the cargo area for the dogs, they have room to lay down back there when we go to the beach etc.
If I am carpooling I can lift the seats up and use the 3rd row.

The only downside is that I can not fit 3 carseats in the 3rd row even though there are 3 seatbelts. 2 kids have plenty of room though. Middle seat fits 3 carseats easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a dog I would definitely get an SUV. I have one kid but carppol a lot and have 2 large dogs.
I have an older model Honda Pilot and mainly use the cargo area for the dogs, they have room to lay down back there when we go to the beach etc.
If I am carpooling I can lift the seats up and use the 3rd row.

The only downside is that I can not fit 3 carseats in the 3rd row even though there are 3 seatbelts. 2 kids have plenty of room though. Middle seat fits 3 carseats easily.

I don't understand this. The dogs would have a lot more room to lie down in the minivan. In either case, it only works with the third row folded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a dog I would definitely get an SUV. I have one kid but carppol a lot and have 2 large dogs.
I have an older model Honda Pilot and mainly use the cargo area for the dogs, they have room to lay down back there when we go to the beach etc.
If I am carpooling I can lift the seats up and use the 3rd row.

The only downside is that I can not fit 3 carseats in the 3rd row even though there are 3 seatbelts. 2 kids have plenty of room though. Middle seat fits 3 carseats easily.

I don't understand this. The dogs would have a lot more room to lie down in the minivan. In either case, it only works with the third row folded.

This is the PP. I have never owned a minivan but the ones I have been in have small cargo areas behind the 3rd row compared to mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a dog I would definitely get an SUV. I have one kid but carppol a lot and have 2 large dogs.
I have an older model Honda Pilot and mainly use the cargo area for the dogs, they have room to lay down back there when we go to the beach etc.
If I am carpooling I can lift the seats up and use the 3rd row.

The only downside is that I can not fit 3 carseats in the 3rd row even though there are 3 seatbelts. 2 kids have plenty of room though. Middle seat fits 3 carseats easily.

I don't understand this. The dogs would have a lot more room to lie down in the minivan. In either case, it only works with the third row folded.

This is the PP. I have never owned a minivan but the ones I have been in have small cargo areas behind the 3rd row compared to mine.

You're saying your dog fits in the cargo area of a Pilot BEHIND the third row?

[Anonymous]

Get a Highlander so you can open up the space in the middle of the 2nd row and the dog can go in the back easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honda pilot if you're not planning on having anymore kids.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a dog I would definitely get an SUV. I have one kid but carppol a lot and have 2 large dogs.
I have an older model Honda Pilot and mainly use the cargo area for the dogs, they have room to lay down back there when we go to the beach etc.
If I am carpooling I can lift the seats up and use the 3rd row.

The only downside is that I can not fit 3 carseats in the 3rd row even though there are 3 seatbelts. 2 kids have plenty of room though. Middle seat fits 3 carseats easily.

I don't understand this. The dogs would have a lot more room to lie down in the minivan. In either case, it only works with the third row folded.

This is the PP. I have never owned a minivan but the ones I have been in have small cargo areas behind the 3rd row compared to mine.

You're saying your dog fits in the cargo area of a Pilot BEHIND the third row?

My 70 lb labrador can fit in the cargo area of the minivan behind the 3rd row. With the 3rd row folded, we have room to put her entire crate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honda pilot if you're not planning on having anymore kids.

+1

Another vote for the Honda Pilot.

[Anonymous]

Minivan if you are secure enough in yourself, suv if you are not

[Anonymous]

I’ve always had a minivan with 3 kids but recently bought a 2018 Pilot after a very thorough search. If you had 3 kids, I would say no 3rd row SUV compares to a minivan in terms of space and accessibility. With 2 kids, you probably don’t need a minivan. I love the sliding doors on mine and there is lots of cargo space compared to the Pilot. However, among SUVs, we definitely found the Pilot to have the roomiest 3rd row in its class and the easiest to get in and out of. The trunk space isn’t great but you gain a lot with the 3rd row folded down. We really wanted to buy a Highlander as a Toyota family but the Pilot had dramatically more space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Minivan if you are secure enough in yourself, suv if you are not

+1.