Anonymous wrote:DP. Had the CX-5 as a rental car. Controls arrangement was awkward. I will never buy one. Probably wise to test drive one to see if you like everything before you buy one.

A CarMax lot is a great place to do that. You can just walk around their lot and sit in any car they have. They have pretty much every popular make and model so you can check out the interior, controls, etc.

DP. Had the CX-5 as a rental car. Controls arrangement was awkward. I will never buy one. Probably wise to test drive one to see if you like everything before you buy one.

Anonymous wrote:Minivans lack AWD and good ground clearance. So they are not really a better option.

You can get AWD Sienna. You don’t really need the SUV kind of ground clearance unless you take it off road

Anonymous wrote:Bought a Pilot when I was pregnant w my DC1. Drove it for 22 years as a family of 4 and loved it. The 3rd row was a nice to have when we got together with my parents. Other wise, that 3rd row (when folded down flat) provided ample trunk space to haul luggage + sports equipment. We moved 2 kids to and from college, took annual beach trips and travelled all over the country with it for sports tournament. It was spacious and the ride was smooth for a SUV. When the AC unit gave out on us for the 3rd time 2 years ago, DH finally sold it. The engine still ran great after almost 300k+ miles. The old Pilot was a solidly built car and a workhorse car for sure.

What did you get after the Pilot. We’re a family of 5 and had the Odyssey when the kids were little and then Pilot for the last decade. It was great for carpool and road trips but my kids are all at college across the country and I’d like to commute in a smaller car. Mostly considering a 2025 hybrid RAV4 or Lexus NX, but there’s also the Mazda cx5, crv, or even some G wagons in the same price family

Bought a Pilot when I was pregnant w my DC1. Drove it for 22 years as a family of 4 and loved it. The 3rd row was a nice to have when we got together with my parents. Other wise, that 3rd row (when folded down flat) provided ample trunk space to haul luggage + sports equipment. We moved 2 kids to and from college, took annual beach trips and travelled all over the country with it for sports tournament. It was spacious and the ride was smooth for a SUV. When the AC unit gave out on us for the 3rd time 2 years ago, DH finally sold it. The engine still ran great after almost 300k+ miles. The old Pilot was a solidly built car and a workhorse car for sure.

Minivans lack AWD and good ground clearance. So they are not really a better option.

Anonymous wrote:Minivan is so convenient for seating 5 people and getting in and out, so much room for road trips and moving things to and from college.

+1. Minivans are so much more comfortable once there are more than 4 people. And we are now using it for college move in/outs.

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you don't like that the outback is more like an SUV now and that's making you want to get a Honda SUV instead.

Since there is no affordable reliable AWD wagon left, we are forced to an SUV.

To answer a different question, 3 teens won’t comfortably fit in the CR-V, which we learned when riding with a family friend. It does not have enough leg room.

It would be a mental hurdle for me to buy a Korean car but based on most reviews the Kia Telluride is the current leader in the segment.

It's twin is the Hyundai Palisade.

Personally for me, the main reason why I would look at SUVs would be only for the third rows. So the Passport isn't something I'd consider.

I am somewhat looking at minivans too. But ground clearance is an issue, I want AWD and the Sienna, the main one I'm looking at, doesn't come with a spare wheel standard. Which is why I'm looking at three row SUVs too.

Like I said, I still kind of question the Korean car reliability, although they've come a long way since they started out by giving free/cheap cars to college students. But it sounds the Telluride/Palisade have a known issue of burning oil. In some ways I don't think Hondas and Toyotas are what they used to be. I personally think some of them have design/ergonomic issues. Then Hondas had some issues such as the VCM issue, which isn't clear if it's been resolved in it's current gen. Which is why I'm somewhat willing to consider the Korean cars more now.

But maybe check them out to see if it's something you'd consider. I just recently saw Telluride commercials saying it offers a hybrid option now too.

I have the 2022 Pilot. I’ve had an older model pilot previous and a crv.
This car is by far my favorite. I only have one kid who is a teen now. I rarely use the 3rd row but im happy to have it. It’s got Captain seats in 2nd row. Being able to carpool is the reason I wanted the 3rd row, plus I have 2 dogs so the large cargo area is primarily for them.
If u are a family of 5 and ever want to take even one extra kid somewhere you can’t without a 3rd row. As your kids get bigger they’re not going to want to squash in the backseat. Sure, they can, but why force it if you don’t need to.

Minivan is so convenient for seating 5 people and getting in and out, so much room for road trips and moving things to and from college.

If the CR-V is too small for your family of 5, then it sounds like you *do* need the 3rd row seating that is in the Pilot.

The 3rd row allows your 3 kids to each have a window seat and no kid has to sit in the middle between 2 siblings.

I don't understand why you don't like that the outback is more like an SUV now and that's making you want to get a Honda SUV instead.

I have a newer Passport and am happy with it. Looks good, drives well, comfortable backseat. It is a little wider than my previous Highlander, so more roomy inside but harder to park in tight spaces. It does not feel truck-like, but then I used to drive an '83 Scout years ago.

My only complaint is that when the windows are up, it's not soundproof. Like a window is cracked open, but I think it is just the materials used in production.

Now that the Outback is an SUV, and since we refuse to pay Audi Allroad prices, we are thinking about getting the Honda Passport.

Honda Pilot also is an option, but we do not need its 3rd row seating. Toyota Highlander “feels” larger and too truck-like. The RAV4 or CR-V are too small for our family of 5. We want reliability. Existing cars are Toyota and an old Subaru.

Thoughts?
Pros and Cons?
Other options to consider?