I too am expecting twins and have a dog. Are there scenarios where you experienced parents can foresee where you would need to put (or commonly be putting) the stroller and dog in the car at the same time? Maybe for a week/weekend away or long walk at a park, but how often does a twins stroller come into play for a twins mom? Is it a "need it most everywhere" item?

I'll also recommend the Mazda5 - we have 3 kids and a fourth on the way and we found that its a good compromise on comfort, size and gas mileage. We do use a roof rack when going on road trips to hold everyone's gear (it doesn't hold alot in the back with the third row up - though the 2012 model has a more rounded back, that adds in just enough extra room from the earlier models to fit groceries, strollers, etc.), but generally, its a great car. We call it our "microvan."

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at the Mazda 5? It has two seats in the second row--the minivan-style ones, not a bench seat--plus a bench seat that folds down in the 3rd row. It's not that much longer than my current Prius; I parked next to one at Target a few weeks back specifically to make the comparison because we also live in the city and only have street parking. We have a 50lb dog and baby #2 on the way and it's what we're considering if we decide we can't make do with our current car (the Prius is our only one). I have not driven it or checked out the storage space in person, but it looks like a good city option. And I've been seeing tons of them on the road lately, so it looks like lots of others agree.

We LOVE our Mazda 5. However, I wouldn't recommend it if you plan to have more kids (and keep the car). For occasional extra people, the 3rd row is fine, but it's not very comfortable or convenient for regular use; plus you lose most of your cargo space. But we almost never need the third row (only when the GPs are in town), so it works great for us. Feels like driving a fairly sporty small car (at least, it has way more zoom than my Civic Hybrid...), comfortable, lots of space inside, good gas mileage, and CHEAP.

Have you looked at the Mazda 5? It has two seats in the second row--the minivan-style ones, not a bench seat--plus a bench seat that folds down in the 3rd row. It's not that much longer than my current Prius; I parked next to one at Target a few weeks back specifically to make the comparison because we also live in the city and only have street parking. We have a 50lb dog and baby #2 on the way and it's what we're considering if we decide we can't make do with our current car (the Prius is our only one). I have not driven it or checked out the storage space in person, but it looks like a good city option. And I've been seeing tons of them on the road lately, so it looks like lots of others agree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honda CRV, Rav 4, VW tiguan? otherwise mini-van all the way or go straight to the Suburban!

These are all way too small.

It depends how big you want to go - you could go Toyota Sequoia (we have the 4runner and 2 car seats and a dog would be tough - though there is optional 3rd row seating, it takes all your cargo space) or like PP mentioned Ford Flex. My parents have a Ford Explorer - that wouldn't work for you either, unless you want to cram the dog between the 2 carseats.

Tiguan has a roomy backseat and huge storage area. Much more stable vehicle than the others-no tippy feel. I have a 25 pound dog and it rides on the backseat floor on a blankie. Check out a subaru outback or forester.

sorry, *your kids

I think it really depends on how much extra stuff you'll have, how frequently you'll have it, how frequently you'll have the dog with you, and whether you care at all about being able to accommodate extra people in a third row. If you won't have tons of stuff and don't care about a third row, the Outback would probably work for you given the size of your dog (the dog could ride in the back with some stuff). The Outback was what I really wanted, but I went with the minivan a few months ago. My kids are 5 and 2, and we have a 75lb dog. In terms of looks, I liked the Outback best followed by the Acadia (which I think would also fit your needs), but when I looked at the overall practicality, I went with the minivan. My oldest is in Pre-K, and I'm already hauling an extra kid to t-ball practice or birthday parties on occasion, plus we have family visiting frequently and the third row of the minivan has plenty of room for two adults to ride long distances. Even with the third row up, there is a ton of room in the back because it's a deep well (in the Sienna anyway). The sliding doors are great with 2 kids, and even my newly 2 year old can climb into the van and into his car seat by himself. Plus, I actually enjoy driving the minivan. I sold a 3 series BMW to get the minivan so I didn't really expect to like it, and it's certainly not like driving a BMW. But, it's actually easier to park than the BMW because it has the back up camera so I know exactly where I am at all times. I'll definitely go back to my little sporty car in 15 years or so, but for now I'm loving the minivan. Also, depending on how long you keep your cars, you could go with something like the Outback now and reevaluate in 5 or so years when you're kids are close to school age.

We have twins on the way and just bought a Subaru Outback. I think we'll be ok with that - there was no way we were going to get a minivan or SUV (we live in DC and only have one car). We don't have a dog, though, but I would think you could fit that in the back along with a stroller.

OP here, ok I must be in denial! The Explorer and Acadia and Suburban sound SOOOOOO big to me. Darn it, am I going to have to get a monster gas sucker that I can't parallel park in the city? I was hoping a smaller vehicle of some sort would work, like the A4 wagon or something like that.

I saw the new Infiniti JX, but that seems above what I want to spend and pretty large.

Anonymous wrote:Honda CRV, Rav 4, VW tiguan? otherwise mini-van all the way or go straight to the Suburban!

These are all way too small.

It depends how big you want to go - you could go Toyota Sequoia (we have the 4runner and 2 car seats and a dog would be tough - though there is optional 3rd row seating, it takes all your cargo space) or like PP mentioned Ford Flex. My parents have a Ford Explorer - that wouldn't work for you either, unless you want to cram the dog between the 2 carseats.

We have 18 month old twins and a 50lb dog. We got the GMC Acadia and it's amazing. Fits both babies, dog, all the stuff we need for a wee's vacation. Nice thing too is that I can have the 3rd row up for people to sit in and still fit my double umbrella stroller in the remaining trunk.

I have a Ford Flex and love it. It has a ton of space even after a car seat and two 60+ lb dogs. It's a great alternative to the minivan.

I think a minivan may be your best bet. Between hauling your kids and their stuff, maybe a friend apiece as they get older, the dog, the spouse, maybe the grandparents, I think you'll need the space.

Honda CRV, Rav 4, VW tiguan? otherwise mini-van all the way or go straight to the Suburban!

I currently have an Infiniti EX35 and I heard this car fits two car seats, but my coworker has it and has twins and says that a double stroller will not fit in the back. I also may need to take my dog with me and the twins and their "stuff" on occasion. Obviously a minivan will work. Any other options? Thinking of trading in my car for something used but that was an equivalent price (give or take). An Audi A4? What else would work for me in your experience. Thank you so much!