We bought a van for this reason. Odyssey at higher trim is also fairly comfy.

Take less crap

Highlander Hybrid.

We bought one of those luggage carriers that hook on to the trailer hitch and a weather proof bag. We can typically get at least two large and two medium sized suitcases in there and then finesse the rest of the luggage behind the third row. This way we don't have to use the luggage rack, which tends to reduce gas mileage.

Our planet is on fire and people need SUV's with captains chairs.

Our family does all of the things referenced in this and every other thread comfortably with a mid size car.

Suburban!!!

Anonymous wrote:Roof top carrier

We didn't want a minivan and the roof top carrier is a lifesaver. A little pain to pull out and put on sometime, but definitely worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Roof top carrier

This. We have a Highlander (with captains chairs) but don’t use the third row for trips. So we fold the seats and use the trunk space. However, there have been times when we’ve needed to use a roof top carrier and, in your situation, that’s what I would do.

Anonymous wrote:Our 3rd row is split 1/3; 2/3. We fold down the 2/3 and we are fine.

This if we have limited stuff. If we are going skiing with all the gear we us a roof top carrier.

We have ridden in our IL’s Ford Explorer with luggage (w adults in front, 3 kids across middle row, one adult in back with other seats flooded down) and it was tough. Took us like 20 minutes to Tetris the luggage in and we were all cramped. With only two across the middle row,I guess you’d gain some luggage space there. Our Honda Odyssey would have held the same stuff easily and it gets better gas mileage.

Roof top carrier

Honda Pilot has second row captains chairs, third row is a bench (not sure of the split). Personally, I would just go with the minivan in your situation.

Our 3rd row is split 1/3; 2/3. We fold down the 2/3 and we are fine.

Just get a van already!

Question: if you have an SUV with a third row and 3 kids, how do you manage trunk space? for example a ski weekend, a vacation you're driving to, a trunk full of crap?

Right now we have an ACURA MDX and 3 across in the middle, and we occasionally fold down the third row. I'd like to get a car with captains chairs, but I am wondering how the third row works with trunk space?