Anonymous wrote:My SIL has an SUV with 3rd row seat (GMC Acadia) and the process of getting kids in and out of the 3rd row is unwieldy at best. But she and my BIL were very anti-minivan so they make it work.

Like a PP, I bought a Mazda5 for carpooling purposes (my kids are also close to being done with car seats although we still use boosters). I have really liked it, find it very easy to park around DC which I don't think I could do with a minivan, and I didn't think I'd need a 7-seater often enough to justify buying one.

This is OP, I would have loved a Mazda 5, but they stopped making them after 2015.

My SIL has an SUV with 3rd row seat (GMC Acadia) and the process of getting kids in and out of the 3rd row is unwieldy at best. But she and my BIL were very anti-minivan so they make it work.

Like a PP, I bought a Mazda5 for carpooling purposes (my kids are also close to being done with car seats although we still use boosters). I have really liked it, find it very easy to park around DC which I don't think I could do with a minivan, and I didn't think I'd need a 7-seater often enough to justify buying one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my SUV with the 3rd row seat. I hate vans.

You basically drive a van.

All my financing documentation calls it a WAGON. Which is equally as domestic unless you mean a chuck wagon.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get one of the huge SUVs, the 3rd row seating becomes obsolete once the kids reach age 9 or 10. The amount of legroom is crazy small back there for anyone other than a small kid to be comfortable.

Unless you are taking road trips, even adult can manage a 10 minute ride back there.

We wanted a minivan but ended up with a pilot b/c we live in condo with small parking garage — minivan was about 6 inches longer which made a difference for our scenario.

We are very happy with the 8 passenger pilot; kids are 9 and under and can manage the door and sliding seat just fine.

We have car seats in 3rd row and baby convertible on one side of 2nd row, and can carry 2-3 carpoolers and two adults.

Cargo is somewhat limited, so if we had a full car and needed gear we would use roof or tailgate gear box.

An suv will generally have higher towing and tongue weight, and most have AWD. Only Siena seemed to have AWD and you lost a seat if you got it.

Anonymous wrote:I love my SUV with the 3rd row seat. I hate vans.

You basically drive a van.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get one of the huge SUVs, the 3rd row seating becomes obsolete once the kids reach age 9 or 10. The amount of legroom is crazy small back there for anyone other than a small kid to be comfortable.

np. This is very true. SUV third rows are too far away for infant seats, they're too impractical for strapping a child into a car seat, yet they're too small for anyone over the age of 10.

Also, when the third row is up, there is no more cargo space. That's not true in a minivan.

I was cautiously with you until you said that you might be having a third.

If you're even thinking of possibly having a third, you'll be much happier with the minivan.

If you don't get one of the huge SUVs, the 3rd row seating becomes obsolete once the kids reach age 9 or 10. The amount of legroom is crazy small back there for anyone other than a small kid to be comfortable.

Minivan = You have enough self confidence to own the most practical vehicle on the road and not give a sh*t what other people think.

Minivan = You have officially given up on yourself.

Minivan = Mom jeans & Dad bod

Minivan = Always having dirty, dog-snot smears all over your interior windows

Minivan = My Kid Made The Honor Roll at XYZ Middle School

Yes . Now that I own a minivan, I would be regret if I did not buy it. I was choosing between a land cruiser and a minivan.

I love that my son can open the door, get in and out himself. I don’t to worry about he open the door and hit a car near by.
I love the space for cargo and passengers.
I bought a limited sienna which has electronic foldable 3 rd row. It’s awesome!! So convenient.

Anonymous wrote:Op here, so the two kids are almost out of the car seat age. We may have another so I will have one in a car seat. Thinking the oldest currently 10, can use the third row. Anyone with this set up and an SUV?

Depends. do you do drop off or pickup? If so I would not put the exiting kid all the way in the back. I would also probably have the oldest sit next to the eventual baby to keep an eye on things, hand toys, etc.

I love my SUV with the 3rd row seat. I hate vans.

Anonymous wrote:I understand why people with 3 or more children would get a minivan but why would someone with just one or two kids? I don’t get it.

Because I regularity have 2 extra kids (carpool) with me and am planning a third

I understand why people with 3 or more children would get a minivan but why would someone with just one or two kids? I don’t get it.