Mazda 5

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The LR Discovery Sport has only been out a few years so does not yet have reliability ratings

It’s a Land Rover. You really don’t need to wait for reliability ratings to come out to know they’ll be poor.

Ha, this.

We love our MDX, though I'm not sure the length, but it doesn't feel super big and I parallel park in DC frequently. We are just like you, one kid, no pets, but nice to have for when family is around, which is frequent.

We also test drove the Mazda CX9, it's a beautiful car, you should add it to your list

Anonymous wrote:The LR Discovery Sport has only been out a few years so does not yet have reliability ratings

It’s a Land Rover. You really don’t need to wait for reliability ratings to come out to know they’ll be poor.

I have a Land Rover Discovery Sport and love it for what it is - a smaller SUV with a ton of space in the second row. we also have the third row (this is an option, not standard) - we wanted a mostly 5-seater with an occasional 7-seat option that was not mammoth.

One other thing we liked about the Discovery Sport was that it did not have the “lump” in the middle of the back seat foot area which so many other smaller sized suvs have. It’s just nice to have more space in the back seat when kids get older.

We also looked at the Highlander and the Buick Enclave and liked them but they are a bigger class of car.

I’m not familiar with Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo but have rented them and would definitely recommend looking at those - especially the Volvo - it was really nice. Again, those may be bigger.

The LR Discovery Sport has only been out a few years so does not yet have reliability ratings

Hyundai Santa fe has one trim level with the third row and you can get it new.

For used look at older rav4 with third row (I really wanted one a few years ago but we got a minivan instead).

Also maybe a used Subaru Tribeca. They stopped making them in part because people complained the third row was too small.

Also maybe a used mazda5. It's like a small minivan and seats 6.

Whatever you get try parallel parking them during you test drive. You are smart to think about this. Our minivan is a real pain to park.

I really like the land rover idea. Can anyone comment on maintenance costs compared to a Toyota?

Highlander.

Drives like a car, has a walk-to third row, retains its value well, and will last long enough for Junior himself to drive it when the time comes.

Anonymous wrote:I will risk head’s exploding mentioning Land Rover but given your specifics, I’ll throw Discovery Sport into the mix. It comes with a 3rd row option, which is cramped but experience made better by folding down the middle seat in the 2nd row.

Length is 181 in

Turning radius is excellent (good for your parallel parking).

Second row is Very spacious - you can move the full back seat back (6 inches I think) for a very roomy second row (or forward back to regular space if you want more space in 3rd row), which is great for larger adults. Entry is lower than some SUVs so easier for older adults entering car.

Not sure where you live but I’m in a high snow/cold area and handling in horrible snowstorms has been excellent.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

-1. It has terrible reliability ratings. Stick with the Highlander. We love ours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the VW Tiguan, its pretty small

Thanks! I'll add it to my list.

We looked at it, and wanted to love it but the Consumer Reports review of it was terrible.

Yeah the reviews I am seeing are pretty mediocre too. Bummer.

I didn’t think the reviews were that mediocre? The 2018 got a 8.2/10 on U.S. News, 3.8/5 on Edmunds, and 3.5/5 on car and driver. I would give it serious consideration.

This is OP--it's still on the list!

Anonymous wrote:We have a sorrento - bought new last year because sometimes (often?) Kia has GREAT deals.

The third row is tiny, and we no longer need carseats, so it's perfect kid size. It is difficult to get in and out of the third row - there's not a ton of room when you fold up the seats, so if your husband does'nt mind clamoring in and out it could work. (For example, I do not think I could get into it wearing a skirt).

Haha good to know! I'm the driver usually because I get really carsick if I don't drive. DH has no issues being a sardine back there. Anything is better than the status quo for him. I'll look into new and used Sorentos!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the VW Tiguan, its pretty small

Thanks! I'll add it to my list.

We looked at it, and wanted to love it but the Consumer Reports review of it was terrible.

Yeah the reviews I am seeing are pretty mediocre too. Bummer.

I didn’t think the reviews were that mediocre? The 2018 got a 8.2/10 on U.S. News, 3.8/5 on Edmunds, and 3.5/5 on car and driver. I would give it serious consideration.

We have a sorrento - bought new last year because sometimes (often?) Kia has GREAT deals.

The third row is tiny, and we no longer need carseats, so it's perfect kid size. It is difficult to get in and out of the third row - there's not a ton of room when you fold up the seats, so if your husband does'nt mind clamoring in and out it could work. (For example, I do not think I could get into it wearing a skirt).

Anonymous wrote:I will risk head’s exploding mentioning Land Rover but given your specifics, I’ll throw Discovery Sport into the mix. It comes with a 3rd row option, which is cramped but experience made better by folding down the middle seat in the 2nd row.

Length is 181 in

Turning radius is excellent (good for your parallel parking).

Second row is Very spacious - you can move the full back seat back (6 inches I think) for a very roomy second row (or forward back to regular space if you want more space in 3rd row), which is great for larger adults. Entry is lower than some SUVs so easier for older adults entering car.

Not sure where you live but I’m in a high snow/cold area and handling in horrible snowstorms has been excellent.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Wow, I never even thought to look at LR. I never imagined I could get down to 181"! Thanks, this is another good lead!

Also thanks to all the Sorento and Highlander feedback! It is much appreciated.

Love my Toyota Highlander