Second the VW Atlas. It's been great. We found the trunk space (with the 3rd row in use) to be better than any other SUV or minivan we test drove. Our dog rides comfortably between the captain's chairs!

The other issue with putting three kids across a bench seat and folding the third row down for traveling (like a beach vacation where you need the storage), is that the bigger your kids get, the less they fit all sitting in one row.

But I agree, Captains Chairs are even sillier than a woman with 3 kids and a dog who carpools who is too silly to buy a minivan for mysterious reasons.

As PP shows, Chevy Traverse & Buick Enclave have decent cargo space but not as good as a minivan. I drive a Traverse and the truck has a compartment that makes the cargo space deeper. I think that GMC Acadia is also similar.

cargo space not counting seats, counting seating area (all in cubic ft)

Acura MDX: 15.8, 90.9
Honda Pilot: 16.5, 83
Toyota Highlander, 16.4, 84
Buick Enclave: 23.6, 97.6
Chevy Traverse: 23, 98.2
Mercedes GLS: 17.4, 84.7
Expedition: 20.9, 104.6
Suburban: 39, 121
Toyota Land Cruiser: 16, 81.7

And then we come to minivans, for comparison:
Honda Odyssey: 32.8, 140-144
Toyota Sienna: 39, 150

It seems like if you want cargo space and NOT a minivan, you need to look at the full size SUVs.

Subaru Ascent

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

people say Buick Enclave good
Chevy Traverse?
Mercedes now has captains chairs model
GMC Acadia third row is only 2 seats apparently?

and No, NOT NOT doing a mini van. EVER.

None of those will give you the comfort, convenience, utility and fuel economy of a minivan. My kid are long gone out of the house, and I just bought another one anyway. They really are all that.

It is just funny because the remote control sliding doors are incomparable. It is just vanity but wow, people are in to it! So funny.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: my kids are young, but the 7 and 5 year old have carpool issues often, and I am using my third row more and more, which is harder to access with 3 seats across.

i only need a lot of trunk space for a few road trip vacations a year

You’ve basically outlined all the reasons people buy minivans.

Or do a SUV but do not do captains chairs because you’ll NEVER be able to put your third row up. Especially with two who are aging out of car seats into smaller/movable booster seats it will be nice to be able to put all three in the middle and get the extra trunk space when needed. We wanted Captains chairs as first but then several people talked us out of it and said go minivan or SUV with bench seats. We got a Honda Pilot and are very happy.

Yep. With 3 kids it is short sighted to do captains chairs.

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

people say Buick Enclave good
Chevy Traverse?
Mercedes now has captains chairs model
GMC Acadia third row is only 2 seats apparently?

and No, NOT NOT doing a mini van. EVER.

None of those will give you the comfort, convenience, utility and fuel economy of a minivan. My kid are long gone out of the house, and I just bought another one anyway. They really are all that.

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

people say Buick Enclave good
Chevy Traverse?
Mercedes now has captains chairs model
GMC Acadia third row is only 2 seats apparently?

and No, NOT NOT doing a mini van. EVER.

Are any of those enough seats with captains chairs for someone with three kids who carpools?

OP here:

people say Buick Enclave good
Chevy Traverse?
Mercedes now has captains chairs model
GMC Acadia third row is only 2 seats apparently?

and No, NOT NOT doing a mini van. EVER.

We had a 2016 Acadia (beginning in 2017 they changed to a smaller body style) and it was pretty good - captain's chairs and a decent trunk space with the 3rd row up.

But we got an Odyssey and LOVE IT SO MUCH MORE.

Get the minivan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: my kids are young, but the 7 and 5 year old have carpool issues often, and I am using my third row more and more, which is harder to access with 3 seats across.

i only need a lot of trunk space for a few road trip vacations a year

You’ve basically outlined all the reasons people buy minivans.

Or do a SUV but do not do captains chairs because you’ll NEVER be able to put your third row up. Especially with two who are aging out of car seats into smaller/movable booster seats it will be nice to be able to put all three in the middle and get the extra trunk space when needed. We wanted Captains chairs as first but then several people talked us out of it and said go minivan or SUV with bench seats. We got a Honda Pilot and are very happy.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: my kids are young, but the 7 and 5 year old have carpool issues often, and I am using my third row more and more, which is harder to access with 3 seats across.

i only need a lot of trunk space for a few road trip vacations a year

You’ve basically outlined all the reasons people buy minivans.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: my kids are young, but the 7 and 5 year old have carpool issues often, and I am using my third row more and more, which is harder to access with 3 seats across.

i only need a lot of trunk space for a few road trip vacations a year

I just drove the xc 90, and if you get the captain's chairs. the third row only has two seats. So doesn't sound like that will work for you. It's only 1 extra seat. You really should just get a minivan if you have 3 kids.

I have a Highlander with captain's chairs and I love it. When the 3rd row is up, it uses most of the trunk space.