Mazda CX-9 with captain's chairs in the second row, bench in the third.

Per CR, currently the most reliable manufacturer on the market in the non-luxury market. Non-luxury, excludes BMW, Audi, etc.

The best space is really a minivan. If I had 3 kids, I would suck it up and go for it.

The third row of the Toyota Highlander is SMALL. I would only get that car if the third row was nice to have, not a must like in your situation.

I bought the Hyundai Palisade over the summer and I love it. Roomy third row (even works for my large dad), great features, nice ride, good space. The hands free lift gate is awesome (just stand near the back with the key in your pocket and it opens) and a video of the side of your car comes up in the dash when you put on your turn signal. I love the app they have - never forget to lock my car (it reminds you and you can lock/unlock via the app) and lots of options for remote start. I prefer its styling over the Honda Pilot, but that's a nice car as well. Agree to look at Chevy, as well. I really liked the Traverse, but it's pricey for what it is IMO.

A friend has the VW Atlas and loves it. Their third row is also very roomy, but she bought it two years ago when the competition was different. I feel like it changes every year.

CUVs are rolling compromises whose sole market is people unwilling to admit they would be best suited with a minivan

Why not a minivan? After three kids, do you really define yourself by your car?

Anonymous wrote:Looking for a new vehicle has me like 😒😳🤔🥴

We have baby #3 on the way (other kids are 4 and 2 in January), so my husband wants to have a third row SUV (not excited about this as I don’t have a licenses to drive a semi 🤦🏼‍♀️). Must also have 2nd Row Bucket Seats with the third row being a bench seat. Trunk, well ... hopefully decent size? We like to travel and I take a lot of junk when we do.

He’d be willing to compromise and look at “wider” SUV options that do not have a third row for every other drivers sake 🤣

Here are the options we have so far:
-Chevy Traverse
-Ford Explorer
-Toyota Highlander [we both have only had Chevy and Fords, so I’m a little hesitant].

We are open to suggestions but will NOT do a mini-van!

I had the Buick Enclave = Traverse and GMC Acadia. When all three rows are in use, the trunk really isn’t that big. I drove it with 2 elementary school kids, and I cannot imagine dealing with a stroller in the trunk, not room for much else. When I would carpool and drive 4-5 kids each with a backpack, not all bags would fit in the trunk easily. I recently downsized due to the trunk, I went to a 5 passenger with a much bigger trunk.

I loved the captain’s chairs, and it’s one of the best sized third rows, but my kids/friends could always buckle themselves. I don’t think my kids could buckle themselves until 5-6, so thinking you will have a 4yo back there, you’re climbing in to buckle.

We traveled in this car, but absolutely had to have the third row down to bring more than a few duffel bags.

It’s just going to take one time of an overzealous preschooler flinging the door of hour SUV into another car in a cramped parking lot before you will see the impeccable value of the sliding door.