I have two infants and two teenagers. Which SUV should I buy? Infant/toddler seats take up so much room in second-row bucket seats that big kids cannot get into the vehicle’s third row. Right now we have a Cadillac Escalade. What are my best options? I do not want a minivan.
Despite minivans being mostly boring, a decked-out model like the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna will rival most SUVs in terms of features and creature comforts.
According to Cars.com reviewer David Thomas, “We get this ‘I don't want a minivan’ warning a lot when often a minivan would be best for the situation, including yours. If you can't stand the thought of getting a nice Honda Odyssey, there are a lot of new three-row crossovers that will probably get better mileage than your Cadillac, but it's doubtful they'll have more legroom.”
The three-row crossovers David mentioned include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9 and Saturn Outlook (click each for a Cars.com expert review). All of them have enough room in the third row for most teenagers and adults. The Enclave is going to be more upscale and have a similar luxury feel to your Escalade — but it’s also going to be the most expensive.
If you want to stick with another large, truck-based SUV, the Expedition EL (extended version) has generous amounts of room in the third row, which is easy to access.
We’ve accumulated many videos that have us demonstrating third-row room and how easy it is to gain access to those seats. Below are the videos we have of the recommended models, including the Expedition and Enclave.
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Minivans have a bad rap from all the ugly, underpowered models dumped on the market in the 80s and 90s. Newer models are not only practical, but drive well and are a deal relative to SUVs. The performance of a new Kia or Honda minivan is actually quite respectable -- check out this link for a full on comparison test between a Kia Sedona and a 1984 Ferrari (!) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=122612
Minivans are really great, take away fuel mileage (comparably sized SUVs even worse).
I still take Sienna over all other vans
If you can find something with an opening in the middle of the 2nd row, those teenagers can get in the back, and you can load the infants easily.
GM has a picture of the Chevrolet Tahoe with 4 captains chairs and a split 3 seat rear bench.
Wow - I'm shocked about all the minivan support - sometimes I think I'm the only one who loves them!
Two infants - get the minivan. If you are leaning SUV because you require 4 wheel drive they make minivans with all wheel drive. If you don't want a van because of an image thing, get over it. Nobody is paying attention to what you drive, the vans drive wonderfully and what is more important to you - your childrens safety and comfort or your percieved image of being a soccer mom/dad??
I personally like the Chyrsler vans. They aren't as expensive as the imports, I've had great reliability with mine and they have the best new features. The crossover are usless - the third row seats in all of them are a joke and would be pure torture on the teens sitting back there for any extended amount of time.
Why don't you include the Ford Taurus X, I test drove this one alongside the lambdas and the Hyundai and I have to say I like it the best by far. I find it odd, that no one ever thinks of comparing it to the rest of the crossovers.
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Seriously, "family hauler" means minivan. These things are so much more effective in providing copious space without the ridiculous weight or extra inches of wasted amount of space that SUV's all occupy.