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My wife and I have outgrown our CR-V and are currently looking for a new SUV with third-row seating. The problem is, we have two little ones in car seats and it seems that many of the SUVs with third row options aren't too accommodating when it comes to accessing the third row. Does anyone know of any SUVs that have third row seating with manageable access? Hoping to stay in the 25-35k range ideally.
My wife and I have outgrown our CR-V and are currently looking for a new SUV with third-row seating. The problem is, we have two little ones in car seats and it seems that many of the SUVs with third row options aren't too accommodating when it comes to accessing the third row. Does anyone know of any SUVs that have third row seating with manageable access? Hoping to stay in the 25-35k range ideally.
Thanks
We were in the same predicament and we looked at minivans, but we had some additional needs (like towing capacity and more cargo capacity) that pushed us back to a full size Expedition EL.
While the 2nd row is a bench seat, it is very easily accessible with a couple of lever pulls. The seat flips up out of the way and you can walk back into the 3rd row seating area with very little effort. The 2nd and 3rd row also have car seat hooks so getting a seat base in and out is easy enough. If you want the bases to remain locked into the 2nd row seats, then look for models with 2nd row captain's chairs.
What we also liked was that unlike a minivan, we have a higher ride height and more storage capacity with the 3rd row folded out, but have the option to fold down the 3rd row seating and use the entire cargo area while having car seats in the car.
But.... there is a premium with the SUV in that it isn't quite as good on fuel economy with a large V8 (15mg/17mpg) however that wasn't an issue for us.
I would recommend driving both types (SUVs and minivans) and determining which suits your needs the best. Both can be had for under $35k.
When I had that predicament, I just went and bought an Expedition. It's big enough to have one car seat in the middle, one car seat on one side, and still get the seat down to get to the 3rd row.
A lot of SUVs now come with captains chairs in the second row, so you can just walk between them to get to the third row. Of course, that makes it a 6 passenger car rather than a 7 passenger. Check out the Pilot and Explorer. Both offer this option.
The GM Lambda crossovers (Traverse/Acadia/Enclave) have the option of second row bucket seats which makes the third row more accessible. They also fit within your price range.
Disclaimer: I work for GM and don't really mean for this to be a commercial.
My wife and I have outgrown our CR-V and are currently looking for a new SUV with third-row seating. The problem is, we have two little ones in car seats and it seems that many of the SUVs with third row options aren't too accommodating when it comes to accessing the third row. Does anyone know of any SUVs that have third row seating with manageable access? Hoping to stay in the 25-35k range ideally.
Thanks
Hey buddy! My wife would shoot me if I ever bought home a minivan (and I would let her because I'd deserve it). How about a Dodge Ram with the Mega Cab (thats what I have, BTW)? Very roomy rear seat. Like VERY. Look into it. Plus, a pickup ALWAYS looks Cool, & badass. Always. Your kids, when they grow up would much rather be seen in a HD Dodge Ram, then a minivan. Just Sayin'!
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