To Keep or not to Keep

Ok guys I have a situation in progress.

We have a 12 SR5 double cab that was supposed to be our "family hauler". I know it sounds dumb but the wife really wanted a truck so I decided we maybe able to make this thing work. While it is a decent truck the space in the back seat is really tight.

With a little one on the way and our 4 year old in the back, there will be little to no room for them and us up front. The rear facing car seat is killing the space back there.

Anyways while we were at toyota yesterday we took a look at the new RAV4. while we are not huge fans of it, the vehicle overall was not bad at all. The rear seating space in those thing are amazing!

What are your thoughts on the small SUV/CUZ or whatever they are calling them now?

I hate to loose the truck so soon as I wanted to take it from here in a couple of years and get her a new SUV. Two years is a long time from now... I'm still researching smaller SUVs and the new RAV4. I'm waiting for its crash ratings to see how it stacks up against the competition.

 

I dont see how you dont have enough space in your truck, especially if its a 4 year old and a carseat.

i actually had me and my cousin in the front of mine yesterday, and two car seats in my backseat, although not a 4 year old, it wasnt a 'tight fit'

 

Get the vehicle that makes sense for your living situation. The Rav4 is a nice vehicle. Just a suggestion but the addition of a shell really helps. It lets you put all your crap in the bed rather than taking up valuable cab space.

 

i understand the whole rear facing car seat and what a space hog it can be, but the baby gotta be safe, no worming around that one lol. i would put the rear facing seat in the middle (where it actually should go). that should give you a little more flexibility because the seats is actually sitting between the two front seats and i think at 4 years old they are able to seat in booster seats already? if so that should help with some room. also, like mentioned, topper or tonneau. those are godsends when you need your bed for your extra stuff but dont want it to get touched by the elements.

 

My 4 year old in his seat, with my seat slide up to an almost uncomfortable position, touches his feet on the back of the seat. The passenger has to be slide up quiet a bit for a rear facing car seat. I honeslty doubt I'll ever be able to sit as a passenger with that seat in the position it needs to be in.

I considered the cap but went with the undercover tonneau cover instead... She hates the way caps look. I on the other hand like them.

It's a toss up right now as I don't really want to lose the vehicle so fast but the way things are going we may have to seriously consider it.

The four year old is moving up to a booster soon so that will give some more space. The car seat and front seating position is what will kill this truck.

 

same situation here and that is why I bought my used '10 dcsb and her used '08 highlander (huge back seat and third row!!)

if your looking to change I recommend the highlander over the rav4 for roominess, but the Rav4 is a great vehicle so ball is in your court.

 

I would LOVE a highlander but those thing cost so much! I may try and shop around but I really want to stay with a new car.

Yes I agree the middle should be the best for a rear facing. I'm just worried about the other kid having less room than he already has. not to mention how he will act with his toys and what not with a new child back there with him being that close.

I dont know people. I hate to even think about this.... What do yall think about the CRVs compared to the RAV4?

 

I saw that guys thread a couple moths ago and thought that would be my solution but it worries me in the event of an actual crash. I may still consider it after I run a few test but would rather stay away from that idea. It would be a last resort for sure but wouldn't consider the risk, worth keeping the truck.

 

FWIW, I have a friend who owns a RAV4 and they absolutely love it. They have one little guy, maybe about 6 months old. My wife wants one in replacement of her VW Passat when/if we have kids. I looked around in their RAV4 and thought it was nice enough, but not a ton more room than the VW. I guess it depends on your longterm goals.

In closing,

If "kids" <= 2, RAV4 = "OK!"
Else, if "kids" > 2, RAV4 = "Too small, Re-Design!!!"

Just my opinion...

 

Get a 4runner

 

Thanks for the input guys.
RAV4 & CRV are with in price range less than 30K.
Tundra not a fan and I have a f-150 as it is. Need something with mileage.
4runners are ok but seem pretty pricey.
I just got back from the honda dealer after test driving the CRV. Not a bad vehicle at all. It would be a close competition between it and the RAV.

On the way back home from the dealer I passed maybe 5 or six tacomas. I thought to myself, if I were to sell the truck I'm pretty sure I will regret ever getting rid of it. Or at least every time I see a tacoma on the road...

 

that rear facing seat wont be like that long. once it gets flipped around or you buy a new forward facing, it opens up tons of room. even once the 4year old gets out of the booster, that's another little bit.

I have a similar problem with one child (3 yrs) in my access cab, but I know its only temporary. I had myself and 2 250lbs+ guys in my little cab for lunch this week and the seat was only as far forward as it is with my son+car seat. stay positive, it will end soon and you'll have plenty of room with your double cab

 

You're right. It is tight back there but maybe I can find a way for it all to work. If the back seats had about 3-4 additional inches it would be a perfect truck IMO.

 

I am 6' and had a rear facing seat behind me for over a year. It was tight, but it fit. I have two kids, the little one is in a forward facing seat now (thank God) and the other is out of the car seat so I understand where you're coming from.
We used to have a CRV (06 model) and it was nice. Peppy little thing for a 4 banger, and it never gave us any problems. The wife wanted more power and something bigger, so we traded on a Pilot, which we are very happy with.
I have a coworker who owns a RAV4 and I think she is very happy with it. One nice thing about the rav, at least last time I checked, you could get them with a V6.

 

You can get into a nice cpo highlander for under 30k. I just traded my truck for a '09 highlander limited with all the options. The back seat is huge.

 

We got both and I wouldn't have it any other way, living in midwest.

RAV4 Limited for wife.



And Tacoma for me.

 

I find it hard to believe that small SUV has any more room in the backseat than a double cab Tacoma. At least not enough to justify the loss you'd probably take by trading in a fairly new truck already.

 

Toyota ditch the v6 this past year so if you want one with some nut it won't be a new one...

 

My 5yo is in a booster seat and my 16mo in a forward facing seat behind me.(5'10") No issues. I do recommend looking at different brands of car seats because not all are the same size.

 

I'd go with the new subaru forrester or outback over rav 4, highlander or crv any day.