Need a new wife/family vehicle for 3 kids

In the market, want suggestions.

We have twins on the way, plus the current 5 year old. Because we live in California, kids are in car seats or boosters until they are 8 years/80 pounds. So that means I need something that will fit 3 car seats.

Right now the contenders are all SUV's with a third row seat. I don't think we absolutely need the third row but we shall see what the options are.

I don't need a off road vehicle, I am not letting my 1st gen Taco go. But it will serve double duty for family vacations that don't involve wheeling. Looking at some of the car based "SUV's", they are front drive only if you don't get the AWD option. And vehicles like the Honda Pilot can't tow much if only front drive. It's 2000# for FWD and 4500# for AWD. I don't plan to tow much but I want the option. I ride motorcycles. The need may arise.

Of course the new 4runner is an option but I'm not buying a 2Runner. Just seems silly to buy a 2WD 4runner. Maybe I need to get over that. An SR5 4wd 4runner with Leather and the 3rd row option is pretty steep about $40k. I would say the top of my price range and I don't really want to spend that much for a car my kids are going to trash. I can get an AWD Highlander or Pilot for 5-6k less w/ Leather and good options.

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

 

I love my wife's 2011 SR5 4Runner. 4WD, 3rd row but no leather seating. We don't like leather though.

 

I don't care for leather, but she wants it. Kids and bodily fluids clean up easier, or at least in theory right?

 

Get a Tacoma and just strap all the kids in the bed. But seriously when me and my gf get out married kids blah, I want her safe and in a larger vehicle, plushe wants leather sunroof and the rest, so I'll definitely be pushing to get her into a 4runner. Plus if the kids are getting annoying roll down the rear window and drown them out!

 

I guess so, you could always get wet okole seat covers and weathertech mats to help.

 

4runner trail edition

 

Do trail editions have the 3rd row option?

 

good question...

 

$ 40,000 for a pilot? my friend pay $43,000 for a brand new MDX loaded.

 

My wife has a 2010 4runner Limited 4x4. The dang thing is loaded...leather, navi, third row! Rides like a boss and is strong also! I vote for it!

 

just get a mini van if you dont need 4wd, more room than most suvs with better gas mileage.

 

i thought op was searching for a new wife in here

 

x2

but seriously we are thinking about the Honda Odyssey but she really wants an SUV like the Volvo XC90.

 

We were looking to upgrade from our Camry to a small SUV and looked at the AWD Rav4 V-6 with 3rd seat BUT it did have limited towing capacity compared to a Pilot or Highlander...but the price jump is up there also..

I fell into a deal when Florida kindly "asked" my Dad to resist driving and purchased his '07 Honda Ridgeline....Wife loves everything about it except for gas MPG's....that V-6 likes petrol .....3 grandkids have plenty of room,back seats flip up for more room and that bed has more usable space than she can fill ( that hidden ice-box is COOL).and that 2 way tailgate makes life easy for a 5' tall woman ....

This Ridgeline was a direct replacement for his Pilot ( dad loved his Hondas) and that had the 3rd row seating plus tow package....These are roomy ,handle 7 people fine,3rd row has easy access and towing with AWD is easy...towed a 26' Grady-White on a dual axle trailer;West Bath Maine to Ft.Myers Florida without a hic-up.....

NOW I am a TRUE Toyota person but these 2 Hondas have been great,Pilot needed only regular services and when he traded it for the Ridgeline he got TOP $$$$ even with 65k....and the Ridgeline has 64K on it right now and I expect it to do 100k easily...

OP. price them all and while looking, try every option 2-3 times....how easy is it to get to that 3rd seat 4-5 times a day,does that rear door stay open wide without coming back to pop Momma in the butt while putting that 2nd grocery bag in,does that rear hatch stay up even in a small downpour while 2-3 screaming kids wiggle around in that back seat ???

Good luck and enjoy these times...you blink and those kids will be in their 20's and the Grandkids will be who you option your next vehicle purchase

 

I am glad I am not the only one who thought he was looking for a new wife and family vehicle!

 

My lady just bought a new 2012 4Runner trail and LOVES it! Thing is pretty sweet. Room for 5 and tons of space in the back! Got a great deal on it because of end of year!

 

I would recommend a Honda Odyssey. We are on our third one now. We put 211,000 miles on the previous one, and without any major problems. Seating position is nice, lots of room, etc....
But, if you are only looking at SUVs, i would say, in this order, Highlander, 4-Runner, Pilot.

But, seriously, look at the minivans.

 

Trail editions DO NOT come with 3rd row or as an option, AND you cant fit third row seats from another trim into the trail edition. Trust me, spent hours trying when I had my trail. The cargo areas are set up differently on the trails.

 

If a minivan is in my future, maybe I should be.

 

The 4runner is expensive, and since it's her car and not going to see any real off road time I don't want a trail. And if a third row is not an option on the trail (even after the fact), it's out. I do prefer the look of the Trail.

The SR5 isn't much different price wise but at least has the 3rd row option.

No. The 4runner was $40k. I believe I said I could get a comparable Pilot for $5-6K less. So that would be $34-35k