Need a new wife/family vehicle for 3 kids

4 door eco boost f150

 

Double strollers are not that big. I used to put one in my VW Scirocco then my BMW 325. If I could fit one in those cars they will fit in about anything. The three car seats in one row is a totally different story though. GL with your purchase.

 

we bought a GMC Acadia and love it. really liked the 4 runner, but could not afford it. Our GMC has a power lift gate, reverse camera, bose speakers, xm, projector headlights, leather seats (heated front) and rear a/c with the controls both front and rear. dunno the towing capacity because i firmly believe that a car based anything should not be used for towing. once you get passed the "yuppie-ness" of the mommy car, it is actually not bad to drive. it has lots of power (spun the tires leaving a few traffic lights) but the tourqe steer can be a hassle as with any front wheel drive. oh, i forgot, it has a third row seat that fits two adults, or three spinners (small women).

go test drive one, and i guarantee you'll like it. i talked them down from the $38,000+ sticker to right at $33,000. it helped that it had minor hail damage.

i didnt think things like a power lift gate and remote start were a big deal until a few weeks after we had it. they come in handy.

 

The "need a new wife" got me as well.

You may want to consider what your wife drives now. We wanted a third row, and before it was offered in the 4Runner we bought a Highlander. It was a Limited with leather, really nice vehicle, but my wife hated driving it and wanted to go back to a truck-based SUV. It was offered the next year, and we still have that 4Runner ('06 2WD with the V8). It could handle that bike just fine.

That said, as your kids get older, it may not just be your kids, and the amount of stuff you need on trips gets a little crazy. I only have 2 kids (older now, no car seats or boosters needed), and with 3 I would want something larger. Plus, the reviews on the new 4Runners haven't been all that great.

I would be thinking Sequoia. All the room you need now and in the future, and plenty of power to handle the bike.

 

get a toyota sienna...my wife loves her's and it's pretty roomy as well. And I don't mind it, it'll get things done!

 

I'd think an AWD "car-based" SUV would fit your needs better, esp. if your wife drives it most of the time (more comfortable, better mileage, etc). Leather definitely cleans up easier than cloth.

I also like the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse suggestion. And I'll throw this out there...the new Explorers are very nice. A family friend just unloaded their Pilot (which they hated - had no room or power) and got a new Explorer, which they absolutely love. Just something to keep in mind, because you said you were considering the Pilot for its room...that thing is CRAMPED.

 

TacoTaro,

Not sure where everyone is getting their "facts" But after riding in both the Pilot and the Explorer I can tell you the Pilot has more room in the 3rd row and access to that seat in the Honda is much easier for an adult never mind a child..

The towing difference is 500lbs. with the Explorer at 5000 lbs. and the Pilot with 4500lbs...

You can find ALL of this online....

We look at our 2nd vehicle as the "Family" rig and honestly my wife prefers her Honda and when we trade the Ridgeline it will probably be for a Pilot because a Rav4 is too small with 3 rows and the only way I get a 4-Runner is too trade the Tacoma ..

 

I have no dog in this fight...just relaying my experience from what 1 owner of both has told me. My parents have ridden in both (good family friends) and said that the 2nd row legroom in the Explorer is miles better than the Pilot. That's all I know. Best of luck OP in your search!

 

With all the different van discussions, I am surprised nobody has mentioned the flagship of the minivan: Chrysler/Dodge Grand Voyager/Grand Caravan. My extended family have owned several different ones over the years and they are great. Decent power, good economy compared to many others, decent looks, and they drive nice. My dad had 3 different ones (1997, 2003, 2006), my sister had 2 (1999, 2001) and my mom had a custom van (2005 with wheelchair ramp). Me and my ex, we had a 2003 and a 2006 that we loved. Had very little problems with any of these vans, and they fit family great.