Vehicle for 3 kids?

LIES. My 3 teenagers fit in the backseat. My son is 5'10 so he has to sit behind the wife, but all 3 kids fit.

 

When I was a kid the family next door had 8 boys and they used to go for Sunday ice cream in an old dodge sedan. Kids would jockey for a window seat for a couple hours before they left. I think they would usually end up with parents plus 2 kids in front and rest of tribe in back. No car seats, no seat belt, windows down, kids hanging out, away they go!

 

We left them in our cars. Went hunting during lunch. If you got a deer you could take the rest of the day off.

 

F150 if you must have a truck

Ridgeline is a great option if you want a light duty comfortable vehicle with a bed

But Sienna or Oddessy is best little people and little people stuff hauler

And the vans will get much better mpg than any truck. Also available in AWD versions for on road snow days..

 

Mom-van, Dad-van ... not sexy but roomy and comfortable.

 

A 2005 (i think) Honda Odyssey Was the most comfortable vehicle i have owned, second goes to the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder.
the Odyssey was like driving your living room around. felt like home.
the Pathfinder was similar, but not quite as roomy feeling. Had more creature comforts though.

 

I would get a 4runner.

 

OP can you be more specific on your needs or intended purpose? For example, if you need a pickup because you use it for work or haul mulch and the like for the house, then I'd recommend a Tundra, maybe a used Tundra. If you want to confidently go off the beaten path, then 4Runner. the 4Runner is better built, the back seats are noticeably roomier, and it'll tow a 5,000lbs. Similar to the 4Runner would be a used GX460.

My father-in-law was looking for a used Tacoma and ended up with a used Tundra, he loves it.

A few years ago, I was looking at the GX and my beloved XC90 because I have four kids. I intended to keep it 10 years, if I'd have chosen the GX, I'd still have it. The XC90 started to burn oil (notorious issue in the 2016s & 2017s) ....and now I have my Tacoma, I'm doing more work on the house, kids are older now with their own vehicles, and with the newfound free time, I like getting lost in the woods.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Honda CRV is your best bet for a family. It'll carry all your kids and the dog and is extremely dependable and highly rated..... and keep the truck.

 

Get an Armada or https://www.nissanusa.com/interactivebrochures/commercial/nv-passenger/nv-passenger-intro/index.html

 

To me CRV is not big enough for family of 3 kids and a dog. Where do you put the dog and luggage? Need 3rd row.
Armada is too big for most. I still say for my family folks that have 2 or more kids and a dog...
Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander with 3 rows.

 

Honda Pilot is number one for a versatile SUV with space, but the Odyssey kills it for usefulness with pets/kids/hauling/whatever unless you think you still need the little bit of clearance to get to some camp sites or through rough snow or what have you. We’ve considered both, no need to upgrade yet but another kid or pet and we’ll be more likely to haha.

 

a lie!! the taco was designed for 2 people that would be in front seats this is true!
the back seats are designed for dogs, guns, suit cases, and a small yedi cooler for snacks.

 

Almost as nice as a RAV4 Hybrid. Not a fan of the rubber band transmission.

 

I had one of the earlier generation CVT transmissions in the 90s that were complete dog shit when it got cold. The newer ones are better. Still don’t like them.

 

Subaru says they have replaced "start gear" with a physical gear, then it goes to CVT after you are moving. Not sure it would help in a pinch on the busted-up trails ... but does a Subaru even make it to busted-up trails or just tuck its tail and whimper?

 

Sprinter Crew Van.

 

I would see Subarus in the strangest places in Colorado… like Black Bear Pass.

 

Suburban and then budget for a new motor, transmission and suspension. Don't ask me how I know.

 

My neighbor has one of these that he originally bought for work, but now he daily drives it. Absolutely loves the thing.