My husband and I are about to become outnumbered. We have two beautiful little girls at home, and I’m expecting again! Sure emotions are flying all over the place, but there’s just one thing that is completely freaking me out: We’re never going to fit three car seats in our sedan.
So, last weekend we looked at our finances and decided it’s time our primary mode of transportation grew in line with our family. An RV is out of the question, so that leaves a minivan, medium SUV or a large SUV. I did a bunch of research (with a little help from here), and here’s what I found:
Minivan
The interior of a 2016 Kia Sedona
Sliding doors are a game changer!
Pros:
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Flexible seating allows for trunk space growth
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Sliding doors that stay open while I’m holding groceries, my purse, a diaper bag and, oh yeah, a kid; plus, no worries about banging car doors in the parking lot (uh, not that I do that!)
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Spacious enough for my kids’ most important travel toys
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A lot of head space makes it easy to get kids in and out of car seats
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Low enough to the ground for older kids to climb in by themselves
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Easy to get to the third row
Cons:
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The stigma of owning a “Soccer Mom” vehicle
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Can be hard to park what’s basically a big box on wheels
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Most are front-wheel drive only, so it’s not great for driving in the snow (Check out the Toyota Sienna if you need all-wheel drive)
Number of Seats Total: 7-8, depending if you add an optional middle seat to the second row.
Trunk space: With all three rows upright, I can load a double stroller and a month’s worth of groceries in the trunk. And with the two back rows down, I’d be able to haul two 4-foot-tall dressers.
Industry Favorites: Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Chrysler Town & Country
3-Row Medium SUV
2016 Toyota Highlander
How sweet will this mom look driving that at pickup?
Pros:
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I look pretty sweet in the driver’s seat
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Bigger than a sedan without being as huge as a minivan or large SUV
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Easier to park than a minivan or large SUV
Cons:
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Three car seats across the middle row is a tight squeeze, and not easy for an infant car seat, which would have to go in the middle seat and wouldn’t be a smooth process getting in and out
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With two car seats in the middle row, it’s not so easy accessing the back row to put a third kid in his car seat. If oldest child can buckle herself, that could help, but will need the bucket seats for easy access
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Not much storage room when all three rows are used
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Third row is tight, which makes it tough to seat anyone older than a tween
Number of Seats total: 7-8
Trunk space: With all three rows upright, I can barely fit a week’s worth of groceries! But if I keep the second row as a bench, I could keep the third row down until we have playdates.
Industry Favorites: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX60, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango
3-Row Large SUV
2016 Chevy Tahoe
Taking all 3 little ones camping? Priceless!
Pros:
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Higher tow-capacity than minivans, so if I had a boat, I could easily haul it!
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4-wheel drive handles bad weather and poor road conditions
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I’ll look like a Boss at school pick-up
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Seats older kids and their friends comfortably
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With a higher height, I can see more of the road
Cons:
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My little ones might have trouble stepping in and out of it
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The overall higher height makes it awkward to take out or put in portable car seats
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Like parallel parking wasn’t tough enough in a sedan!
Number of Seats total: 7 to 8
Trunk space: With the third row upright, I can get a kid’s bike inside. With the back row down, I could pile in the groceries and a stroller, plus little league equipment. Okay, okay, so I’m getting ahead of myself!
Industry Favorites: Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Expedition, Infiniti QX80, Toyota Sequoia
Big Deciding Factors:
Between the the vehicle types, it really came down to a few simple factors:
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My kids’ ages
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My willingness to be seen driving a minivan
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My driving schedule and storage needs
Ultimately, because my kids are little, and since I’ll need to fit in three car seats, travel toys, diapers and pack-and-plays all at once, the minivan is the clear winner. Sure, I may not look as cool as other moms, but the convenience will make me happier. And maybe I’ll just lease it — so there’s an expiration date on the mom-van.
What car type would you choose?
