Does this vehicle exist?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My good friend and her husband are looking for a new vehicle. They know I work in the industry and asked me what vehicles they should look at.

They currently drive a Ford Edge. They have 2 children under 2. Here is what they are looking for:

1. 3rd row seating
2. Lots of cargo space, with the 3rd row of seating UP. She likes to leave their double stroller and all of their gear in the trunk all the time, and still have room for groceries.
3. Nothing too long. He really wants an Expedition or Tahoe, but she can barely handle driving the Edge, and they both crash in to stuff all the time (even with the backup alarm). I can't tell you how many times I've had to park it or back it out of a spot for her because she can't do it. The new vehicle is supposed to be her primary vehicle, but if they get something too big she will keep the Edge as hers for daytime trips with the kids.
4. Nothing too wide. Right now they can only open one door in the Edge if they have both cars in their garage. To get the whole family in, they have to back the Edge out of the garage first.
5. MPG isn't an issue.
6. Neither is price.
7. No mini-vans.
8. He wants American made. Ford is first choice, GM second. Really doesn't want to consider a Chrysler product.

I honestly don't know what to tell them. I was thinking Explorer, or Acadia/Enclave. I know all of those either have the 3rd row standard or as an option, but I've heard that the trunk space is very minimal with the 3rd row of seats up. They won't use the 3rd row very often, but they don't want to leave it down, and they don't want to use it to store stuff.

Is there a vehicle I'm missing that I could recommend they check out?

 

[bballmom56]

How can they insist on third row seating plus lots of storage space behind it and not expect it to be a pretty long vehicle?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

How can they insist on third row seating plus lots of storage space behind it and not expect it to be a pretty long vehicle?

That is the part that has me befuddled. I've told them that something has to give, but I'm hoping I'm wrong, for the safety of those parked around them!

 

[Southernmiss]

My good friend and her husband are looking for a new vehicle. They know I work in the industry and asked me what vehicles they should look at.

They currently drive a Ford Edge. They have 2 children under 2. Here is what they are looking for:

1. 3rd row seating
2. Lots of cargo space, with the 3rd row of seating UP. She likes to leave their double stroller and all of their gear in the trunk all the time, and still have room for groceries.
3. Nothing too long. He really wants an Expedition or Tahoe, but she can barely handle driving the Edge, and they both crash in to stuff all the time (even with the backup alarm). I can't tell you how many times I've had to park it or back it out of a spot for her because she can't do it. The new vehicle is supposed to be her primary vehicle, but if they get something too big she will keep the Edge as hers for daytime trips with the kids.
4. Nothing too wide. Right now they can only open one door in the Edge if they have both cars in their garage. To get the whole family in, they have to back the Edge out of the garage first.
5. MPG isn't an issue.
6. Neither is price.
7. No mini-vans.
8. He wants American made. Ford is first choice, GM second. Really doesn't want to consider a Chrysler product.

I honestly don't know what to tell them. I was thinking Explorer, or Acadia/Enclave. I know all of those either have the 3rd row standard or as an option, but I've heard that the trunk space is very minimal with the 3rd row of seats up. They won't use the 3rd row very often, but they don't want to leave it down, and they don't want to use it to store stuff.

Is there a vehicle I'm missing that I could recommend they check out?

Why no mini vans? Is it the ego thing?

Honestly, my Toyota Sienna fits items 1 to 6.

When we were needing to go bigger we DID NOT want a van and were looking at a SUV, but after test driving a van and getting over the stigma, we have loved our vans. We are on our second after having a Dodge that pooped out and had mechanical issues way too early. We went Toyota because we had a camry that had almost 300,000 miles on it.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Why no mini vans? Is it the ego thing?

Honestly, my Toyota Sienna fits items 1 to 6.

When we were needing to go bigger we DID NOT want a van and were looking at a SUV, but after test driving a van and getting over the stigma, we have loved our vans. We are on our second after having a Dodge that pooped out and had mechanical issues way too early. We went Toyota because we had a camry that had almost 300,000 miles on it.

I think it is the stigma. I think the van would be the best thing for her to drive but they both say no way.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There is not a vehicle on the market that has three rows and lots of cargo space without being a large SUV. When I say large SUV, you'll probably need to even look at the extended editions, as the base Escalade with three rows up, really has a very narrow cargo area.

The only vehicle I can think of that is a bit more than the non-extended edition SUVs is the Ford Flex, but its only marginally more because of the storage well. None of the three row seat vehicles are narrower than an Edge by any large margin.

For reference:

Ford Edge behind 2nd Row: 32.2 cu/ft.
Ford Flex behind 3rd Row: 20.0 cu/ft.
Ford Explorer behind 3rd Row: 21 cu/ft.
Ford Expedition behind 3rd Row: 18.6 cu/ft.
Ford Expedition EL behind 3rd Row: 42.6 cu/ft.​

 

[tvguy]

Ford Flex is as close as you're going to get.
I understand the behind the rear seat room concern. It's why I've never gotten rid of my Suburban, a Tahoe or a regular length Expedition just don't have enough luggage room behind the third seat. What good is seating for 9 when you can't carry luggage for 9?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'll mention the flex to them again.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Yeah, unless they go with a van or a Suburban or Expedition extended, not going to happen.

 

[shell8558]

I love my Honda pilot !!!' Seats seven and its not too big . I'm five foot tall , so I didn't want a huge SUV. But I totally love it ! In fact I am on my second one ! ( too bad they have to have gmc or ford )

 

[Malibustyle23]

I don't think either would fit but what about a Journey or Equinox?

Even the Explorer is super limited on cargo space. I know when we have our 3rd row up our large stroller took up all the room. They have to compromise somewhere. Good luck!

 

[jsmith]

equinox is small-i drive an acura RDX and its bigger -and it doesnt have 3rd row or much cargo space. a Chevy Traverse MIGHT meet their standards but really-they are going to be stuck with the big SUVs-whether its ford Chevy or GM. I would discount the explorer because the new v6 exploreres are gutless wonders even with no load. The other option they might explore is a large crew cab pickup with a shell-plenty of seating and room for cargo. My brother has 4 kids and they have a Ford F350 diesel that they love-but its freaking huge.

 

[tvguy]

I would discount the explorer because the new v6 exploreres are gutless wonders even with no load. .

290 horsepower is gutless? The old V6 only put out 205 horsepower.

 

[Lalabubbles]

I love my Ford Flex. There is decent amount of room with third row up, but probably not as much as they are looking for. A lot of people in our family have one and they all love it

 

[bballmom56]

I love my Honda pilot !!!' Seats seven and its not too big . I'm five foot tall , so I didn't want a huge SUV. But I totally love it ! In fact I am on my second one ! ( too bad they have to have gmc or ford )

Yes, that's what we have too and we LOVE it! However, with the third row up there is very little space behind it. Plus it is not American made as the OP said the friend wanted, so that is why I did not suggest it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow. They are not going to be happy with anything since they want a vehicle that does not exist.

Since she has trouble with not being able to drive a large vehicle, I would compromise the 3rd row seating. It is dangerous to not be able to handle a large vehicle.

And frankly, backing up a larger vehicle is easier that a smaller one. I can back up the Yukon into a space much easier than my caddie. I always back into my driveway.

 

[Colleen27]

When are they planning to buy? The Ford Transit Connect 7 passenger that's coming out for the 2014 model year might suit their needs, but it won't be available for a few more months. (http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/la...euro-styled-transit-connect-article-1.1312553)

DH had one as a company car and loved it so much that we're looking at the passenger version for our next family vehicle. It has a higher roof and generous cargo space because it did start out as a commercial/cargo van, is a comfortable ride that gets pretty good gas mileage, and while it is a van it doesn't have typical minivan styling. I don't love driving a minivan but I've found that there's no other practical way to have the space and flexibility I want without going all the way up to a gas-guzzling behemoth of an SUV, and the Transit is far less "minivan-like" than anything else that meets our needs at this point.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

I have a Durango as I didn't wanna be in a large SUV yet needed 3rd row. Storage space w/3rd row up prob wouldn't keep lrg stroller tho you can fold only half the seat down?? Best wishes on helping them I'm one of those picky vehicle parents lol I've invested quiet a bit on my 1999 DH gets upset when its shop time as I will not even discuss upgrading.

 

[tvguy]

When are they planning to buy? The Ford Transit Connect 7 passenger that's coming out for the 2014 model year might suit their needs, but it won't be available for a few more months. (http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/la...euro-styled-transit-connect-article-1.1312553)
.

But looking at the photos, there is no room behind the third seat either. The other issue if you plan to carry real sized humans is the lack of legroom.
I rent a lot of mini-vans and other than front seats, forget about carrying adults, no leg room.
My perfect mini-van would be a Chevy Astro from the drivers seat back (lots of leg room and cargo space behind the third seat) with the front of a Ford Freestar grafted on the front (Astro front seat is crowded, Freestar is spacious).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Chevy Traverse? Might be too long.