Any suggestions for a large SUV?

[katie111]

I currently have a 2007 Sienna that we are ready to trade in. It's been a great car but we feel lie it's time to move on to something else. We have 3 kids ages 6, 10, and 11 and they usually have friends with them so we need something that will hold at least 7 people as well as a lot of gear. We ski and do a lot of road trips so we need something with good storage. We are looking at either a new vehicle or one with less than 15,000 miles on it.

So far we have looked at the Cadillac Escalade, the Nissan Armada, and the Infinity QX 56. I liked the Armada and loved the Infiniti. The Cadillac seemed too small & way too expensive. Don't like the Suburbans as they just seem too long. Any other suggestions on SUV's that you love or ones that you don't like? Pathfinders, Pilots, etc are too small for our needs.

Thanks!

 

[North of Mouse]

Looks like you will need another van to hold 7 people plus lots of storage.

You've nixed the Suburbans which would probably fit your needs completely. The Ford Expediton is a nice large SUV that might fit your needs. We owned one several years ago, but it was too large for us. We really like the Pilot which you say is too small.

Good luck!

 

[JandJ]

My in-laws have a Yukon that they've had for about 10 years. They love it. It's just the two of them, but their other car is a CRV and they say that's too small to hold the bikes, luggage, coolers, and other stuff they take on road trips. I've driven their Yukon and it's a nice ride. Entirely too large for my taste, but they've been very happy with it. When I moved in with DH we got a trailer hook-up for it and towed a small U-Haul for my stuff. DH's grandparents used to use the Yukon to tow their camper so it's definitely sturdy!

 

[katie111]

OP here.

Guess I should clarify a little bit. We will often have 7 people OR a lot of gear, not really both at the same time. Often times 5 people and a lot of gear.

I agree that another minivan would be a good choice but DH really does not want another one.

 

[heartsy77]

I just traded my 2006 Armada. I love it but it was time to get a smaller car as my oldest is off to college soon.

We traded our rv in North Carolina , last fall, on the way home from Disney. We hauled a 29 foot rv w/ 8 people from Nc to Ny with no issues!

It was a tank but I loved it. Not that I'm complaint as I traded it for 2014 ford fusion hybrid titanium ! One extreme to another!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[tinatark]

Love my Navigator L. It is a BIG SUV but not as big as it seems - front sensors, rear camera make it easier than you would think.

Seats fold flat for additional storage. Keypad entry is great!

I would never even consider a standard length Tahoe/Expedition, etc. The extra space behing the 3rd row in the extended length versions makes all the difference.

Just got back from a 1000 + road trip - 15 mpg.

 

[DisneyFun51464]

I have a Buick Enclave and LOVE it! I have already put 4 adults and 2 kids in it for a 16hr trip. It's roomy and comfy.

 

[wekhogan]

I have an Escalade ESV - it's Suburban-sized. I regularly tote around 5+ kids plus at least 3 hockey bags. I cannot imagine you thought this car was small - were you looking at the regular sized one? I had an Enclave - though well riding, it was tiny.

I would look at a Sequoia - if you liked the Sienna, you know what a good product Toyota is.

The one thing that will draw me to GM again - and I was a foreign car girl only - is the Onstar. I love that service - such peace of mind.

A a friend has the Infiniti and she loves it, but it, too, is expensive.

 

[DVC California]

GMC Acadia Denali - sister to Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. Very well built, comfortable, and very versatile.

 

[philcata]

We have a Saturn Outlook, which is similar to the GMC Acadia. It worked well for us with 3 kids and all that comes with it.

 

[LovesTimone]

I have a Chevy Tahoe. I love love love it.
It seats 7 comfortably, fold down rear seat -3 row, they also can be taken out completely. It is not the extended version. But for what I need it for it's perfect. They do have an extended version, almost as long as a Suburban

My friend has a Suburban and would not trade it for anything. She has 3 kiddos and they have lots of extra activities with that comes lots of equipment. They bought the hard shell carrier to go on top for trips and such.

Honestly you might want to think or at least test drive a van, and see if this might be a better option for you. I have a another girlfriend that will not give hers up. Her son's play base ball for school and also travel ball.

Test drive, test drive, and bring some of the equipment with you when test driving so you know how it will fit.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We love our Acadia, but for 5 PLUS gear, I would highly recommend a bench seat for the center row (which may or may not be available on the GMC or Buick, but is definitely available on the Traverse).

One thing I really like is that when all the seats are folded, it's a flat, level surface. I swiped a twin mattress from my daughter, folded all the seats, and camped in ours a couple times LOL.

 

[dsneprincess]

I would suggest taking a look at the Suburban, I love mine. It is no longer than the TrailBlazer is, but the space in the back is significantly more. My criteria was that I wanted a car that sat 7, where the rear seat wasn't right at the back door. I was a nervous wreck with the kiddos back there after a few drivers got a little too close to rear ending me. I wanted/needed the back crumble zone for my peace of mind, but love it for hauling kids and gear. I started off anti-Suburban too......

 

[tvguy]

I would suggest taking a look at the Suburban, I love mine. It is no longer than the TrailBlazer is, but the space in the back is significantly more. ......

The Suburban is much much longer, 222.4 inches versus 191 inches for the Trailblazer.

 

[wiigirl]

I just traded my 2006 Armada. I love it but it was time to get a smaller car as my oldest is off to college soon.

We traded our rv in North Carolina , last fall, on the way home from Disney. We hauled a 29 foot rv w/ 8 people from Nc to Ny with no issues!

It was a tank but I loved it. Not that I'm complaint as I traded it for 2014 ford fusion hybrid titanium ! One extreme to another!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Loved my Armada....I miss it.

 

[babyberger]

On my second QX56.....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! I shopped and test drove about every SUV out there both times and absolutely have no regrets with my decision. What are you concerns, if any, with the truck?


Oh and P.S. I also went from a Sienna to the QX56

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[meier56013]

I am on my second Ford Expedition EL and I highly recommend it!! It rides well, has tons of space, the seats fold flat in both back rows, and with the rear camera it is a breeze to drive and park. I have had minivans and the Traverse SUV and this is by far the most roomy.

 

[jen73]

we love our suburban, I know it's not on your list, but it soooo suits our needs. we have 12 yr old twin boys (who are 5'4 and 165lbs) and with all of their football gear, we still have a ton of room. We also have a college daughter and it was stocked to the brim with all of her dorm stuff this past August. I feel so safe in it and love that our growing boys have plenty of leg room in it. Over the course of 3 years, we have been involved in accidents where we were rear ended and I was shocked as to how little the damage on my suburban versus the damage on the cars that hit us received. (both the truck and the car that hit us on two separate occasions had to be towed away) and I was able to drive off with minimal damage. Am looking to get another suburban soon. Good luck!!

 

[crl]

We had some of the same requirements as you when we replaced my Ford Explorer. I loved the Explorer, but the new ones seemed smaller, so we went with a Chevy Traverse.

The Chevy Traverse can hold 8 people! It also has a split back row (3rd row) so you can haul some extra cargo while holding 6 or 7 people. We've had it up to the 14,000 ft peaks in the Rocky Moutnains and have never had an issue with it. And the access to the back seat is much easier than most SUV's since the middle row seat folds up compact and pushes out of the way. Yet it's shorter and easier to park than the Suburban is in the city of Denver.

 

[Egdisney]

We had some of the same requirements as you when we replaced my Ford Explorer. I loved the Explorer, but the new ones seemed smaller, so we went with a Chevy Traverse. The Chevy Traverse can hold 8 people! It also has a split back row (3rd row) so you can haul some extra cargo while holding 6 or 7 people. We've had it up to the 14,000 ft peaks in the Rocky Moutnains and have never had an issue with it. And the access to the back seat is much easier than most SUV's since the middle row seat folds up compact and pushes out of the way. Yet it's shorter and easier to park than the Suburban is in the city of Denver.

What year traverse do you have? I saw the 2014 at Test Track and really liked it, the cargo space seemed pretty good, I was wondering if older models had good space as well. I need more cargo space! But I am doing everything in my power to stay out of a suburban, I am scared to death to back one up at Walmart. I have 4 kids, but I think I would prefer captains chairs for easier walk through to the last row.