Cars/SUV's with 3rd row seating

[bumbershoot]

Not sure if they still have the 3rd row, but a couple years ago DH and I test-drove a Kia Rondo with a 3rd row. We loved it, though there's no cargo room when the back row is there.

 

[woodkins]

We have both a lincoln navigator and honda pilot with 3rd row seating & actually prefer the Honda pilot.

 

[dawson5]

I have a Volvo XC90 with the third row. My brother in law took it last year to Colorado and the Grand Canyon. He took my 5'10" niece, my nephew, my son and mother in law. They all had a bag, not traditional suitcases. I think he got around 20mpg.

Neighbor also has an XC90 and a Toyota Highlander. She has had the Volvo V70 in the past. Both offer third row seating. Highlander sits higher than our Volvo's. The V70 is a traditional station wagon.

Hubby brought home a Ford Flex. I like that vehicle. It's boxy shape seems like it allows for more headspace/room. I think it's considered a crossover.

 

[golfgal]

There are really two different classes of vehicles with 3rd rows. Some are large SUVs - where the 3rd row is substantial in space but the vehicle is also substantial. Ford Expedition, Lincoln Nav, Toyota Sequia, Chevy Suburban Nissan Armada, etc all fall into that. I decided it was just too big for me. Then you have slightly smaller SUVs/Crossovers with a token 3rd row. Large enough for 2 children, or small adults, but not really practical for cross country trips with people in the back. Plus the 3rd row takes up the majority of the storage space behind the backseat. Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Sorento, older Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Veracruz, Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Mazda CX9, Suburu Tribeca, etc.

I opted for one from the second list. The 3rd row would rarely be used and I needed better gas mileage and a smaller car since the majority of the time, it's just me. I bought a Mazda CX9 - used (2007) and LOVE it. Can't tell you how well it suits our lifestyle. It's built on a Ford Edge platform and drives like a car. It was also an affordable price point for us and has a good CR reliability record. I recently folded down both rows (which lay flat) and got an amazing amt of stuff in the back. I've also taken 6 adults for a drive in and everyone was comfortable.

We started our search at the car show, since I could sit in and mess around with just about every car out there in one hour (with no pesky salespeople!). Might be worth your time to visit one if they come near you anytime soon.

What kind of mileage do you get with your CX9? We were eyeballing one of those to replace our van in a few years when the kids will be in college but still needing the passenger space when they are home.

 

[carj]

We have a 2009 Toyota Highlander with a 3rd row. I think the 08 and before have a tiny 3rd row. We looked at them when we were buying ours but went with the 09 because there was more room in the back.

We don't need the 3rd row often. We only have 2 kids but it comes in handy when they have friends along.

I also like that you can remove the middle section of the second row and put in a console with storage and cupholders or put in the other piece and make the second row a bench seat.

 

[mom2kazkids]

Add me to the list of those with Chevy Traverses, we just got it on Tuesday and I LOVE IT.

 

[TaraPA]

Add Lexus GX470 to your list.

We love the 3rd row seating - very spacious - seats 8 comfortable - however you are left with ZERO cargo room in the back when utilizing that 3rd row. I like that the 3rd row is actually 2 separate seats - so you can add one seat (for seating for 6) or the larger seat (For seating for 7) and then still have some cargo area. They are also very easy to add & remove as needed. I'm only 4'11" and can put them in & out with no effort.

 

[Aimeedyan]

What kind of mileage do you get with your CX9? We were eyeballing one of those to replace our van in a few years when the kids will be in college but still needing the passenger space when they are home.

Sadly it's the same as all the other similar size vehicles (which is not great, IMO). I get about 18 in city depending upon traffic, 20-22 on freeway. Check out http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm for revised mileage estimates on cars (usually less than the sticker claim). Good site for comparing.

 

[CowboyCO]

We love our Acura MDX -- very reliable, luxurious and seats 7. Good mpg (we get 22 hwy)

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

One thing to consider if you need a third row...how much space is behind the third row and the back of the vehicle. You need a 'crumple zone' of at least 18 in for the third row passengers to be safe in a higher speed rear-ending accident. We went with the Honda Pilot because there is at least 18 in, and I think there are several more with a good clearance. I would avoid ones where the 3rd row seat almost touches the back of the vehicle.

We don't use our third row that often right now, but we are having another baby and am going to need the third row in a few months. We have a Honda Pilot (2004) and love it.

 

[heatherwillmom]

I think it all depends on what you are looking for. A lot of SUV's have 3rd row seating but not all of them have a lot of cargo space when the 3rd row is in use. We had an Expedition for years & had plenty of room, even with the 3rd seat up. It was "fun" to try to park in small parking spaces though. After I traded it for my sports car, we decided to rent an SUV for trips. My niece loaned me her Tahoe once. It didn't have much room behind the 3rd seat. We had to use a luggage carrier on top. We rented a Highlander for a short trip & loved it because we didn't need as much room that time. We rented a Surburban for our trip to WDW in March. Now that is the daddy of them all in room. Just be prepared to have fun trying to park it.

 

[Hillbeans]

Thanks to everyone for their replies - i've really learned a lot by all of the responses, especially about the safety concern having the 3rd row in event of an accident and what to look for, etc. I think out of all the ones mentioned I like the Volvo xc90.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Ford Flex! I love mine!!!!