Critique My Vehicle Options Please!

Chely7425

New member
Ok... we are looking for a new vehicle to replace our Jeep Liberty, because we have 3 kids and um... its hell. Anyway, these are our requirements:

1. Work well with RF Radians, as we have 2
2. EITHER has a 3rd row that is carseat friendly OR has a 2nd row that fits a lot of 3 acrosses (including 2-3 boosters) and a 3rd row that just works for short trips around town
3. Prefer an SUV, but willing to look at minivans
4. Prefer AWD or 4WD

Here is what I have found around us in our price range:
- 2007 Toyota Highlander (unsure if it has a pop up 3rd row)
- 2007 Ford Explorer
- 2008 Jeep Commander
- 2009 Dodge Journey
- 2009 Dodge GC
- 2009 Kia Sedona

Any thoughts? Anything else I should be looking for?
 
ADS

tl01

New member
With three kids, I'd get the Sedona for sure. I don't like minivans but if we have another child I've surrendered to the idea we'll have to get one.
 

Chely7425

New member
Does the Sedona work with Radians? I have been leaning toward the GC IF we have to get a van because the stow and go seats and it works great with Radians...
 

karlatta

New member
Of that list, I say Sedona. I did an SUV with 3 kids, and it was doable, but felt pretty cramped at times (especially with them all RF, so all of our heads seemed to be occupying the same space). I feel much less claustrophobic in a minivan.

What about a Sienna? You might be able to find one with AWD.
 

NannyMom

Well-known member
I'd keep tether anchors in mind. The Gran Caravan only has 1 in the 3rd row, and that's center. Of course, it does have 2 in the 2nd row.

The Journey has none in the 3rd row.
 

NannyMom

Well-known member
Does the Journey have 3 in the middle row?

yes.

I got distracted and didn't look up the other vehicles though


ETA:
07 Highlander. No 3rd row. Has 3 TAs for the 2nd row (and 2 latch, outboard). Note to remove headrests, install tether, then replace headrests. Not sure how they are shaped, or if they would interfere with the Radians FF.

07 Explorer. 2nd row- 2 LATCH outboard, center TA. 3rd row- 2 TAs outboard, no center seat. But, um, read a recent thread, it looks like maybe the Radians don't go so well FF.

08 Commander. 2nd row- 2 LATCH. 3rd row- no TAs. From the comment, it sounds like maybe the outboard headrests are not removable, and may interfere.

09 Sedona. 2nd row- 2 latch outboard. 3rd row- Latch on driver's side, it looks like it says no center seat in 3rd row, but then it says 3TAs.
 

firemomof3

New member
Of the options you listed, Sedona!
Another option is looking to see if you can find a Pilot in your price range. You can 3 across the 2nd row easily with the Radians and then you'd have the 3rd row just in case :)
 

Chely7425

New member
I can find a 2006 pilot in my price range... maybe a 2007. I think all the SUVs are going to be a hard sell to DH because as much as he DOESNT want a minivan he also doesn't want to trade our 2010 in for a 2006...
 

Chely7425

New member
My husband would apparently REALLY prefer a 4WD SUV so we can tow things... that being said, how do we feel about:

- 06/07 Tahoe
- 08/09 Explorer
- 08/09 Durango
 

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