wagonlover
New member
I am just starting to look for a new vehicle and wanted some advice. DD is 1 ½ yo and I have another one on the way. My starting point is that I would like to have both car seats extended rear-facing as long as possible. I have been looking highest-limit seats (e.g. Britax Advocate 70, Radian XTSL.) These are big and require lots of leg room in the second row. I would like a vehicle with a 3rd row for additional (adult) passengers, but would want the car seats permanently installed in the second row and would not want to have to remove the car seats to access the 3rd row. This would mean, I think, having captain’s chairs in the 2nd row without a middle console or having seats that have the ability to slide rather than fold to access the 3rd row. I also want AWD/4WD since I sometimes need to be able to drive in the snow. And, I want great safety ratings, a vehicle with a relatively low center of gravity or at least not super-tall, room for 3 in the 3rd row, and cargo room to go on a family trip. (I know, lots to ask!)
So far, I’ve looked at the Ford Flex which might work if there were no center console in the second row. The problem is that then only 2 people can sit in the 3rd row and would need to squeeze between the seats to get there. A Honda Odyssey would be perfect, except that there is no AWD option (oh why??). I’ve been thinking about a Toyota Sienna with AWD, though the 2011 re-design gets some criticism, and I’m still not sure about Toyota after the recall. Thoughts on other options would be greatly appreciated – e.g. Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, any others?
To summarize my dream car –
- room in 2nd row for two extended rear-facing car seats with highest weight/height limits
- access to 3rd row without removing 2nd row car seats
- AWD/4WD
- not too tall
- great safety ratings
- room for 3 in 3rd row if possible
- cargo room for a family trip (with 3rd row folded)
Thank you in advance!
So far, I’ve looked at the Ford Flex which might work if there were no center console in the second row. The problem is that then only 2 people can sit in the 3rd row and would need to squeeze between the seats to get there. A Honda Odyssey would be perfect, except that there is no AWD option (oh why??). I’ve been thinking about a Toyota Sienna with AWD, though the 2011 re-design gets some criticism, and I’m still not sure about Toyota after the recall. Thoughts on other options would be greatly appreciated – e.g. Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, any others?
To summarize my dream car –
- room in 2nd row for two extended rear-facing car seats with highest weight/height limits
- access to 3rd row without removing 2nd row car seats
- AWD/4WD
- not too tall
- great safety ratings
- room for 3 in 3rd row if possible
- cargo room for a family trip (with 3rd row folded)
Thank you in advance!