SUVs and car seats.

[Gagnon39]

For those of you with 2 or more children, what kind automobile are you driving? My wife and I are going to have our second child in July and I currently drive a 2004 Kia Rio, which will simply not suffice when our second monster arrives in the summer. We have already began the process of looking at automobiles and both agree that we want an SUV rather than any kind of mini-van.

I think we've narrowed our choices down to the following.

My #1: A Lexus RX 350 (used, 30-40K miles). I'm not sure if this one would be too good for car seats but it seems like it would be from the limited time I looked at it. We're going to give one a test run Saturday.

My wife's #1 and my #2: A Toyota Highlander. I think this will have the most room but for the price I'd rather have a used Lexus.

Third option: A Nissan Pathfinder. Haven't looked into this much at all, just like Nissan's.

Any help would be appreciated. I've looked online for reviews in regards to car seats but can't really come up with anything.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

You can fit 2 car seats in a Kia Rio........Hell I got a co-worker who fits 2 car seats inside of a Geo Metro.

Far as SUVs......Pathfinder and Highlander are pretty much the same size in the inside. Then you got Durangos and Cherokees, they are both nice and about the same size inside of a Pathfiinder and Highlander. They just sit lower to the ground.

[Gagnon39]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

You can fit 2 car seats in a Kia Rio........Hell I got a co-worker who fits 2 car seats inside of a Geo Metro.

Far as SUVs......Pathfinder and Highlander are pretty much the same size in the inside. Then you got Durangos and Cherokees, they are both nice and about the same size inside of a Pathfiinder and Highlander. They just sit lower to the ground.

Ha, I guess I could fit 2 car seats into my car, but...

I'm 6'3" and I'd have to scoot my seat up quite a bit, it just wouldn't work for me.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

Damn.......yeah, SUV for you LOL.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

Look at the new Equinoxes or Edges.

[Bullit]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

Look at the new Equinoxes or Edges.

I was just going to say this. I have an Edge and I love it. Huge storage and used to regularly drive 3 kids around ages 15,10 and 5 and they never complained about room. I was able to get the European model so it has a 6 speed clutch-less transmission and AWD. I really like that it also has hand free and key free modes as well. If you have the key in you pocket you don't need to dig it out, just grab the handle and the doors unlock, it automatically locks the doors to. Interiors can be programed to individual key to. So you can have the seats in one place and everything and your other half can have them set one way. Whoever gets in the driver seat it recognizes the key and move everything to those settings.

Those of us with multiple kids can really appreciate the key free. I can't count how many times I have bags in one hand kid in another and trying to get my keys. Now you can set it up to just unlock all doors or just the ones you want when you touch the handle. Even works with the trunk = lifesaver.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

I have an 2006 Highlander and it's been fantastic. No maintenence issues to speak of, good gas mileage for the size (though I do have the hybrid version), and plenty of space to haul whatever we need.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

We have two kids (3 1/2 and 8 months) and have two car seats in a 2008 Tahoe. My daughter is in a convertible (converts to booster in the middle) and my son is still rear facing.

However, the setup in the Tahoe is pretty stupid.

The second row has a split bench with two seats on the right together and one on the left. However, the hooks for carseats are only on the left and the middle. So if you have two car seats in there and they both utilize the hooks, then you can't put the seat down to access the third row. I don't know why they only put hooks on two of the three seats and if they were going to do two seats, I don't know why they didn't put them were you could still move the seat up and down to access the third row.

There is plenty of room for two seats and we can easily fit a third when we add a niece or nephew.

[DaveDQ]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

Definitely go with something with good entry/exit room. Obviously, if you are thinking of more than 2 kids, go with something with more than one row of back seats. We have a Dodge Caravan because we have 4 kids, but my wife has a Jeep Liberty, and while it looks good with all the bells and whistles, it's not the greatest when getting just two in there.

My dream vehicle is a Diesel Ford Excursion.

[Gagnon39]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

For anyone interested we bought a 2011 Toyota Highlander yesterday. We fell in love with it quickly and we're very pleased so far although it's only been one day.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: SUVs and car seats.

Damn man I have never seen somebody went from asking about car to buying one that damn fast. Good lord you just asked 2 days ago and you already bought something already.

Well good for you........I hope I have that kind of luck the next time I go car shopping. Everytime I go car shopping I end up going to 4 to 6 different places, mainly due to places don't either have the car I want, or if they do have it, they have it in an ugly color.

So for you to go some where and find it that quick, good stuff man, good stuff.