re: "Smaller" SUV's with a 3rd row

Toyota Highlander fits the bill. It's a nice vehicle. Sister has one of the base models. Sister in law has one of the higher end models. Both are nice and very comfortable rides. Toyota sells scotch-guarded seats on their cloth models, so leather isn't necessarily required (though it is definitely easier to clean). They really only offer comfortable seating for 4 adults, maybe 5. You can fit 3 car seats along the middle row, but if you're using the seat belt to buckle the child in a booster, it's a challenge to get to the buckle between them, but it's totally possible. I sat in the back row of one recently, and, as a 6'1 guy, it was very uncomfortable. I wouldn't have volunteered to do it for any more of a drive than across town.

Very much of the same story with the back row of the GMC Acadia. That SIL only has one kid though, so I can't really comment on how the car seats fit in tandem in that car.


I prefer the interior and the drive of the highlander to the Acadia. SIL also has problems with a short in the stereo in her Acadia. Don't know whether it's a common thing or not. Really don't know about maintenance or pricing.