re: Need advice on which 3rd row SUV to get

when i wrecked my Yukon, i downsized to this size SUV.... and as far as what worked for me (lots of interior room, at true 3rd row, and a simple to use interface/infotainment system), the and VW Atlas worked best for me... that being said, i'll say that the Palisade and Telluride were very, very nice.... the MDX had too many buttons for me, but they were nice as well... Honda and Toyota will hold their value the best of all of them, but when i factored all of that in, for me, and wanting a more spartan interior, VW was my choice and i couldn't be happier

and fwiw, the 3rd row is actually more spacious and comfortable than my wife's Yukon, and it actually has more storage as well

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The in-laws are over all the time, and it will just make it easier to travel with them once the baby is born.

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Dont base YOUR vehicle on that. Do they not have a car? They can drive their own vehicle to wherever you are going. There are only 2 ways to handle what you are talking about and both are going to be miserable.

1) You plan on putting the in laws in the third row. You have never been in a third row if you think this is an option. I feel bad when my 9 year old has to sit back there because of the lack of room. Unless your in-laws like licking their knees, this isnt a real option.

2) You plan on putting a baby in a car seat in the third row. I fear you are underestimating the hassle that is getting into and out of a vehicle with a baby/ child. This sounds absolutely miserable. You'll have to contort your body in an unimaginable way to both get the car seat in and buckled and then get the baby in/ out. On top of that, if the baby needs something while you are driving, good luck contorting yourself over that middle row.

Do yourself a favor and stay with something smaller until you ACTUALLY NEED it.

We traded in a RAV4 and got a Telluride. We’ve used that third row maybe twice in 2 years.

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We traded in a RAV4 and got a Telluride. We’ve used that third row maybe twice in 2 years.

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Wives always want a bigger SUV. Since the kids began driving it’s rare that they are in either of our cars. It’s even rarer that we are all in the same car. My wife is generally in her CRV alone (to and from work) but is insistent she needs a bigger SUV. Wives like to waste money and gasoline. I’ve threatened to trade hers in for something like this:

(no message)

Don’t get a third row for first kid. You won’t use it even with in-laws often enough.

If you still must get a third row due to kids get a Toyota Sienna Minivan. The sliding doors will make everything with kid one and beyond so much easier.

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You’re WANTING to. Not needing to. This is what is wrong with America.

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Exactly. When our first kid was born, I had a single cab Ranger and my wife had a two door Cutlass.

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My wife and I are expecting our first child, and I am needing to trade in my car for a third row SUV.

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Yeah, no.

Here’s a sister unit of the luxury three rowed SUV I carried my first around in until I had a second one:

I have a 2017 Pilot AWD, it has been a good vehicle. A lot of SUV's are going to 4 cylinder turbo engines, new Pilot still has the V-6. AWD drive has been really good in heavy rain, snow, and switchback mountain driving. My 3rd row seats are always down as I have a big dog crate in that area. These guys give good reviews of many brands of cars, they still like the Pilot in that segment:
2024 Pilot review