SUV w/ 3rd row

Toyota 4runner?

Kia Sorento

Honda pilot (not sure it still has 3rd row)

These all have small kid only type 3rd row. Worked for us when kids were small.
 
Getting in on this one. My wife wants the same thing. My sister in law has an Acura that has a 3rd row but it's pretty useless IMO. I'm about to buy her a van and be done with it.
 
You are replacing cargo space with seats. Both sons went/are going thru this, one has a tahoe, 2nd row seats make it hard to get in the third with child seats in the second. Cargo behind the third is about that of a bronco/jku behind the second. Other had a Lexus GX with third row, minimal cargo space, got a Wagoneer with 2nd row bench, all three child seats on it with third row empty and tahoe size space behind it. I suggested a Pacifica to both and both wives said no. I rented one a year ago, 28mpg at 80mph, drove like a bmw, 9’x5’ interior flat floor, all seats fold into the floor in a couple of minutes, available with awd, good visibility, perfect vehicle for city/ road trips, about the size of a bronco, jeep. Just need a suspension company to develop a well designed lift for more ground clearance.
 
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Just picked up a 2003 GMC Yukon XL for 3K. One owner 148K miles. All the bells and whistles they had back then. 3 rows of seats and space behind. Wife loves it.
She still has her Forrester but has this now if extra room is needed.
 
Minivan time! 3rd row in anything smaller than a full size suv is worthless. Wife has a GX460 and the 3rd row only works for small kids (wouldn’t want to mess with a car seat back there).
 
We had and loved a 2005 honda pilot, but the 3rd row doesn't fit most adults very well and there is very little cargo room when using the 3rd row. Our honda odyssey (seats up to 8) has way more cargo room in the back and has the ability to easily move or remove the middle seats to make accessing the 3rd row much easier.
 
Acadia is an option. Also the terrain. It's essentially the closest thing you can get to a minivan without technically being a mini van.
 
We have a Kia telluride. Really like it. Had it 3.5 years and 60k. No issues and enjoy the power / fuel economy mix. We live at 7-10k most of the year and climbs great. Averages 23mph and gets 27+ on freeway trips.

Seats 6 great and 7 is fine with kids in the back. I’m comfortable in back as adult.

Tomorrow taking 5 adults and gear skiing. That’s asking a lot out of a non full size suv.

Edit: for reference my car is a 2000 Tahoe. And I’m taking the telluride opposed to it tomorrow for more comfort…..
 
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Ascent - good choice
Explorer - reliability issues
Traverse - reliability issues
Pilot - good choice
Highlander - good choice
Palisade - good choice
Telluride - good choice
Durango - run away
Mazda cx-90 decent choice
Atlas - expensive to keep running

This is where I’d start…

Subaru is making cars as fast as they can right now. Lots of flexibility in price.

If you’re in Colorado shoot me a PM.
 
We have two 4runners with the 3rd row.
2004- fold up removable. Fine for little kids.
2023- fold down. A bit bigger, but still pretty small.

My sister has a Suburu Ascent. Waaaay more room inside! Not sure about reliability or driveability, but has a lot of room inside.
 
Just got a Durango for a cross country rental, put 4600 miles on it. Plenty of room, plenty of get up and go, and plenty of range.
 
Does anyone have any experience with the Toyota Grand Highlander???
Seems like they’re hard to get hands on at the moment. We’re about to get one a list for one. My wife currently drives a 22 highlander, but the third row is a bit small for adults.
 
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