Hey guys,

So, I will set the table quickly here... The wife and I have two boys, 6 and 2, and are expecting another child at the end of the year . We currently have an '08 TL Type S and '07 MDX Sport/tech, and have driven both of them to 105k+ miles (TL from 10k miles, MDX we took on at 70k+ miles). Both have been fantastic and exactly what we've needed (plus some) to this point. Now, it seems like neither will work. The TL for obvious reasons and the MDX doesn't have the captains chairs in the second row for easy access to the 3rd row.

So... any suggestions OTHER THAN A MINIVAN? Yes, I'm a minivan denier and will not drive one. Surprisingly, my wife is kind of one as well. We will keep the MDX considering it has been paid off for some time and my 6 year old likes to climb through whichever way to get through to the 3rd row (though, kind of a problem with two car seats in the second row), but the TL has to go

I would like to stay under $45k and in addition to second row captain's chairs it must also have comparable features to the MDX (must include AWD, nav, rear seat ent, leather). Would be nice to also have adjustable suspension as well.

Thanks to all for any suggestions in advance!

 

Lexus LX570? toyota Venza? its a full three row seat. MDX is a big car but with 3 kids in the back it might not be big enough.

 

The Venza has third row? Never knew that.

Are you willing to leave japanese cars and go Korean?

 

I am willing to go whichever way, honestly. I absolutely plan to be as thorough as I can in my due diligence... Ultimately, I just want something that is remotely "sporty" and drives like the MDX. Anyone have an MDX with captain's chairs?

 

New suburban ?

Used lx570 or land cruiser (no captain chairs but one of the best built cars on the planet )

I have 2 boys , younger than yours . Haven't needed suv or van yet. Wife is bitching about wanting a third , so I may be in your predicament

Can't your 6 year old belt himself in ? If so captain chairs not necessary , right ?

I am getting 08-11 land cruiser if we have 3rd kid and have to say bye bye to wagon


Sigh

 

I'm in the same boat as you. #3 due in July and we currently have a Rav4. The new Toyota Highlander can be had with 2nd row captains, has AWD, leather etc.

We're going to likely end up in an Odyssey. They're cheaper and more practical than an SUV. The only thing missing is AWD but that can be had in a Sienna. We do road trips to the states for vacations so the van makes sense. It's a family mover so I could care less now what it looks like.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Have never ever looked at the LX/Land... But I do know that they're built exceptionally well.

My 6 year old can buckle himself in and uses a booster. The captain's chairs are for the car seats needed for the two year old and the upcoming addition. As you probably know, car seats are not small and don't leave much space between them. Not to mention, my 6 year old is the height of a 9 year old (wife insists he be in a booster, poor kid) and he likes to have his own space - a real chip off the ol' block, let me tell ya. The 2 year old is coming into his own and I can tell he appreciates space like his brother. So, captain's chairs will help keep the peace for all parties.

 

Gotta have AWD, just can't get over the minivan thing. I want a good looking family mover. I will take a look at the Highlander. Didn't realize it had captain's/passthrough in there. Thanks.

 

2014 and 2015 Models with Available Captain's Chairs
2014 Buick Enclave
2014 Cadillac Escalade
2015 Cadillac Escalade
2014 Chevrolet Suburban
2015 Chevrolet Suburban
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
2014 Chevrolet Traverse
2014 Dodge Durango
2014 Ford Explorer
2014 Ford Expedition, Expedition EL
2014 Ford Flex
2014 GMC Acadia
2014 GMC Yukon
2015 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
2014 Infiniti QX80
2014 Lincoln MKT
2014 Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L
2015 Lincoln Navigator
2014 Nissan Armada
2014 Toyota Highlander

Here are the SUV or crossover models with two buckets (captain's chairs) for the second row and seating positions for three in the third row:
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Acadia
GMC Yukon (and Yukon XL)
Toyota Highlander
Lincoln MKT

And the utility vehicles with two buckets (captain's chairs) either available or standard for the second row, plus two seating positions in the third row:
Dodge Durango
Ford Flex
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Nissan Pathfinder

 

Love my Durango.

Had a highlander, nice but boring.

 

New Highlander is decent, I test drove the limited. I've been driving a limited Explorer every now and then and I like all the features it comes with.

Also, like David said Durango. Nice ass body style and comfortable, I almost bought one... Alot of people have them, but I don't see as many on the road in my area like an MDX, or Highlander, Explorer etc.

 

We're getting to this point. Our 2 girls are 3yrs & 7mos. We want to get ahead of it & get something with 3rd row seating now.
We've currently got my '00 TL (240k) & the wife's '04 Civic LX Sedan (135k).

We're seriously leaning toward the Ford Flex. We drove one recently & it's enormous inside & drives really well. Not sure if you can get one to meet all your requirements for under $45k sticker/MSRP. I think a decently loaded Flex Limited EcoBoost runs right under $50k last I checked.

We also looked at the Traverse last year (old design & in real need of an update, wife also didn't like how it drove)
We've tried a couple times to check out the Highlander & haven't had good luck with 2 local Toyota dealers, so we've nearly nixed it from our list. And they're typically 4-6k more than the equivalent Flex.

 

Don't get a Flex.

 

Thanks for the list aznboi2424. I appreciate it.

Sarlacc - how's that Durango holding up? I see you're a fan of CDJ products. I expect there to be a little bias - and that's ok!

00TL-P3.2 - Any word on the reliability of the Flex? The Traverse/Enclave are a little too bulbous for our taste. I really want to like the Highlander, but I'm reading that the 3rd row is a joke... Was it the vehicle that turned you off or the dealership(s)?

 

Durango... Go drive one... Trust me! Then report back.

 

My coworker has the Highlander. It's big but boring.

 

Wow a Ford Flex is 50k holy canoli! I thought they were 30


For 50k I am getting a raptor and my kids can go in the bed like messicans

 

I'd say look for a used Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon that is a year or two old with low miles. My cousin has been driving variations of those for years and they're great. Reliable, 4wd, comfy, practical, spacious, and safe.

 

I really like the flex, too. Had one as a rental.

A tad bias but I love the way drives, the interior design is best in class imo. Only that sucks is the gas mileage. But I have the v8. The v6 is VERY capable. I think with the 3rd row up it has more cargo space than a highlander or explorer.

I've got almost 6k on it and it great. Wife's Cherokee has 10k now and is fantastic. My challenger before it was rock solid, too.

 

My friend got a two year old escalade esv

Great car

He got 130k miles on it

However the interior has not held up. Looks horrendous in 4 years .

They are trading in for a newer escalade

As reliable as they are I don't know why the interiors wear down so much on these American cars

 

If you can overlook the captain's chairs, look at a JX35? The second row tilts forward and slides so that you can get to the third row easier which might work if your older son would be the one back there, and it's plenty roomy enough for me being 5'11". I think they ride pretty well and have the tech and amenities you want (look for Deluxe Touring for cooled seats, 20 inch wheels, rear sunroof, etc.; add Technology/Driver's Assistance for stuff like adaptive cruise, backup collision intervention, and blind spot warning). You could look into a QX56, which I think is an awesome truck. Only thing that scare's me is the fuel consumption from a 5.6 V8.

 

Jx35 having cvt issues , no?

Qx80 ie Nissan patrol is where it's at but no captains

 

I'd have to ask our service department, but I don't think they are too bad. CVTs just require a little attention for the fluid per the service manual, but a certified example has a 6 year/100k mile warranty. I drive them constantly (had to drive one from the dealership to Queens last night) and I really don't mind it even though some people say they dislike the transmission. The drive modes help to set up the car depending on the situation, but the standard mode is usually fine by me. QX56(80) could be had with captain's chairs or a bench seat, but the former has a center console between the seats that can be removed in a few minutes.

 

I was coming to say the JX as well and as ugly as I think the Traverse is (sorry GatorHumpty or whatever) I had one for a few weeks as a rental and we packed 9 people in the thing, with little complaints. Drove well, way bigger inside than it feels, and decent interior (even in the base rental).

As for the flex, Jesus, 50K!?

 

Why?

No personal experience, but haven't heard anything negative either. If that's what we get, it'll be a non-EcoBoost SEL FWD.

 

Just a thought, the 14+ MDX second row is VERY easy to get into compared to the previous generation. If I remember correctly it's all push button, with enough room for small adults and kids to get back there easily.

 

Was at Toyota dealer this weekend helping uncle buy Prius v

Checked out highlander hybrid
29mpg
Limited model
$49k
Middle captain
Third row bench

I sat in all 3 seats and it was very comfortable

But as with anything that isn't a escalade esv, once third row is up no luggage space

 

The Durango and Flex have more space for luggage with the 3rd row up than the highlander...especially the Flex.

Took a week long trip to Vegas at the beginning of the month with my twins in their seats in the 3rd row, my dad and wife in the 2nd row, and my mo in the passenger seat and me driving...plenty of room for our stuff. And we came back with more stuff, including a giant LEGO set box.

 

2015 Flex Limited 3.5L EcoBoost V6 AWD starts at $41,545 - so it all depends on how you equip it.

That being said, the EB is a great engine.

 

$50k for a Highlander

 

I was expecting 35 till I saw the sticker

Sequoia on lot was 63k
Had my favorites , 80k land cruiser stunning

 

IMO..the highlander is overpriced.

 

Yukon, Tahoe, Suburbans are all pretty sweet! Also new 4runner is nice! Get a truck, none of that crossover/minivan crap.

 

^A truck wouldn't fit his needs.

 

The highlander is very overpriced.

The Flex does have alot of room with the 3rd row down, but the Flex is ugly. Sorry if I offended anyone who has a Flex. OP, did you go drive the Durango yet?

 

Another vote for Durango here.

 

Durango suburbans are very nice

Have any of you owned for 5-7 years
?

The reason I ask is for me the escalade esv or suburban would be great. You can take 7-8 people in comfort and heir stuff

You don't need roof rack

It's the only 3 row suv with luggage space for all 8 passengers

However I have seen my friends 4-5 years old suburban expedition and escalade and they are horrible inside after 4-5 years

They don't seem to handle the interior abuse with parts falling off and quite low quality


Compare that to a 5 year old mdx or land cruiser and you can see the difference

 

The longest car I've ever owned was my 2G TL and that was for 3 years.

The Accord is going on year 2 on Sunday.