3rd Row Seat Options?
We're expanding the family and looking into 3rd row seat options. Currently our list consists of the Toyota Grand Highlander, Land Cruiser, Buick Enclave, and Tesla Model Y. I'd love the new 4runner, but who knows when that's coming out. While creature comforts are nice, we really only care about reliability and getting us where we're going on road trips. Trying to avoid the larger gas guzzlers if we can. Any recommendations for or against these models?
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u/MarkVII88 6d ago
If 3-rows are necessary, then you honestly cannot beat a minivan for comfort and versatility. If you just can't possibly stomach driving a minivan, then consider the Mazda CX-90.
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u/ss_lbguy 6d ago
3rd row on the cx-90 is small. We have a Pilot and it is has a bigger 3rd row. It is a shame because we really liked the Mazda.
The VW Atlas as nice too.
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u/MarkVII88 6d ago
If OP really cared about 3rd row passengers, instead of driving something widely seen as stylish, then they'd be considering a minivan, since they said they'd rather not buy a larger, gas guzzling SUV like a Sequoia, Expedition, Tahoe, Yukon, etc.
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u/tramul 5d ago
It's kids as passengers in 3rd row. It'll be okay. I'm not worried about style at all. I even said that idc about creature comforts 😂 i just asked for reviews and yall have gotten in your feelings over minivans for some reason.
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u/MarkVII88 5d ago
I also suggested Mazda CX-90, but you said 3rd row seats were too small...Even for kids apparently.
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u/Raj_DTO 6d ago edited 6d ago
Important -
If you’re looking for an SUV with 3rd row, make sure 2nd row can slide forward and back. By sliding 2nd row forward, you may have good enough legroom in both 2nd and 3rd row.
But if you’re always going to put small kids in the 3rd row, it’ll work, except on few occasions when you’ve to fit adults (talking from experience here 😁)
BTW, I bought Chevy Tahoe in 2001 when our kids were little, we used to put them in 3rd row with 2nd row seats down and used to tell them “you’re in family room!” 😁
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u/tramul 6d ago
We gave up on trying to accommodate adults in the 3rd row. They'll either have to get over it or drive separately 😅 We just anticipate it for kiddos only.
Love the 3rd row with 2nd seats down idea. Kids love stuff like that
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u/Flappy_Seal 6d ago
Depends on the number of kids. If you have 3+ then I’d highly recommend a minivan. Anything smaller and you will most definitely have fighting kids. The Kiddos won’t be small forever, a minivan will make sure no one is cramped in the back row.
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u/tramul 6d ago
By the time they're older we may be in a different place in life to change, but having small kids, I think a regular 3rd row suv will work. Mud can be a pretty big issue around here so I have concerns with minivans and the ground clearance they offer. That's why we've primarily looked at suvs
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u/rickybobbyscrewchief 6d ago
We loved our VW Atlas. It was one of the more useable/comfortable 3rd rows. We had a pretty top of the line SEL and it felt more like an Audi than a VW on the inside. Super nice. VW doesn't always get the best comments on reliability, but they aren't bad in reality and ours never skipped a beat.
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u/tramul 6d ago
That's what the Mrs wants but, you mentioned it, the reliability reputation is too risky for me to want to chance. They're beautiful though
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u/BackwerdsMan SBC RX-7, HDJ81 Cruiser 6d ago
Just don't get the 2.0T and you'll be fine. That VR6 has more or less been around for 30 years at this point and is quite stout. It's the workhorse of the VW family.
I spent most of my life in VW's and wrenching on them. I've experienced the good and the bad. The 3.6 Atlas is as reliable as any non-Toyota you've mentioned.
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u/rickybobbyscrewchief 6d ago
People blow a lot of the issues with most makes way out of proportion. People who had a problem post about it. People who had a completely unremarkable, no problem ownership, often don't have anything to say. Most problems with any make are in the single digits percentage for the first 75k or 100k miles or whatever. So 90-some percent don't experience a problem. If you're talking about having a vehicle to keep to 200k, maybe ok. But I wouldn't (and didn't) worry about a VW Atlas as a regular use family car.
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u/tramul 6d ago
I agree that you mostly hear the bad, not the good. But the thing is I'm still hearing it. I don't hear much of anything from Toyota, Honda, and Buick owners. A main issue is that I work on all of our vehicles. I've heard nothing but gripes from VW owners that the parts were expensive and used proprietary tools.
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u/jackel3415 6d ago
Don’t overlook the Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade.
My buddy has had an Odyssey for years and they love it.
The biggest problem with 3rd row SUVs is the storage is very limited once you utilize the 3rd row. Vs a minivan which is build for that purpose. I have a Ford Expedition that I love but it’s a gas guzzler for sure.
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u/tramul 6d ago
We were pretty solid on the Telluride, but reviews on reliability and build quality scared us away from it. We aren't super worried about storage. We can always mount additional storage on the roof or the hitch if we need it. We did a 10 hr trip in a civic this past summer without too much difficulty so anything bigger would be plenty.
We've looked at the minivan offerings but they're just huge. That, and I like the flexibility of an SUV for all forms of weather.
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u/its_hector_ 5d ago
Have you looked at Suburbans or Expeditions? They have enough off road capabilities and power if you need to tow or anything, and get alright mileage for what they are, especially the baby Duramax engine.
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u/SomeUser789 5d ago
Minivan.. the SUVs are nice and cool looking. But cargo space to 3rd row suffers unless you get a behemoth full size suv. The other thing, ease of access to the third row. In my sienna I can access the third row even if someone is sitting in the middle row without much fuzz. Plus if you go sienna on mine I avg 36 mpg (FWD) in spring to summer climate and in winter I avg 34 mpg which is more than what I used to get on my CRV 2015 (23-24mpg)
If you’re still not convinced, why not try go to dealer and load up everything you need in one of those cars and then try doing it in a mini. I tell you I was hesitant to enter the minivan world but now I have no regrets.
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u/tramul 5d ago
I'm not hesitant to get a minivan for the stigma of it. I could not care less what others think of what i drive. I'm concerned with the ground clearance they offer. We find ourselves in mud more than we'd like and need something I don't have to worry about getting stuck.
I agree 100% they'd be the best option from a practical standpoint, but I need to be able to depend on it no matter where we are or what we're doing.
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u/Sunkjones 5d ago
Definitely go sit in the 3rd row of as many vehicles as possible. I was surprised how small many 3rd rows there are in large SUVs. I currently have a Hyundai Palisade because it is very spacious in the rear for actual adults compared to others I tried out.
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u/tramul 5d ago
How's reliability on it? I've read several bad reviews on it, mostly electronics
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u/Sunkjones 5d ago
No issues outside of my own doing and we drive it a ton. It’s only 3 years old and already have 70k miles on it. We love it, does everything we need and bang for the buck has nearly every feature we could as for. Almost traded it in for the newest version just to get a few upgrades that had been added.
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u/Picklechip-58 3d ago
Toyota Siennas are all hybrids at this stage. Highly reliable.
You'll need a good amount of disposable income in order to purchase a Highlandse. In my mind, when vehicles approach the $100k price point, it's out if hand.
If you really want to get a bang for your buck and want a very, very nice vehicle to fit your needs, take a good look at the Kia Carnival.
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u/Fluffy-Bus 1d ago
We have a sorento that is quite nice, ours is a PHEV and they have a regular hybrid version too. We almost went with the Y but the Sorento has a bit more cargo space/headroom in the back.
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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago
If money is no object, the Land Cruiser will last you a lifetime.
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u/tramul 6d ago
I won't say it's no object 😂 but definitely want to get our money's worth. Comfortable with 75k and below.
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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago
Perfect. No need to max that out. You can get a 2025 Land Cruiser for around 62k.
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u/tramul 6d ago
My only concern with it is the mixed reviews I've seen on reliability. Looked at repair pals and it scored pretty low as well, though I question the methodology. Expensive to repair, maybe, but infrequent repairs are my primary focus.
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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago
Here’s another choice. If you recall, the Toyota Land Cruiser was always a full sized vehicle. The last year of that model was 2024. I’ve read that there are still some available. I actually prefer the 2024 over the 2025. But that’s just personal preference. I’m older, so the 2025 is too sporty for me.
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u/tramul 6d ago
That's what confused me with the newer model because I have always known it to be a full sized suv, but the new one didn't look big at all. Around us, the older body isn't much cheaper than the newer. But we'd end up with a higher interest rate so I'm not sure it would be worth it. I'm a jeep guy, but I'm trying to learn Toyota as it seems to be one of the more dependable brands. Loved my jeeps but every one of them had something I had to fix.
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u/BackwerdsMan SBC RX-7, HDJ81 Cruiser 6d ago
Americans just have never experienced the full Land Cruiser line. For a very long time there have been various sizes and styles of Land Cruiser sold side by side. The new LC we have here is known in the rest of the world as the Land Cruiser Prado, which is a lighter duty Land Cruiser variant. If you look at the Lexus GX line, those are historically rebadged Prado's that are sold here in the US. We no longer get the full size LC here, the 300 series. Which is why when you go look at the final years of the 200 series which ended production in 2021, they are still selling for $70k-$90k. It viewed as the last big, tough, ultra reliable LC we may ever get.
They will continue to hold value like no other vehicle.
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u/tramul 6d ago
But will it last is the question?
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u/BackwerdsMan SBC RX-7, HDJ81 Cruiser 6d ago
The 200 series will almost surely outlast the "new" Land Cruiser. Increasing mandated tech is reducing reliability and longevity across the board.
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u/IHateBankJobs 6d ago
Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Chrysler Pacifica