Decide for me: SUV

[sh10]

Oh, I forgot to mention, the deal we got was a 2015. The 2015 added cross traffic monitoring, which I love in parking lots, backing out of spaces because people at my work speed through the lot.

[luckyno7]

How many kids and ages? We have 3 (5, 3 and 2 weeks). I wish I would have gotten the Sequoia. We can't fit our Bob double stroller in the back without putting the seat down and my 5 yo sits in the 40%. If I had 2 kids I would love the highlander.

[luckyno7]

Mar 30, 2015 11:00:41 GMT -5 ladybug said:

We were looking at highlanders and sequoias and ended up with a sequoia and I love it so so much!!! We didn't buy new but were looking at the same year range for both. The highlander was too small for me- with the optional third row up you has basically no trunk space, definitely not room for a stroller.

The sequoia is big but it's really great!

ETa: I recently took my friend and kids somewhere so we had two adults, two infant seats and two convertibles. A city select double stroller and all our crap and still plenty of room!

I should have talked to you before I bought our new vehicle! I was afraid the Sequoia would be too big to drive!

[countthestars]

Mar 30, 2015 14:08:17 GMT -5 luckyno7 said:

How many kids and ages? We have 3 (5, 3 and 2 weeks). I wish I would have gotten the Sequoia. We can't fit our Bob double stroller in the back without putting the seat down and my 5 yo sits in the 40%. If I had 2 kids I would love the highlander.

Currently just one - she'll be two this summer and I'm due with #2 this fall. We'll probably stop at 2. My sister will have a newborn any day now and my BFF has an 8 month old - so at any given time, three kids within 3 years of each other.

[oceanstbride]

I have a 2012 Highlander that I love. It does have the 2 captains chairs in the middle row, so 3 car seats cannot go across. I don't think you can install an infant or convertible seat in the 3rd row. Not sure what the newer models can do in terms of getting 3 car seats in. In ours, we've been able to fit 4 adults, one convertible car seat, one infant car seat, a City Mini GT and a BOB. We like that we can fit us and my parents or friends with a kid and go all together. I probably wouldn't count on an adult sitting in the 3rd row for a long car trip though.

I had a Toyota Corolla for years before the Highlander and just really like Toyotas. No major problems regarding repairs (knock on wood!).

All this said, we rented a Pathfinder last week in FL and really liked it too. My H liked it so much more than my car in terms of driving (I didn't notice much of a difference).

[luckyno7]

Mar 30, 2015 14:12:59 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Mar 30, 2015 14:08:17 GMT -5 luckyno7 said:

How many kids and ages? We have 3 (5, 3 and 2 weeks). I wish I would have gotten the Sequoia. We can't fit our Bob double stroller in the back without putting the seat down and my 5 yo sits in the 40%. If I had 2 kids I would love the highlander.

Currently just one - she'll be two this summer and I'm due with #2 this fall. We'll probably stop at 2. My sister will have a newborn any day now and my BFF has an 8 month old - so at any given time, three kids within 3 years of each other.

Then I would love the highlander!! It's got a decent size back area without the third row up all the time and would have options if you had to use occasionally.

It took me some time to get used to the keyless function. I am always misplacing the dang key because I don't always take my purse!!

[kaycee]

I was deciding between the Highlander, Pilot, and Pathfinder. I got the pathfinder. I absolutely love it!

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 14:12:17 GMT -5 luckyno7 said:

Mar 30, 2015 11:00:41 GMT -5 ladybug said:

We were looking at highlanders and sequoias and ended up with a sequoia and I love it so so much!!! We didn't buy new but were looking at the same year range for both. The highlander was too small for me- with the optional third row up you has basically no trunk space, definitely not room for a stroller.

The sequoia is big but it's really great!

ETa: I recently took my friend and kids somewhere so we had two adults, two infant seats and two convertibles. A city select double stroller and all our crap and still plenty of room!

I should have talked to you before I bought our new vehicle! I was afraid the Sequoia would be too big to drive!

I thought so too but I feel totally comfortable in it (I drove a 4runner before) I know it's too late but maybe for your next car

[JayhawkGirl]

Mar 30, 2015 14:12:17 GMT -5 luckyno7 said:

Mar 30, 2015 11:00:41 GMT -5 ladybug said:

We were looking at highlanders and sequoias and ended up with a sequoia and I love it so so much!!! We didn't buy new but were looking at the same year range for both. The highlander was too small for me- with the optional third row up you has basically no trunk space, definitely not room for a stroller.

The sequoia is big but it's really great!

ETa: I recently took my friend and kids somewhere so we had two adults, two infant seats and two convertibles. A city select double stroller and all our crap and still plenty of room!

I should have talked to you before I bought our new vehicle! I was afraid the Sequoia would be too big to drive!

Another sequoia owner checking in. We went in figuring we would want the highlander. But the third row wasn't all that functional for us with car seats - we couldn't get to it easily with car seats in row 2 and by the time the kids are big enough to buckle themselves in row 3 they'll be older & taller. We drive our cars forever. We got captains chairs in row 2 so kids can pass back into row 3 pretty easily even with car seats in the captains chairs.

It looks like a beast but handles great. DH has a Tundra and it's much more difficult for me to park.

Also w/highlander, DD's rear facing car seat would have meant scooting a front seat forward again. I didn't want to do that again (had to with my Escape).

[marie3246]

Another vote for pathfinder. We bought ours last June after looking at every 3rd row SUV on the market. I LOVED all around view camera in the pathfinder, I couldn't park without it now! I love driving my car so much, we even looked at much more expensive cars and didn't buy since they didn't have all the features that our pathfinder does.

[imojoebunny]

Consumer reports gives the new pathfinder a much worse than average new car prediction. It looks like this is due to prior models having more than average problems with transmissions, electrical, and some other things.

I have the 2012 Hylander hybrid. It is a company car and we are getting a new one soon. I am looking at the Ford Flex which drives really nicely and is a comfortable ride, come with an AWD version, and has seating for 7. My other two options are the MDX and the Volvo xC90, which I think is over both your budget and the budget I would like to be under.

I would just buy our Hylander, but my DD vomits in it when ever we are on the road.

That is another nice ford flex thing, being able to see out easily.

Consumer reports recommends the ford flex, dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, and Chevy traverse in the large SUV category, and the highlander (hybrid and regular), Hyundai Santa fe GLS (v6), and Santa Fe sport (4 cyld) in the mid sized SUV categories.

[luckyno7]

Mar 31, 2015 0:17:17 GMT -5 JayhawkGirl said:

Mar 30, 2015 14:12:17 GMT -5 luckyno7 said:

I should have talked to you before I bought our new vehicle! I was afraid the Sequoia would be too big to drive!

Another sequoia owner checking in. We went in figuring we would want the highlander. But the third row wasn't all that functional for us with car seats - we couldn't get to it easily with car seats in row 2 and by the time the kids are big enough to buckle themselves in row 3 they'll be older & taller. We drive our cars forever. We got captains chairs in row 2 so kids can pass back into row 3 pretty easily even with car seats in the captains chairs.

It looks like a beast but handles great. DH has a Tundra and it's much more difficult for me to park.

Also w/highlander, DD's rear facing car seat would have meant scooting a front seat forward again. I didn't want to do that again (had to with my Escape).

Augh! I was against the Sequoia because of size and thinking it would handle like the my H Tundra. I was driving an Acura TSX before so it seemed like such a big jump and I hate driving the Tundra. Next time I need to ask MMM before purchasing a new vehicle.

[Deleted]

The pathfinder was our runner up when we bought in 2013. But I wanted a brand new SL with leather and we could swallow $35k for one. I still have car envy about it.

I didn't like the Highlander because of the captain' chairs. I wanted to be able to put 3 across if I wanted.

We ended up going in a totally different firection and getting the MN (instead of MMM) car of choice; a Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. 42/32mpg FTW!

[nabum]

My H bought a fully loaded pathfinder a few years ago (2012??) and it's been a great car so far. Lots of space in the back seat and 3rd row and love the DVD in the headrests for DS!

[atarianna]

I have a 14 Highlander and love it.

[Ashley&Scott]

Push button start/ keyless entry is awesome. Leaving your keys in your purse all the time, it's so convenient. I have had it for 4 years now & will make sure it's on every future car I purshase.

Sounds like you should check out Nissan Pathfinders too

[shaynaatl]

Do you not like the look of the new Pilot redesign? I would look into that. They are adding a ton of features and upgrading interior materials.

[runblondie26]

We're loyal to Subaru/Honda/Toyota, so we only considered the Tribeca, Pilot, and Highlander when were were looking for a third-row SUV earlier this year.

All three have similar features and dimensions. The Pilot felt SO much roomier on the inside, though. It also handled a little tighter and had more pick-up IMO. We ended up getting a Pilot, and I LOVE it.

[runblondie26]

I really liked the Toyota Sequoia too. My SIL drives one, and it's so roomy. That thing is a total gas hog with a V8 engine (I think she gets 15/16 mpg?), and I do a considerable amount of driving each day, which knocked it out of the running. If I only did around the town type of driving, it would be a great family car.

[countthestars]

Apr 1, 2015 8:07:32 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Do you not like the look of the new Pilot redesign? I would look into that. They are adding a ton of features and upgrading interior materials.

good question! I'm primarily not sure if I want to wait that log for it to come out (probably about 3 months), but also don't love that it still doesn't have keyless entry. At that point, I may get an older model since I like the look and prices will likely drop.

[Ashley&Scott]

Apr 1, 2015 9:10:49 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Apr 1, 2015 8:07:32 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Do you not like the look of the new Pilot redesign? I would look into that. They are adding a ton of features and upgrading interior materials.

good question! I'm primarily not sure if I want to wait that log for it to come out (probably about 3 months), but also don't love that it still doesn't have keyless entry. At that point, I may get an older model since I like the look and prices will likely drop.

My car has keyless & my husbands doesn't. I get irrationally annoyed when I drive his care & have to dig my keys out of my purse to actually use them the traditional way. Seriously once you get a taste of keyless you won't want to go back. 

[countthestars]

Ok, we are going to look into Pathfinders again now that it seems like they migt be in our price range. I prefer that body style and it's features over the Pilot and Hylander anyway!

[mmmomof2]

Have you looked at the GMC Acadia or Mazda (not sure on model name) of similar design? They have captains chairs in the middle so it makes the 3rd row more accessible.

[shaynaatl]

Apr 1, 2015 9:10:49 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Apr 1, 2015 8:07:32 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Do you not like the look of the new Pilot redesign? I would look into that. They are adding a ton of features and upgrading interior materials.

good question! I'm primarily not sure if I want to wait that log for it to come out (probably about 3 months), but also don't love that it still doesn't have keyless entry. At that point, I may get an older model since I like the look and prices will likely drop.

The new '16 Pilot does have keyless entry. Look at their official page. You can see the push-button start in the interior pictures:

automobiles.honda.com/2016-pilot/

The new model will also be 300 lbs lighter, so you will see an instant gas savings. And it's going to have bigger cargo space.  If you can swing the cost, I would wait for the new model.

[countthestars]

Apr 1, 2015 10:36:18 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Apr 1, 2015 9:10:49 GMT -5 countthestars said:

good question! I'm primarily not sure if I want to wait that log for it to come out (probably about 3 months), but also don't love that it still doesn't have keyless entry. At that point, I may get an older model since I like the look and prices will likely drop.

The new '16 Pilot does have keyless entry. Look at their official page. You can see the push-button start in the interior pictures:

automobiles.honda.com/2016-pilot/

The new model will also be 300 lbs lighter, so you will see an instant gas savings. And it's going to have bigger cargo space.  If you can swing the cost, I would wait for the new model.

Thanks! The salesperson we talked to said that it wouldn't - apparently he needs to read up on that! We will keep that on our list, then.

[shaynaatl]

Apr 1, 2015 10:39:18 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Apr 1, 2015 10:36:18 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

The new '16 Pilot does have keyless entry. Look at their official page. You can see the push-button start in the interior pictures:

automobiles.honda.com/2016-pilot/

The new model will also be 300 lbs lighter, so you will see an instant gas savings. And it's going to have bigger cargo space.  If you can swing the cost, I would wait for the new model.

Thanks! The salesperson we talked to said that it wouldn't - apparently he needs to read up on that! We will keep that on our list, then.

Of course. He wants to sell you a car today, not in the future  

[quickstepstar]

We just got a Pilot in the Fall. I think ours was EX-L and less that what you have quoted, maybe $33K before tax. Something like that. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Pilot! It is a great car, very roomy and comfortable, even in the 3rd row. I thought you could add keyless entry and push start. Pretty sure I saw that as an option. Also in our area, it was easier to get a Pilot I liked than the Highlander, they had limited colors and all that jazz, because it is so popular.

[fryjack2]

Mar 30, 2015 11:05:17 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

Mar 30, 2015 11:04:36 GMT -5 countthestars said:

OMG! Where are you shopping?! I'm in MA too - would you mind sharing the dealerships you visited?

Yup, I'll PM you.

Can I get a PM too?  We are looking at a Pilot ( one of a few options) for our next car as well.

[vtdiamond]

Apr 1, 2015 20:56:44 GMT -5 fryjack2 said:

Mar 30, 2015 11:05:17 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

Yup, I'll PM you.

Can I get a PM too?  We are looking at a Pilot ( one of a few options) for our next car as well.

Just sent you a PM.