@RNmomof2 zone 5 no to both questions. i think she just likes it! they are usually ib her husbands jeep when they are out together.

yes, @furbydaphneoscar I was trying to remember and that is right. The Toyota Sienna is the only minivan that had all wheel drive. I know DD was concerned about actually getting the car, so they were able to find this one with carmax. I think it's a 2020 , and they were able to get it within a few weeks and are happy driving it. I know when they started looking there were also a few must haves but the all wheel drive was key.

She showed us how she can scoot around their seats to buckle them in their car seats (and she is currently pregnant) which was a nice improvement over barely being able to reach them with the Nissan Pathfinder SUV.

Without reading the replies I highly suggest good horse power for a SUV. Trust me, up until a couple of years ago I've been driving them since 1989. They're heavier vehicles and need the extra hp for getting on a freeway or the times you need to speed up. You'd be safer with more hp.

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the colors, interiors, all sorts of bells and whistles aren't available like you see in the pictures online, which is stated, because of all the shipping problems.

IMO, building your own vehicle is the best way to do it. And with dogs & crates I suggest a Chevy Suburban. You'd be a Honkin' Hot Mama going down the highway. :)

My daughter had the Honda Oddsey Touring van and it was a dream with kids. Very comfortable, easy to get in and out of, not difficult to park in a parallel space, bucket second row with 3rd row bench and still a decent space behind 3rd row for soccer balls, lawn chairs, groceries, etc. I believe they are built on a car chassis, so easier to get in and out of, but they don't sit low like a sedan. I'm another that comfort and practicality would be my deciding factor with young children.

One other thing, we will never buy another Ford again. We both have one bought the same day 3 years ago, and so far we've spent around $8,000 due to mice damage after spending a lot of money on things to deter them.

Quick note about 3rd row and crate space. My 3rd row is divided into 2 seats about 2/3 and 1/3. I could put down the 1/3 side and have room for a crate next to me (I think… I haven’t been back there in a while.)

The point is, yes, bring your crate along because seat configurations can be quite flexible.

Did you look at the Infiniti QX80 (I think that is the current number for the biggest SUV, they keep changing, lol lol?) We looked at large SUVs when the kids were littke, and that’s what we got. It had the most space in the second row, which was important for when dh drove it (he’s 6’4” and puts his seat way back.) The third row was pretty nice (I only sat there when we occasionally drove his parents in the car.) It just, at least back then, had a more luxury feel than the Suburban we looked at. The cargo area wasn’t quite as big, but definitely big enough for groceries and a dog crate. I happily gave it to dd when she turned 16, and now drive the smallest Infiniti SUV…I feel so sporty and free! 😂

Have you thought of something like a Mercedes Passenger van or Metris? The front seats are 'captains chairs' so you could sit in the front passenger seat then walk thru to the 2nd seats to take care of the kids. These would have plenty of room for a dog crate. I'm not sure how luxurious they are.

I recently rented a 2021 Expedition and a 2021 Nissan Armada. Both were easy to drive, comfortable, large, luxurious, had lots of your 'wants' and did great on and off road (4wd). I think you may be able to get a dog crate behind the 3rd seat while it's up. But better check. These cars were extra long versions.

It may be difficult to get exactly the options you want unless you order a car these days.

In re your question about why they are 39/49k more, the The Escalade ESV we had did have a much nicer ride than the Suburban and Navigator. It just felt and sounded like you were driving a semi!
Btw, IME the cars are pretty much built with option packages, despite the phraseology, and you have to take them as they come. Even for color, I had to wait 6 months to get my Range Rover in a particular color.

With kids nothing competes with a mini-van with sliding doors on both sides. Sorry. That is the feature ya gotta have. The rest can be added after market, just head to a body shop as soon as you pick it up. But gotta say, the smart lady offers to drive for hubby!! Let him deal with the kids!!! I learned that one early on--he didn't for quite some time. HAHAHAHAHAHA

I was thinking of ordering but I'm afraid that it will take a long, long time as Mtn said, and I really don't want to drive my current car for too much longer because it is really bad in the rain.

I will take a look at the Infiniti!

And thanks for the suggestion about the 1/3 and 2/3 third row seats. I would like that option because then Molly could see me if I sat in the third row and had one of the seats down next to her.

LOL arcy there is NO way I'd offer to drive. I'm a terrible driver, and I will not drive on highways. Until I started taking B to activities, I literally did not drive one single time ANYWHERE even to the grocery store from the time I got married. So, for 8 years, I didn't get behind the wheel once! I wouldn't drive now if I had any possible choice, but I have to take B places while my DH is working so alas I have no choice.

beagles, have you thought about taking driving lessons? You'll certainly want to improve your driving skills with children in the car, and the day may come when you have to drive on a highway. (I also hate highway driving, but do it when I need to.) There are plenty of classes out there for already-licensed drivers.

Bookwoman I'm not an unsafe driver, I just drive slow, don't like changing lanes, don't like passing cars, etc. I see no reason I'd ever have to drive on a highway based on where we live and the fact my husband is home 4 days a week and my housekeeper is there the other 3 days in case of an emergency that would somehow require highway driving.

This thread has become alarming. Getting behind the wheel is no joke. Go take some lessons before someone gets hurt or worse.

Don't read anything into it it's not. I do not believe Beagles would ever drive if she wasn't capable of driving. When you are carrying precious cargo, you would not put them in harms way. Just because she does not like to drive fast, change lanes or get on the interestate does not make her a bad driver.

Love the midnight blue color on the Suburban, but the GMC has lighter interior with the gray. You will probably need some lessons in a parking lot, etc. because these things are a tank. The GMC is the XL version, too. My friend/coworker went from a Lincoln sedan to the Suburban so that was a huge change for her even though the Lincoln was a full size car.

To be clear, I am NOT an unsafe driver.

The entire reason I don't like to drive is because I don't trust people to do the right thing so I am OVER-cautious. As a result, it takes me much longer than it takes normal people to drive places. I plot out back roads where I encounter few other cars, I do not exceed the speed limit, and I do not drive on roads that require fast speeds.

It makes her a driver who is not prepared for the unexpected. She admitted she's a terrible driver and relies on her husband and housekeeper. What happens when neither is available? Lessons in real time would serve her well.

Just an observation that I'd rather encounter a driver like Beagles on the road, than many drivers I encounter who must assume I can read their minds.

I think we're straying a bit from the topic here. I cannot imagine a scenario in which I would be suddenly, randomly forced to drive on a highway. I have stay-at-home mom neighbors who have said if I ever need to go to the hospital for the pregnancy or vet in an emergency, they are always there. I have a husband, a house keeper, inlaws, Uber, and I live in the country.

I know I would be terrible on the highway, driving lessons will not make me feel any happier about it, so I just won't do it. I'm almost 39 and I've managed to avoid highway driving to this point, so I'll play the odds that I can do it for another 40 years or so.

Judi, please end this. Beagles is cautious, OMG, when did that become a problem? if more drivers were like her, we would not be seeing or reading about these terrible accidents on a daily basis. I’m on the highway alot, my husband is ill and not able to drive so I am the driver in the family and he receives treatment in NYC, we’re in CT so it could be an extremely miserable trip at times. so I wish that I encountered cautious drivers who obeyed the posted speed limits, etc etc.

On occasion I have to drive our full size pick-up truck which is the pretty close in size to the largest SUVs. Sometimes when driving places where the lanes are somewhat smaller, it makes me a bit nervous because being in that big of a vehicle does not give me much room to move when somebody else is getting close to their lines. It's worse when I am in the middle lane but it is something to think about. I also never take the truck somewhere there is a chance I would have to parallel park because even if I were more confident in the process, other people often do not park well to leave enough room. Or, if I managed to get in, someone else could come along and make it more difficult to get out. If I were to do it over again, I would probably tell my younger-self to get over it and get a van. It would have made errands with the kids so much easier.

I have not tried any of the models you mentioned, but DH recently drove his uncle's Cadillac for a road trip they were taking and he did note how nice the cameras were on it, with showing the view all the way around the car. That surprised me because DH is generally not a fan of such things.

Eileennc, seems Beagles would be better served finding a level of comfort behind the wheel -- for herself and her children.

I'm sure you've probably done this, but be sure to look at crash test safety for the models you are considering. Especially side crash safety, since that's where the kids will be. Maybe all these vehicles have the highest ratings, but check to make sure. I'd give up one of my 'wants' if I had to, in trade for a safer vehicle.

@Judi - it seems like Beagle's level of driving comfort is really none of your business. The topic of the thread is recommended SUVs - not evaluation of Beagle's driving skill or comfort - other than the creature comforts of the vehicle.

Thanks Olychick, I think pretty much all of these have side airbags, good safety record, etc. But I will triple check!

I am fine with the drives I do, which involve taking B to activities on back roads in the country and that's all I plan to do. I personally think it is best to know your limitations and NOT try to drive on roads that make you uncomfortable if you can avoid it.

gsciencechick I don't think I like the grey interior as much, you're right. I'm going from a Pathfinder so it will be an adjustment but not like going from car to SUV I hope. My first car was a little BMW and then I've done SUVs ever since. I do not like cars at all any more, I feel much safer being high up from the road!

I've never paid much attention to minivans, but probably due to this conversation, I noticed earlier today a Honda Odyssey minivan (not so mini LOL) and it was pretty cool looking! Sort of futuristic!

4katz, guess you missed Beagles' numerous posts where she discussed her driving.

Our neighbors recently went from a Suburban to a Yukon Denali. They're happy with it. It's quite big, but they're skiers with a place in VT so it suits their needs. DH recently bought a GMC Acadia. Prior to that he had been driving Honda Pilots. New Pilots have shrunk a lot, and he wanted something that felt heavier and higher off the road. So far we like it--feel very safe in it. Good luck--I know how important it is to find the right vehicle when you have a newborn and toddler.

I know I'm late to this. I have a Ford Expedition 4x4 which I love thanks to having all the multiple seats so I can load it up with people. I came from an F150 though so the drive to me is very similar except there is more weight on the rear wheels. I wear a 34" inseam in jeans and I find it tight in the 3rd row and wouldn't want to sit there for a long trip. Same in my MIL's Navigator. With the larger SUVs though if you considered the bench seat in the 2nd row you would be able to sit between the two kids and their car seats and I have no issues sitting in the 2nd row in my SUV or my MIL's Navigator for a longer trip. However, if you are shorter then the 3rd row might be just fine. I don't like how upright the seat is as well as it makes me feel like I'm so close to the ceiling. I love that I sit up as high as I did in my F-150. I drive more than the average person in a year and this is my favorite vehicle that can hold more than one passenger that I've owned.

So we drove the Ford Expedition today and while the dealer was demonstrating the automatic parking feature, the vehicle nearly hit TWO cars and then DID hit a large cement footing which did a reasonable amount of damage to the back rear bumper. This kind of soured me on the Expedition although the car itself seemed nice before that incident.

I also do not like that the rear-seat entertainment has no speakers (requires headphones), and the navigation system was cumbersome to use.

There do not seem to be ANY Cadillac Escalades ESVs or Lincoln Navigators within 100 miles of me that will be available any time soon that come in any colors I like or that have the right mix of features. I'm hoping to look at a Yukon this weekend but waiting for word from the dealer that it is still available. There seems to be a very serious car shortage around here.

Thanks lyfia for the feedback! I do not want the bench seat. I not only need to be able to access the kids but also need a good place for the dog for short trips (like 4x weekly drives to the park as a family). If I sit in the 3rd row, I can sit w/ the dog and have the 2 kids in the 2nd rows.

Good luck Beagles - it's good that you were able to start test driving but the car shortage is everywhere and doesn't look like it will ease up soon. Before I bought my current SUV I looked at an Audi Q7. The dealer didn't have a single new one available that day for a test drive but he let me drive his own car. There's always a $200,000+ Bentley.

@beaglesdoitbetter interesting on that automatic parking feature. I don't have that on mine or at least I don't think I do. Wonder if something was wrong with it since the back-up cameras are so good at warning about things that are not even an issue.

Well now I feel mean -am I the only one cracking up over that test drive?

No. I’m kind of cracking up over the whole thing. It’s a unique situation.

Have to admit, that was pretty amazing. NOT a confidence booster.

My hsuband and i have been laughing about the ridiculousness since yesterday! When we got back to the dealership i said to the guy ”guess we better not try park assist again!”

maire_cate I'm definitely experiencing the car shortage here! There's a Yukon dealer about 45 minutes from me w/ four on their website (all on order to arrive in the next 3 weeks). I called and 3 of the 4 have been spoken for w/ deposits placed. We are going tomorrow to see about the 4th, but there is not a single Yukon XL available at the dealership to drive. We're just going to test drive the one regular Yukon they have and hope that's close enough. If we like it and they give us a good price on the test drive, we'll put a deposit down.

I originally wanted to go on Saturday instead of tomorrow to test drive and the dealer said the car would be gone by then.

This is crazy!

Hmm, maybe I'll check out the Bentley, LOL. I wonder if the park assist works on it without crashing!

He'll look cute in whatever he's riding in! Glad you found one.

So glad you were able to get what you wanted with cars being so scarce right now. Wow - he is adorable!

YAY - so glad you found something that meets your requirements.

Hurrah! That's great news. I was a little worried that you'd have trouble finding something you liked in stock! Was it actually on the lot or is this one that 's due in soon?

Bastian is a smart boy! Congrats on the big rig, LOL.

Bastian has the right idea already! He’ll look great (and so will his sister) in their new ride. Happy you found something you like.

maire_cate it will be in on Jan 15. We test drove a similar one but it was white and an SLT instead of a Denali. We wanted the grey and the Denali because it has adaptive cruise and 360-degree camera while the SLT does not.

Buy the Vette now. By the time B is 16 it will be nearly vintage!

Beagles - that sounds perfect! My old SUV only had a back-up camera but my current SUV has the 360 degree camera and I love it. I'd never buy a car that doesn't have that feature.

Congrats! May you have many years of happy driving!

LOL bpath, did B pay you to say that ;)

Thanks Maire_cate. This camera feature is a real game-changer. I can't wait to pick it up. I drove my Pathfinder today and it was SO bad in the little bit of snow we had (It's a 2-wheel drive because I bought it in FL)