Helping someone try to think of a new car.
She has a Chrysler Pacifica & doesn't really want another minivan.
Tahoe is bigger than she wants to drive, works & parks downtown and doesn't want to maneuver a Tahoe in the garages down there.
They have an Explorer & want a bit more room than it has.

Usable 3rd row is a requirement. 4 kids

Does this exist?
She's planning on looking at the Grand Highlander & Lexus TX, but I think they're mighty close in size to the Explorer.

Forerunner, though maybe not much bigger than an explorer. I don’t know how big explorers are these days.

Honda Pilot. Great size, usable if not luxurious rear seat.

3rd row seats are only for younger children in the smaller SUVs. You need to go full size to get a usable 3rd row for adults who aren't bigger than average.

Also, the smaller footprint SUVs with a 3rd row have ZERO cargo room with the 3rd row deployed.

Honda Pilot, Passport or the new Prologue? It is unclear if these are three-row seating. That third row in a vehicle this size is going to be a tight fit for adults in any event.

The 3 row Grand Cherokee L is about 6 inches longer, 2 inches taller and about the same width, compared to the Explorer.

I have had mine for over 3 years and I like it.


.

Forgot about the Grand Cherokee
Will mention that next time i see her

She did say she didn't want a Wagoneer, due to reports from other people she knows with them.

Subaru Accent? Hard to see pictures, probably not the best 3rd row bench for long trips. Happy hunting.

Or a mid 70s VW bus

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Forgot about the Grand Cherokee
Will mention that next time i see her

She did say she didn't want a Wagoneer, due to reports from other people she knows with them.

I like the look of the Wagoneer, but I don't know anything about it. Are the reliability/quality reports bad?


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Toyota Sequoia? I've seen a few on the road by never tried one on so I can't compare it to the ones you've mentioned.

I was going to suggest the Toyota Grand Highlander, but I read the chart wrong and it’s smaller than the Explorer.

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Forgot about the Grand Cherokee
Will mention that next time i see her

She did say she didn't want a Wagoneer, due to reports from other people she knows with them.

I like the look of the Wagoneer, but I don't know anything about it. Are the reliability/quality reports bad?


.

We had one for a rental & really liked it, but there's 4 or 5 at my daughter's dance studio & a couple of them have had issues.

Forgive me for saying so, but “bigger than an Explorer, smaller than a Tahoe” has got to be a pretty narrow window; we have an Explorer and it’s pretty good size. I don’t know what vehicle(s) fit that parameter. I think your friend will probably have to go shopping. I suppose one of the Korean makes might fit in that narrow window. Not bigger than an Explorer, but perhaps a look at an XC-90 is also in order. Good luck.

Volvo XC90

Mazda CX-9 or CX-90

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Forgive me for saying so, but “bigger than an Explorer, smaller than a Tahoe” has got to be a pretty narrow window; we have an Explorer and it’s pretty good size. I don’t know what vehicle(s) fit that parameter. I think your friend will probably have to go shopping. I suppose one of the Korean makes might fit in that narrow window. Not bigger than an Explorer, but perhaps a look at an XC-90 is also in order. Good luck.

We had a 2020 Explorer & also have a 2018 Expedition Max, so I agree. The Explorer was a great sized SUV for our family of 5.
The Exped does it better, but with considerably lower MPG.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
Mazda CX-9 or CX-90

Forgot about the CX90, neighbor has one & loves it. It replaced a CX9.

Toyota Highlander or Grand Highlander.

Maybe consider a Chevy Traverse or a Caddy XT6 sized vehicle. They're more car than SUV and they both have the third row option.

VW Tiguan

Surprised no one has yet mentioned the Toyota GRAND Highlander. Biggest third seat area in the three-row SUV market without moving to Tahoe. Toyota reliability. Available as hybrid.
I have a Mazda CX-90 and like it a lot, but third row a tighter squeeze than the Grand Highlander. My wife wants me to turn it in at end of 24-month lease in October--because she wants an Odyssey.