Advice on 7 seater SUV

[chengj]

Hey everyone, looking for advice & opinions on a vehicle. I looked at past threads, didn't find exactly what I'm looking for, so I thought I'd give this a shot. Haven't been paying much attention to what is available these days, so I'm not really sure where to start.

In order to handle a growing family, we're looking at a new vehicle. We'd like an SUV, if possible.

(Almost) Must haves:
- AWD
- SUV
- 7 seats (as we'll have 2 car seats, and would like to be able to fit an adult comfortably in the *middle row* as well.

Really Like to haves
- Target $20-30K
- Newer vehicle (2009+? Don't know if this is reasonable New or Used is fine).
- Smooth ride (wife's desired feature)

Nice to haves:
- Reasonably fun to drive (my desired feature) :-)

We've looked at the Ford Flex, looks decent, pretty much kind of what we're looking at. What else would you all suggest?

[flipstah]

Used 2008-2009 XC90 can satisfy your criteria.

If brand-spanking new, base CX9 is $33-35k... A little over but nice.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Aleks]

No SUV will have comfortable 3rd row seating for adults unless you go full size GM ones.

[Xtrema]

Almost none of the 7 seat SUV has comfortable 3rd roll and most will replace cargo area with seats unless you are talking about old Suburbans.

The only current SUV that can comfortable seat 7 is Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia line.

Minivan is still the best bet for space. But if you want an AWD one, you have to look for older Siennas and they are kinda rare.

[Aleks]

Originally posted by Xtrema
Most of the 7 seat SUV has comfortable 3rd roll and most are passenger/cargo unless you are talking about old Suburbans.

The only current SUV that can comfortable seat 7 is Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia line.

Minivan is still the best bet for space. But if you want an AWD one, you have to look for older Siennas and they are kinda rare.

New Siennas come with AWD too.

I second minivan. I love ours. Even with 3rd row seats up we have a huge trunk space in the back. SUV marketing really did wonders in the last couple decades making those boxes cool and minivan boxes uncool haha.

[chengj]

Sorry, when I said "adult in the back", I meant to say (anywhere other than the front passenger seat. We're okay with a car seat in the middle, another in the back.

I've edited my question to clarify hopefully.

[Unknown303]

When I turn my wife into a baby factory we're also looking for a 7 seater SUV. She refuses to get a minivan. God bless her.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Aleks


New Siennas come with AWD too.

I second minivan. I love ours. Even with 3rd row seats up we have a huge trunk space in the back. SUV marketing really did wonders in the last couple decades making those boxes cool and minivan boxes uncool haha.

I thought they discontinued it at one point.

But definitely not in OP's budget for new ones.

Originally posted by chengj
Sorry, when I said "adult in the back", I meant to say (anywhere other than the front passenger seat. We're okay with a car seat in the middle, another in the back.

I've edited my question to clarify hopefully.

No adult over 5' would want to be in a 3rd row of SUV other than the one I mentioned. Even if they can be seated comfortably, crawling in and out of them is not the easy.

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by Xtrema
No adult over 5' would want to be in a 3rd row of SUV other than the one I mentioned.

I disagree. I have a CX9 and the back seats are actually not bad... especially since the 2nd row sits on an adjustable track to balance out the legroom. I should also mention I'm just a hair under 6' tall.

I think your best choices have been discussed already in this thread. But out of them all, I believe the CX9 to be the sportiest of the bunch though it may not have quite as smooth of a ride as you were looking for.

If luxury is more important to you than sporty, then the Enclave or 2007+ Yukon might be a good choice.

[corsvette]

Originally posted by Unknown303
When I turn my wife into a baby factory we're also looking for a 7 seater SUV. She refuses to get a minivan. God bless her.

Mine too! Had a minvan for about a year, she hated it. Been running yukon/Suburban now they work great for hauling kids/adults plus still having a huge cargo hold, just try laying a double stroller down flat behind the 3rd row in a car based suv. Plus ours have been nothing but reliable.

[chengj]

What does everyone think of the Ford Flex? A very quick, unscientific search suggests there are some used models in the 20-30K range.

If we eliminate "sporty" or "fun" as options, does that increase the choices?

Also, lets pretend all of my adult passengers are really flexible and can climb in and out of tiny spaces. Either that or assume that the 3rd row is only going to be used for tiny people (I have a lot of nieces and nephews...)

[ExtraSlow]

Ford Flex has all the advantages of a mini-van, except the sliding doors. It's a great choice.

[lint]

I have a 6 seater 2010 flex eb, and getting into the back is pretty easy. Power fold second row helps and there is a surprising amount of headroom in the 3rd row. second row legroom is great. It's not meant to be sporty, though the ecoboost really helps. It's a barcalounger on wheels. Space is great, but nothing will com close to a minivan. hauling long items is fine, you can fit a 10' ladder in there if you fold down the passenger seat and ikea wardrobes are a snap, but the rear opening isn't tall enough to handle large boxes etc. The only creature comforts I wish it had are heated steering wheel and cooled seats. Otherwise it's really hard to beat the features for the $$$. Ecoboosts are harder to find, but they should be at the upper range of your budget. Which is one problem with the flex, it depreciates like a mofo

[BerserkerCatSplat]

If I needed a 7-seater, I would buy an Ecoboost Flex, no question.

[tobypaddock]

newer armada or qx56 - TONS of comfortable room. not the best on fuel though

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

What about a older X5, don't they seat seven and are probably the most entertaining of 7 seaters to drive.

[Dr_Funk]

Honda Pilots.

Not the most comfortable 3rd row seats, but decent and good enough even for 1-2hr trip.

[Gary@UrbanX]

Just a above your price range and seats 8! Im sure you can grind them down.



http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ448730340

[InRich]

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