Top Picks for 3 Row SUVs
I’m all for the functionality a minivan provides – space, way of getting in and out, convenience of moving around the rows, to name a few. I just don’t enjoy the styling, mileage, and handling in bad weather conditions. So what’s a family with a few or more kids to do if they’ve outgrown their car? They are transitioning from minivans to 3 row SUVs, gaining more mileage for the same amount of space. A December 2011 Leasetrader.com survey of 1,000 parents revealed that 3rd row seats are more important to parents than any other car gadget (like a DVD). Automakers brought their best new and updated vehicles to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show this February, and I will focus on 3 Row SUVs. Performance and handling is important, but I looked at these vehicles with the magnifying glass of a parent. As Jamie Page Deaton, automotive journalist and one of the founding editors of U.S. News Best Cars, summarized: "Thinking about what happens when you put kids in a car adds a whole new dimension to the shopping and buying experience for the everyday car buyer: How high do I have to lift a stroller? Can a two or four year old climb into the car?  What innovative safety features to protect kids have automakers included? Will my teenager’s sports gear fit?  Will this be comfortable for carpooling?" And don’t forget trunk space – my #1 priority. These and other family-friendly factors were the driving force in my selection of favorites in the 3 Row SUV Category.
Ford Flex
Base price: from $30,180 for SE to $44,310 for Titanium AWD.
Having driven this car more than others (though it’s not my vehicle), I find it one of the best in this class. It’s got everything families are looking for – space (seating in 6 and 7 configurations), smart design, powerful optional 3.5L EcoBoost V6 motor – the best of Ford. New for 2013, Ford Flex also has the hi-tech instrumentation panel with jazzed up iphone-like gauges, and the ability to customize the tachometer. Moms will love the dual controls for the back row in multiple locations in this car. I love the 3 moon roofs, offering more light and a view, expanding this SUV even further. Also new for 2013, Flex offers the "park itself" technology, which may come in handy after a long day. The rear back camera is standard and offers easy guidance with red and green lines for a visual map. Combining technology and safety, the rear back-up camera scored the highest marks out of all parents polled by the LeaseTrader.com survey, because it gives them a great sense of security on anything or anyone who’s potentially behind the vehicle. Finally, a big one for any SUV – Flex has optional all wheel drive. Perhaps, my favorite feature of the Flex is that the space in the trunk is tremendous. The headroom is also surprisingly voluminous. However, one negative in my opinion is the 2013 car shape redesign – the front is more masculine, which is less appealing to me than their 2012 model. The beautiful steel panel on the back still gives Flex a distinctive look. Flex is amazingly smooth on the road, and even though you are steering a big vehicle, it feels very maneuverable. The EcoBoost twin-turbocharged engine with direct injection will offer a peppier ride with 355 horsepower and 350 ft-lbs of torque. Sticking with the standard 3.5L isn’t too shabby either, as a little more power is added over last year, good for 285 horses. Still, I’d recommend the EcoBoost. According to Ford, Flex is their #1 buyback SUV, and I am not surprised.
Mazda CX-9
Base price: from $30,180 for Sport to $35,580 for Grand Touring.
Named one of the best cars in the category, this "zoom-zoom" SUV is the largest Mazda SUV. With 3 trim levels, it offers a variety of pricing options. The touring edition with the leather and unique side trim seemed particulaly appealing. And face it, leather is worth the price when it comes to driving kids – easier to clean and more durable. CX9 is spacious – 2nd row is easy to reach but not too close, even with a tall driver seating in the front seat. As with Flex, controls for the 3rd row folding option are dual – on the side and in the back, and it also comfortably seats 7, without sacrificing the trunk space. What some manufacturers of 3 row vehicles often forget is that parents are not looking for the 3rd row as a replacement of your trunk; they are looking for a 3rd row that is functional along with the 2nd row. For example, you shouldn’t have to fold the 2nd row to get into the 3rd like the awkward LandRover LR4 interior. Sure, it’s got funky design outside but not much thought to functionality inside. All rows have to be functional, and not at the expense of the trunk. The Mazda’s power folding seats are more practical for moms usually carrying something or someone. Mazda CX9 understands all this – it’s functional, it’s got a nice shape, and it offers legroom and headrooom for all 7 passengers. Plus, it’s fun to drive thanks to a firm suspension. Skyactiv technology guarantees better fuel efficiency – one of the best in the category. One optional feature I found very helpful is blind spot monitoring – your outside rearview mirror will alert you if there is a vehicle in your blind spot. This is a nice safety add-on. CX-9 is light on the go, and this agility is one of its big advantages.
Buick Enclave
Base price: from $37,410 to $39,410 for AWD.
Take a look at the amount of trunk space in Buick Enclave with 3rd row right seat up!
Looking at the picture alone makes me drool. Spacious, modern and quiet – need I say more? This would be my vehicle of choice if I went to buy a 3 Row SUV right now. It seems Buick has thought of everything. First of, the head rest folds on 2nd and 3rd row folding rows. And yes, a number of other manufacturers do this, but not all (just think of the hideous folding system on LandRover LR4 with a very tough access to the 3rd row). Second, the beautiful entertainment system, including one of the best in class multimedia systems, even offering access to Pandora radio. 2 moon roofs add to that open space feel. Trunk space is excellent – you can easily fit 5-7 large paper grocery bags even with 3rd row up. My favorite thing about Enclave, which separates it from many others, is the quiet tuning, which is STANDARD (!) on all Enclaves. It is the laminate that makes it quieter. When you’re used to loud kids and music/voices on top of it, it would be nice to cut down on street and highway noise. Mileage is nice at 17-24. One of my favorite things about the Enclave (after space and smart functionality) is the design – the incredible amount of chrome Buick embraces, the luxurious feel of the interior and the overall class. For this price tag, it’s a nice payoff.
Chevy Traverse
Base price: from $30,240 for LS to $41,615 for LTZ AWD.
While Traverse did seem a bit "plasticky", you can not question how roomy it is. Access to the 3rd row is easy, so you don’t have to get your tot in over through the trunk. On top of that, you have a beautiful amount of cargo room behind the 3rd row still functioning up. So if you are thinking of carpooling, this is the perfect vehicle. It can fit a small stroller even with 3 rows up and functional. Fairly light and smooth on the road, it offers nice fuel economy at 16 city and 24 highway. Another big plus of the Traverse is how quiet it is on the road. I am seeing more and more SUVs paying more attention to how quiet they are on the road. Face it, a quiet ride is a big bonus when you have a few kids in the car and a few distractions on the road. Instrumentation seems very intuitive and gauges look modern and just in the right places.
Here are a few choices I would make in the luxury SUV market too, if price was no object.
Infiniti QX56
Base price: from $59,690 to $62,790 for 4WD.
Built beautifully, Infiniti makers thought of a lot of nice details. Air purifier and heated steering wheel are just a few extra luxury touches that also carry the high price tag. It’s an especially nice interior and the amount of space you get with QX56 beats a lot of competition – even the 3rd row is roomy. A good amount of bags and a stroller would fit nicely in the trunk even with 3rd row up. Yes, the exterior is massive but the ride is smooth. Fuel economy is nice at 14/20. Beautiful in-dash screen is another example of Infiniti’s touch of class and luxury. JX35 is another good 3 Row SUV option from Infiniti, though not as spacious.
Mercedes GL-class
Base price: from $62,455 for GL350 BlueTec to $86,175 for AWD.
Though I don’t believe in buying expensive cars for hauling kids around, and Mercedes GL is certainly pricey at $62K, this car spoke to me like the right wedding dress does. From the shift on the steering wheel vs. the main column, automatic control of 3rd row on both the back and side of the car and a larger engine, this 3-row SUV is not only a thing of beauty but a very intuitive, smart machine. It seems that they certainly had a family in mind. There is ample space in the back, even with 3rd row up. If you get the entertainment package, the DVDs are nicely attached to the seat in front, and gaming is a possibility. 550 gives you a bigger, V8 engine and bigger wheels.
On a final note, I have to say, I avoided larger 3 Rows, like Nissan Armada, Dodge Durango or Cadillac Escalade. Being able to easily fit your car in a garage space in our Midwest winters is a huge bonus.
