Looking to buy a SUV with a third row with leg room

The family is looking to upgrade from our 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The wife would like a third row quality leg room. I am all about head room. We are looking very closely at a 2011 Dodge Durango, because this is a vehicle that everyone doesn't seem to have. Everywhere you look there are Chevy Traverses and GMC Acadias.

I haven't had luck with Ford so the Explorer is out of the question. Anyone that has other recommendation or anyone that has a Durango please give me your thoughts. We might checkout the Mazada CX9, but I don't know how big the 3rd row is.

She is wanting a larger SUV overall.

Thanks in advanced.

Some might disagree but you can't go wrong with a honda or toyota. A guy I work withs wife just got either a Honda pilot or crv and he says they love it. I believe the pilot is larger.

Frankly I don't think you can beat the big Chevy stuff like the Yukon/Tahoe and Suburban for this. They are perfect for seating 7-8 and getting the 4WD in comfort. Ford has the Excursion but it is way more "truckish". Any of the smaller SUV's that offer the 3rd row seating are good for nothing but kids back there. You can't put 3 full grown humans in the rear seat of a pilot unless they are all 5'2 - 90 lb women.

The Nissan Pathfinder Armada if they still make it is pretty roomy.

JK STEELERS68 wrote:

The family is looking to upgrade from our 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The wife would like a third row quality leg room. I am all about head room. We are looking very closely at a 2011 Dodge Durango, because this is a vehicle that everyone doesn't seem to have. Everywhere you look there are Chevy Traverses and GMC Acadias.

I haven't had luck with Ford so the Explorer is out of the question. Anyone that has other recommendation or anyone that has a Durango please give me your thoughts. We might checkout the Mazada CX9, but I don't know how big the 3rd row is.

She is wanting a larger SUV overall.

Thanks in advanced.

FYI, two of my co-workers have been quite uphappy with their Durangos (complaints are gas mileage, 3rd row room, and reliability). That said, gas mileage is an issue for any mid to large size SUV.

While the Chevy stuff isn't my area of expertise, one of the vehicles I rented was a new Tahoe a few months back. My initial impression was positive.

I'm an import guy, so I lean towards Toyota (and less frequently Honda these days). I have two friends each with Sequoia's and Pilots. They are happy with them, with the Sequoia being larger.

I would recommend the Tahoe or Yukon unles you want the larger versionc (i.e. Suburban or Yukon XL). If you want a more premium version you can move up to the Denali version of the Yukon. We have had several and have always been very happy with them...the ultimate family truckster!

I'm on my 4th suburban. Usually trade every 3 years while the value is still high. Usually get the z71 off road package with undercarriage reinforcements and more rugged suspension. Went with an Escalade for one cycle but I missed the rear cargo space. (This was before the Escalade ESV).

3 kids and a dog that goes everywhere makes the big SUV a virtual necessity. Love having the split 3rd row too. I can put my son back there and still leave half of the seat down for golf clubs, gun cases, dog kennels, etc.

Plus you can get the option of a power lift second row seat which makes it really easy for the young 'uns to get into the 3rd row.

I vote Suburban all the way. And the gas mileage is not any worse than the midsize variety.

My wife didn't like driving them at first, but the back up camera makes it much more manageable to park. Towing is great too. The imports just don't tow well and the long wheelbase of a Suburban makes towing a boat or trailer of any kind a breeze. You can get trailer brake controls added on and a selectable automatic transmission which is really nice for getting up steep boat ramps.