Trying to make a list and narrow down which SUVs we're going to test drive this summer before making a purchase.

As title suggest, we're looking for an SUV with a 3rd row to kiddos for road trips and various athletic events. Currently in a 16' Tahoe that's been through the rigger raising two young boys but open to any and all suggestions. Wife absolutely refuses to consider a minivan.

Here's where it gets a little tricky. She's 5' and I'm 6'-7". We would like something that both of us can drive and legroom is by far the biggest challenge. (Think 38"-40" inseam for me)

Thanks in advance for the advice and suggestions!

Budget?

$70K

Just got a grand Highlander hybrid max platinum - love it. Lots of leg room

Tahoe/Suburban still your best option, if you want a larger, roomy SUV

We've been though this too. The 3rd kid ruins easy car shopping

We've tried Infiniti QX80, Mercedes GLS450 and went back to Tahoe

I have an F250 and a Mustang GT350 so I'm no Ford hater, but the Expeditions cant hold GMs jock for ride quality

The Grand Wagoneer might be an option for you but I have a buddy who is a GM at a Ford house and he said the trade in on those is criminal (like most Dodges)

$70k budget, with 2 boys who will most likely be approaching 6ft tall eventually, and no discernable need to tow anything substantial, and I'd be looking at:

Lexus TX
Hyundai Palisade
Lincoln Aviator
Audi Q7

You can get some pretty nice specs on those at that price point. Lexus driving characteristics will be the most appliance-like, but it will be nice, solid, reliable. Palisade has the largest interior space, best warranty, and will be the most well-appointed for the money/value. Aviator has the most HP/TQ (400hp/415ftlb). Audi will drive the best and likely feel the most premium.

What most people would recommend is Tahoe/Yukon/Sequoia/Navigator, but I'm not sure if our 5'0 tall wife would enjoy DDing a big truck. My wife is a few inches taller, and it constantly amazes me what she can't see/hits/almost hits due to the tall hood of our Pathfinder.

Expedition - except for the fact they've gotten out of control on the screen sizes for the dash

Stick with the Tahoe or look at wagoneers.

Wagoneers are actually a bit bigger than tahoes with more legroom in the back. We have one and love it. Drives very nice. Has the 5.7 hemi in it.

I like the Grand Wagoneers but don't trust the build quality/long term reliability enough to own one.

I like the Suburban/Yukon XL but would only trust the diesel engine.

Ended up with a slightly used Navigator L. I agree with the criticism of the screen layout on the '25 Expedition.

Wife has a '23 Yukon in the shop after being rear ended. Rental is a Wagoneer. Don't hate it.

We are trading in our Expedition next week. We are both excited to be rid of that POS.

Not a bad suggestion.

They could also do this: https://duramaxsuv.com

Tahoe/Suburban or the GMC equivalent. This will give you alot of options for trim level and a fully usable third row.

If you get a 6.2L engine just change the oil to 0w40.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Stick with the Tahoe or look at wagoneers.

Wagoneers are actually a bit bigger than tahoes with more legroom in the back. We have one and love it. Drives very nice. Has the 5.7 hemi in it.

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No more V8. Hurricane I6 only now.

coolerguy12 said:

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You could get a pretty badass excursion for that kind of money. Just got rid of our Honda Odyssey for an excursion when our 4th kid came along and couldn't be happier.

Y'all may think I'm joking but I'm dead serious. My 2003 6.0 has spent less time in the shop in 6 months than my coworker's brand new GMC 3.0 diesel.

I've had two Grand Wagoneers as rentals recently and both had AC issues. We couldn't get the vents to blow hard randomly. The air was cold but just barely trickling out. Appears to be a common issue.

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In February I had a Wagoneer as a rental. Picked it up from Denver and drove to Casper. The heater was stuck on high and no matter what I could not adjust it. Only turn it off.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKQjyChve46/?igsh=eHZvNmR5dnpzNWZ5

Your brother also has a work truck Avalanche and then 2 family hauler Expeditions.

The latter might be a decent recommendation.

Yeah that's right.

I've got a first gen one. Wanted the hemi before they made the switch.

Pmac2tx said:

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Just got a grand Highlander hybrid max platinum - love it. Lots of leg room

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I'm looking at the grand highlander now. I really like the model you got, but I'm torn about the backseat captains chairs. Have one little one and plan for more in the future, so bench seats allows 2 car seats and a seat in the middle for mom if need be. I did hear that the console they have in between the captains chairs is removable, which is a plus.

Outlaw0206 said:

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Pmac2tx said:

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Just got a grand Highlander hybrid max platinum - love it. Lots of leg room

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I'm looking at the grand highlander now. I really like the model you got, but I'm torn about the backseat captains chairs. Have one little one and plan for more in the future, so bench seats allows 2 car seats and a seat in the middle for mom if need be. I did hear that the console they have in between the captains chairs is removable, which is a plus.

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Don't torture someone to sit in between 2 of them.

Our road trips, my wife is relegated to the third row after about 2.5 hours. From there she can help the two in bucket seats (5yr old and 1yr old) and also get some sanity by herself. We just keep 1 seat folded on the third and the rest flipped down for cargo.

I've been driving a Palisade Caligraphy for 1 year and love it. Lots of leg room in 1st and 2nd row.

We typically keep the 3rd row flat, but use them when our grown kids and their spouses are in town.

Hyundai 5 yr / 50k warranty with 10 yr/ 100k powertrain. If you buy a Toyota you will get a 3yr / 36k warranty plus a 5 yr / 60k powertrain. If you keep a car for a long time the Hyundai warranty is meaningful. Keep in mind if you buy a used Hyundai, the powertrain reverts to 5 yr / 60k.

At 6'7", you need to go sit in any 3 row mid-size option that interests you as you're going to be the limiting factor in both driver and front passenger seats. Lots of good options listed, but you'll need to see roof slope, dash/console design, seat size, etc. This matters less on the full size 3 row haulters, but is super important in the mid-size category.

I like the Aviator as it has seat bolsters that extend which greatly increases comfort. It also is a very quiet, smooth drive when plenty of space.

Also, if you go smaller midsize, you need to sit in it and then have someone sit behind you. Good chance your driver/passenger seat is in the chest of the person in the 2nd row.

We've got an Expedition Max.

Though Wifey is 5' and I'm 5-9.

Ex Max is slightly smaller than the Suburban, but bigger than the Tahoe.

We have a Grand Highlander for two years now and really like it.

This is the back of the wagoneer… we had a lot of stuff. And I mean a lot. Ski trip plus groceries for 4 people

Why do the smallest people require the most amount of stuff?