3-Row Suvs/minivans

[panther4life]

Hyundai used to be the low cost/cheap made alternative. But, about 5 years ago they made huge R&D investments and went after the big boys on quality. That is when they started offerign the 5 year bumper to bumper warranties and lifetime powertrain warranties....to entice people whow were buying Toyota's and Honda's to make the jump.

They are fantastic cars (this is my second Hyundai...had an Azera before). NEVER had an issue with either.

Kia is where Hyundai was. But, they too are making strides. They were bought by Hyundai if memory serves me.

Yes Hyundai owns KIA, assumed their debt in exchange for huge tax breaks from Korean Government. Kia at one time was on the brink of being extinct. Ford was going to assume their debt and take them over until Hyundai swooped in. They actually started the 10 year 100k warranty in 99. The were cars still not what they are today back then. From 2006 moving forward they have built an amazing lineup and reputation. This is also after they hired some big wig execs in every field from engineering to marketing from luxury brands and had time to implement the changes that have made them the success story that they are today.

KIA'S biggest struggles are as you mentioned they are where Hyundai was in terms of public perception and that kills their resale value. Horrendous in fact. Also KIA is always going to be a tier lower than Hyundai by design, similar to Honda-Acura,Toyota-Lexus, Nissan-Infininiti.

[MadHatter]

Yes Hyundai owns KIA, assumed their debt in exchange for huge tax breaks from Korean Government. Kia at one time was on the brink of being extinct. Ford was going to assume their debt and take them over until Hyundai swooped in. They actually started the 10 year 100k warranty in 99. The were cars still not what they are today back then. From 2006 moving forward they have built an amazing lineup and reputation. This is also after they hired some big wig execs in every field from engineering to marketing from luxury brands and had time to implement the changes that have made them the success story that they are today.

KIA'S biggest struggles are as you mentioned they are where Hyundai was in terms of public perception and that kills their resale value. Horrendous in fact. Also KIA is always going to be a tier lower than Hyundai by design, similar to Honda-Acura,Toyota-Lexus, Nissan-Infininiti.

You are spot on in everything you said.

[Epistaxis]

Kinda in the same boat Jase.

I have an old MDX, which is great and is essentially a tricked out Pilot.

The kids can get in and out of it fine now, but it isn't as convenient as the minivan option.

As far as minivans go, the two best are the Odyssey and the Sienna.

I like the Sienna for the FWD option, but that won't matter much given your climate, so that Odyssey MPG and optional way cool entertainment packeage is tough to beat.

As far as SUVs go, the Pilot and MDX are nice options with the optional 3rd row seating.

Good luck.

[MadHatter]

Kinda in the same boat Jase.

I have an old MDX, which is great and is essentially a tricked out Pilot.

The kids can get in and out of it fine now, but it isn't as convenient as the minivan option.

As far as minivans go, the two best are the Odyssey and the Sienna.

I like the Sienna for the FWD option, but that won't matter much given your climate, so that Odyssey MPG and optional way cool entertainment packeage is tough to beat.

As far as SUVs go, the Pilot and MDX are nice options with the optional 3rd row seating.

Good luck.

I liked the Odyssey as well when we were looking. But, Honda REFUSED to negotiate at all on the price. Got an euqlly optioned Sienna for thousands less than Honda wanted.

Both are GREAT vehicles.

[captfluoro]

I also will give a big thumbs up for the Toyota Siena. Wife had Explorers and a Sequoia and she swore she would never have a minivan. One month before the birth of our second kid we got a Siena and 7 years later whenever she gets in that car she says, "I love my minivan." We also were down to the Odyssey or Siena and chose Toyota since the Siena comes in AWD (for the rare days it does snow and ice and I have to ge to work. My car is RWD and sucks in the snow). Holds everything, drives well and have had no repair troubles. Got over 100k miles on it and still going strong.

[Hotsauce]

I liked the Odyssey as well when we were looking. But, Honda REFUSED to negotiate at all on the price. Got an euqlly optioned Sienna for thousands less than Honda wanted.

Both are GREAT vehicles.

If you can make the drive go across town, or to another city to another dealership, find a similar car with similar features.

I bought my wife a SUV recently, went to both GMC dealerships in town, played each one of the other with the price.

[Jase]

We had actually given up on the third row seating thing, but then we found out about the Mazda5, which basically amounts to a tiny minivan that drives like a car.

It seats six, three rows of two. It's everything we need and then some.

Got the touring model brand new for about the same price as a 3-4 year old CR-V.