bikebreak

We are in the market for a new car, need 6-8 seats due to kids and carpools. Looking for a small suv/crossover or large station wagon or hatchback style with third row seats. Needs to be under 30 grand...

I want something that can easily fit a bike in the back, maybe with fold down seats in 3rd row. Prefer if it fits my MTB and my son's kids MTB too.

Any suggestions?

thanks!

RPK79

Ford Flex has 3rd row seating for up to 7 passengers and can accommodate a bike laying down in the back with the seats down. May have to take the front wheel off. Probably 2 bikes. I'd recommend using a hitch or roof rack instead, but I guess that's personal preference.

kpotier16

Dodge Caravan, nothing wrong with minivans. You will not beat it for space, seating, and value

Bunyanderman

XC90

It would easily fit, but you'd be afraid of getting the car dirty.

Elvo

Ford Transit with hitch rack

Psimet2001 

Minivan. They exist to carpool kids and are actually good vehicles. Perfect for bike stuff.

dtrain

I drive an older Acura MDX. The new Honda Pilots look nice and some Highlanders have a pop-up 3rd row. But the back row is pretty darn tight in anything that size or smaller.

Minivan would certainly do the trick. The Flex isn't a bad suggestion either.

+2 for the hitch or roof rack.

caloso

Honda Odyssey. /thread

freedomrider1

Cannot beat a mini van for bicycles and kids.

TrojanHorse

We got an off-lease Yukon for about 25 grand (11k miles!) I can get my bike in the back with the third row folded down and the wheel removed, or I can get the whole thing in there if I put one of the middle seats down (which leaves you with 3 seats).

If you can stomach that hole in your soul, a minivan would probably be best.

seymour1910

Okay, I won't ignore what you requested in your OP. You said you wanted an SUV or Crossover that can sit 6-8 and under 30 grand. Are you buying brand new? Are you okay going slightly used. Someone suggested the new Pilot, that will be over 30 grand new unless you really know how to work a deal. The Nissan Pathfinder is a good option. Also look into the Chevy Traverse.

gsa103

Toyota Highlander or 4Runner?

Both are going to be pushing at around $30k, but you might be able to get one at a decent price. Used Dodge/Crysler minivan is definitely the cheap option, depreciation has not been kind...

I can't think of a single SUV that would seat 6-8 that you could realistically buy for <$30k, so you're basically looking at used.

seymour1910

Friend of mine just picked up a new Pathfinder SV. Not the fully loaded model, but not the base model. He got it for 28k. Here is a pic of the back with the third row folded in a '15 Pathfinder

PeregrineA1

Buddy of mine just picked up an Excursion with a V10. Same criteria-kids, carpools, and bikes. It will handle them all at 11.4 mpg. It can pass anything but a gas station. All for about $8k, purchase, new tires, and a new front end. Should be good for another 100-150k miles.

Sarcasm over, sounds like a minivan to me.

bransom

+1 on the Odyssey. More usable space and actually drives nicely (i.e. not a pig). Bikes on the back, kayaks on top, family inside. Works pretty well.

f4rrest

+1

We have 2 Tahoes. They can haul whole sports teams or half a dozen bikes easily.

Slackerprince

Gaping mouth ready to swallow bikes and gear.
3.5 liter 6 cylinder, 6 speaker-130 watt stereo, great handling, fast, smooth ride.
2008 Nissan Quest

S

bres dad

We have an ’09 Ford Taurus X. Its not really a Taurus so I’m not sure why its called that but its misleading. Very similar to the Flex (the Flex ultimately replaced the T-X.) Third row seating, AWD. We can lay the seats down and throw a couple of bikes in the back or put on a roof or hitch rack and still haul all three kids around. 3.5 liter V-6, 265 hp, 6 speed automatic. We get mid-high teens in town, high teens-low 20’s on the highway. You won’t be doing any 4 wheeling in it but it’s a deal compared to some of the other stuff out there. Just my opinion.

mcours2006

+1 on the minivan, specifically Honda Odyssey. Tons of space. We put a hitch mounted bike rack that holds 5 bikes. Great for trips and carpooling kids.

Yeah, not what the OP was asking. Seems like a no brainer to me. If you want 4-wheel drive there's the older Toyota Sienna version that had it. Not sure if the newer ones have that option anymore.

sced

minivan - for all around practicality best vehicle there is

Psimet2001 

We used to call my Odyssey "Starship PSIMET". It's hauled a lot of gear to a lot of bike races. 4 bike hitch rack on the back and we can haul about 6 riders with bikes and all their gear to any event. We can pile kids in until the cops stop us. It's why they exist.

Hermes1

I'll throw my hat into the mini van ring. Your needs are specifically what mini vans are designed to do and likely offer better fuel mileage than a SUV large enough to handle your requirements.

Wilfred Laurier

I had a Grand Caravan and they are cavernous. It was getting old and falling apart (partly abuse and partly general crapola build quality), but still ran well every day. I now have a Mazda 5 (large wagon, called a 'micro van') and a rear rack. Easily fits six people and some inside cargo, or four people and loads of cargo, but the bikes usually stay outside. It could also accommodate a roof rack because it isn't six and a half feet tall like the Dodge.

JCNeumann

Seconding the Tahoe or Suburban - 2009 or newer. They are indestructable, can handle anything you put in them, and aren't nearly as much of a gas hog as people think. I've had 4 bikes with 4 people and enough crap for a 4-week road trip and no need to use the roof rack.

Plus they drive better than anything on the market for that capability. Just make sure you have one with a backup camera, most all of them do.

We lucked out and found a hybrid model, thats the best of both worlds.

bikebreak

Thanks for all the advice!
I don't mind buying used but my wife likes new or certified off lease

we already have a Sienna minivan, which is quite bike friendly. we want something smaller but retaining 7 seats.

I don't want to use a roof or rear rack since I park at work with my bike sometimes and ride from there. In Baltimore.

we are looking seriously at hyundai santa fe and the Kia Sorrento.