Okay, so I needed a new ride, and with the kids and all their stuff, I knew it was time to look into a 3-row SUV. But let’s be real, I’m not made of money. So, I needed something that wouldn’t break the bank, you know, an affordable one. I started by making a list of what I absolutely needed.

First off, space was a big deal. I mean, we’ve got car seats, sports gear, and the occasional grocery haul that looks like I’m stocking up for a year. So yeah, plenty of room was non-negotiable. Then, there was the whole safety thing. With the little ones in the back, I wanted to make sure we were all safe and sound.
Then I started to think about the nice-to-haves. If I could swing it, heated seats sounded amazing for those cold mornings. And a big sunroof? That would be awesome for road trips. Make it feel a little less cramped, you know?
So, armed with my list, I started digging around online. I checked out all the usual car review sites and forums. I was on the lookout for what people were saying about different models. You learn a lot from folks who actually drive these things every day.
- First up, I looked at the Chevrolet Suburban. Man, that thing is a beast! It’s got tons of space, like you could fit a whole other car in there. Seriously, the cargo space is insane, over 144 cubic feet when you fold down all the seats.
- Then there was the GMC Yukon XL. It’s pretty similar to the Suburban, which makes sense since they’re kind of like cousins. It also has that massive 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space. I started to think these might be the way to go if space was my top priority.
- I also checked out the regular GMC Yukon. It’s a bit smaller than the XL, but still huge. It offers around 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is still a lot!
After all that research, I narrowed it down to a few models that seemed like they would fit the bill. Then came the fun part – test drives! I hit up a few dealerships to see these SUVs in person and take them for a spin.
It was a bit of a process, let me tell you. But, in the end, I found the perfect 3-row SUV for me and my family. And guess what? It didn’t even cost an arm and a leg! I went with a model that had a good balance of space, safety features, and a few of those nice-to-haves, all within my budget.
So, if you’re like me, hunting for a family-friendly SUV that won’t make your wallet cry, just take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to test drive a bunch. You’ll find the right one!