Okay, so I’ve been on this quest, right? A quest for the perfect family SUV. And not just any SUV, one with a decent third row. Because, let’s be real, some of those third rows are like, for toddlers only. We’re a family of five, and those kids are growing like weeds, so space is non-negotiable.
Digging into Toyota SUVs
We started looking at Toyotas because, well, reliability. Everyone says Toyotas last forever, and with three kids, “forever” sounds pretty good. Plus, I wanted something that wouldn’t be in the shop every other month. Been there, done that, not fun.
First up, the Highlander. It’s like the go-to choice, I guess. We hopped in, checked out the third row… It was okay. Not amazing, but definitely doable for shorter trips. My oldest, who’s about 5’8″, fit, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled about a long road trip back there.
Then we checked out the 4Runner. My husband was all excited about this one because it’s more “rugged,” or whatever. I’m like, “Dude, we’re driving to soccer practice, not climbing Mount Everest.” Anyway, the third row in the 4Runner? Nope. Super cramped. Even my middle child, who’s smaller, was complaining. It felt like an afterthought.
Finally, we got to the Sequoia. Okay, this thing is a beast. It’s HUGE. And the third row? Game changer. Seriously, it’s like a real row. Plenty of legroom, headroom, the whole deal. My oldest could actually stretch out, and my other two had space to, you know, not poke each other the entire ride.
The Verdict
- Highlander: Decent third row, okay for everyday use, might be tight for bigger kids or long trips.
- 4Runner: Third row is pretty small, not ideal for regular use with older kids.
- Sequoia: Awesome third row, tons of space, great for families who actually use that third row all the time.
For us, it was a simple descion. We were aiming for a car with great 3rd row seats and Sequoia’s 3rd row seats won the game. So, that’s my little adventure in the world of Toyota SUVs and their third rows. If you need that space, seriously, check out the Sequoia. You won’t regret it. I did all these test runs and checks, finnally I got my ideal one.
