Small SUV for baby, suggestions?

[Chiropteran]

My wife and I are both very tall (6'+), and we have found that with the car seat in the back there just isn't enough room to sit in front of it in our existing Focus. Minivan is out of the question, we may consider a medium sized sedan but our preference is to get a new "small" SUV, mainly for the carrying capacity, ride height, and option of 4WD.

The absolute most important thing is that we can fit the baby's carseat in, rear-facing, and still have the passenger seat in front of it comfortable. This doesn't work in the Focus. Based on my research so far, this might eliminate the Escape and other similarly small SUV as options.

Beyond that, we both prefer smaller vehicles, so we want to avoid the big huge SUV, so we are kinda looking for the sweet spot that has a lot of rear seat passenger room without feeling like we are driving around a bus.

I think a Subaru Forester might work really well, it's probably the 1st vehicle on our list of things to check out. The "free" AWD is a big plus compared to competitor's vehicles where 4WD is an expensive option, and gas mileage seems to be pretty good. According to reviews the car seat should fit reasonably well, we will just have to test in person to be sure.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[michal1980]

your baby will get bigger quick.

just an fyi

 

[Demo24]

The forrester is a good option, and it's gotten relatively roomy in this latest generation. Mazda cx5 might be a good consideration as well, i think it can come in awd.

 

[Herr Kutz]

My wife and I are both very tall (6"+), and we have found that with the car seat in the back there just isn't enough room to sit in front of it in our existing Focus. Minivan is out of the question, we may consider a medium sized sedan but our preference is to get a new "small" SUV, mainly for the carrying capacity, ride height, and option of 4WD.

The absolute most important thing is that we can fit the baby's carseat in, rear-facing, and still have the passenger seat in front of it comfortable. This doesn't work in the Focus. Based on my research so far, this might eliminate the Escape and other similarly small SUV as options.

Beyond that, we both prefer smaller vehicles, so we want to avoid the big huge SUV, so we are kinda looking for the sweet spot that has a lot of rear seat passenger room without feeling like we are driving around a bus.

I think a Subaru Forester might work really well, it's probably the 1st vehicle on our list of things to check out. The "free" AWD is a big plus compared to competitor's vehicles where 4WD is an expensive option, and gas mileage seems to be pretty good. According to reviews the car seat should fit reasonably well, we will just have to test in person to be sure.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

You have a weird definition of tall.

 

[Chiropteran]

You have a weird definition of tall.

6', sorry :$

 

[Chiropteran]

your baby will get bigger quick.

just an fyi

That'll make it easier. The problem is the rear-facing mode of the carseat makes it hard to fit without pushing the passenger seat forward, once he is a year old and we can turn it around it'll fit fine with the passenger seat down.

Still, it's a whole year, we need to get a car to handle the current configuration.

 

[zanemoseley]

If it helps any I'm about to buy a CX-5 although I'll probably opt for the FWD version. I'm 6' and in my current car (2001 Sentra) my 6 year old is stuffed in the back seat behind my wife, god forbid you want a grown adult back there. It was a PITA when we had a rear facing child seat back there, my wife was pretty miserable in the passenger seat for that year but we didn't have money for a new ride. I looked at the CX-5 and Rav4, both had a lot of room, I think more than enough for a rear facing seat. Check out these reviews:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Crossover-SUVs/

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1308_compact_crossover_comparison/

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

While you're at the Subaru dealership, take a look at the Subaru Crosstrek XV as well. Looks small (for a CUV/SUV) from the outside but quite roomy on the inside. Gets great mileage considering its an AWD SUV.

 

[tortillasoup]

I know I'm going to get bashed for this, but seriously, check out the Prius. Even check out the 2nd generation Prius. As a 6'4 it's one of the roomiest cars on the road, though I don't like the 3rd generation Prius as much.

Why do I mention the 2004-2009 Prius? Because of the 40" of head room in the front and the 36" of Legroom in the rear, it's got more leg room (which means working room) than most SUVs which typically have a paltry 33-34" of leg room in the rear. My neighbor got a Prius when they had their first child and they appreciated the amount of room it has.

The Prius V (2012+) is worth looking at as it has a lot of the front passenger roominess of the 2004-2009 Prius while having much more cargo room and excellent head room both in the front and rear while having fuel economy close to the 2004-2009 Prius. Otherwise you can check out the Toyota Highlander Hybrid which gets significantly worse fuel economy but otherwise has plenty of room both now and in the future. If you get a 2006-2011 Highlander hybrid, expect Camry like fuel economy of 26mpg.

 

[tracerbullet]

Don't know much about small SUV's but do agree that the Prius (well at least one of them, I know there are a few now) is incredibly good inside for tall people, surprisingly so.

 

[Jumpem]

The new Forester is the safest.

 

[bigi]

your baby will get bigger quick.

just an fyi

Not so fast... he still has several years to go and may get another kid(s) on the way.

I've 2 kids. Now they 6 and 8, but we did have Honda Odyssey for 7 years.

This was a Godsend as the doors opened properly and the access to the seats was a breeze. One should really appreciate this especially when dealing with 2 carriers, buckling up and so forth.

Now, we both have a CX-5 but for small kids NOTHING matches a minivan.

The rear access is tight in CX-5. It is just OK with kids now, but for a small kid with carrier every in/out will be a pain.

Check out a minivan and do go by trends. Really.

 

[Demoralized]

No problems with my cx5 and a rear facing seat.

 

[MiataNC]

2011-2012 Ford Fusion SEL (or Hybrid)

All the luxury amenities. Decent back seat (bigger than all the small CUV/SUVs on the market). Extremely reliable. Stickered new for @$34K, and can be found gently used for @22K.

 

[WackyDan]

Uhm... If the back seat has a center seat it will also have the latch system. The safest place to mount a seat is in the center of the rear... not on the seat next to the door. That will also allow you to move the passenger seat all or most of the way back.

We are now on our second car seat and forward facing now, and it takes up a lot of room back there.

Somebody said babies grow fast and yes... they do, but you'll be investing in two to three different seats until you get to booster phase.

Is there a reason you can't use the center rear seat?

 

[tortillasoup]

2011-2012 Ford Fusion SEL (or Hybrid)

All the luxury amenities. Decent back seat (bigger than all the small CUV/SUVs on the market). Extremely reliable. Stickered new for @$34K, and can be found gently used for @22K.

The Fusions get terrible fuel economy compared to the likes of a Camry both in hybrid and non hybrid form.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The Fusions get terrible fuel economy compared to the likes of a Camry both in hybrid and non hybrid form.

About even according to Fuelley, but you're so full of shit you wont listen to anyone with sense anyway.

 

[tortillasoup]

About even according to Fuelley, but you're so full of shit you wont listen to anyone with sense anyway.

I know about 5 people who own these vehicles with that tiny 2.5L engine and they all average 20mpg, less than my V6 ES350... But with that said, after doing some reading on the MPG of the owners of Camrys and Fusions on fuelly, I'm a little surprised by the results. As it turns out, the Fusion is indeed averaging the same fuel economy as the Camry both in the I4 models and the hybrid models... However on the V6 models the Camry wins with a MPG average similar to the I4 Camry of 25mpg. I'm actually really disappointed in the numbers the I4 Camry is posting as they appear to be much worse than I'd expect.

Knowing all of this, the only thing that Toyota should have going for it is longevity, its V6 engine, and maybe interior noise?... (Though I would avoid any Toyotas with the 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine as they are oil burners unless the piston ring issue is fixed)

 

[HitAnyKey]

I own a 2011 RAV4 and it was fine for most needs. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a minivan. While I do appreciate the RAV4's easy to park and with great visibility on the road, I am desiring more space for carrying stuff.

And if your relatives are fairly big people like mine, might want to test the rear seat out with them before you buy anything. I was shocked to find out that my parents could not fit in the backseat with the carseat. When I put that carseat in another car they could.

 

[Chiropteran]

While you're at the Subaru dealership, take a look at the Subaru Crosstrek XV as well. Looks small (for a CUV/SUV) from the outside but quite roomy on the inside. Gets great mileage considering its an AWD SUV.

Our neighbor has one and we have been looking at it too, but it seems like it's just smaller and more expensive than the Forester without any major advantages (unless small is a benefit)?

Lots of good suggestions, we will take a look at the Honda and Mazda options. Leaning away from cars because 4wd or AWD is something we are interested in, so Fusion or Prius or any other car is only going to be a backup option if we are unhappy with the SUV choices.

Minivan is out of the question. For one, we are not having any more kids, so I don't think we would need that kind of space. Without getting into TMI, the pregnancy was difficult and neither I nor my Wife want to repeat that process. For another, 4WD or AWD is desired, as I mentioned, so an SUV has that going for it above any Minivan.

And as for center mounting the carseat, I'm not sure why but the Focus doesn't have the hooks in the center position, only for the sides. Our other car, a Fiesta, is even worse, and would be sold or traded in when we get the new SUV.


Anyway, I think we have decided to go check out the Subarus (Forester, Outback, Crosstrek) on Friday, and if we love them we might just get one right off without looking at anything else. The "free" all-wheel drive and safety ratings are a big plus, and we don't really car much about the more luxury features available on the alternatives.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Best small SUV for baby:

/End thread title funny

Forrester XT in black has some serious curb appeal. Me likey. Interiors are a bit spartan compared to some of the competition.

CX-5 is a good looking little ute too.

 

[jaha2000]

Trust me on this one. Bring the car seat with you to make sure.
We ended up with a Venza after being in your same shoes. Put the car seat in the back, move the front seat all the way back, see what happens. In the Venza, its all kinds of room.
The forester will be another solid choice for you. Any of the "small" suvs (Rav4 or similar) are not going to work. Even the highlander was a bit on the tight side.

 

[Vincent]

And as for center mounting the carseat, I'm not sure why but the Focus doesn't have the hooks in the center position, only for the sides. Our other car, a Fiesta, is even worse, and would be sold or traded in when we get the new SUV.

Just put the car seat in the middle using the middle seat belt instead of the LATCH hooks.

 

[tortillasoup]

4wd is overrated, if you're going to be hitting the snow, tires are far more important than having 4wd. You'll just end up lodged in a pile of snow at the end of an embankment anyway.

 

[vi edit]

I know you said no minivan...but look at a Mazda 5.

It's a fun, functional little microvan that has more storage than most compact SUV's, gets decent milage, and has the bonus of very easy to open doors to get awkward infant carriers in and out.