Okay, hear me out before you roll your eyes. The minivan is the king of three car seats. It’s not cool, but it’s incredibly useful.
You can slide those seats forward without climbing into the trunk. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna can fit three across in the middle row, and you can still open the back doors. Plus, automatic doors are a game-changer when your hands are full of snacks and a screaming toddler.
Is it sexy? No. Will it save your sanity? Absolutely. You might hate admitting it, but your back will thank you later.
The Sleeper Hit: Toyota Highlander
If you want an SUV but not a full-on tank, the Highlander is your golden ticket. It has a second row that’s wide enough for three seats across, which is rarer than you think.
Most SUVs force you to put a kid in the very back. Not this one. The Highlander’s seat belts are positioned so you don’t have to perform a circus act to buckle everyone in.
Let’s be real: you’ll still have to crawl in there sometimes. But the frustration level is low. And that’s the dream, right?
