So we have our third car seat baby on the way and need to move into a three row SUV from our 2013 Subaru Outback. We have a refundable deposit on a Limited Subaru Ascent preorder, but we’ve been hearing from those who have seen it at car shows that it’s going to be too small. We also looked at:
the 2018 Acadia Denali (too small in back)
2018 Highlander (too small - only one too tether in third row)
2018 Atlas (not sure about VW and it’s only 6 passenger seating with bucket seats)
2018 Buick Enclave (this was a sleeper. Great interior room. Not crazy about shifter or steering)
2018 Chevy Traverse - (This is in the lead at the moment. Great room. Lacks high end features even at 3LT trim)
Question is, is there anything else I should look at with the goal of leasing something for three years under 500 / month @12k or 15k? $0 down unless we’re able to cut monthly payments with multiple security deposits. I’ve read the VolvoXC90 leases well and I love their safety ratings but it’s pretty small for cargo space and no top tethers on back seat for car seats.
Any advice would be appreciated. For those who have had success with leasing a traverse this month, what rebates or incentives worked in your favor? I’m sure we can get the $2,500 for Asian conquest as we have the subaru. My husband is also a student.
They aren’t the most hackable choice usually, but with your list of needs and complaints about the models you listed, have you cross shopped minivans at all? If you are using the third row a lot it sounds like that might be worth looking at, at the very least.
Think you can get decent numbers but not great with a highlander xle (they seem to have best residual).
What are your uses? If a highlander is too small, it sounds like you really need a minivan. The 3rd row in all of these are really for short term/kid shuttle use.
Sorry, I should have mentioned upfront that we aren’t getting a minivan. We are big Skiers and are up in the mountains during big storms often. I’ve seen too many “AWD” minivans stuck in the road. Well put snow tires on whatever we end up with as well. Loved the ground clearance on the ascent for this reason too. Wish there was one I could see.
Keep in mind that the winter tires are what’s going to save you in that situation regardless. AWD is nice and all but plenty of crossovers have lousy systems that aren’t worth much when it comes down to it. My brother just got stuck in bad snow backing out of a driveway of all places in a 2017 Acadia Denali with all seasons and needed a tow.
I’m in Maine. Closest is New York and I’m considering it. But we’ve got a 4 year old a 2 year old, and I’m Seven months pregnant so a trip to NYC isn’t easy, ha! The other downfall to the ascent is that they pushed delivery back from June to late July. I’m due at the end of May.
You mention the lack of a top tether in the third row as a dealbreaker or negative. What configuration of car seats are you thinking of using? If your 4yr old is in a booster seat using the vehicle’s seatbelt, then you may not have a need for a top tether in the third row.
She’s a peanut. She’s in a harnessed booster. And every brand requires top tethering. The two (almost three) year old will be in a harnessed booster in the third row as well. OR in one of the captains chairs. Keyfit30 RF in a captains chair.
I would pose your questions on a car seat blog/forum as well. I’ve learned that not all brands require top tethering (e.g. Diono Radian), and the collective knowledge around cars, which ones have anchors where, and car seats will really help you narrow down your choices.
PS: Some cars don’t lease well but hold their value very well (E.g. Honda Pilot) so your overall cost of ownership is still very reasonable and possibly lower than leasing the same car. You could get baloon payment financing (e.g. Penfed payment saver) to keep your payments low, like a lease. Some things to consider.
@Summer22 I was in the same boat with a new baby on the way, and getting out a Subaru, although mine was significantly older. I know my deal was different than what you’re hoping for but we picked up our Traverse 1LT last week. I was able to get $1,800 for my trade and put an additional 2K down netting me a $298 monthly payment on ours. If you’d like more information I can type it all up…
@devrog I love it! The 2018s are really nice looking, IMO! I think it’s between the Traverse and the Enclave right now and it till be what we can get a better rate on
I ended up getting an explorer XLT with appearance and tech package, 2nd row buckets with tow package. You can get it for under 500 dollars a month all day with 3 yr 12k miles per.
Another great suggestion @ugafootball , thanks . I’ve heard a couple people say they love the new explorers. Do the explorer warranties run at least 36 months?
Yes 36 months. There is some pretty decent money on the explorers right now plus the dealers have 500 dollar vouchers you can get them to give you. I was able to get two of them. There is also farm bureau and a horse association discount you can get pretty easy as well. I get z plan which is employee pricing so I didn’t qualify for those offers
Toyota Sienna AWD seems like a no brainer to me. I saw your post that you don’t want a mini van because they get stuck in the mountains…but that’s a tire problem not a car problem. We have an 11 sienna that we purchased new and drive it over snowy mountain passes every year to go skiing and never once have I had a problem. I do put blizzaks on it, which you mentioned you would do also… If you start comparing the cubic feet in the mini van vs any other vehicle with 3 rows (including a suburban!) you’ll find that it is by far the biggest. Not to mention they are comfortable and affordable!
