3-Row SUV for Midlife Crisis

John105 said:
For whatever reason I care greatly about cargo space. Our barometer is the 2011 Enclave that we had--we typically did not use the 3rd row, so we drove around 70% of the time with the 3rd row down, providing 66 cu ft. That is in the range of a CR-V and all the euro SUVs with 2nd row folded. A Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade would have 73.

The Wagoneer has slightly more cargo than the Enclave. The Expedition far less.

On the GM side, the 2025 Tahoe (or 2021+) has 123 cu ft., and the Suburban 145 cu ft. This may or may not be needed nor a selling point, but the competitions' Suburban sized cars tend to have the Tahoe's cargo, while their Tahoe offering is less than a previous 2008+ GM crossover. Why, I'll never know without having all the vehicles in front of me and loading them.

Cargo does matter imho when one has a large dog, or say multiple kids with hockey bags.

So with respect to cargo and interior space, GM, Ford, and Jeep are different. I would expect sales numbers to show that as well. Where I live, there are zero to 2 Tahoes on the lots of Chevy dealers. Nationwide searches do come up with as many as 20 on the lot in Dallas. We have one on order btw scheduled to be produced the week of 7/28.
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If you want third row and the most cargo space, Wagoneer L is the way to go in my experience with all three of those platforms.
 
RBT said:
If you want third row and the most cargo space, Wagoneer L is the way to go in my experience with all three of those platforms.
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It’s clearly the Suburban, not close. Has about 15 cu ft over the Wagoneer L.

Wagoneer L about 7 over a Tahoe.

Wagoneer 6 less than a Tahoe.

For those trying to put the numbers in perspective, my LS430 trunk is 20 cu ft. Imagine having or not having that. It’s the space a large dog can hang out with. That’s why those who have the need go suburban and not Tahoe. Marginal cost < marginal benefit. But that’s assuming the extra 22 cu ft is useful/needed/will be used.
 
tbm5690 said:
Women are emotionally superior/more capable than men, but sometimes need to be talked off the ledge of making emotional decisions that aren't rational. That's where hubby comes in, and why marriage is meant to work so well in a complimentary fashion. So, I was partly tongue in cheek but also serious with my comment.
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But you said it’s “easier” to which I said doubtful.
 
Don’t mid life crises often get resolved by wine women and song? How about one of the 2025 Corvette Z06’s which are now in stock AND discounted? These were $75k over list during the pandemic. I heard yesterday that Foreigner “4” is being rereleased with new cuts and Lou Gramm doing stuff. That would be fire cranked up loudly in the new Vette. As for the women dunno, can’t really say 😇
 
Lincoln Navigator I would think is large enough in the 3rd row or maybe not, I didn't look that far. Family member has a 2025 with Blue Cruise, loves it.
With that said he changes cars sometimes even while waiting for an oil change which is how he ending up with this one. Ill admit its a nice SUV.
 
John105 said:
It’s clearly the Suburban, not close. Has about 15 cu ft over the Wagoneer L.

Wagoneer L about 7 over a Tahoe.

Wagoneer 6 less than a Tahoe.

For those trying to put the numbers in perspective, my LS430 trunk is 20 cu ft. Imagine having or not having that. It’s the space a large dog can hang out with. That’s why those who have the need go suburban and not Tahoe. Marginal cost < marginal benefit. But that’s assuming the extra 22 cu ft is useful/needed/will be used.
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Interesting because we have rented both for several weeks at a time and with the third row up our experience is the Wagoneer L had a lot more room for the dogs and some soft items we didn’t want to put in the carrier. I am trying to think of what year the Suburban was, maybe that is the reason, but the rentals are all pretty new. Grand Wagoneer Ls the last two trips, a Suburban before that (also nice), and Expedition EL before (very nice, too many dash buttons - that is a Ford thing). In any event all nice trucks and good luck with the new Suburban when it arrives
 
My friend owns a hotel in a European ski resort. Needed a tractor for snow removal and other stuff.
He told his wife, "Baby, I got you a Lamborghini (they are very successful)." She went downstairs like flying to check it out:
Screenshot 2025-07-09 at 8.16.25 AM.webp


Didn't talk to him for like a month.
 
When OP said "Road trip," what exactly did he mean? 100mls? 300mls? or 5000 miles?
BOF vehicle unless towing/off roading is something I would not like to live with every day. I have one, it is parked 5 days a week.
 
edyvw said:
My friend owns a hotel in a European ski resort. Needed a tractor for snow removal and other stuff.
He told his wife, "Baby, I got you a Lamborghini (they are very successful)." She went downstairs like flying to check it out:
View attachment 288645

Didn't talk to him for like a month.
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Well yeah, she wanted a John Deere - they cost more than Italian cars 😷
 
RBT said:
Interesting because we have rented both for several weeks at a time and with the third row up our experience is the Wagoneer L had a lot more room for the dogs and some soft items we didn’t want to put in the carrier. I am trying to think of what year the Suburban was, maybe that is the reason, but the rentals are all pretty new. Grand Wagoneer Ls the last two trips, a Suburban before that (also nice), and Expedition EL before (very nice, too many dash buttons - that is a Ford thing). In any event all nice trucks and good luck with the new Suburban when it arrives
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We went with the ‘25 Tahoe, as Suburban is too large for us and not needed, but we wanted to have the same as the Buick Enclave or more.

The 2016-2020 Tahoe/Suburbans have significantly less cargo than 2021+, which got independent rears…
 
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edyvw said:
My friend owns a hotel in a European ski resort. Needed a tractor for snow removal and other stuff.
He told his wife, "Baby, I got you a Lamborghini (they are very successful)." She went downstairs like flying to check it out:
View attachment 288645

Didn't talk to him for like a month.
Click to expand...
My dad got a Kubota when I was around 12. Diesel 8 speed manual. He really did have a “Green Acres” mid life crisis. I looked it up years ago and I think the tractor is equivalent to around $35k today (not like the pic but not nothing). I actually loved driving it and plowed snow to make money.
 
I saw someone mentioned VW Atlas and could not agree more. We road tripped my wife's car from NH to FL and back and that car was a dream to ride in and drive (I did most of the driving). But for a sportier version, what about the Audi Q7?
 
crashz said:
I saw someone mentioned VW Atlas and could not agree more. We road tripped my wife's car from NH to FL and back and that car was a dream to ride in and drive (I did most of the driving). But for a sportier version, what about the Audi Q7?
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Twas me
SEL R Line 4 Motion loaded
$58k.... now $51 k
 
We rented a Suburban for a road trip recently. This would definitely work for the third row requirement. The stepsons are tall and the 6'4" older one wanted to be in the third row the entire time and made his brothers who are almost as tall sit in the second row. There was enough space for the luggage for 5 people on almost a week long trip in the cargo area. I haven't driven the Expedition or Wagoneer so can't comment on those.
 
Something someone pointed out to me from experience, when one uses the third row, a Suburban has a distinct advantage over a Tahoe (still have over 40 cu ft when Tahoe is 25’ish…technically speaking since most have captain’s chairs in the back, any family of 5 and more likely does use the 3rd row….
 
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