There come’s a time in a mom’s life when you quickly realize your family is outgrowing its surroundings. Sometimes, that means it’s time to call a realtor and start house hunting, but if you’re anything like me, your kids aren’t home enough to need more space within those four walls. Instead, it’s the car that’s the problem. My kids are 12 and 9 now, and between the two of them, we are back and forth to one extracurricular activity or another every single day of the week. We occasionally carpool with other families, and we take frequent road trips, so our car gets a lot of use.
While I’ve known for some time that my compact SUV wasn’t going to cut it forever — my 12-year-old son is 90th percentile for height and rapidly running out of legroom — this past year has shown me that we’re going to be in the market for a new set of wheels sooner rather than later.
The last time I bought a car, it was kind of an emergency situation. My vehicle at the time had cost me thousands in repairs in less than 12 months, and when it refused to start for the third time over the course of several months, leaving me and my two kids stranded in the parking lot after wrestling practice, I was through.
I’d already had it checked out twice to figure out what was going on, and gotten no answer, and I didn’t want to spend another dime on that car. I ended up leaving it right there in the parking lot and calling an Uber to take us home. The next morning, my husband and I drove back and took it to the dealership to trade in.
Now, I’m driving another compact SUV that I actually love and can’t foresee having any similar issues with, but we simply need more space. This time around, though, I’d like to take the time to make an informed decision so I can finally get a “mom car” that’s going to meet our needs and stand the test of time.
For months now, I’ve been researching third-row SUVs. I’m essentially looking for safety, reliability, and comfort in a vehicle that looks chic and feels at least a little luxurious. Like I said, I spend a lot of time in the car, many days even working from the driver’s seat while I wait for my kids’ practices to wrap up, so the feel and aesthetic matter to a certain degree.
Oh, and I don’t want a massive vehicle, because as an often-distracted mom, parallel parking is not my forté. All that said, I know I’m probably going to be spending a bit more than I have in the past. And with that price jump, comes a slew of options and technologies that I haven’t been privy to previously, so there’s a lot to learn.
Recently, I got the chance to check out the brand-new Volvo EX90 as a part of the company’s Global Media Drive, held to introduce the fully electric SUV. It was the perfect opportunity to familiarize myself with some of the features available in the most modern and innovative third-row SUVs on the market today, and because I’m in the midst of my research stage, the timing was perfect.
More from CafeMom: I’ve Been Solo Parenting for 6 Months & I’m Burned Out so I Took My Kids on Vacation
What I Learned
-Safety Matters
For a long time, when my kids were younger, we didn’t actually use a car all that much or go all that far when we did. Now we do, and my husband is in the military, so it’s often just me and the kids. After the experience I had with the vehicle that left us stranded on more than one occasion, safety and reliability are huge factors for me.
The Volvo EX90 is the safest Volvo ever made, and I got to witness some of the innovative safety features in action. It features a remote sensing system that uses lasers to detect nearby objects — even pedestrians — intended to help avoid collisions. Not only that, but every time you lock the car, a radar system is engaged and can detect whether people or animals are still inside; if there are, the car will let you know, and you’ll be given the option to leave the car’s climate system turned on. With the number of hot car deaths that happen every year, this kind of a technology can be a huge help to busy parents. The sensors and cameras within the vehicle can even detect when you are tired and distracted and the vehicle is capable of assisting you if you are falling or sleep or become sick while operating it.
-Design Isn’t Just About Aesthetics
How a car is designed — both inside and out — is actually important for things like gas mileage and driving range. The EX90 is fully electric and can get about 300 miles on a single charge, but the same concept applies to both hybrid and gas vehicles. Volvo believes that the car’s exterior design can increase its efficiency, which ultimately is going to mean less time and money spent on fuel and more convenience, both of which are huge factors when you’re carting kids around. The aim is to decrease aerodynamic drag and increase wind efficiency so your vehicle drives with ease no matter where you are.
-Options Are a Good Thing
There are several different variations of third-row SUVs to consider as parents. Some of the most important are going to be flexibility and convenience. Every family has different needs and preferences, so being able to at least somewhat customize your vehicle is a plus. I learned that I like the option of having captain’s chairs in the second row and a bench seat in the third row. Typically, going with captain’s chairs means your vehicle will seat six people instead of seven, but that’s fine for us because we only have two kids and aren’t planning on more. But, if you have a bigger family, two bench seats might be the way to go.
And of course, the option to lay the third row of seats down flat to increase cargo space is a big plus if you routinely have large grocery hauls, you travel with pets, you go on a long road trips, or even if you enjoy tailgating at sporting events.
It’s also great to have a number of options when it comes to textiles and lighting, so you can choose what will work best for you family’s lifestyle. We’re also big fans of the one-pedal drive technology in the Volvo EX90, which when engaged automatically slows or brake the car whenever you’re not pressing down the throttle, which also helps increase the car’s range. But, you have the choice to use one-pedal, turn it off, or put it in auto mode.
-Size Is a Factor
As I mentioned, I don’t want a huge SUV. I don’t see the need for it as we don’t have a large family and although we do pack up our car to the brim during road trips, we’re not routinely maxing out our cargo space. I’m not interested in the additional concerns that come with a larger vehicle, like increased fuel cost, decreased electric range (in the event we choose an all-electric vehicle), potential parking issues, etc. I really loved that the Volvo EX90 is streamlined and doesn’t drive like it’s any bigger than my current vehicle, even though it is.
It has a very moderate sized profile, especially for a third-row vehicle, but is still really roomy inside and has plenty of cargo space, whether the third row is up or down. Now, I know it’s definitely possible to find a third-row SUV that is spacious, but not massive, and that’s what I’ll be looking for.
More from CafeMom: ‘Miracle Baby’ Dies in Hot Car After Parents Spent 15 Years Trying To Conceive Her
What To Look for in an Upgraded 'Mom Car'
-Collision Protection
Like I said, I want to feel confident and safe driving around with my kids at all times. So, I’ll be checking the safety features of any cars I’m considering for collision protection going forward. The Lidar sensors like the ones used in the EX90 are great, and I’ll also be checking out things such as lane assist, blind spot alerts, etc., that are a must.
-Keyless Entry
Volvo and many other car makers are now offering phone keys, which are super cool and make it so much easier to get in and out of vehicles while juggling kids and all of the accessories we often carry as moms, including everything from our “emotional support” water bottles, laptops, and phones to sports bags, musical instruments, and snacks. With a phone key, once you connect your key to your smartphone with a code, you’ll be able to use it for keyless entry, and you can share the key with other users like your spouse without keeping up with physical keys. So convenient!
-Power Tailgate
A hands-free power tailgate is a must. Here in New Jersey, we no longer get bags inside our grocery stores, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into a store for a just a few things thinking I didn’t need to bring reusable bags in and ended up laden down with items in my arms and a child holding onto my back pocket or grabbing at my elbow. When you’re trying to make it to your trunk without everything toppling out of your arms and without a free hand to open the trunk, the hands-free tailgate comes in clutch.
-Space
We need room to stretch and I need my kids to be able to have their own space in our car. They’re 9 and 12, and they bicker all the time, often fighting over the armrest and cup holders. If captain’s chairs and/or the option to hop in a different row to escape each other when they’re getting annoyed can minimize that, especially on road trips, sign me up. Not only that, but we also need enough cargo space for sports gear and groceries, sometimes at the same time.
-Fuel Efficiency
Whether going fully electric like the EX90 or choosing a hybrid or traditional gas-powered vehicle, fuel efficiency and mileage range are important. Sports and other extracurriculars have us all over the state sometimes for weeks, and I don’t want to be stuck spending an arm and a leg on gas every single month. Life is expensive these days, so if I’m already going to be spending a significant amount on a car payment, it would be ideal to not have to spend a ton on gas.
-Appearance and Comfort
I know, I know. Cars with kids get messy and function over form, right? Well, my experience with Volvo showed me that you don’t always have to sacrifice beauty for practicality. I work hard and I spend a lot of time in my car, sometimes even working from my car, so I think I deserve to have one that I like to look at inside and out. There’s definitely something to be said for romanticizing your everyday life, especially as a busy mom. We have to take it where we can get it.
Plus, with all the driving around we do, I want to be comfortable, so things such as seat design and fabrics matter. Cars like the EX90 may even come with some extra bells and whistles like second-row seat warmers and massaging passenger seats.
Now, Go Level Up That 'Mom Car'
And don’t feel guilty about it. If we have to play chauffeur every day for the next couple of decades, we may as well make it as pleasant — and safe — as possible. There’s no shame in doing the research, setting the budget, and holding out for the vehicle that makes you feel confident, safe, and comfortable driving your family around. Even better if you can throw in some features that simply make your life as a busy mom just a little bit easier.
