[winson604]

Upgraded to a Highlander last summer from a Mazda 6, 2 kids as well.

Honestly, if anticipate actually using the car to drive other famil members in addition to your spouse and 2 kids go Van. Yea I have a 3rd row and un a linch it works but it's tight and all if nit almost all 3 row SUVs will be similar. Vans will almost always have a better 3rd row imo.

Also to consider is if you have 2 car seats in the middle and depending on the csr seat you may be using the seat belt to secure the seats I.e. Britax click tight seats meaning the seat belt would obstruct you trying to slide the seat forward to crawl into the back and unless you have captains chairs in the middle this is a huge pain.