Cargo Area Concerns

[Nbkmsta]

I just joined this forum and I am considering replacing my wife's 2009 Honda Pilot with a 2012 LR4.

1) We have four kids (one is off to college Fall of 2012) so we need seating for 6 when we go on vacation, etc. We use a Yakima long box to carry some of our gear and cram the rest behind the third row in the Pilot. The area behind the LR4's third row is less than what we have in the Pilot but it looks like there is some room outboard of the third row. Surely I am not the only person to have had this concern. How do you owners cope with the storage shortfall? Putting three is the second row on a long trip could be an issue.

2). The cost of the rear entertainment is outrageous. We have it in the Pilot and it works well. Can anyone comment on the Rover's DVD player? I am considering just having kids download movies on iPads, etc for long trips and not spend the extra money on this option.

Thanks for your help!

Mark

 

[horacioad]

Roof rack! I am lucky that 90% of my long trips with more than 5 people involves pulling my boat which is the best way to carry all the extra "crap" the family needs. The space behind the third row is nothing, but we cant have it both ways in my opinion, 7 passangers and lots of storage, short of driving a school bus.

 

[baobay]

roof rack or Thule cargo box for storage. I would go for ipads instead of the factory entertainment system. You can get holders that fit behind the headrests for the ipads. The ipads are much cheaper and much more versitile than the factory entertainment system. You can move them from car to car and do much more than just watching movies.

 

[Finlayforprez]

I suggest getting a roof rack and some sort of cargo set-up (as horacioad and baobay recommended). If you utilize the roof, then you have tons of space and there are plenty of weather-proof options. Although, access is tough sometimes if you don't want to climb. I do agree there is little room in the back with the rear seats up, but that's just a compromise you need to make if you go with the LR4. I utilize the rear seats only once in a while, as my family all fits in the front and back (at least till I start having kids and then it'll be a juggle because we want a lot).

Good luck!

-David

 

[rostov]

roof rack or Thule cargo box for storage. I would go for ipads instead of the factory entertainment system. You can get holders that fit behind the headrests for the ipads. The ipads are much cheaper and much more versitile than the factory entertainment system. You can move them from car to car and do much more than just watching movies.

Yep! And you can buy 5 of them for that EC price...

 

[Finlayforprez]

Yep! And you can buy 5 of them for that EC price...

I think the iPad thing is a MUCH better idea. I have one in my LR4.

 

[Nbkmsta]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it. I think that sacrifing the cargo space is the trade-off with the LR-4. Our old Suburban did the trick for family vacations but my wife got tired of driving a land yacht.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it. I think that sacrifing the cargo space is the trade-off with the LR-4. Our old Suburban did the trick for family vacations but my wife got tired of driving a land yacht.

Hi Nbkmsta,

You will see that everyone on here is great at providing advice and feedback. You will find some issues with cargo room, but overall, I think it's an extremely versatile SUV. I find that there are actually many more storage options available and you can get creative.

Once you get to drive the LR4, you will probably really admire its capabilities. Despite some of its quirks, it's an awesome SUV. Sure, there may be more reliable SUVs, roomier, etc., but there is definitely a feeling you get when driving this that is unmatched even among other luxury brands.

Keep us posted - best of luck!

-David

 

[Daniel Hull]

You can easily pull out the middle seat in the 2nd row to get additional storage space inside. You might also consider getting a hitch mount luggage carrier.

 

[alexcorral]

Get the ipads: each kid can watch their own movie using their own headset, listen to music, play games or go online (coverage). We never brought out our portable DVD after getting the ipad for our daughter.