Life Changed, Need 3 Rows - is R1S the only option?

[WildhavenMI]

Posting this in vs. because it's the closest fit.

When I first reserved my CT, the day after reveal, my life was simpler - 2 kids, a dog, and a small homestead. Mostly office work for my day-job, and outdoor work for the hobby-turned-smallbiz. Well, that was what feels like a decade ago and I now find myself needing to more frequently travel with more people - specifically my now live-in MIL. This means fitting 3 adults, 2 kids who are getting bigger all the time, and "stuff". With one vehicle being my wife's commuter (a Bolt) I have to do this job with the remaining vehicle.

Unfortunately, I believe I've outgrown the truck format and now need to replace my van with another 3-row vehicle.

Thing is, I was also hoping the truck would help with hauling. Occasionally I need to cart around my Kubota L1 with implements - which loaded on the trailer is ~5k lbs and rather long. Too long for a MY. And I'm betting too much for the ID.Buzz.

Is the R1S the only full-EV option with 3 rows and a 5k towing capacity that isn't $100k+ like the MX?

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[Crissa]

A friend of mine uses a Model X for that sort of thing. If you're just hauling small homestead items, kids, crates of apples here and a ton of dirt there... It works fine as an estate car with a small trailer.

The Pacifica could also probably fit in that use case, too. Same for an ENV-200, if you could find one. Remember, we're early in the supply cycle, not enough batteries means not many large vehicle choices.

-Crissa

 

[WildhavenMI]

A friend of mine uses a Model X for that sort of thing. If you're just hauling small homestead items, kids, crates of apples here and a ton of dirt there... It works fine as an estate car with a small trailer.

The Pacifica could also probably fit in that use case, too. Same for an ENV-200, if you could find one. Remember, we're early in the supply cycle, not enough batteries means not many large vehicle choices.

-Crissa

I have a Pacific hybrid that does the job minus the towing, and I really don't want to revert to an ice vehicle. Preferably I would not leave a hybrid for another hybrid either, but it's looking like that might be the only choice.

For the heavy towing jobs, I've been begging and borrowing from my parents to use their truck (an old 250), but I was really hoping to not have to do that anymore.

I like the MX, but I do not like the MX price tag.

 

[Ogre]

I know it’s small, but Model Y has a 3rd row option and might be the only EV you can get with a third row on a timely basis. The Model X is obviously another option, but expensive.

 

[WildhavenMI]

I know it’s small, but Model Y has a 3rd row option and might be the only EV you can get with a third row on a timely basis. The Model X is obviously another option, but expensive.

Unfortunately MY towing and tongue weight are both too low, and even if they were high enough I have concerns about towing something as long as my tractor+trailer with a vehicle with that short a wheelbase. Otherwise I'd love an MY.

 

[egandalf]

When it comes to a full-size, 3-row SUV, AFAIK, the R1S is the only option worth considering. I think folks like Canoo, for example, are proposing similar solutions, but I'm not sure I'd put my eggs in that basket - especially if you want something sooner rather than later.

 

[CyberGus]

Technically, the CT seats 6 with a vault for "stuff"

 

[WildhavenMI]

When it comes to a full-size, 3-row SUV, AFAIK, the R1S is the only option worth considering. I think folks like Canoo, for example, are proposing similar solutions, but I'm not sure I'd put my eggs in that basket - especially if you want something sooner rather than later.

Based on my current usage and mileage, I'll need a replacement mid-23. Can probably stretch to early 24 if I take it easy but my '17 PacHy has 110k miles on it and gets ~30k more/year. And because it's a Chrysler it's already showing its age.

Surprisingly good from an EV powertrain perspective, but the mechanicals have had trouble already. When I bought it I figured I'd be getting bad degredation, maybe an assist failure, but nope - stuff Stelantis should have figured out like corroded underbody AC lines (literally started leaking at 25k miles), an issue with the CVT, uConnect never works right, and a fuel pump died at 90k.

 

[WildhavenMI]

Technically, the CT seats 6 with a vault for "stuff"

3 +3 is, IMO, not a great way to seat 6 for any length of time. I mean yeah technically possible, but even 3 adults 2 kids - that back row is gonna be cramped.

 

[Ogre]

I’d almost suggest just getting a hybrid mini van or SUV for a year or two. It’s hard to fall in love with Rivian when they are cranking out trucks at a rate of 100/ week or less. There are very likely to be better options available in 2+ years when they finally get to your order.

 

[WildhavenMI]

I’d almost suggest just getting a hybrid mini van or SUV for a year or two. It’s hard to fall in love with Rivian when they are cranking out trucks at a rate of 100/ week or less. There are very likely to be better options available in 2+ years when they finally get to your order.

I've got the hybrid minivan (a 2017 Pacifica Hybrid) which is great for space and rows, and tows nothing. And tbf it doesn't have the pep to tow 5klbs even if I wanted to risk it. Problem with replacing the PacHy with a newer PacHy is:

1) The new ones don't have the removable second rows anymore, which I have found super useful for cargo.
2) The new ones still don't tow

 

[CyberGus]

3 +3 is, IMO, not a great way to seat 6 for any length of time. I mean yeah technically possible, but even 3 adults 2 kids - that back row is gonna be cramped.

Throw a bale of hay in the bed, the kids will be fine

 

[Ogre]

I've got the hybrid minivan (a 2017 Pacifica Hybrid) which is great for space and rows, and tows nothing. And tbf it doesn't have the pep to tow 5klbs even if I wanted to risk it. Problem with replacing the PacHy with a newer PacHy is:

1) The new ones don't have the removable second rows anymore, which I have found super useful for cargo.
2) The new ones still don't tow

Well an SUV is going to be crap at hauling cargo compared to your minivan.

Honestly… not a great time to buy a vehicle right now. In 4 years the market will be fantastic. Right now?? Very limited choices if you want an EV and ICE vehicles are expensive and unlikely to retain their value.

 

[WildhavenMI]

Throw a bale of hay in the bed, the kids will be fine

I'm all about that. Just strap them down in the vault

 

[WildhavenMI]

Well an SUV is going to be crap at hauling cargo compared to your minivan.

Honestly… not a great time to buy a vehicle right now. In 4 years the market will be fantastic. Right now?? Very limited choices if you want an EV and ICE vehicles are expensive and unlikely to retain their value.

I know. I honestly thought I wouldn't be replacing the van until 2025ish but it's just not aging well. I mean if your expectation is 150,000 mi it's aging just fine but I was hoping for more

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