Car recommendations for baby and 2 dogs

[bluecheeze]

Will be purchasing a car next month and looking for some tips on a good purchase.  We have (2) 50ish lb dogs and a baby (with eventual plans for 2).  We will do weekend hiking/camping trips often (with both dogs and baby of course) so would like something that comfortably fits the fam and luggage.  I would ideally like to buy something in the 2011-2013 age group.  We were looking at some crossovers- a starting point for us was the Hyundai Tuscon which we felt was was a little too small.  True to MMM fashion I would like to spend as little as possible- quick glance on car trader seems to be about 15k +/- a few thousand.

Plan is to keep this car for as long as it runs.  Also of note is we will be living in colder/semi-mountainous area between Asheville/Greensboro NC (AWD worth consideration?)

Any good recommendations/starting points from those with a family of this size?

[Urchina]

We have 2 kids and a 70-lb dog, and both DH and I are 6' or taller. We love our 2006 Honda Odyssey for road trips.  With the third row of seats folded down it's an enormous station wagon.  It gets 25 Mpg on the freeway, including mountain driving. It handles well in inclement weather and has a 6-cylinder engine with more than enough power for our needs.

Because a well-maintained Honda lasts a really long time, you could easily look at a 2006 or newer model. (They did a body redesign that year and it radically improved the legroom in the front seats. )

Is this a Mustachian car?  Not really.  But they last a long time,  give great service,  and can easily carry as much as a pickup truck. 

[RunHappy]

Following because we are looking at replacing my much loved teeny hatchback with something more "family friendly".

[gt7152b]

Probably don't need AWD but if it's a priority look for a Subaru Forester with CVT or manual transmission. The newer ones get over 30mpg unless you have a heavy foot. The larger Prius hatchback would probably fit your needs too and will get much better gas mileage.

[Retired To Win]

Take a look at Subarus.  We've had really good luck with them. (But it might be a stretch with 2 biggish dogs!)

[KCM5]

Do you want to be able to separate your dogs from your kids? The subaru is the obvious answer if that's the case - or any station wagon, really. I'd also check out the Prius V and see if that fits your situation.

[bobechs]

Dogs go on top, babies go inside.

It's a Commandment, I think.  Or maybe a Word of Wisdom.  I dunno.

[jacksonvasey]

We have a 2014 Mazda CX-5 with one baby and a 90 lb dog.  I've fit the dog and my mom's 50 lb dog in the back and they had a good amount of space.  For longer trips we fold the rear seat down (60/40) so the dog can be in the back seat area, and have luggage in the way back.

Once we have a second car seat back there, we'll utilize the tow hitch receiver (one of those steel racks with a box on it) and/or the roof rack for 'stuff', and leave the interior just for passengers.

I think 2013 is the first year available, but my 2014 averages 35 mpg (6 speed manual front wheel drive), which is the best I've seen for crossovers.  I'm going to get snow tires for this winter; it did okay on all-seasons, but snow tires should be great.

[RunHappy]

Probably don't need AWD but if it's a priority look for a Subaru Forester with CVT or manual transmission. The newer ones get over 30mpg unless you have a heavy foot. The larger Prius hatchback would probably fit your needs too and will get much better gas mileage.

One thing about the Subarus, I just looked it up, is they are not equipped to have infant rear facing in the middle of the backseat.  The car seat would go either behind the driver or behind the passenger.  This could be a dealbreaker for some.

On cars.com there are car seat checks and ratings for most newer cars.

[HPstache]

We have a 2014 Mazda CX-5 with one baby and a 90 lb dog.  I've fit the dog and my mom's 50 lb dog in the back and they had a good amount of space.  For longer trips we fold the rear seat down (60/40) so the dog can be in the back seat area, and have luggage in the way back.

Once we have a second car seat back there, we'll utilize the tow hitch receiver (one of those steel racks with a box on it) and/or the roof rack for 'stuff', and leave the interior just for passengers.

I think 2013 is the first year available, but my 2014 averages 35 mpg (6 speed manual front wheel drive), which is the best I've seen for crossovers.  I'm going to get snow tires for this winter; it did okay on all-seasons, but snow tires should be great.

I am really loving the look of the CX-5 so I'm happy to hear it gets good reviews from a Mustachian.  I think there might be one for me and the wife in the future :)

[bluecheeze]

Do you want to be able to separate your dogs from your kids? The subaru is the obvious answer if that's the case - or any station wagon, really. I'd also check out the Prius V and see if that fits your situation.

We prefer the dogs being in the back- just makes life easier and cleaner.

Thanks for the tips- I'll check out Subaru, Prius V, and CX-5.

We have 2 kids and a 70-lb dog, and both DH and I are 6' or taller. We love our 2006 Honda Odyssey for road trips.  With the third row of seats folded down it's an enormous station wagon.  It gets 25 Mpg on the freeway, including mountain driving. It handles well in inclement weather and has a 6-cylinder engine with more than enough power for our needs.

Because a well-maintained Honda lasts a really long time, you could easily look at a 2006 or newer model. (They did a body redesign that year and it radically improved the legroom in the front seats. )

Is this a Mustachian car?  Not really.  But they last a long time,  give great service,  and can easily carry as much as a pickup truck. 

I don't know if I'm ready to be the van dad yet!!!

[Jesstache]

We have a 2006 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD.  It has 3 rows of seats and the third can fold down for a large cargo area.  We have two kids in car seats (4.5 and 2) and an 80 lb dog.  It's perfect for our family/needs.  We live in Oregon and do a lot of hiking, kayaking, camping etc and we also have rental houses so the cargo area gets used a lot for that when we aren't going places with the dog.  I bought it 2 years ago used with 38k miles on it for $17.5k. We also considered a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid but it was $21k with 105k miles on it and smaller.  The third row of seats on the Honda actually has car seat anchors for all three seating positions, whereas the Toyota had none.  We have a lot of out of town visitors as well so the third row (with the ability to put car seats in it) was a definite requirement.  I got a Yakima cargo box for it at a garage sale for $75 (plus another $20 for a replacement hinge :) so we can carry skis, camping equipment and luggage when we have a full passenger compartment.

I could not convince my husband get a minivan in all their glorious practical-ness.  This was a compromise in that area.

[KCM5]

Probably don't need AWD but if it's a priority look for a Subaru Forester with CVT or manual transmission. The newer ones get over 30mpg unless you have a heavy foot. The larger Prius hatchback would probably fit your needs too and will get much better gas mileage.

One thing about the Subarus, I just looked it up, is they are not equipped to have infant rear facing in the middle of the backseat.  The car seat would go either behind the driver or behind the passenger.  This could be a dealbreaker for some.

On cars.com there are car seat checks and ratings for most newer cars.

Are you talking about latch? Or is there some other limiting factor? You don't need to use latch to install car seats - they can be installed with the seat belt.

[FrugalFan]

We had a Honda CRV forever and now have a Toyota Rav 4 and Matrix. I like them all. We have two kids 1 and 3 and a 70 lb dog. We use the Rav 4 for long trips with a Thule on top if necessary, since the dog uses up much of the back. Otherwise, we all fit in the Matrix too.

[canyonrider]

I would look at minivan/SUV options and skip the crossovers and wagons based on size alone. Color me non-mustachian on this particular topic, but the possibility of two kids plus two 50 lb. dogs plus camping gear warrants a larger vehicle, even if there is a MPG penalty.

How much stuff do you take camping now? How much will you take when you have kids?  Camping gear and food for four people might take up more room in the future than you think. I know that it does for me, especially as the kids get bigger. Will you take a kid carrier(s) or other hiking backpack? Bikes and associated equipment?

Do you need high clearance to access your typical hiking or camping areas? Most don't, but some do.

How else will this vehicle be used? If this will be a daily commuter, MPG takes on more importance relative to size. If it's primarily a weekend/vacation car, I would favor size over fuel efficiency.

Either way, get something reliable. I think the Odyssey, Pilot, and CX-5 recommendations are good. Also consider the Toyota Sienna, Mazda 5 and maybe even an older 4Runner (the mpg difference on the highway between a 4Runner and an Odyssey is not huge). A Subaru Forester might also work if you decide that you can all fit comfortably plus gear, although statistically I don't think they are as reliable as any of these other suggestions.

Edit to suggest that you should at least take a look at 2005-10 vehicles. Is there a reason you are targeting 2011-13 models?

[thurston howell iv]

Subaru Impreza Wagon was adequate for me, lovie and the three large dogs - no kids...

[Leftside]

another vote for the Odyssey here.

I am in my 20's and I drive one.  They have the best "overall" hauler in my mind.  While the pickup is great for throwing garbage and dirty or tall items into, the minivan works great for sheet goods, couches, or anything else you don't want to get wet.  not to mention they are by far the best people carrier.  Honestly, you will want the space for two car seats, two parents, and two dogs.  You WILL regret not getting a minivan.

[jacksonvasey]

I would look at minivan/SUV options and skip the crossovers and wagons based on size alone. Color me non-mustachian on this particular topic, but the possibility of two kids plus two 50 lb. dogs plus camping gear warrants a larger vehicle, even if there is a MPG penalty.

How much stuff do you take camping now? How much will you take when you have kids?  Camping gear and food for four people might take up more room in the future than you think. I know that it does for me, especially as the kids get bigger. Will you take a kid carrier(s) or other hiking backpack? Bikes and associated equipment?

One thing to keep in mind before going for a full-size SUV, is that you may get away with a roof rack and/or tow hitch box to carry your extra cargo.  Depends on how often you need that extra space.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/12/08/turning-a-little-car-into-a-big-one/

[pbkmaine]

Ford Focus wagon. Dogs go in back, separated by a screen.

[Urchina]

One of the things I loved about our minivan that nobody seems to talk about was how easy it is to put kids in their car seats in it without reaching up or bending down. With trucks and suvs you have to hoist the kid up; with passenger cars you have to lean down to get them in the carseats.

Sounds minor,  but it made such a huge difference for me and was not a factor I considered before we bought ours.

[MEJG]

If two is the max on kiddos I'd recommend a Prius.  We have 2 kids in carseats, and traveled in our 2006 Prius regularly with 2 dogs- 120lb dane and 57lb mutt in the back.  We went away packing for as long as a week for all four of us as long as there was an option for laundry.

If we weren't upping to 3/4+ kids we never would have upgraded to a Sienna when our car was totalled recently. 

The Sienna is WAY more room than needed currently with two kids and plans for more.

[Tetsuya Hondo]

I am really loving the look of the CX-5 so I'm happy to hear it gets good reviews from a Mustachian.  I think there might be one for me and the wife in the future :)

We looked at the CX-5 too. However, we had to pass as we couldn't fit a rear facing seat in the back and be in a comfortable position in the front seat. This may not be an issue if you or the spouse is short, but I strongly urge you to put the car seat in the back before you buy. We assumed that any CUV would be fine but were really surprised at how little room some of them had in the back. It's too bad because the CX-5 has good MPG, crash test ratings, is reliable and a top pick of the car mags.

[bluecheeze]

Really liking the Subaru Forester.  Now the problem is should I just buy new or try to find a deal on a 2014/2015 (latest model update).  I think because we will be in the mountains a lot of the time I like the idea of AWD.  Having driven 2WD and AWD I feel safer in the snow with the AWD. 

Although I hate to admit it I am leaning towards just getting the new 2015 version and just being done with it (can probably get a little better negotiation on this vs the 2016).  This would be my second car (first I bought new at 17 and owned for 9 years before I had to sell because we went overseas) and are planning on having the car for the next 10+ years until maintenance becomes too costly.

[Goldielocks]

R U Asking the wrong forum?

Newish CROSSOVER for two adults, baby and Two dogs?

How about a 10 year old domestic minivan, without extended wheelbase if you need tons of cargo space. They handle 4x4 roads quite well for free back camping.
Better yet, a 2005 VW TDi hatchback, 4 door, if you don't need too much space and want fuel economy.

[justajane]

In your circumstances I would get an older minivan over a newer crossover. I don't think you'll have the space in a crossover with two kids, two dogs, AND camping equipment. I know of which I speak, since I have a crossover -- a Kia Rondo. We have three kids in one, but we don't camp and don't have dogs.

[startingsmall]

Unless you plan on living in a very rural/remote area IN the mountains, I don't see much benefit in having AWD. I live just outside of Hickory, so right between Asheville & Greensboro.... we have two 2WD vehicles and have never had any complaints. The couple of times a year that we really get substantial snow, everything pretty much shuts down and therefore there's not much need to do a lot of driving.

I'm head-over-heels in love with my Mazda5. Would have plenty of room for 2 kids & dogs, pretty fuel-efficient, and surprisingly fun to drive. The sliding doors are amazing (never thought I'd say that!), but it still feels like a sporty little hatchback. We take it up to the mountains all the time with no complaints, though I'll admit that we usually don't do that if there has been heavy snow until they've had time to clear the roads!

[GuitarBrian]

If you are looking for low cost. We have been extremely happy with our 2 Toyota Previa minivans. Both 1995s. First one we bought for 2,000 @ 126k miles. My brother got in an accident @ 303k. No major repairs. (1 water pump $80, starter contacts $10, SADS rubber bushings $60, 1 set of plugs and wires) It still runs and drives, but the rear hatch won't close... infact the whole rear end is pretty smashed up. He was fine.
2nd '95 we bought after the accident @ 180k for $2,200. Has 240k now. Just got done driving from Colorado to Arizona with a 9cf? chest freezer and 4 large coolers full of meat. Plus a ton of other random stuff.

There is enough room with the middle seat in, can seat 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 kids easy... that we have been able to made a bed and sleep while driving long distance.

They are rear wheel drive. Get 20-23mpg. And they are cheap. We have had extremely good luck with them. Some people think they are had to work on, but I haven't had a problem. They are well designed.

That said, they are getting pretty old. So, unless you live in an area of limited moisture, then rust could certainly be a deal breaker.

Good luck! :)

[CanuckExpat]

One thing to keep in mind before going for a full-size SUV, is that you may get away with a roof rack and/or tow hitch box to carry your extra cargo.  Depends on how often you need that extra space.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/12/08/turning-a-little-car-into-a-big-one/

I second this recommendation. Buying a larger then you need vehicle for special occasion trips is inefficient and wasteful, and less practical then dedicated storage.

We have two adults, one baby (~1 year), and two dogs (~15 lbs each). A Honda Fit has worked well for us so far.
When we need to travel, road-trips, camping etc, we augment with a roof rack mounted cargo pod and/or a hitch mounted bike rack as needed to add storage

When we have the cargo box on the roof, we've been able to carry more gear in our "small" car then a relative with an SUV. A cargo box is unfettered volumetric space and is designed to store gear, easily accommodates skis, snowboards, etc. An SUV might be bigger, but there are a whole lot of compromises made in terms of internal storage, as it is really targeted at people who want to give off a certain appearance of being rugged as opposed to actually be able to do stuff.

With the Fit and storage on top, we've easily been able to do weekend road trips with four adults, one baby + car seat, the two dogs and everyone's gear: People in the seats, dogs in the back hatch area, all the cargo and gear on the roof.

[MayDay]

We have a Sienna.  We camp and like to take our bikes places.  We have two kids. 

With two kids, we cannot camp in a small civic-sized car.  It just isn't possible, and we are pretty light campers, not the glamping type. 

So if you are filling up your middle seat with the two kids,and your way back of an suv with the two dogs, I'm not sure how you are envisioning packing your camping gear.  A roof rack would be required at a minimum.  I don't know if it would even be enough.  My friend has a Highlander and the way back of that thing is tiny. 

Anyway, long story short, if you are going to continue to own large dogs and plan to travel with them, just buy the damn minivan.  It will make your life so much better than a large suv will.  You will have crappy mileage with any of the vehicles recommended except the Prius (I am purposefully ignoring suggestions to camp with 6 bodies in a Fit, because LOLZ) so just get the most amount of space to start with and save yourself the massive headache of trying to pack a roof rack while your toddlers alternately poo their pants/scream their heads off/wander off into the woods/trip into the fire ring, all in the pouring rain.  Throw it all your shit in the back of the van and go. 

[canyonrider]

^^^MayDay gets it. After re-reading this thread, I am convinced that the posters recommending compact wagons and crossovers either have never transported two kids plus camping gear (nevermind two dogs) or enjoy a different version of camping than me. Which is fine, but the OP should realistically consider the volume and the shape of the stuff they want to pack. 

We had a euro status wagon for a couple of years with two kids, and it was workable but not fun for camping trips. Even with a generously sized roof box and the ability to put bikes on the roof at the same time. Packing both the roof box and trunk became a Tetris-esque exercise that was all well and good until we wanted to stop on the road and pull out the food, dishes, and camp chairs for a picnic lunch or gear up for a bike ride or hike. I'm also convinced that we blew the water pump (among other things) from repeatedly powering up and down I-70 and other Colorado highways in this fully-loaded state, but that's another story....

Items that made a wagon challenging for us included various combinations of our cooler, 7-gallon water container, kid carrier backpack, bikes and associated gear (x4), camp chairs, firewood, and fresh, delicious food and beer for 2-5 days. I consider most of these items necessary for the places we like to camp. You might not need any of this, though. 
   

[CanuckExpat]

With two kids, we cannot camp in a small civic-sized car.  It just isn't possible, and we are pretty light campers, not the glamping type. 
...
Anyway, long story short, if you are going to continue to own large dogs and plan to travel with them, just buy the damn minivan.  It will make your life so much better than a large suv will.  You will have crappy mileage with any of the vehicles recommended except the Prius (I am purposefully ignoring suggestions to camp with 6 bodies in a Fit, because LOLZ) so just get the most amount of space to start with and save yourself the massive headache of trying to pack a roof rack while your toddlers alternately poo their pants/scream their heads off/wander off into the woods/trip into the fire ring, all in the pouring rain.  Throw it all your shit in the back of the van and go.

After re-reading this thread, I am convinced that the posters recommending compact wagons and crossovers either have never transported two kids plus camping gear (nevermind two dogs) or enjoy a different version of camping than me. Which is fine, but the OP should realistically consider the volume and the shape of the stuff they want to pack. 

I'm surprised to hear people have had this much trouble accommodating a small number of kids and camping stuff in regular sized cars. If the use of a roof rack has led to you losing a kid into a firepit I can understand that being a traumatic experience and you have my condolences.
For the benefit of others reading the thread, I'd point out that isn't a common occurrence.

For some points of reference:

• Earlier in this thread it was pointed out that one can happily camp in a Prius with two children and two large dogs
  

  If two is the max on kiddos I'd recommend a Prius.  We have 2 kids in carseats, and traveled in our 2006 Prius regularly with 2 dogs- 120lb dane and 57lb mutt in the back.  We went away packing for as long as a week for all four of us as long as there was an option for laundry.
  
• In an other thread a forum member reported their happy experience with two adults and two children in a mid 90s civic (probably smaller than all the cars mentioned here) on a three and a half week road trip.
  
• As someone pointed out earlier, MMM has an article on Turning a Little Car Into a Big One where he talks about his experience with a rear cargo rack.
  He also recently reported about "5 people + luggage + food for a 4-day trip.. all at 45MPG" which based on the picture seems to include camping gear and presumably would include his son.
  
• Our own needs which I mentioned were less than the OPs (less children and smaller dogs) have always been fulfilled by a Honda Fit which is classified as a sub-compact but is really a medium to moderately large vehicle in a lot of respects. We've done long weekend camping trips with four adults, one child, and two small dogs which have included hauling at least two tents, a cooler and an air mattress for the more elderly. We've also done a two week cross-country road trip that included camping (with less people) and found we had more then enough space in the car to also include a fridge. Pictured here is the car set up for roadtrip hauling mode (note there was still room inside, and space on the roof rack for more cargo, more bikes or a kayak if one wanted):
  
  

That's not to say your own needs may not be different and a different vehicle may be right for you, but given the pessimism displayed earlier I wanted contribute some more positive examples for the benefit of those reading later. As they say, those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

[Jeremy E.]

Nissan Versa

[sstants]

Try to think about everyday driving too. Camping is a weekend thing, and when you have young kids you won't be going as often as you'd think. I'd recommend getting a car that is smaller/better for your day to day driving and modify it with roof racks/trailers for the times you go camping if you have garage space to store such things.

We hike/camp most weekends and are willing to sit in the car for a few hours while pretty packed-in and uncomfortable. Buying a car for the less-likely scenario is like buying a pickup truck because you have to move a couch once or twice.

[jms493]

Subaru Forester or Outback...super safe cars and they come with roof rails so you can buy the cross bars and a storage box.

I hear decent things about the Chevy Equinox as well.

[JordanOfGilead]

MMM posted an article a while back about how awd is a gimmick and I fully agree. Unless you plan on parking your car in a swamp or going rock crawling, a minivan sounds like the best option to optimize low cost and maximum hauling capacity.

-Edit- found it
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/12/01/all-wheel-drive-does-not-make-you-safer/

[JRB_NW]

One option to increase utility of a normal vehicle that was popular years ago and fell out of favor with the rise of SUV's and giant pickups is the simple utility trailer. A small 4 x 6, or 4 x 8 open box trailer can be purchased for around $1000 and kept next to the garage or in the driveway. They can be towed behind many smaller fuel-efficient vehicles and basically have the carrying capacity of a full size pickup bed. I owned one of these Voyager models (link) and used it behind my 2012 Camry Hybrid to move furniture and boxes from one city to another, as well as for trips to Home Depot, the dump, etc.

http://www.ironeagletrailers.com/ironeagle/

Normal MPG - 40, with a full load in the trailer - 32. Most cars can be equipped with a trailer hitch and tow one of these. Disclaimer:  the Camry Hybrid actually isn't rated in the US to tow (for marketing reasons), but is in other countries, and it worked fine for me. Most small to medium sized cars and crossovers are actually rated to tow around 1000-1500lbs which is plenty. Make sure to keep the load biased toward the front of the trailer for safety.

[RecoveringCarClown]

Subaru Forester or Outback...super safe cars and they come with roof rails so you can buy the cross bars and a storage box.

I hear decent things about the Chevy Equinox as well.

I had an Equinox as a rental this summer and I was astounded at the gas mileage, in a good way.  I drove a mix but mostly highway miles, and it rewarded me with 35mpg and I was not really taking it easy, it had decent power too.  Now I don't think I would ever buy one in the future (or any SUV/minivan/Suburu), but I am still shocked at the overall performance.

[KCM5]

One option to increase utility of a normal vehicle that was popular years ago and fell out of favor with the rise of SUV's and giant pickups is the simple utility trailer. A small 4 x 6, or 4 x 8 open box trailer can be purchased for around $1000 and kept next to the garage or in the driveway. They can be towed behind many smaller fuel-efficient vehicles and basically have the carrying capacity of a full size pickup bed. I owned one of these Voyager models (link) and used it behind my 2012 Camry Hybrid to move furniture and boxes from one city to another, as well as for trips to Home Depot, the dump, etc.

http://www.ironeagletrailers.com/ironeagle/

Normal MPG - 40, with a full load in the trailer - 32. Most cars can be equipped with a trailer hitch and tow one of these. Disclaimer:  the Camry Hybrid actually isn't rated in the US to tow (for marketing reasons), but is in other countries, and it worked fine for me. Most small to medium sized cars and crossovers are actually rated to tow around 1000-1500lbs which is plenty. Make sure to keep the load biased toward the front of the trailer for safety.

I second the idea of a trailer. While on vacation with my in laws my FIL borrowed a trailer that was basically a motorcycle trailer (by that I mean a trailer you pull behind a motorcycle) so it was fully enclosed and rain proof. You can buy them here as motorcycle trailers but they can be pulled by a car, too. Five of us in a little car with a small trunk, so it served as a trunk for us. For a person with dogs, the dogs could go in the rear of a hatchback and the camping gear in the trailer.

[bluecheeze]

We went with an Outback and put a roof rack on it.  Really happy with the purchase.  Made our first long haul trip down to Florida for the holidays and it worked out really well.  Both dogs had ample standing room in the back, gear went on the roof rack, and we had my wife's brother in the 2nd row.  All of us were very comfortable and I had about 29 mpg (lower I assume bc I set cruise control on 75 the whole trip).  I don't see us having any issue with the baby gear- just won't be carrying around the soccer team when the kid gets older which I prefer to be honest :-)

[APowers]

With two kids, we cannot camp in a small civic-sized car.  It just isn't possible, and we are pretty light campers, not the glamping type. 
...
Anyway, long story short, if you are going to continue to own large dogs and plan to travel with them, just buy the damn minivan.  It will make your life so much better than a large suv will.  You will have crappy mileage with any of the vehicles recommended except the Prius (I am purposefully ignoring suggestions to camp with 6 bodies in a Fit, because LOLZ) so just get the most amount of space to start with and save yourself the massive headache of trying to pack a roof rack while your toddlers alternately poo their pants/scream their heads off/wander off into the woods/trip into the fire ring, all in the pouring rain.  Throw it all your shit in the back of the van and go.

After re-reading this thread, I am convinced that the posters recommending compact wagons and crossovers either have never transported two kids plus camping gear (nevermind two dogs) or enjoy a different version of camping than me. Which is fine, but the OP should realistically consider the volume and the shape of the stuff they want to pack. 

I'm surprised to hear people have had this much trouble accommodating a small number of kids and camping stuff in regular sized cars. If the use of a roof rack has led to you losing a kid into a firepit I can understand that being a traumatic experience and you have my condolences.
For the benefit of others reading the thread, I'd point out that isn't a common occurrence.

For some points of reference:

• Earlier in this thread it was pointed out that one can happily camp in a Prius with two children and two large dogs
  

  If two is the max on kiddos I'd recommend a Prius.  We have 2 kids in carseats, and traveled in our 2006 Prius regularly with 2 dogs- 120lb dane and 57lb mutt in the back.  We went away packing for as long as a week for all four of us as long as there was an option for laundry.
  
• In an other thread a forum member reported their happy experience with two adults and two children in a mid 90s civic (probably smaller than all the cars mentioned here) on a three and a half week road trip.
  
• As someone pointed out earlier, MMM has an article on Turning a Little Car Into a Big One where he talks about his experience with a rear cargo rack.
  He also recently reported about "5 people + luggage + food for a 4-day trip.. all at 45MPG" which based on the picture seems to include camping gear and presumably would include his son.
  
• Our own needs which I mentioned were less than the OPs (less children and smaller dogs) have always been fulfilled by a Honda Fit which is classified as a sub-compact but is really a medium to moderately large vehicle in a lot of respects. We've done long weekend camping trips with four adults, one child, and two small dogs which have included hauling at least two tents, a cooler and an air mattress for the more elderly. We've also done a two week cross-country road trip that included camping (with less people) and found we had more then enough space in the car to also include a fridge. Pictured here is the car set up for roadtrip hauling mode (note there was still room inside, and space on the roof rack for more cargo, more bikes or a kayak if one wanted):
  
  

That's not to say your own needs may not be different and a different vehicle may be right for you, but given the pessimism displayed earlier I wanted contribute some more positive examples for the benefit of those reading later. As they say, those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

+1.

Also, good choice on the Subaru. A little hypermiling, and you should be on your way to 40mpg. :)

[clarkfan1979]

Pontiac Vibe (2003 - 2008). Very back might fit two dogs depending on size. If not, fold one of the seats down.

[MayDay]

Pontiac Vibe (2003 - 2008). Very back might fit two dogs depending on size. If not, fold one of the seats down.

We had one, with 1 kid and 1 dog it was fine. 

Add a second large dog, or try to bring enough gear to camp, and LOLOL.  Yes you can get a roof rack to deal with that.  Apparently they work well for some people, as evidenced by this thread. 

I find them a certain form of torture, myself. 

[Landlord2015]

Oh buy an extremely expensive car like they use in Fast and Furious movies and then tease frugal people on the forums:) It was meant as a joke I am very frugal when it comes to care use to I have valid driving license.

[Barbaebigode]

With two kids, we cannot camp in a small civic-sized car.  It just isn't possible, and we are pretty light campers, not the glamping type. 
...
Anyway, long story short, if you are going to continue to own large dogs and plan to travel with them, just buy the damn minivan.  It will make your life so much better than a large suv will.  You will have crappy mileage with any of the vehicles recommended except the Prius (I am purposefully ignoring suggestions to camp with 6 bodies in a Fit, because LOLZ) so just get the most amount of space to start with and save yourself the massive headache of trying to pack a roof rack while your toddlers alternately poo their pants/scream their heads off/wander off into the woods/trip into the fire ring, all in the pouring rain.  Throw it all your shit in the back of the van and go.

After re-reading this thread, I am convinced that the posters recommending compact wagons and crossovers either have never transported two kids plus camping gear (nevermind two dogs) or enjoy a different version of camping than me. Which is fine, but the OP should realistically consider the volume and the shape of the stuff they want to pack. 

I'm surprised to hear people have had this much trouble accommodating a small number of kids and camping stuff in regular sized cars. If the use of a roof rack has led to you losing a kid into a firepit I can understand that being a traumatic experience and you have my condolences.
For the benefit of others reading the thread, I'd point out that isn't a common occurrence.

For some points of reference:

• Earlier in this thread it was pointed out that one can happily camp in a Prius with two children and two large dogs
  

  If two is the max on kiddos I'd recommend a Prius.  We have 2 kids in carseats, and traveled in our 2006 Prius regularly with 2 dogs- 120lb dane and 57lb mutt in the back.  We went away packing for as long as a week for all four of us as long as there was an option for laundry.
  
• In an other thread a forum member reported their happy experience with two adults and two children in a mid 90s civic (probably smaller than all the cars mentioned here) on a three and a half week road trip.
  
• As someone pointed out earlier, MMM has an article on Turning a Little Car Into a Big One where he talks about his experience with a rear cargo rack.
  He also recently reported about "5 people + luggage + food for a 4-day trip.. all at 45MPG" which based on the picture seems to include camping gear and presumably would include his son.
  
• Our own needs which I mentioned were less than the OPs (less children and smaller dogs) have always been fulfilled by a Honda Fit which is classified as a sub-compact but is really a medium to moderately large vehicle in a lot of respects. We've done long weekend camping trips with four adults, one child, and two small dogs which have included hauling at least two tents, a cooler and an air mattress for the more elderly. We've also done a two week cross-country road trip that included camping (with less people) and found we had more then enough space in the car to also include a fridge. Pictured here is the car set up for roadtrip hauling mode (note there was still room inside, and space on the roof rack for more cargo, more bikes or a kayak if one wanted):
  
  

That's not to say your own needs may not be different and a different vehicle may be right for you, but given the pessimism displayed earlier I wanted contribute some more positive examples for the benefit of those reading later. As they say, those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

+1

Nice post. It always feels like a waste of resources the idea of owning a big car with bad mileage all year around when you only really need it sporadically.

BTW: in this type of discussion it always baffles me what in the US is considered a "small" car. Your cars are friggin huge.