[auk55555]

Hi all, I've fallen in love with the CT200 and could own one this week only I can't decide if I'm choosing love and impracticality (the CT) where I should be choosing good enough and more functional (a Prius? something else?). After packing up from a weekend away, I'm not sure the CT's small trunk is enough. I have one child, age 2, and would typically be using the car for weekends away.
Any CT owners out there have any insight on the day to day use and storage capacity of their cars? Any CT owners also parents of a small child (with all the bags upon bags small children seem to generate)?
I'm currently the driver of an old Honda Civic (1993).
Thanks!

 

[jimmyc13]

I think it depends on what kind of stroller you own. I know with the kind I owned (Peg Perego) when my kids were a bit younger (they are 4 and 7 now), you wouldn't be able to fit a lot more in the trunk. I too was worried about trunk space a bit in this car, but so far so good. My wife has a Pilot so we'll use that on big trips where lots of space is needed. We just took my CT on a 3-day getaway this past weekend and fit everything easily & still had a bit of room left....and the fact that we would have gotten 20 MPG in the Pilot and I got 48 MPG in the CT? Well that's even more the reason to consider the CT!

Have you checked one out in person/checked out the trunk at the dealership?

 

[loakland]

Just got back from a 500 mile trip to and from....3 adults and one baby in a rear facing car seat. We packed carefully and used every spare area of the trunk. Even had an umbrella stroller and a baby bed and still averaged 48 mpg. Have had the car a week and love it.

 

[rehabmax]

Storage capacity

I think the key is efficiency of packing. Of course the CT200 is not a mini van where you throw whatever you want into it. I wouldn't brand it a young family car either. With a young child in the back seat you can split the rear fold down and get more gear in. A stroller and a pack n play sleeper plus an overnight bag or 2 would max you out. Planning a second child soon, don't get the CT200.
My problem now is my 16 year old at 5'9" finds the back tight.
If you having a growing family I would go for a small SUV like the Honda CRV for better space. Young children get fidigity in a car. They need some space. Soon you'll find yourself getting kicked in the back of the seat by your child's feet and you will not be happy.
I love my CT200 but it has to be the right fit and I'm thinking you'd be better off with something with a bit more growing room.

 

[darkride]

I can fit more than enough beer in the rear And coolers and a bag full of clothes. Its summer and trips to a cottage here and there are most of packed in so far.

 

[midcow3]

I can fit more than enough beer in the rear And coolers and a bag full of clothes. Its summer and trips to a cottage here and there are most of packed in so far.

Awesome answer - mine will be to go to my cabin on Lake Conroe that backs up to the Sam Houston National Woods.

And my dog rides in the backseat Kurgo Wander hammock
Kurgo Wander Hammock - Black - 56 in. x 60 in.#

 

[YOW]

I can fit more than enough beer in the rear QUOTE]

Really??

Once a year my brother-in-law comes up from Toronto in his Minivan. As soon as he gets to Ottawa, he heads over to the Costco in Gatineau where they sell cheap beer in 54 can cases. He fills the van front to back and floor to sealing with beer. He even puts a case of beer in the front seat where my sister-in-law would normally sit. (I suspect this is just an excuse leave her at home )

The CT would definitely be too small for him

 

[jimmyc13]

I can fit more than enough beer in the rear QUOTE]

Really??

Once a year my brother-in-law comes up from Toronto in his Minivan. As soon as he gets to Ottawa, he heads over to the Costco in Gatineau where they sell cheap beer in 54 can cases. He fills the van front to back and floor to sealing with beer. He even puts a case of beer in the front seat where my sister-in-law would normally sit. (I suspect this is just an excuse leave her at home )

The CT would definitely be too small for him

If you're serious, pics next time this event takes place please.

 

[jimmyc13]

I think the key is efficiency of packing. Of course the CT200 is not a mini van where you throw whatever you want into it. I wouldn't brand it a young family car either. With a young child in the back seat you can split the rear fold down and get more gear in. A stroller and a pack n play sleeper plus an overnight bag or 2 would max you out. Planning a second child soon, don't get the CT200.
My problem now is my 16 year old at 5'9" finds the back tight.
If you having a growing family I would go for a small SUV like the Honda CRV for better space. Young children get fidigity in a car. They need some space. Soon you'll find yourself getting kicked in the back of the seat by your child's feet and you will not be happy.
I love my CT200 but it has to be the right fit and I'm thinking you'd be better off with something with a bit more growing room.

I agree that it's probably tight for teenage kids, but don't know that I agreen on the young children part. My last car was a G35 sedan, which has a decent sized back seat. Even with that car, if the kids wanted to (didn't happen often, because they know better), they were able to kick the back seat. I got the G sedan back in '04 with 1 kid on the way and wanted them to have plenty of room and to be honest, with the 2 kids and that car, it was kind of wasted space back there...more of a car for older kids/adults in the back. My kids are absolutely in love with my CT and now request that we take it wherever we go in place of my wife's '11 Pilot (which is VERY roomy)!

 

[Dirvin]

Can it work? Yes
Is it ideal? No

Her stroller can take up almost all the room, hope you don't want to stop for groceries on the way home. One small child can require double the inventory vs an adult for a weekend getaway. Any chance of a second child during the life of this car? You'll be looking for a trade then as a baby requires three times as much.

What about when she's 3 or 4 and you want to haul her and a couple of friends and their stuff? You can probably make it work. The question is do you want to be dealing with limited space all the time?

It will be a tight squeeze...but you will look good driving it.

 

[jeffp]

My wife and I are going to enter a transition period in our lives.

My wife currently drives a Highlander and has for the last 10 years. The legroom and cargo space has served us well.

My son is going to be a senior in high school this year and will be leaving for college in one year. Our daughter is 13 years old. Both kids have long legs but zero cargo requirements (sans a book bag or soccer bag).

When my son goes away for college he will drive the Highlander since he will need the cargo space for the move.

That leaves us with one kid and her friends to school, soccer, etc. We feel confident that the CT will give us plenty of room for those tasks.

Weekend trips will be no problem with light packing.

If I was still in the baby plus cargo stage, the CT would not work for us. But with nearly full grown kids it will be plenty.

 

[Bogner47]

I'm in the 2 kids under 3 phase myself, but my wife has the 3rd-row-SUV and stays home with them. On weekends its rare that we take my full-size sedan anywhere now, so even though I'd save gas (assuming I EVER get my CT) we'll still just take The Beast. I drive 65 miles/day commuting, and hate the car I'm in. Will I wish I had more room so that we could take the CT on trips? Sure, but how often is that? If I have to take the kids with me someplace, either I can take her car or it'll be for short trips and there won't be luggage.

 

[jcpharm]

i have a 4yo and 5yo so we are in the booster-seat phase and they fit back there fine and never complain (partially because they have their headrest-dvdplayers too). we also have a 3-row crossover SUV but for local trips we prefer to use the CT to save gas. we have an umbrella-stroller that fits back there in case one naps when we are out and about. if you are planning to pack a lot more than an overnight suitcase and a small cooler, you probably need a larger car.

 

[Helen Ho]

Can you please advise which strollers can fit into the trunk? I have an umbrella stroller which has no problem fitting into it, but I am looking for another one which is more comfort and full stroller for locally use. I have a hard time looking for one and don't know which one will fit. Thanks.

 

[Voracious]

If it's any help, with the rear seats down, i was able a set of 4 17"x7" wheels in the back. People have fit a lot more in the back. I'm guessing you meant rear seat up though.

 

[prosperity]

'rehabmax' is right on with his observation that the key is efficiency of packing. With a smaller car you soon learn the art of packing compactly instead of just throwing everything in. It's incredible how much you can pack when you use your head.

 

[Justwingingit]

I know I'll be talking apples and oranges to you considering you're infatuated presently with the sporty hybrid idea....however, consider the following.Having owned a ct for a few months hindsight is always 20/20 and although It suits my commuting needs now I can see the writing on the wall in the future. If you see your family growing and plan on keeping it for 5-10 years maybe a larger hybrid such as the avalon would suit you better. They're limo like in back and plenty of storage/comfort for about 10,000 more or as the salesman put it.....another 100 bucks a month.Best wishes to your final choice,either way you'll be happy but maybe a bit more cramped in the long run with the ct.


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[lostchild]

If you see your family growing and plan on keeping it for 5-10 years maybe a larger hybrid such as the avalon would suit you better. They're limo like in back and plenty of storage/comfort for about 10,000 more or as the salesman put it.....another 100 bucks a month.

MSRP on the CT is 32k and on the Avalon Hybrid is 35.5k. Even with the base CT and fully equipped Avalon Hybrid, I don't think you will have to pay anything close to 10,000 more!

 

[my95tsi]

The Avalon hybrid is amazing and unfortunately puts the CT to shame. I'll probably be trading in my CT for one in the next couple years. I like it more than the ES hybrid.


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[darith]

I have two kids and I'm able to squeeze in a double stroller with the infant and the 2 year old. Most days I drive with the 2 year old in his forward facing car seat. He sits directly behind me, I do need to make ample room when driving (I'm about 5"10 1/2") for his feet. I can always flip down the other seats with him still sitting in the back. We are moving to a new house so the room has been plenty for me, lots of room for long items and large boxes fit (even the large moving boxes from lowes fits). I came from a larger sedan (Acura TL Type-S), and the CT's room is holding up fine for me now because of the long commutes. The ES series is tempting, but I do not like the design as much as the CT. I keep getting compliments from random strangers about the CT everywhere I go.

The Avalon hybrid is amazing and unfortunately puts the CT to shame. I'll probably be trading in my CT for one in the next couple years. I like it more than the ES hybrid.


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BUT, it is 10K more than a CT and does not look as good as the CT.