Need new car recommendations-3 kids, AWD station wagon ideas

[hayleyvt]

So,

I currently drive a toyota sienna AWD XLE.  I am ready to downsize to a smaller station wagon.  I have 3 children; a 10 year old (seatbelt), 6 year old (high back booster), and a 2 year old (forward facing 5 point harness).  We plan on trading in both of our cars this year, and My husband is planning on getting an SUV, possibly the Acadia with a 3rd row seat.  His car would be used for longer trips and family outings where a 3rd row is necessary.  I would like to have a "normal" sized car, one that is easier to take around town and doesnt feel so cumbersome. We live in a rural area on a mountain in VT, and 4 wheel drive/AWD is absolutely needed.   A roomy backseat is also needed as there will be 3 kids back there!  Looking at Subaru Outback, Audi A4 wagon, and Volvo XC70...any other suggestions?  What backseat is the most roomy? We plan on buying used, and spending under 15,000.

[DahliaRW]

I had an '01 outback and the back seat was not very roomy.  I had 2 car seats back there and was not able to fit anything other than a super skinny child between them (at the time it was a radian ffing and a rfing marathon).   My in-laws volvo is quite spacious in the back seat, but I don't know if all model years are the same.

[hayleyvt]

I recently peeked at a Volvo and thought that the seats looked a bit wider than the subarus as well. I think that my kids can deal with sitting next to each other... But they are big kids, I don't think anyone wants to be squished between two people, no matter what age . Thank you for the feedback. I am hoping to hear about the Audis as well, wondering if they are roomy at all.