I haul my 2yr old and 7 month old around in mine and it's my DD, I have about 115K more miles than the one your looking at though. Now the 20mpg is crazy, I averaged about 16-17 with the bigger tires and front hubs unlocked, and it was about the same stock when I bought it, it's now about 15mpg with all the crap I have up top (the roof basket, roof lights and full size spare) with AC on all the time. I don't see the loading the kids as an inconvenience, yet. Mine are still small. I keep the passenger seat adjusted up a little more, it gives more room when you lean it forward, I can slide the "carrier" portion of my littlest one's car seat through the opening and snap her into the base. I have it down to a science lol