SUV or minivan?

imsoexcited915

Curious what you multiple moms think about which you think is a better car option.

PinkinProvence

I have an SUV.  Clearly a minivan would provide more room and be easier to get the kiddos in and out and have room for passengers, but we will not ever be driving a minivan.

I would like to get an SUV with a 3rd row next year though.

pillowass

We have a Toyota Sienna. We do a lot of road tripping and it's been great. Watch this youtube if you are worried about cramping your style with a minivan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

zazu13

We only have the twins so we have an suv (from before babies). If I had more I would absolutely consider a minivan. The sliding doors that kids can't bang into someone else's car and remote door open and close sound like a dream to a mom with full hands. They aren't sexy at all but practical? Oh ya.

MrsHT

I swore I would never drive a mini van... but we have an almost 5 year old and twins coming in May.  I knew my car wasn't an option so we looked at all of the suv's out there and there just didn't seem to be enough room.  I couldn't imagine having to crawl into the back to help my son buckle himself in.  We ended up getting a Chrysler Town & Country and it has been the best decision.  It has the stow and go seating so we have the captains chair behind the driver down and can get in and out no issues.  It seemed to be the best decision for us as I would have a "landing" spot for one of the twins while I was snapping in the carrier for one.  The automatic doors too... that is just one less thing to have to think about when it comes to getting in and out of a car.  

MommyWannaB10

I never wanted a mini van, but it's been great. The split middle row is nice if you have to climb into the back on a long trio, auto sliding doors with the push of a button are a lifesaver as are the sliding doors themselves; so much easier to get into/out of. I have 3 kids and I'd say art his stage a mini van is a must.

Julie21613

I swore I would never own a mini van but we are seriously considering it.  My DD will 20-21 months when the twins arrive....my current suv won't work.....so mini van is probably the way to go.

Meeeow

SUV.  Hoping to fit DD (4.5) and the twins in the back seat of my GMC Envoy.  I can't and won't ever drive a mini-van.  To each their own but it's not for me!   

FaeryStarGazer

Ha, I drive a Toyota Camry and it's perfectly fine. And, we drive 13 hours to New Hampshire with the kids and our dog : *) Unless you're planning on more than 2, you can make-do with a sedan. 

cls78

Right now we have a Honda CRV and Hyundai Sonata with my twin girls. My husband wants a mini van and I am like no. Lol. We are holding off right now since it is winter and the girls are not going out, but I think in the summer we will have to look for something bigger. We are talking about getting a Honda Pilot, but will have to see how money is. I just got my Hyundai Sonata a little over a year ago and that would of been fine for a singleton, but with twins it is small.

WillyBean

We have a Buick Enclave and love it. Seriously debated getting a smaller SUV but the extra room has been great for longer trips or taking the dogs. I've sat in all of the seats and it is comfy for adults, too.

KDR1979

I wanted a minivan, but my dad retired from Ford (we get a discount & they don't have any minivans), so we got a new Explorer when I was 24 weeks pregnant with the twins. We got a Limited version with 4 WD, blind spot technology, captain seats in the middle, luggage rack on the roof, etc. We plan on having this SUV for 8-10 years.

Then we had twins and they are still rear facing (they are almost 3) in their car seats. We got the captain seats so our nieces/nephew could get to the 3rd row...well NO once is accessing the 3rd row that way b/c the RF'ing car seats take up too much space. My front passenger seat can't even recline b/c of the car seats. When we go on vacation, we barely have enough room and have to use the luggage rack. I usually keep my 3rd row folded down to fit the double stroller + groceries. I definitely wish that we had gotten a minivan!!!!! We had a sitter Summer 2013 and she needed car seats for them. 2 RF'ing car seats fit SO much better In her van! She had 2 kids too, so all 4 fit well in her van. I recently drove my SIL and her 2 school age daughters somewhere. For all 6 of us to fit, I had to take my big double stroller (BJ city mini) out and my nieces crawled in through the trunk to get to the 3rd row.

I think the minivan is a must if you have more than 2 kids. I can't imagine trying to get a kid in a car seat in the 3rd row of an SUV (or even 3 narrow car seats on the middle bench and trying to reach the kid in the middle around other seats). I believe in keeping kids in a 5 point harness as long as possible (most kids fit until age 5-6). Now, I know that the SUV with captain seats would have been SO much better for kids 6+ older (in booster seats & on).

The other thing about my Explorer-it has inflatable seat belts in the back seat. This is a great safety feature for older kids. NOT great for car seats once your child outgrows the LATCH install. I was very limited with what car seats I can use when I have to switch to a seatbelt install.

I really think the Odyssey is one of the most compatible vehicles with car seats. You could get a radian and keep your kid(s) rear facing until 50lbs!!

So many people are anti minivans. I think it's funny b/c I am jealous of my friends with Odysseys!!

I do love a lot of things about my Explorer, but it was not the best option for young children in RF'ing car seats.

Good luck!

MommyCroft

I have an expedition and i love it. I still have room for 2 after my son, daughter, and twins im expecting now.

ckalm5

I always said I would never drive a minivan but after having 4 kids crammed in a Honda pilot we made the switch to a Toyota sienna. It is so much easier getting my kids in and out and very roomy...unfortunately we have now out grown that since it is only a 7 seater and we are expecting #5 & #6. So we are looking into suburbans or Yukon xl's at this point.