Minivan or SUV?

Emerald27 · September 2014

I currently drive a honda element, which is a 4-seat vehicle. Had no intention of replacing it until BIL mentioned looking for a used car. Now DH and I are considering selling him the element and getting a car that has enough seats for us, the kiddos, our stuff AND potential guests. As of now, whenever anyone visits, if they don't have their own car, we take multiple cars everywhere or rent zip cars.

So we were thinking, if we replace the element, we might as well go for something that seats 7. We want to have more kids, we hold onto cars for a long time, we do a fair bit of traveling by car. It just makes sense. So this means minivan or SUV.

If you've owned or driven both, which do you prefer and why? What were some of the pros and cons that stood out to you or were important to you? We're just now getting started on this discussion and haven't researched at all yet. TIA!

Roseypants · September 2014

I bought a Ford Flex a few months ago and LOVE it!!!!! Super comfy and tons of room!

bitsybubbles7 · September 2014

We bought a used Chevy Traverse in March (seats 8) and I love it! Dh doesn't really like it, but he is a Ford guy. We've had the third row down the whole time so there is plenty of room for the stroller and pack'n'play, plus whatever groceries or random stuff that gets put in back. The second row has plenty of room for 2 car-seats, I just have to decide if I want ds1 behind me or the passenger seat.

I prefer an suv to a minivan for a couple reasons. One, I feel like they are less tippy and more durable than a minivan. Two, the suv goes through snow better and the mid-west is forecast for another doozy amount of snow this year. Three, I think they look nicer (yep, vanity played a part). Plus, I was able to talk the car place into trading both our old cars for this one, so it was cheaper for us.

JJsMum · September 2014

I gave up my Highlander for a minivan. I have a love/hate relationship with my minivan (Toyota Sienna). I love the convenience of the minivan. I adore the sliding doors (don't have to worry about tight parking spots anymore). The storage space, even with the 3rd row up, is phenomenal. My inlaws can get to the back seat easily when they visit OR it is still very easy to move the carseats to the back and still get the kids in them. Plus I actually find the ride and drive of the van to be pretty good! HOWEVER, I hate saying that I drive a minivan. It just feels soul destryoing. I always vowed I would never be a minivan mom. I guess there is a reason they say to "never say never." Once our kids are out of carseats we are looking at getting a Suburban type vehicle.

The problem with SUVs that seat 7 (unless you look big, such as a Suburban) is that once you put that 3rd row up, you have absolutely no trunk space. In our Highlander, with the 3rd row up, I could barely get an umbrella stroller in the trunk, and that was a tight squeeze where I always felt like I was going to break the stroller. Something to think about!

bumpuser10309732 · September 2014

It seems like the mini van would get better gas mileage. I think the SUV would have better cargo room if you've got the 5 and can fold down the extra row. I've never been able to get a lot of luggage into the back of a minivan. I think the minivan is easier to climb into the extra seats in the back. Also like crawford mentioned they have some seriously awesome features in the newer vans. With that being said you will never catch me owning a damn minivan. NEVER GIVING IN!! I have an SUV, but I'm still in the cross-over stage. Our friends have a Chevy Traverse and they love that one. My mom has the full size Toyota SUV- loves it. My parents also had the Honda Pilot before (sticking with your Honda thing here) and I LOVED that SUV but the extra row seats were seriously uncomfortable. Hope this helps! I ramble.

pinkshades05 · September 2014

The hard part for me with SUV's is that it's tough climbing in and getting into the back seat. And I agree with SUV's just not having enough trunk space!

wildflower75 · September 2014

My husband refused to consider a minivan so we test drove about 7 - 8 SUVs last month and settled on the Honda Pilot. This was after test driving and looking at recalls, safety records and awards, and trunk space for our soon double stroller!
We've only had it for 1 week but so far we love it!

jesslinnn · September 2014

I have an GMC Acadia and I love it. Ours is the 7-seater with captains chairs, compared to the 8-seater with a middle bench. That's something to consider if you will have 2 car seats and think you'll need access to the third row often. With 3 kids in car seats we need the captain chairs so DS1 can get to his seat once we put him in the third row. If we had a bench with 2 car seats installed he would have had to climb over the seat every time. Right now the boys are both in the second row and we have kept the third row down so it'll be an adjustment once we lose all that trunk space.

I do agree that vans are convenient, especially the sliding doors... but I just don't want one.

kindacrunchy · September 2014

Minivan hands down! I swore I wouldn't get one but DH convinced me to "just test drive one" and now I love my Toyota Siena. There is nothing better than automatic sliding doors when you have a baby, diaper bag, and a toddler's hand to hold. Also, all the seats are actual seats, a lot of third rows in SUVs are tiny uncomfortable seats. The cargo space in a minivan with third row up is substantially more than most SUVs (unless you go really big like a Tahoe or suburban). Also, the gas mileage is better and they tend to have better safety ratings.

AmandaJean12 · September 2014

My mom had a Yukon XL or suburban for most of my life and its awesome because she was the only parent who could pick up a ton of people and their sports stuff. And we use it for vacation often and co take everything. Heck, she even moved us in it because it fits a couch with the seats down.

However, I can't park it. It's just too big for me. So a big part of it is comfort on your part.

trisharenee0316 · September 2014

We've been having the discussion even though we know we only plan to have two kids. I also can't bring myself to minivan it, so we talked about doing a larger SUV. SUV-wise, we have sort of loosely settled on the Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-9. For a minivan, I'd look at a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey.

Emerald27 · September 2014

These are great!! Looking up all these vehicles with DH now. Gas mileage on everything already has my heart skipping beats. Never had anything lower than 24 city... :-S

Lindzoid · September 2014

First let me say the thought of driving a minivan makes me cringe. But that's just me. I am an SUV mom. I drive a ford explorer and love it. We had an 2005 and now have a 2014. It's amazing and doesn't feel like I'm driving my moms car. To comment about the trunk space, even with the third row constantly up there is plenty of trunk space. Being a mom of almost 3 that was important. I love it!

Dani0329 · September 2014

I have a Toyota 4runner and absolutely love it, they have a third row option. I really don't think I can bring myself to make the switch to a mini-van though, so I don't think my opinion is unbiased.

BeanNut · September 2014

I love my new Odyssey . It is the edition that seats 8 ( has three middle row seats which is awesome for kids in car seats ). Seriously I didn't really want a minivan but I have been 110% happy with it and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

lisamahrt · September 2014

Love My ford escape! I get about 26 mpg city and its a v6. Its the perfect size right now for my soon to be family of 4.

persephonerose · September 2014

We just bought our Honda Odyssey and I seriously could not love this thing more. I really wasn't into the minivan but the features on it just made it the best option for us all the way around. It has 7 tether points for FF car seats. The back up camera is to die for. One of my all time favorites is the built in sunscreens for the 2nd row (if you get the touring you get sunscreens for 3rd row seats as well). Oh and separate controls in the 2nd row for the AC so you can set the temp and fan speed from the back. It also has a sync button on the front console that lets you sync up the AC in the back with the settings you are using in the front. Oh and it has a "cool" box in the center console that cycles air into it from the AC so you can put snacks/drinks it in to keep them chill.

I also like that we can reconfigure the 2nd row in a lot of different ways. Take out one captain's chair, or take out the middle and leave the two captain's chairs separate or slide them together. The trunk space is pretty amazing as well as the push button automatic lift gate.

Um. Yeah so I love this mini van.

TinyTRex321 · September 2014

We just bought a Honda Odyssey a few months ago and I seriously love it. I have no shame in driving a mini van. The automatic sliding doors are awesome. It's low down so my 21 month old can climb into his seat by himself. I don't have to worry about small parking spots with the doors opening up. I walk to my car with my hands full and with him and push a button for the tail gate and his door to open. I also have the 8 seater one and can change the configurations around. There is so much storage in the back too b/c the cargo area dips down. Also it was built with families in mind. There are a ton of cup holders and mine even has a small cooler box in the front console. It's also very comfortable to drive. I could go on and on about it.

TinyTRex321 · September 2014

persephonerose said

persephonerose · September 2014

TinyTRex321 said:

persephonerose said

I had to stop myself because I really was going to start going on about the navigation system. I'm a weirdo

savicke2009 · September 2014

I shamelessly love my minivan..

I have a dodge caravan and its roomy, convenient and I love it.. my husband has a ford explorer and I hate driving it and loading the kids into it! Hes barely going to be able to fit all three kids into it and im just not a fan!

Klavanga74 · September 2014

I had an Odyssey for 7 years when my two older kids were really young, so much about it is super convenient- the doors, the kid's ability to get in and out by themselves, the storage and ease of long trips. It was time to get rid of it this past December and thinking we were done having kids but still needing a 7-seater for carpool, we looked at suv's. We looked at the Acadia (most 3rd row room), the pilot (we love honda), and my dream car...the acura mdx. We ended up with the acura. Price wise, so much cones standard in the acura that the Acadia would have been the same price factoring in the options I wanted. Plus, there were a few little things on the acura that were going to make carpool and kids getting in and out much easier. Plus, I liked it best! That said, I'm not sure how the stroller will fit in the back with the 3rd row up...and it pretty much has to be up all the time. I loved the convenience of my minivan (and the new odyssey has a built in vacuum system!!!) and I think I'd do it again if I were starting from scratch.

Klavanga74 · September 2014

Oh, and the odyssey got better gas mileage and didn't take premium gas...the acura is supposed to have premium...something we didn't think about too closely til we got to the pumps...yikes!

TinyTRex321 · September 2014

persephonerose said:

TinyTRex321 said:

persephonerose said

I had to stop myself because I really was going to start going on about the navigation system. I'm a weirdo

I feel like a minivan sales person but seriously I could go on and on. A lot of my mom friends want one too instead of being like "yuck minivan". I don't mind taking the stigma that comes with it.

BreandMikewedding · September 2014

I have a dodge caravan and I like it for the most part. The sliding doors are really nice but make sure balls don't get near them or they go crazy and you can't get in. My kids always smuggle balls and random toys in so this happens to us a lot. We have bucket seats in the second row and with two car seats it will be challenging for my older daughter to get to the third row without taking one of the younger ones out. It does have a lot of space with the third row down and good space with it up. We actually put our lawn mower in our van when we bought it.

ariel06 · September 2014

TinyTRex321 said:

persephonerose said:

TinyTRex321 said:

persephonerose said

I had to stop myself because I really was going to start going on about the navigation system. I'm a weirdo

I feel like a minivan sales person but seriously I could go on and on. A lot of my mom friends want one too instead of being like "yuck minivan". I don't mind taking the stigma that comes with it.

Add me to the club.

We've had ours for six weeks now and it's so amazing. And it's gets one of the best mileages of all mini vans. We got the entertainment package instead of the navi. And there was still more trunk space than the Pilot with all the seats in.

savicke2009 · September 2014

@BreandMikewedding‌ we also have a dodge caravan.. we're going to fold one of our middle seats down and put our older two in the way back (one's in a booster, one's in a harness still) and then put the infant seat on the middle row.. but with a seat folded down there should be more room

just a thought for ya

MsMacual · September 2014

Late to the party- I currently have a Lincoln MKX (Ford Edge is the same suv) and while I love it (drives great, has tons of extras, etc). It is not the best car for a mom with 2 kids. Specifically- I struggle with the fact that the middle spot in the back can't be used with a car seat, the rear cargo area is ok sized, but once I have my stroller in there, there isn't a ton or room for groceries, etc (my husband's full sized sedan has more space in the trunk than my SUV), we will no longer be able to haul something bigger b/c we'll need the full back seat up to accomodate two seats, it is just a tad high so our almost 3 year old sometimes has a hard time crawling in on his own, and we have no room for anyone other than our family (even our dog might not fit!).

I've been debating either going to a bigger SUV or a minivan- definite pros and cons for both IMO.

My parents got a new Dodge Caravan last winter and my husband actually admitted that he was ok with the ride when we all went somewhere in it recently. He had previously been against getting one so even though I longingly looked at them, I knew that it was unlikely that I would go that route. I have a list of cars- both SUVs and mini vans that I'll check out and we'll go from there. I'm specifically looking for more space, certain features, ease of use, and a reasonable price, which both mini vans and SUVs can offer. Many of the vans have an AWD option so that is less of a concern, which was the original draw with an SUV b/c we live in a winter wonderland for 7 mo of the year. The other reality is that the number of days per year where having AWD is nice maybe ammounts to a few weeks vs the rest of the time when it wouldn't make a difference (other than guzzle gas). I think realisticaly, we'll lease my next car and might take the plunge and get a van. I figure that we could go back to an SUV after the lease ends (we usually do 36 mo when we lease).

2goingon3 · September 2014

I have owned a dodge Durango with 3rd row seating and now a dodge grand caravan, and while I LOVED my Durango, the caravan is much more practical and convenient. It's roomy, the 3rd row is easily accessible, unlike with the Durango. The stow n go is amazing, the trunk is huge, and overall a much better vehicle for our family of 4, soon to be 5.

As much as I never wanted a minivan, I'm so happy we got one!

irrekb · September 2014

I'd take a rusty spoon to both eyes before driving a minivan. I don't know why but I've always loathed them. My DH even jokingly threatens me with one when I'm cranky. We have a car and just traded in our Subaru legacy for a Chevy equinox. We have a dog and LO. If we have more kiddos we will up grade to a 3rd row option SUV.

slsl509 · September 2014

We have a Town and Country and I pink puffy heart love it. The 3rd row SUVs we looked at were just too cramped. I wanted an Enclave until I sat in one. The amount of space in the T&C is wonderful, the stow and go seats, the back up camera, the DVD player.

I really love everything about it but mostly I loved that it was 15-20K less than an SUV with the same features. We went from 2 paid off cars and I was not about to have a $500+ car payment.

I know I'm cool, so fuck those van haters.

Emerald27 · September 2014

Thanks again!! We're thinking of going to carmax where we can see lots of vehicles at the same time and test drive a bunch. Compare/contrast. So far, we're leaning in the direction of minivan.

I don't really care about the minivan "image." Sliding doors and cargo space (and generally better gas mileage) sound too good to pass up! But we'll see.

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