Advice needed - SUV vs. Minivan

skruhmin · August 2015

When it comes down to it, minivan vs. SUV? We have a 2-year old Toyota Highlander that we LOVE. We are a little concerned with being able to do 3 car seats in our Highlander - our 32lb almost-4-year-old is obviously still in his 3-in-1 and won't be in a booster until he's graduated college since he never eats. Our 13- month old is still rear facing in a convertible and then come March we will have the infant seat. So our oldest will be going to the 3rd row, which will be somewhat interesting to access and we might have to trust him to buckle himself in. Has anyone done this successfully in a Highlander/SUV or should we just suck it up and go to a van? I have always said I'm not a van person but this little surprise of ours might force our hand to go to the Swagger Wagon.

PinkSunglasses16 · August 2015

Ha Swagger wagon, lol. I'm going from a Fusion to either a Traverse or Terrain (haven't decided yet). My SIL ended up going with a Kia van, she loves it. She hops in the 3rd row to BF and 2 yr watches tv if they are out in about.

Knottie1456889319 · August 2015

I love my explorer with the third row. I also have a lot of mommy friends who love their Traverse.

I think I am going to go "big" with a Tahoe XL. We have 2 goldens, and soon a new baby, and also my 2 step sons.

katekat8721 · August 2015

Minivan, definitely. I love mine and I don't care what anyone says, it's freaking awesome

lightrox · August 2015

I love my Traverse its roomy and spacious. Before we bought it we test drove it and checked to see if we'd be able to fit three kids across the bench seat so no one had to sit in the third row. At the time I was watching my nephew who with my two sons were in graco car seats they all fit on the bench seat just fine. My advice is take the car seats put them in the SUV and see if it works it's the only way to truly know if it will work out for you and the car seats you have.

Parker16772 · August 2015

I haven't tried three carseats so no advice there but I love my Tahoe! It gets terrible gas mileage but I don't commute to work so I don't really mind. I figure you either get room or gas mileage not both. I know minivans are practical but DH and I agreed that we will never get one. If we have a third child I would probably get a suburban. I have captains chairs so you would obviously have to put the third car seat in the 3rd row. I do know you can fit three carseats in the backseat of a tahoe with a bench seat because my friend does it. The tahoe third row is great but you have no room in the cargo area once it is up where as with the suburban you still have a full size cargo area even with the third row up.

skruhmin · August 2015

I should say that we would do 3 across in ours except with the 2013 highlander the middle seat of the middle row is a removable so you can have captains chairs, cupholders, or a seat. It's also only 20% width. So yes we do have the passthrough but our access to the back would be difficult.

parenthood4 · August 2015

I loooove my van. I had an escape before, and we got the van last summer. It is so much easier and better and more comfortable. It took me a little bit to get used to the fact that I am a minivan mom, but I haven't regretted it for a second.

I don't know how it will be with three of them in there, but I do like it for two!

diablesse · August 2015

I just can't, can't can't do a minivan. However, I think it's only sensible for anyone with more than 2 kids.

MittenJennie · August 2015

We love our van! I call it a rocket ship and you know that ups the cool factor. Not really but I have never cared about having a cool car. But life is so much easier when it comes to traveling with kids and all their things. And the remote doors and hatch are heaven.

ceds07 · August 2015

If I had three in car seats no question I would get the mini!

skruhmin · August 2015

I don't want to go to the dark side but I think we're going to have to. Funny you think you're planning for the future by getting that one car and then surprise the future turns way different. Thanks ladies!

roo1oo · August 2015

We got a Mazda CX9 for the possibility of having 3, but seeing how difficult accessing the 3rd row can be I can't imagine having a car seat back there/having to buckle someone in back there. If you really don't want to move to a minivan and can't make 3 across work in the back seat, work with your oldest on properly buckling himself in in the way back.

Good luck!

RosyK · August 2015

We have a dodge Durango. It works well for us and will continue when we add a 4th child to the back... Except for traveling. There is not a whole lot of cargo space inside. We plan to put a ledge rack on the back and strap a couple of Rubbermaid tubs to it when we go visit the inlaws 9 hours away.

Latina211508 · August 2015

We bought a Tahoe when we had our third baby. I had 3 under 3 and the seats fit great in the second row. I love our Tahoe and honestly I will never buy a mini van. Just not my style. I'm pregnant with my fourth and not worried about adding another carseat. Our Tahoe seats 9.

lindscnn1 · August 2015

Vans are awesome. We were 20 when we had one. At first my husband hated the idea, typical guy vs minivan. My husband is an avid hunter and the thought of him driving a minivan to go hunting was an oxymoron to him. Well, one day he was driving the van up the logging trail to go hunt and other hunters trucks were stuck on the logging trail. Our minivan passed them with ease and my husband drove straight to the top of the trail. He loved our minivan after that! We currently have a Mercury Mountaineer with 3rd row, it's an '05 but we've owned it outright for 7 years plus it only has 65k miles. Since this is #5 I told him I am owed the minivan again. He is fine with the van idea just not of a car payment. I will get my van, lol.

mshukh · August 2015

There are a few SUVs that cam easily fit three seats across. Acura MDX is the one I hear of most often. You should take the seats to the car you want to buy and test it on the spot. Also, some car seats are more narrow than others. Something to look into.

sadalman · August 2015

Your family sounds just like ours! A almost four year old and a 13 month old and now new baby on the way! You gotta go with a mini van! SUV is going to give that third row for the third car seat but you lose all your cargo! You need that cargo space for strollers etc! However think down the road if your kids are in sports especially hockey! You will have no where to put anything! We have actually built and order the Toyota Sienna! It is all wheel drive as most vans are front wheel! We are very excited for it to arrive! Happy shopping!

skruhmin · August 2015

sadalman said:

Your family sounds just like ours! A almost four year old and a 13 month old and now new baby on the way! You gotta go with a mini van! SUV is going to give that third row for the third car seat but you lose all your cargo! You need that cargo space for strollers etc! However think down the road if your kids are in sports especially hockey! You will have no where to put anything! We have actually built and order the Toyota Sienna! It is all wheel drive as most vans are front wheel! We are very excited for it to arrive! Happy shopping!

Wait, did I find my twin family??? That's funny! And yeah the cargo is one thing we're worried about. The double stroller alone takes up so much room!

katekat8721 · August 2015

I never understand the minivan hate ("oh I could never!") Why because you're so much cooler in a SUV? It's so silly.

fwtx5815 · August 2015

katekat8721 said:
I never understand the minivan hate ("oh I could never!") Why because you're so much cooler in a SUV? It's so silly.

Or maybe people just don't like them ...? It's not silly to have a preference in automobiles.

skruhmin · August 2015

I seriously love my SUV. Just my preference. I guess it's Colorado cliche, but whatev.

fwtx5815 · August 2015

I don't have a need yet for all the space of a big, full size SUV but around September/October we're trading in my sedan for a smaller SUV and I can't wait! I love being up high. We're looking at 2015/2016 models of the Ford Escape, RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Jeep Cherokee. But if I could drive a Suburban or a Tahoe right now I totally would. I need something more fuel efficient though.

Parker16772 · August 2015

fwtx5815 said:

I don't have a need yet for all the space of a big, full size SUV but around September/October we're trading in my sedan for a smaller SUV and I can't wait! I love being up high. We're looking at 2015/2016 models of the Ford Escape, RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Jeep Cherokee. But if I could drive a Suburban or a Tahoe right now I totally would. I need something more fuel efficient though.

I love the new jeep cherokees. They are so nice!

fwtx5815 · August 2015

@Parker16772 that's at the top of my list right now! We stopped test driving this summer because the nausea was too much to deal with in busy dealership showrooms but hopefully I'll be feeling better soon so I can go drive one. I've been eyeing the Latitude edition

skruhmin · August 2015

We used to have a 2002 RAV4 when it was just one kid and it got small quickly. I know they've made them much bigger now. We loved it when it was just us two.

Parker16772 · August 2015

katekat8721 said:

I never understand the minivan hate ("oh I could never!") Why because you're so much cooler in a SUV? It's so silly.

I can def understand why people love minivans but personally I just don't like the way they look and I figure when I am going to spend a small fortune on a new car I should get something that I am in love with.

edited: because I can't type.

sadalman · August 2015

Crazy! Yes cargo was a big issue for us! We have a suv now and just going on a one week holiday really cemented it for us! We need to go bigger!

Hullabaloo2016 · August 2015

fwtx5815 said:

I don't have a need yet for all the space of a big, full size SUV but around September/October we're trading in my sedan for a smaller SUV and I can't wait! I love being up high. We're looking at 2015/2016 models of the Ford Escape, RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Jeep Cherokee. But if I could drive a Suburban or a Tahoe right now I totally would. I need something more fuel efficient though.

We have 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, we love it! BUT we won't have enough room with me, DH, SD13, car seat and any of SD13's friends. We will be carpooling a lot for volleyball with 2 other girls, we might need something with a 3rd row for all of the teens we will be carting around.

Want a personalized experience?

Advice needed - SUV vs. Minivan

Re: Advice needed - SUV vs. Minivan

Choose Another Board

Search Boards