SUV or minivan and what specific make/model for family…

[Anonymous]

of 4. The issue is we have 2 in car seats and our current Jeep Grand Cherokee is not roomy enough to accommodate more than 2 additional passengers.

So, would you get a minivan? DH wants to get a Sienna.

Or would you stick with an SUV? If so, what make/model do you suggest that has worked for you and would be roomier, and more workable for us?

[Anonymous]

2 kids never minivan.
Not sure of your budget, but based on jeep grand cherokee, I'd say pilot, highlander or maybe telluride.

[Anonymous]

The practical answer is always minivan. The only reason to get an SUV are that you are towing or live somewhere where you need clearance or 4x4. If those don't apply, minivan is the most practical solution. If you can't stomach driving a minivan, then a full size SUV like a pilot will have better seating than what you have, but less than a minivan. Something much more expensive like a suburban or wagoneer will have comparable interior space

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The practical answer is always minivan. The only reason to get an SUV are that you are towing or live somewhere where you need clearance or 4x4. If those don't apply, minivan is the most practical solution. If you can't stomach driving a minivan, then a full size SUV like a pilot will have better seating than what you have, but less than a minivan. Something much more expensive like a suburban or wagoneer will have comparable interior space

This. The minivan is quite literally designed to be the best family car there is. It's the entire point!!! So it's perfect for family needs.
And if you think you don't want the sliding doors of a van, let me tell you that YOU WANT THE SLIDING DOORS. It's essential.

[Anonymous]

I just got my first minivan this december, (Sienna) My SIL thought it was great because it looks like an suv. I have never cared about the appearance, but I love the space we have now

[Anonymous]

Consider getting a plug in minivan (Pacifica). It's really nice not to have to get gas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider getting a plug in minivan (Pacifica). It's really nice not to have to get gas.

Read any review about Chrysler build quality and reliability before considering a Pacifica

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider getting a plug in minivan (Pacifica). It's really nice not to have to get gas.

Read any review about Chrysler build quality and reliability before considering a Pacifica

We've had ours for 6 years without issues, other than some stupid free recall work.

[Anonymous]

Most SUVs are glorified mini vans anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider getting a plug in minivan (Pacifica). It's really nice not to have to get gas.

Read any review about Chrysler build quality and reliability before considering a Pacifica

We've had ours for 6 years without issues, other than some stupid free recall work.

You got a good car. Chrysler is consistently rated as the worst car maker for reliability and build quality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The practical answer is always minivan. The only reason to get an SUV are that you are towing or live somewhere where you need clearance or 4x4. If those don't apply, minivan is the most practical solution. If you can't stomach driving a minivan, then a full size SUV like a pilot will have better seating than what you have, but less than a minivan. Something much more expensive like a suburban or wagoneer will have comparable interior space

Suburbans and Wagoneers are huge, though. I would caution you to consider during the test drive whether you really want something that large. I love mini vans for the space configuration, gas mileage, and space-saving sliding doors. To me, they're easier to drive and park than full-sized SUVs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The practical answer is always minivan. The only reason to get an SUV are that you are towing or live somewhere where you need clearance or 4x4. If those don't apply, minivan is the most practical solution. If you can't stomach driving a minivan, then a full size SUV like a pilot will have better seating than what you have, but less than a minivan. Something much more expensive like a suburban or wagoneer will have comparable interior space

Suburbans and Wagoneers are huge, though. I would caution you to consider during the test drive whether you really want something that large. I love mini vans for the space configuration, gas mileage, and space-saving sliding doors. To me, they're easier to drive and park than full-sized SUVs.

Because a traditional body on frame 4x4 with a rear differential takes up a lot of space. To get interior volume comparable to a minivan, you need something the size of a suburban. The suburban has 145 cubic feet of space behind the front row seats- the exact same as a Honda Odyssey

[Anonymous]

Yes to the minivan- we have the Sienna and I love it. We ended up with a Jeep Grand Cherokee for our rental on our recent family trip and I was so glad to be back to our minivan when we got back home. The sliding doors are wonderful and they are overall spacious and well-designed for families.

We are a family of 4 by the way.

[Anonymous]

If you’re fine with a minivan then Sienna or Odyssey. We needed more ground clearance, so we got a Pilot with 2nd row captain’s chairs and it’s great, just not as spacious as a minivan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The practical answer is always minivan. The only reason to get an SUV are that you are towing or live somewhere where you need clearance or 4x4. If those don't apply, minivan is the most practical solution. If you can't stomach driving a minivan, then a full size SUV like a pilot will have better seating than what you have, but less than a minivan. Something much more expensive like a suburban or wagoneer will have comparable interior space

Eh, a suburban, wagoneer, expedition EL, Yukon XL, etc is going to have a ton of cargo space -- more than a minivan. Also going to be wider and can hold 8 passengers. Something like an explorer has a pretty decent 3rd row seat but probably a little less cargo space.
Suburbans and Wagoneers are huge, though. I would caution you to consider during the test drive whether you really want something that large. I love mini vans for the space configuration, gas mileage, and space-saving sliding doors. To me, they're easier to drive and park than full-sized SUVs.

Because a traditional body on frame 4x4 with a rear differential takes up a lot of space. To get interior volume comparable to a minivan, you need something the size of a suburban. The suburban has 145 cubic feet of space behind the front row seats- the exact same as a Honda Odyssey