Highlander/Pilot vs. Van

Anonymous
We have two car seats so when family comes into town, we have to rent a van. Also, my sister is soon visiting and we will need 3 car seats in one car. Going around in two cars is a pain-they are not used to driving in congested traffic and get lost so it's so much easier going in one car. We like the higlander or Pilot because of the 4 WD aspect for winter. However, it seems like the van is better in terms of more room, the fact that you can easily get to the third row of seats. Would appreciate feedback-trying to decide between the highlander/pilot vs. a van.
Anonymous
Get a Traverse/Acadia, save $10k over the smaller and inferior pilot/highlander, and problem solved.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Get a Traverse/Acadia, save $10k over the smaller and inferior pilot/highlander, and problem solved.


Can you please elaborate on the reasons why you prefer the Traverse/Acadia-I'm not familiar with these cars.
Anonymous
I don't think the Acadia is $10K cheaper than the Highlander. In addition, the Highlander comes in a hybrid version and I do not believe the Acadia does (in the event you're interested in a hybrid).
Anonymous
We very rarely need 4 wheel drive in this area, but that depends on your comfort level with snow in general. Front wheel drive is almost always enough. Invest in good tires, even snow tires, for winter.

I wouldn't buy a car for just one season. I'd look at year-round needs.

So based on your needs, I'd likely go with a minivan.
Anonymous
Great thing about a van is the retractable doors. Also, as an adult, i them easier to get into the very back, where I sometimes have to ride when MIL comes due to car seats.
Anonymous
Great thing about a van is the retractable doors. Also, as an adult, i them easier to get into the very back, where I sometimes have to ride when MIL comes due to car seats.
Anonymous
We have a 2012 pilot. We have two car seats in the back seat. One in the middle and one behind the driver seat. That row has a 60/40 split and both carseats fit on the 60 side. We can pull the 40 seat side forward to access the third row (also a 60/40 split). We have frequently had two up front, the two babies, one adult in the middle row and the a 4th adult in the back with the 60 split down to accommodate our large double stroller. We didn't get the highlander because it had captain's chairs in the second row and a "seat" that you can put in between the captain's chairs to make it a bench seat. It wouldn't have allowed the carseats to be side by side which would in turn mean that whoever sat in the middle row would be between the carseats and access to the third row would require removing a car seat. We didn't look at vans.
Anonymous
We got a pilot. Love it. Toyota quality control has slipped.
Anonymous
Love my Pilot! Low maintenance. Mini vans are very nice but not my style. I am not into driving a Mom Bus.
Anonymous
love my Pilot as well. I used to have a highlander, and the Pilot is so much better.
Anonymous
Toyota Sienna comes with AWD, although if you don't want to drive a Mom Bus I guess that won't help.
Anonymous
To anyone with a Pilot or Highlander... Do you find it difficult or a pain to get the kids in the car? What ages is it difficult? When does it get easier/better?
Anonymous
We have both a Toyota Sienna AWD and a Honda Pilot. Van is so much easier with young kids - no comparison. SO much easier. We always default to the van even though we have plenty of seating in the Pilot. One more time: van is SO much easier.
Anonymous
How does the Pilot compare to getting kids in and out of a four door sedan? I've got two kids and have no plans to get a van.
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