ugh we need a minivan: what works for your family?

[Anonymous]

We have two young boys but are hoping for more children. If anything we need room for strollers and Costco trips and guests to fit in the car. American suburban life and materialism at its finest!

So, recommend your minivan! How many did you compare and what works best for your family?

[Anonymous]

Love my Toyota Sienna. Going on 12 years with it. It holds EVERYTHING.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. I'm less inclined to even answer you when you start your post that way, as if this is such a horrible burden.

2012 Odyssey has worked great for us. We compared it to the Sienna. At the time, the Odyssey got better gas mileage (through cylinder deactivation), we preferred the way it drove, and preferred the fact that the second row middle seat was much more functional than the Sienna's equivalent.

But they're both good. The Odyssey's since been redesigned. And Chrysler totally revamped their minivan.

I'd buy another Odyssey.

[Anonymous]

I also have a Sienna, and love it. We test drove the Odyssey and the Sienna and I liked the softer, quieter drive of the Sienna. It's a 2011, still going strong, and will stay with us for at least 5 more years, I hope. I absolutely love it, love the sliding doors, the roomy interior, the fact that I can haul my kids, dog, and grandparents around in the same car, the comfortable seats, and the fact that I don't have to worry about dings or scratches. It's a perfect mom car. But then again, my identity is not tied up in my vehicle and I couldn't care less of the "image" my car projects. I know that minivans are a no-no to many people, but I am not one of them.

[Anonymous]

We love our Honda Odyssey - and we WANTED to get a minivan bc its the most practical with kids.

We also liked the Kia Sedona and the Chrysler Pacifica.

[Anonymous]

Love love love my Odyssey.

[Anonymous]

Love my Odyssey. You're going to be a convert as soon as you get it.

Minivans may not be sexy, but they know their target audience. I don't know that I've ever driven another vehicle as well designed for its purpose. It's designed for suburban family life, and it delivers.

[Anonymous]

Love the Odyssey! I don't recommend trying to save money by getting a Kia or Hyundai. Sienna's are also a fine choice.

What about the three-row SUV? The Pilot is an Odyssey in SUV clothing. The Highlander is a Sienna. You lose a tiny bit of storage space and the doors don't slide but the drive trains and features are mostly shared within the platform.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2006 (I think) Sienna and all I ever have to do is change the oil. 120k miles and it does hold literally everything. I honestly want it to break down so I can get a car with more updated features but it is not cooperating.

[Anonymous]

Odyssey rocks!

[Anonymous]

I have the new Odyssey. Lots of collision avoidance features that are helpful with the chaos of four crazy children, plus it can do Apple Carplay so your phone shows up on the main console for directions, calls, music, etc. Also the middle row seats slide sideways so you can create a bigger path to the back row.

[Anonymous]

Sienna all the way.

[Anonymous]

But if a Prius minivan will come out. i will switch in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

I love my Odyssey. It drives just like a sedan and is really well designed.

[Anonymous]

Love my Odyssey. Got it in 2005, it has 230K miles and is still going strong!