What car/van/SUV do you drive to accommodate four boosters?

[Anonymous]

I've tried to avoid this as long as possible, but we need to buy a car/van/SUV that can accommodate four boosters. I would love suggestions of what you drive and why you like it. Hoping to find the smallest one possible, but am open to all suggestions. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I only have to accommodate two boosters and a carseat. But, we couldn't do it in a small SUV or car. We have a Chrysler Town and Country and love love love it. We also considered a Toyota minivan (Sienna, I think) and a Honda Odessey. Both would also accommodate four boosters.

I never thought I would speak in such affectionate terms about a vehicle, but minivans are wonderful for those of us who have more than two kids. There's lots of storage space for weekend trips and big shopping trips to Costco and the grocery store. They are comfortable for both long trips and short jaunts. They are easy to get the kids in and out.

[Anonymous]

I love my Toyota Odessey. Most of my friends have the Honda Sienna and seem equally happy. A minivan makes transporting 4-5 kids sooooo easy (plus carrying a double jogger in the trunk).

[Anonymous]

A friend (fellow carpooler) does 4 boosters in a Kia Rhondo, and sometimes puts a 5th child (8 year old with no booster) in the seatbelt only in the middle of the 2nd row. Probably could also accomplish in a Toyota Highlander.

Consider a Mazda 5 which seats 6 in 3 rows of 2. No storage space when the 3rd row is up. Has minivan style sliding doors.

Personally, I went for the Honda Odyssey, full size minivan. Great for the carpool, 4 in boosters. Great for long trips with my 2 kid family.

[Anonymous]

I have a Kia Sedona, which I like. I used to have a Dodge Caravan and I think that was a better vehicle. I gave the Dodge to my sister when I bought the Sedona and she is still driving her 4 kids in it. It is still going strong with nearly 200K miles on it.

Neither have been fabulous on gas mileage, but they are still better than the average SUV.

[Anonymous]

love my Toyota Odessey. Most of my friends have the Honda Sienna

What?

[Anonymous]

Are the occupants of the boosters all yours?

As a mom of one kid, who sometimes carpools and needs to fit 4 kids, I find my Mazda5 to be the perfect compromise. I can fit 4 kids and still park in the space of a Honda Civic.

But, I could never fit 4 kids in boosters, a passenger in the front seat, and a load of groceries or a bunch of suitcases, so it's not really the best option for families who actually have 4 kids.

[Anonymous]

Mother of 4 here.
I often transport my kids plus carpool kids so even a minivan wouldn't work for us. We took the giant plunge and I now drive a 12 passenger van. Once I got over the image I've got to say I LOVE my van. I can easily fit 9 carseat/booster seats for carpool and when we do road trips with just our family we have plenty of room for all the stuff that a family of 6 needs to take with them.

I know you are thinking I'm bonkers but it isn't that hard to drive and with a review camera parking is pretty easy. The only downfall is that I don't fit into a lot of parking garages so I have to think ahead when I'm headed to a new place.

[Anonymous]

Nissan Armada.

If you get the 2nd row bench instead of 2 captains seats, you can fit 8 including driver. Without scrunching.

[Anonymous]

Kia Sedona
Hyundai Entourage. (High-end version of Kia. Stopped production in 2008, but several "new" ones are still available at bargain prices.)

[Anonymous]

We have an Armada-three kids, plus another two that are often with us. We travel alot-to NY and NC, and the armada has been wonderful. We have the platnium edition and I love, love, love the backup camera and sensors that beep if we get too close to anything. Also great for parallel parking. Never thought I would love such a large suv, but it works great for our family.

[Anonymous]

Love my Honda Odyssey, not Honda Sienna! LOL