Anonymous wrote:Minivans have three rows of seats.

SUVS have only two.

That's a huge difference.

Lots of SUVs have 3rd row seating now, though. Particularly the huge ones.

Minivans have three rows of seats.

SUVS have only two.

That's a huge difference.

Some car maker just needs to take a standard minivan, boost up the body an inch or so, and add some outdoorsy-looking trim, and then market it as a "Sports Utility Van" (SUV). The commercials will have images of young-looking people high-fiving while loading surfboard and mountain bikes. And then when they get home, we will see them buckling in carseats while removing the sports gear ("ready for Monday morning!"). Minivans and SUVs are the same car with different images.

Or else go full "Urban Assault Vehicle" like in Stripes ...

Anonymous wrote:SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

It's just an image thing. yes, they are often about the same size, but I was pointing out that OP is worried about image and to me, this is the image SUVs project.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

and how does the minivan not do all these things?

To start, for the same seating capacity and cargo space, a comparable SUV has to be larger than the minivan.

Perhaps. But it was an eye-opener to me when I started researching the new Honda Odyssey, and discovered its exterior dimensions are almost identical to my brother's new Toyota 4Runner SUV, which I think is huge. There is no way I'd want to drive something that big.

Anonymous wrote:Well, I suppose I mean an SUV that does not LOOK like a minivan that still has sliding doors.

This is funny because I think a lot of SUVs are starting to look like minivans except they don't have sliding doors. Add the sliding doors and there isn't much to differentiate them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

and how does the minivan not do all these things?

To start, for the same seating capacity and cargo space, a comparable SUV has to be larger than the minivan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

and how does the minivan not do all these things?

I tend to agree. Most minivans today are enormous. That's why I mentioned the Mazda 5. If I were in the market for a new car, that's the first one I'd look at.

Anonymous wrote:SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

and how does the minivan not do all these things?

SUV == looks like a big gas guzzler driven by a person who really doesn't care about the environment, hogs the road, blocks other drivers' views, takes up too much parking room, etc. etc.

Minivan = mom

Well, I suppose I mean an SUV that does not LOOK like a minivan that still has sliding doors.

The Mazda 5 has sliding doors. Not sure how to classify it, though.

Anonymous wrote:An "SUV with sliding doors" is a minivan.

LIKE

An "SUV with sliding doors" is a minivan.

If not, why doesn't SOMEONE invent one? I would be all over that and I bet so many parents who were anti minivan for the uncool factor would be ok with an SUV that had sliding doors. Heck, I'm sure even non parents would love that. easier to get into the car in crowded parking lots and easier for passengers....So am I an idiot and this car already exists and I don't know about it? If so, let me know!