Tried fighting the minivan trend by sticking with a 4Runner and sitting three kids across. Refused to get on the minivan train. Then one day just lost my passion for the fight and found an affordable low-mileage minivan and can't be happier. Now a family of 6, was definitely the right choice.

We have 4 kids and had a minivan until they were done with booster seats. We have the Honda Pilot now and I love it. Lots of storage space, seats 8.

Ok, so let me be honest. DH travels for work so I have to deal with "car stuff" but I'm not a "car person". Is it a big hassle to deal with snow tires on/off? Can I put them on in Nov. and then leave them until say April?

We have a cabin upstate that's on gravel roads. Snow tires fine for that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What have you been happy with? With enough room in the 3rd row for kids to use daily.

I know, I know minivan makes sense, but I'd really prefer an AWD vehicle for winter use. Looking around $40k. Don't care much about new vs used.

You can do the Subaru Ascent new for that. How many kids are in car seats / boosters?

2 in LBB, 2 in convertible seats (3 and 1)

Anonymous wrote:What have you been happy with? With enough room in the 3rd row for kids to use daily.

I know, I know minivan makes sense, but I'd really prefer an AWD vehicle for winter use. Looking around $40k. Don't care much about new vs used.

You can do the Subaru Ascent new for that. How many kids are in car seats / boosters?

Honda Odyssey.

Front wheel drive for winters is fine in the DC area. Vans are heavy and get great traction.

Sienna AWD. Vans have more interior space than suburbans.

I think the Sienna may have AWD?

We have toyota sienna w snow tires

minivan with AWD. with 6 people you will need the storage space (beach trips, sports, groceries) and none of the big suvs have as much as a minivan.

if you really thing you need AWD for winter, put snow tires on a minivan and you'll get better results and an AWD CUV with OEM tires

Do you have car seats or boosters?

If yes, minivan with AWD. If no, we are happy with our Palisade with AWD.

Sorry you definitely won't find a better option than a minivan. Check out the Chrysler Pacifica Limited - it's awesome inside even though it's a minivan on the outside.

Anonymous wrote:What have you been happy with? With enough room in the 3rd row for kids to use daily.

We traded in a Suburban - one of the largest SUVs made - for a minivan because the minivan had more room in the 3rd row. You won't find a better option.

What have you been happy with? With enough room in the 3rd row for kids to use daily.

I know, I know minivan makes sense, but I'd really prefer an AWD vehicle for winter use. Looking around $40k. Don't care much about new vs used.