06

Making the choice between a minivan and a SUV has almost become a rite of parental passage. The decision is a topic for discussion that is guaranteed to set the forums on fire, with a recent thread on the subject quickly exceeding 100 posts. Both vehicle types have their supporters and detractors, but my response is "none of the above."

Certainly there are those who of necessity require a large vehicle. Families with more than two children, large dogs, or with a need to tow something are obvious examples. But for smaller, urban families, in my opinion there are much better choices. One such choice is the station wagon. However, perhaps due to nightmarish memories of long trips in the family Vista Cruiser, my generation has largely spurned station wagons. The few good choices available tend to be luxury models from the likes of BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo. The most obvious, and attractive, exception to this rule is the Subaru Outback.