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SUV vs Minivans

1874 messages,  Last post on Jan 26, 2012 at 8:39 AM

You are in the SUVs Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Sienna, SUV, Van

Messages Page 186 of 188

#1851 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [skimmel] by yousaf

Sep 13, 2011 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: skimmel (Jul 24, 2001 5:36 pm)
Well I personally prefer SUVs but I was practically forced to buy a minivan. I just sold my 2007 Acura MDX. SUVs are nice and make you look rich. Midsize SUVs usually have luxurious design but aren't as comfortable as minivans. Their 3rd row seating isn't very practical. If you have over two children or you travel a lot with a large and older family then I recommend a minivan. If you don't travel a lot an you have a small family of three or less then midsize SUVs are fine. Just the space becomes in an issue with midsize SUVs. Now full size SUVs are better but they have terrible fuel consumption. They also usually have very high interest rates and are very expensive. No one really buys them and they have terrible resale value. They also don't have as many features as minivans.
 
    Since I got rid of my X5 I just bought a Honda Odyssey Touring Elite for 43,000 dollars, which is the fully upgraded model. I wasn't so happy selling my MDX but I had to as I have one 15 year old and an 11 year old. I also travel with my cousin and his wife plus his 14 year old son. Our MDX became a headache. My son complained a so much about the third row, so we sold our MDX last week. Then we visited the toyota dealer and checked out the Sienna. Then we went to Honda and I checked the Odyssey out. I sat in the third row and man was it comfortable or what. Very easily can three full size adults fit in the third row. Now then my wife and I debated between Odyssey and Sienna. My wife and I both loved the Odyssey. It is perfect for young children if you have any, even though we don't. I love the space. The Odyssey has some really nice features such as: a cool box, flat fold third row seats, power rear hatch, power sliding doors, ultrawide rear entertainment screen, and what not! I highly recommend the Honda Odyssey 2011. AMAZING MINIVAN!!!

#1852 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [yousaf] by ateixeira

Sep 14, 2011 (9:35 am)

Replying to: yousaf (Sep 13, 2011 5:47 pm)
It was the unselfish thing to do...your passengers will thank you.

#1853 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [yousaf] by lxowner2

Sep 14, 2011 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: yousaf (Sep 13, 2011 5:47 pm)
What made you purchase the Odyssey over the Sienna? I am thinking of going with the Sienna because I like the AWD option.

#1854 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [lxowner2] by sebring95

Oct 15, 2011 (11:52 am)

Replying to: lxowner2 (Sep 14, 2011 1:24 pm)
We came out of an Ody and into a Sienna. We started toward the Sienna because of the AWD and were never happy with the snow/ice performance of the Ody even with Blizzaks. Once I gave the Sienna AWD a good look and balanced the pro's/con's we ended up with a FWD. The system is very basic, drags mpg, and the run-flats are not my cup-o-tea.
 
I personally like everything about the Ody better except for the exterior styling. But given that not much changed in the overall mechanicals I have doubts the new ones are any better in the snow/ice. Ody was the worst FWD I've owned for winter performance so I guess we'll find out how the Sienna does. We drive a lot of very hilly and rarely plowed roads so really we would prefer an SUV. But the compromise of space just doesn't cut it.
 
We looked closely at the Acadia but there is just not enough cargo space if you need the 3rd row, which is the only reason I can imagine buying one of these vehicles. We have several 4x4 vehicles around so we have choices if the weather turns really foul. But it never fails we'll be on a trip and hit some weather coming or going. Nice to know you can actually get home once you get off the highway. We managed with the Ody and Blizzaks but it was not impressive.

#1855 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [lxowner2] by yousaf

Oct 17, 2011 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: lxowner2 (Sep 14, 2011 1:24 pm)
Hmm I purchased an Odyssey and not a Sienna because Sienna does have a nice exterior from the front however the back looks kind of messed up. The Odyssey is actually better exterior. The Honda Odyssey has better interior features and a better interior design unlike the Sienna where everything looks so messed up in the front where all the AC controls are.
 
Somethings I really liked about the Sienna was that it had AWD, it was really spacious much more than Odyssey, it had more trim levels and starting price for leather was cheaper, the front design I love it, and a few other minor things.
 
One kind of dumb thing Toyota did with the AWD models are that they only have 7 seats if you want AWD. If you get standard 2WD then you get 8 seats.
 
Overally I think both vans are very good and spacious epecially after selling an Acura MDX.

#1856 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [yousaf] by ateixeira

Oct 18, 2011 (9:27 am)

Replying to: yousaf (Oct 17, 2011 4:40 pm)
Good point - I wanted AWD and 8 seats even back in MY2007, but had to compromise. We choose the 8th seat, since we also own a Subaru.
 
Is that still the case with the 2011s?

#1857 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [ateixeira] by sebring95

Oct 18, 2011 (10:01 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 18, 2011 9:27 am)
2011+ the XLE AWD and all Ltd models come with the 7 pax lounge seating. LE AWD just has plain 7 pax seating.
 
I'm guessing there's something mechanical from allowing the 8-pax seating on the AWD models. The driveshaft goes through where the spare tire would be on FWD models which is why they only have run-flats on AWD. The AWD Ltd also loses the power third row because of some limitation.
 
It could also be a weight limitation since the AWD adds significant heft. Curb weight on a Ltd AWD is 335# higher than a FWD LE and 200# heavier than a FWD Ltd. That's more than one pax by most definitions.

#1858 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [sebring95] by ateixeira

Oct 18, 2011 (10:38 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Oct 18, 2011 10:01 am)
I know on the 2004-2008 models the floor stamping was different when you compared the 7 and 8 seaters. I'm sure that plus the other things you mentioned are all factors.

#1859 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [ateixeira] by sebring95

Oct 18, 2011 (10:44 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 18, 2011 10:38 am)
You can see that with the complexities that go into the AWD models (down to different body parts, seats, tires, etc.) why they're not offered by other brands. And even though that was the main reason we originally gravitated toward the Sienna to replace our Ody....we came home with a FWD.

#1860 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [sebring95] by ateixeira

Oct 18, 2011 (11:31 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Oct 18, 2011 10:44 am)
Yep - like run-flat tires, what I've observed to be the #1 most common complaint when it comes to Siennas.

Messages Page 186 of 188

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