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Minivans vs SUVs (Vans & SUVs Board)

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

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

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

Messages Page 187 of 188

#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.

#1861 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [ateixeira] by sebring95

Oct 18, 2011 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 18, 2011 11:31 am)
That was the biggest factor in our skipping the AWD. It was also a big factor when we skipped the Ody Touring back in 2005 (lack of 8 pax seating was another). At least with the Ody you could still swap out (after big $$) and install a spare. No good option for that on the Sienna without giving up valuable cargo room.

#1862 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [ateixeira] by steve_ HOST

Oct 18, 2011 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 18, 2011 11:31 am)
Yep - like run-flat tires, what I've observed to be the #1 most common complaint
 
Funny, so it's either that the van has too many PAX or not room for enough pax.
 
I'd love a 5 passenger minivan but I guess we'll have to move to France to find one. The Mazda5 is pretty close with "just" 6 seats.

#1863 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [steve_] by tifighter

Oct 18, 2011 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 18, 2011 1:27 pm)
I'd love a 5 passenger minivan but I guess we'll have to move to France to find one. The Mazda5 is pretty close with "just" 6 seats.
 
I figured you had already lived there at some point. You do get around...

#1864 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [yousaf] by tifighter

Oct 18, 2011 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: yousaf (Oct 17, 2011 4:40 pm)
As much as I prefer the interior of the Ody to the Sienna, I think I would choose the Sienna if only because it seems to be the only minivan that doesn't consistently have transmission complaints. I think I could make a XLE AWD work.

Messages Page 187 of 188

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