Ask the Car People.SM


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

#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.

#1865 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [tifighter] by ateixeira

Oct 19, 2011 (10:12 am)

Replying to: tifighter (Oct 18, 2011 4:38 pm)
The powertrain on mine is a dream. Very quick, fuel efficient, trouble-free.

#1866 of 1874 Re: A Civil Comparison [tifighter] by sebring95

Oct 19, 2011 (11:32 am)

Replying to: tifighter (Oct 18, 2011 4:38 pm)
We never had trouble with the tranny in our Ody over 100k miles. Had trouble with just about everything else though. I would just buy what you like best. We've had the Sienna in for several things already as well. Nothing major, just silly stuff that happens when you have $10,000 of electronic gizmos. Bluetooth, NAV, sliding doors, radar cruise...and the best part is the techs have no clue how to fix this stuff. Well they finally fixed the doors but the rest is just tough S#$ I guess. At least the Honda dealer gave us a loaner! I miss the old Honda and Toyota. Too bad they're the only game for decent driving minivans.

#1868 of 1874 Car Match by steve_ HOST

Oct 20, 2011 (1:38 pm)

A reporter would like to interview anyone who has used Edmunds.com's Car Match.
 
Please email predmunds.com by November 4, 2011 with your daytime phone number and a comment about your experience.

#1870 of 1874 Cargo space and door measurements by tmakogon

Jan 05, 2012 (10:55 pm)

I'd like to start a thread to report measurements (in inches) for SUVs and minivans because the real cargo space dimensions is a consideration in purchasing an SUV for me and for friends whom I asked.
 
Manufacturers usually report cargo space cubic footage, but when transporting large household items like a sofa or a painting or a dryer what really matters is how wide the cargo door opening is and how deep is the space.
 
My SUV experience was that Rendezvous had much better cargo capacity than RX350. Things still fit in the RX but fewer do and much tighter, requiring multiple trips at times.
From memory the Rendezvous had a 48-inch wide opening, and fairly tall too. It never got to carry 4x8's in it, but it was big enough and did carry a plasma TV.
 
If you feel like measuring your cargo space and sharing the four measurements please post the following:
• SUV or van model name
• width at bottom (watch for wheel wells)
• width at top (e.g. at ceiling or at side-folded third row seats)
• height (watch for ceiling-mounted seatbelt spools and DVD players)
• floor depth with second row seats folded down
 
An example:
LexusRX350 44 42 30 72

Messages Page 187 of 188

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement