Inside Line 2008 Comparison Test - Crossover vs. Minivan vs. SUV

38 messages, Last post on Mar 25, 2009 at 1:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Odyssey, GMC Acadia, Toyota Sequoia, Car Comparisons, SUV, Van

2008 Comparison Test: Crossover vs. Minivan vs. SUV - Put simply, neither the Sequoia nor the Acadia could touch the Odyssey's ability to swallow stuff, or its ease of loading and unloading passengers or cargo. (more)

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#7 of 38 Loaded up? by ahightower Mar 10, 2008 (4:25 pm)
What I'd like to know is how do they perform when loaded with all seven passengers and a bunch of stuff in the back? We know minivans can "fit" three in the back, but is 240 hp enough for all that weight? Can the suspension handle it? Also, it might have been nice to include a regular van (GMC Savannah), I'm thinking that might be the best of both worlds for our next family vehicle. Three very roomy rows, plus towing/hauling capacity. But I suppose they're not popular enough to be included in this test. Overall, a great article, thanks! Replies to this message: bobber1 (Mar 10, 2008 4:33 pm) flanken (Mar 10, 2008 4:40 pm)
#8 of 38 Re: Why these vehicles???? [fordsrule13] by ahightower Mar 10, 2008 (4:29 pm)
Replying to: fordsrule13 (Mar 10, 2008 2:56 pm) The Edge doesn't have three rows. I'm guessing they picked the Sequoia over the Expedition (or Tahoe, or Armada) because it's so new. I would have liked to see them do a Suburban or Expedition EL, as that would have gained some of the points the Sequoia lost for cargo space with all three rows in use, and would have swallowed some of the same stuff from the lumberyard as the Odyseey did. And the GM's with DOD might have done a little better on gas mileage too.
#9 of 38 Re: I Liked [jchan2] by ahightower Mar 10, 2008 (4:32 pm)
Replying to: jchan2 (Mar 10, 2008 2:25 pm) The Sienna also has optional AWD, which would have distanced it further from the Acadia. Not to mention laser cruise control and some other luxury doodads. It would have cost more I suppose, but it's really the Lexus of minivans.
#10 of 38 Re: Loaded up? [ahightower] by bobber1 Mar 10, 2008 (4:33 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Mar 10, 2008 4:25 pm) "Oversensitive Egos"..Love that quote! How true! You just can't beat the utility and functionality of a minivan. Great Review!
#11 of 38 Re: Loaded up? [ahightower] by flanken Mar 10, 2008 (4:40 pm)
Replying to: ahightower (Mar 10, 2008 4:25 pm) I suspect the suspension probably can handle a full load. Several years ago, I rode for about 150 miles in a previous-generation Odyssey that was crammed full of junk from 3 dorm rooms. It was filled from the floor to almost the ceiling, and so packed that we barely had space for our 3rd passenger. Not the safest setup in retrospect, but the van rode stably enough, and got us to our destination.
#12 of 38 Re: Why these vehicles???? [fordsrule13] by albook Mar 10, 2008 (5:29 pm)
Replying to: fordsrule13 (Mar 10, 2008 2:56 pm) Why the acadia and Sequioa? The Edge is tiny and can't match the Acadia for capability, let alone the Odyssey. And the Expedition? It does have a bigger third row, but less cargo space- even then the Acadia.
#13 of 38 Outcome by albook Mar 10, 2008 (5:32 pm)
Before reading the article I knew this would be the outcome. The Acadia held its own shockingly well. With a little more power, towing capacity and mpg, this could replace minivans and BOF SUVs alike.
#14 of 38 the contenders by jkavanagh Mar 10, 2008 (5:37 pm)
We chose the Sequoia, Acadia, and Odyssey as they are arguably the best (or very nearly the best) examples of their respective vehicle segments (full-size SUV, crossover, minivan). Also, while the Expedition EL and Suburban are larger than the Sequoia, there are garages that simply won't accomodate those vehicles as they are too long. We placed "garage-ability" as a prerequisite. Replies to this message: ahightower (Mar 11, 2008 6:04 pm)
#15 of 38 Acadia by jkavanagh Mar 10, 2008 (5:39 pm)
albook, The Acadia will need sliding doors at a minimum if it is to have a chance at topping the Odyssey.
#16 of 38 Sticker Shock by altimadude00 Mar 10, 2008 (7:21 pm)
The prices for all three of these vehicles, at over $40,000, really shocks me. I think the base Dodge Caravan doesn't even start under $20 grand. What's the point of family transportation when the family can't afford it or puts them into debt? Replies to this message: bobber1 (Mar 10, 2008 7:56 pm) bobw3 (Mar 11, 2008 5:01 am)