Minivan vs Fullsize SUV

[VW31]

Traveling with 6 people, 3 adults and 3 teens. All will have med size luggage.
Should I rent a minivan or a fullsize suv from National?
How are the pickings for the minivans vs the fullsize suv's as far as car style, cleaniness, etc.?

If not from National but you have experience with a minivan or fullsize suv, please post comments as well.

I have never seen the inside of either so a description of the interior seating, trunk space, etc. would be appreciated.


Thanks.

 

[robinb]

I would rent a minivan. An SUV may only seat 5 while a minivan will probably seat more. You'll need to check the rental car web site for exact seating.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I agree with the above poster. We own a full size SUV( Chevy Tahoe) and it only seats 5. Mini-vans have more room.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I have a chevy tahoe that seats 8, but leaves no room for all of your luggage. An Expedition may be a little better. I would definately check to see what type of SUV it is, you may be better off with a minivan.

 

[VW31]

National lists their fullsize SUV as being a Dodge Durango or similiar, seating 8 and holding 4-luggage.

The minivan is listed as being a Chevrolet Astro, Pontiac Montana or similar, seating 7 and holding 3-luggage.

What do you guys think?

 

[wintermom]

We are six people also and National and Alamo told me I had to rent
a minivan that their SUV would only hold five. I had considered renting a
luxury car that say it seats six but Alamo said, in Florida, the law is you must
have a harness type seatbelt in the front seat so even their luxury cars can
only seat 5 in Florida. So its a minivan for us.

Wintermom

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We got the full size SUV in July, and ended up with a Durango. They had nothing but Durangos, and they don't even have an aisle for them. We had to ask at the desk in the garage and they had it brought up.

 

[VW31]

Cali, lots of questions...

How much people and luggage did you have?
Was it a comfortable fit? What was the interior like?
Did you reserve a fullsize ahead of time or ask for one when you got there?
How much was it?

Thanks.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We did reserve a full-size SUV in advance, I think it was $499/week. We had 4 people, 4 big roller bags and 4 (carry-on size) duffle bags. It held all of us and our stuff, but I wouldn't have wanted to put a whole lot more in there. We had to fold down the 3rd row seat to fit all the bags in. We did like it, though, and are considering buying one sometime, as it drove just like a car.