Need to replace my Mazda5

[Squirlz]

Yep. I'd have zero argument with someone who prefers an SUV or crossover to a minivan because of the fashion statement an SUV/crossover makes in todays' market, or the stigma attached to the minivan. That's the beauty of the car market, tons and tons of choices. Minivans are what they are...family haulers and they're incredibly good at it. Small to midsize SUVs and crossovers simply don't have the interior packaging that a minivan does, nor are they as easy to access the space that they do have.

I was on the porch of our Inn in Key West and saw and old Ford Escape with Alaska plates. They were checking in. Later we're talking to them during happy hour and he's telling us about their epic drive across the country from Alaska. I said "Yeah I saw your car over th....." He interrupted loudly and said "SUV!!" Really dude? It's THAT important to you?

 

[HarperLeigh]

Yep. I'd have zero argument with someone who prefers an SUV or crossover to a minivan because of the fashion statement an SUV/crossover makes in todays' market, or the stigma attached to the minivan. That's the beauty of the car market, tons and tons of choices. Minivans are what they are...family haulers and they're incredibly good at it. Small to midsize SUVs and crossovers simply don't have the interior packaging that a minivan does, nor are they as easy to access the space that they do have.

What are you talking about? Interior space in my vehicle is just as easily accessed as in a mini van. What interior packaging are you referring to when you're comparing?

 

[HarperLeigh]

I was on the porch of our Inn in Key West and saw and old Ford Escape with Alaska plates. They were checking in. Later we're talking to them during happy hour and he's telling us about their epic drive across the country from Alaska. I said "Yeah I saw your car over th....." He interrupted loudly and said "SUV!!" Really dude? It's THAT important to you?

Eh, I call mine a car all the time.

 

[soccerdad72]

What are you talking about? Interior space in my vehicle is just as easily accessed as in a mini van. What interior packaging are you referring to when you're comparing?

I know in comparing my old Honda Odyssey with my current car (err, SUV), an Acura MDX, the way the trunk opened on the Odyssey allowed for much easier loading of larger, bulky items, like bikes or furniture. The storage capacity might be fairly equal, but it still won't hold the same items easily.

 

[jrmasm]

What are you talking about? Interior space in my vehicle is just as easily accessed as in a mini van. What interior packaging are you referring to when you're comparing?

What kind of crossover do you have? There's no way you could fit two dressers, a side table and a dorm fridge in our Rouge. Our Odyessy fit all that with room to spare.

 

[osopecoso]

My brother has a Toyota Highlander. It has a 3rd row. Not a huge truck.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I was on the porch of our Inn in Key West and saw and old Ford Escape with Alaska plates. They were checking in. Later we're talking to them during happy hour and he's telling us about their epic drive across the country from Alaska. I said "Yeah I saw your car over th....." He interrupted loudly and said "SUV!!" Really dude? It's THAT important to you?

And the funny thing is you were a lot closer to being right than he was LOL

 

[Klayfish]

What are you talking about? Interior space in my vehicle is just as easily accessed as in a mini van. What interior packaging are you referring to when you're comparing?

Every try to climb into the third row of a Honda Pilot? Try doing it over and over and then try the same thing in the Honda Odyssey and tell me which one is easier to access.

Let's just stick with the Pilot and Odyssey. Both made by Honda, not far off in size from one another. Overall interior volume? The Odyssey by a mile. The Odyssey also has more room in the second and third rows, a lower floor to make it easier to get in and out, a lower cargo floor to make it easier to load/unload, a larger cargo area. And that's comparing it to a Pilot, which is a decent sized SUV. "Crossovers" would be even worse. Many crossover vehicles are really just station wagons that are wearing high heels, so as not to be seen as a wagon.

Like I said, people by SUVs and crossovers because they're a fashion fad in the industry and the minivan has a stigma to it. That's perfectly OK, no debating that. But from a practicality and efficiency standpoint, most SUVs and crossovers pale horribly in comparison.

 

[cvjw]

I keep going back and forth between SUV's and minivans - 2 honda odysseys, 1 toyota sienna, 1 ford explorer and 1 nissan pathfinder. There is NO comparison with cargo capacity and passenger comfort between the SUV's and my 2014 Honda Odyssey. The 2014 Honda Odyssey wins every time in every scenario

It can carry so much cargo when I need to move my son to college. It takes us to Disney in comfort and style several times per year - and we can take as much stuff with us as we want and all be happy on the drive down.

I tried all of these things with my Nissan Pathfinder - no comparison. We had to buy a cargo holder to drive to disney. Our stuff would not fit in the cargo area. And, I will not mention how uncomfortable the 3rd row passengers were - it was torturous back there.

Yes, the SUV is better looking than the minivan, but the minivan is just so functional. When my boys have totally left the nest, I will go back to an SUV. But as long as we all travel together (plus the elderly black lab), the Odyssey is perfect for us!

 

[mamamary]

I keep going back and forth between SUV's and minivans - 2 honda odysseys, 1 toyota sienna, 1 ford explorer and 1 nissan pathfinder. There is NO comparison with cargo capacity and passenger comfort between the SUV's and my 2014 Honda Odyssey. The 2014 Honda Odyssey wins every time in every scenario

It can carry so much cargo when I need to move my son to college. It takes us to Disney in comfort and style several times per year - and we can take as much stuff with us as we want and all be happy on the drive down.

I tried all of these things with my Nissan Pathfinder - no comparison. We had to buy a cargo holder to drive to disney. Our stuff would not fit in the cargo area. And, I will not mention how uncomfortable the 3rd row passengers were - it was torturous back there.

Yes, the SUV is better looking than the minivan, but the minivan is just so functional. When my boys have totally left the nest, I will go back to an SUV. But as long as we all travel together (plus the elderly black lab), the Odyssey is perfect for us!

Sounds very similar to my situation. I think we are back to looking at minivans again (can't believe it). I have an elderly black lab also that travels with us and I can't find what else would fit our needs because of him. Plus two kids in college. My DD - who we just moved into college - needs to empty out her room for the winter break so that is an extra back and forth with all her stuff