SVU vs Mini Van

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I currently own a Toyota Sienna-which has a smaller cargo space than other mini vans. There will be 5 of us going (3 adults and 2 kids), so there will be 4-5 pieces of luggage and carry ons. I currently have a ressie for a mini van. I know that we wouldn't be able to get all that luggage in the back of my van, so I want to know if we'd be better off with an SUV. The down side to the SUV is that they cost more and someone would have to sit between the kids. Also, do the rental mini vans have captains chairs behind the front seats or a bench seat? Help, please!!!!

 

[mudnuri]

3 adults- 2 children- in a minivan that seats 8...so you have a driver, and front pass...maybe an adult in the 2nd row...then the 2 kids in the 3rd seat...leaves you with 2 seats worth of room on the 2nd row...plus the space behind the 3rd row...

A SUV that your going to rent 99% is going to have only 2 rows of seating..if it has 3- like a trailblazer EXT or the sort, you'll lose the cargo area...

I've rented both a Windstar and a Grand Caravan..both had the bench 2nd seat.

The Grand Caravan was HUGE.....we had me, my mom, aunt 2 nieces (15 &16 at the time- so think about THAT luggage)and my DD1 who was 5 at the time...we were only gone for 5 days, but we had MORE than enough room....DD5 was also in a car seat, so that look up some room as well...(well, only until we realized the Grand Caravan had the built in seats, then it stayed in the hotel)..

My advice- check the rental agency- what Make vehicles do they offer? They won't "GUARANTEE" A Make, however if it says "Dodge Caravan" or similar- take your chances, its either a dodge caravan or a Chrysler Town & Country...If you can find one thats a Dodge Brand- go for that, I dont know of any that rent Toyotas...mainly the big 3- GM,(Chevy Venture) Dodge (Chrysler) & Ford.

Good luck

Brandy

 

[LvsTnk]

I'd say go with the mini-van, your rates will be much better.

 

[DemoBri1]

IMHO...there should always be more cargo room in a van than in an SUV particularly in the case of only 5 passengers. If you fold one of the rear seats down and out of the way, you should have plenty of room for your luggage.

The SUV will undoubtedly be an Explorer/Blazer type, which if it doesn't have the 3rd row seat will probably be uncomfortable for the lucky person who has to sit between the two car seats for the kids. Also, if you have a 3rd row seat, you're then going to lose some cargo capacity anyway.

I have an SUV at home, but we're renting the minivan, not only because of the price difference, but because I feel we'll just have that much more room for "stuff".

Brian