I told myself that I was never going to cave at getting a minivan because it is the classic mom car, there is a major stereo type of minivan drivers. Maybe an SUV would be a better fit for our family and I’ll be damned to try to find the car that works best for our growing family. But what is the better fit? Minivan or SUV?
Second Row Bucket Seats:
- Minvan. This is a great option for the parent with carseats. They are easier to get to and it makes getting into the back to the car for the older kids easier. When you have kids you will quickly learn that trying to have your kids do everything you want them to isn’t always going to work. Kids are going to climb over seats whether you tell them it’s okay or not.
- SUV. Most SUVs have a row of seats that makes it harder to get into the back row for the older kids. The 2016 Honda Pilot has added the option of bucket seats for the second row and more and more SUVs are adding that option because they get that it makes life easier for parents. But when you have this option in an SUV it comes at a cost and you have to figure out if you are able to afford that addition.
Storage Space:
- Minvan. This is the point that I hear the most about why parents pick a minivan, and I get it. When you go to Costco, or when we go to the mall, you have bags and boxes of stuff that doesn’t fit in a trunk of a car when you always have a stroller in your vehicle. We love having our City Select stroller because it can fold down pretty low giving you a lot of storage space, but it still takes up a lot of room. Minivans have the lower compartments in the very back where a stroller fits great, giving you plenty of room to add all your groceries, shopping spree bags and still have room for more. You also can fold back seats down if needed to give you even more room and some minivans the seats will fold down into the floor or can be completely removed.
- SUV. When you fold down the back row in an SUV you have so much room that you won’t know what to do with it all. But use that third row and you are going to have issues when packing up for a road trip or just a simple trip to Costco. You can get a Suburban and have tons of room for everyone, plus your stuff, but I just think this option is a little too big for our growing family. I will say, I can’t justify getting an SUV when talking storage. A minivan will win and that’s that.
Look, Accessories, Etc:
- Minivan. A minivan is going to have TVs, the look of a minivan is getting better and they don’t take up a ton of space. A lot of people will say, “I love the automatic sliding doors so I don’t have to worry about my child slamming the car next to us with the door.” I get it, but these doors tend to break and become completely useless.
- SUV. You can get the same accessories in an SUV that come in minivans: TVs, size, great lighting and air-conditioning. Both options have automatic doors and can even get the automatic door that is activated hands free with a remote or with putting your foot under to activate a door. You will get the same options in an SUV that you will in a minivan, so I don’t see any benefits here.
At the end of the day it comes down to preference. Do you want a car that will be easier for mom and make her life easier? Or do you want something that you will enjoy as a parent of older children? What best fits your needs and what will give you the most bang for your buck?
Honestly, I can’t say that I am almost completely converted over to the minivan and I don’t know if I am sure a SUV is right for us at this time. I know that we are going to need a bigger car and soon, so why not buy one of these sooner than later. My wife is 100% committed to a minivan, but I don’t know if I can handle it. I guess we are going to have to test drive a lot and see what is better for us. I am not excited for the journey, but I will keep you posted on what we figure out.
