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Minivans vs. SUVs
Here are some general pros and cons of each to consider:
By Michael Bettencourt
- Minivans are the most flexible vehicles on the market, with Chryslers going from seven-seaters to two-seaters with multiple fridge, stroller and cooler capacity.
- Minivans are priced relatively low for such large vehicles. Fuel economy is generally better than seven-seat SUVs, and any minivan worth its salt will offer DVD and videogame options for the little ones.
- Minivans are not so mini anymore, so city dwellers may be annoyed at their bulk outside their natural suburban habitat of mall parking lots, where sliding doors are handy in tight spots. This size also means they are thirstier than four-cylinder SUVs, as well as the V6 versions of most compact SUVs, but comparable to similar mid-size SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 and Ford Freestyle/Taurus X.
- Sport-utes give varying degrees of cargo room, people capacity and overall family friendliness, but often offer the additional security of all-wheel or four-wheel drive. Their rear seats fold, but never disappear into a flat floor like modern minivans.
- More SUVs are getting rear-seat DVD options, but then again, so are regular cars and wagons.
- Handling is often better in SUVs, especially in car-based ones (a.k.a. “crossovers”) like the Nissan Murano and Mazda CX-7.
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