https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:03:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929334 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:26:50 +0000 HLK208 1929334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go for the van!!! We regret getting an SUV </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929315 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:23:38 +0000 fairy 1929315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say the Odyssey is great for multiple kids! :) Good luck in your decision. I don't think there is much stigma against minivans anymore, they have gotten really nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929275 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:07:38 +0000 leeenie 1929275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's a comparison of Odyssey v Sienna:</p> <p><a href="http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-reviews/217339/2014-honda-odyssey-vs-2014-toyota-sienna-which-is-better.jsp" rel="nofollow">http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-reviews/217339/2014-honda-odyssey-vs-2014-toyota-sienna-which-is-better.jsp</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929264 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:02:55 +0000 leeenie 1929264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChitownRo: my 3 yo can buckle himself, but there are times when he dawdles and I'd rather do it for him, plus I like to check and make sure it's tight enough. He can't undo the buckles either (I think they're meant to be that way). So if it's difficult to access an SUV's third row, that's definitely a strike (to me) against an SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929227 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:50:49 +0000 looch 1929227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally go minivan, the third row in SUVs is still pretty tight, unless you get a beast, and then there's the price of gas.</p> <p>@ChitownRo: I don't think so, my son's almost four and he is still riding in a 5 point harness and can't undo his car seat buckles yet, and I like it that way, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929220 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:48:51 +0000 ChitownRo 1929220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only have one LO now, but plan to have 3 so I"m definitely following this thread. Since we live in the city, we only have one car. Right now it's a sedan (infiniti g35x) but once we have LO2, then I think we will need more space. So I've been thinking 3 row SUVs... LO1 would be 4 by the time he would need to be in a booster in the 3rd row. Could he just crawl back there and buckle himself in? Is that doable at 4 years old? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929196 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:42:20 +0000 ValentineMommy 1929196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our CX9, but I definitely want a minivan in the future. DH is still resisting however lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929170 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:34:21 +0000 Greentea 1929170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MINIVAN!!!! I never never never thought I would go near one, but we recently had the pleasure of driving one (as a loaner vehicle) while our SUV was in the shop. It was soooo amazing! So much easier on your back, so much easier to move around in, so much less stress. I can't wait to get one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929115 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:11:37 +0000 autumnlove 1929115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am definitely getting a minivan for our next car. Odyssey or Sienna! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929105 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:08:36 +0000 snowjewelz 1929105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of mini vans, but if you must, the Honda Odyssey is really good! DH's parents had that and then the Toyota Sienna and loved the Odyssey a lot more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1929099 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:05:25 +0000 leeenie 1929099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. It's looking more and more like I'll be a minivan-driving mom and I will have to check out the Odyssey. I like my Honda CR-V, but it doesn't have a very smooth ride (you feel all the bumps) and the front seats are not very comfortable for long rides. Anyone want to share re: comfort of the Odyssey or Sienna? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928285 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 05:57:23 +0000 Charm54 1928285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love love our Pathfinder. The third row is easily accessible and has lots of legroom. But when it's up the trunk space is minimal. You probably could have 3 older kids in it, but three car seats + all the crap that comes along with little kids (strollers, etc) I would probably just get a minivan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928284 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 05:43:26 +0000 Orchid 1928284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hated minivans in general, but love our odyssey! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928254 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 02:41:22 +0000 Arden 1928254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We like our Sienna. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928245 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:52:10 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1928245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only have two kids but couldn't ignore the comfort and gas mileage of a minivan. We went for the odyssey because I like that it can have a three person bench in the middle or captains </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928230 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:14:49 +0000 coopsmama 1928230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've thought about this a lot since we're likely not done at 2 and I'd really like a minivan. For one, I nannied for a family with 3 and they had a minivan and it was super convenient to be able to throw the kids in the car, shut the door, and then get everyone adjusted. That's not possible with your standard large SUV. </p> <p>I have a Highlander now, and I really do like it and will be sad to see it go. But I can't imagine the logistics of 3 car seats in there -- I'm pretty sure it'd just be a big pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928187 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:45:16 +0000 CRGmama 1928187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My good friend just had her 3rd and she pulled the trigger on an odyssey and she loves it. She had a Tahoe prior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928095 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 21:46:54 +0000 winniebee 1928095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister has the Odyssey and looooves it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1928084 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 21:37:42 +0000 babynumber1 1928084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely would not recommend the Pilot for more than 2 children. Ours has the 3rd row seat, but it takes all the stirage space and is not easily accessible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927940 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 19:44:49 +0000 Astro Bee 1927940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (what the 2-row version is called in Canada). The show room model was the Santa Fe XL (3rd row), but we're expecting #1, and can't imagine 3 at this point, and I liked the storage solution options available with the Sport. The 2nd row, in both versions slides forward a bit, as I recall, and might meet your needs. It does have more rear space than any other SUV I've seen, so you'd prob be okay with a stroller in there. For sure, if you flipped one portion of the 3rd row down. Of course, the only way is for you to try it out at the dealership. I'd recommend browsing first, then taking your car seats with you to install right there in the show room. Most dealerships will let you. Ours let us bring the demo home (we live 10 mins away) to see if the storage space met our needs. Actually, it was my needs - my big a** telescope, which is the biggest thing we would want to transport with the seats still up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927717 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:07:41 +0000 LuLu Mom 1927717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leeenie: We have an Acadia (identical to the Tarverse on the inside) and we have no issues with accessing our third row, but it's easier if the child back there can manage to buckle themselves (my 4 year old niece for example can do this and is fine back there.) </p> <p> There isn't a lot of room between the bucket seats and front seats to squeeze back there. For sure can't get by a rear facing car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927680 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:47:47 +0000 blackbird 1927680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend loves her pilot! </p> <p>My other friend *loves* her Odyssey, though! They're getting spiffy </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927651 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:36:39 +0000 jetsa 1927651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leeenie: yea I love my pilot but it wouldn't be ideal for more than 2 kids unless you put all 3 in the second row and then you'd have tons of storage space </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927620 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:26:46 +0000 creativemomma15 1927620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leeenie: I don't personally have any experience with this but I vote for the mini van, at least that's what our plan is when the time comes. My cousin got a larger SUV for a third and ended up trading in for a mini van because it was not practical for them… and they were very anti mini van to start but now they love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927599 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:17:24 +0000 leeenie 1927599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jetsa - good to know. Probably not the best for stroller storage then.</p> <p>@mrs. bird - good point. do you have a minivan you like? plus it's easier to get kids in and out when you're parked because the doors slide instead of swing out.</p> <p>@mrs. wagon - that does sounds like a pain. I"ll look into the newer model.</p> <p>@mrsbrewer - you're right, I'm thinking of the Traverse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927592 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:12:23 +0000 MrsBrewer 1927592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leeenie: I don't think the Equinox has a 3rd row? I think you might be thinking of the Traverse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927589 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:10:36 +0000 mrs. wagon 1927589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should also add that we usually keep one side of the 3rd row up and our big stroller (uppababy vista) fit just fine next to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927588 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:10:33 +0000 mrs. bird 1927588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get the minivan. If you take one of the captains chairs out, it's so nice to be able to get to all of them easily. And auto open &amp; close doors are so nice when your hands are full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927587 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:09:33 +0000 mrs. wagon 1927587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our Mazda cx-9 and I believe the newer models don't require you to take out the car seat to access the 3rd row. That's my only gripe about mine-- when we have a passenger for the back, we have to uninstall our booster from the 2nd row and install into the 3rd row and have the passenger sit in the 2nd row. I'd much rather be able to tilt the 2nd row with car seat installed so the passenger can climb into the 3rd row. With the 2nd row pulled forward you can easily lean in and help an older child buckle into their car seat.</p> <p>My second gripe is the gas mileage. We spend so much on gas. I'm considering switching to a smaller car or minivan now that my kids aren't babies anymore and we don't need a stroller anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-suv-or-just-get-a-minivan#post-1927582 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:06:44 +0000 jetsa 1927582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a honda pilot and while the 3rd row is easy to get to there is only about a foot of storage space when the seat is up. </p>