If you actually put your family’s needs above your own, the Van is hands down the way to go, it trumps an SUV in almost every category when it comes to families.
I’ve been a single dad of 4 for most of my life. I bought my first minivan when I was 19, I’ve had a minivans for 25 years. I downgraded to an Explorer but it didn’t work for my life and Ended up training in on another Caravan 4 months after I bought it. My Caravan is starting to have issues now and my youngest child is 22 so I think I’m done. After all these years Im finally ready for a smaller car!
The minivan gets mpg better than a big SUV, they are comfortable, lower to the ground, more safer, more practical, more space, rides better, better handling, SUV’s are better in off-roading, basically a lifted station wagon, can tow more.
@@Travelwiththebrams higher ride means more chance of roll over, a lower ride is much safer due to lower centre of gravity and less body roll and more grip
SUV build not only for offroad. Just watch how XC90, X7, CX9, Tahoe, Highlander, LX450 etc made and drive. Even much better drive and luxury than most minivan in the market.
@@Travelwiththebrams I personally like that the dialogue isn't just spat out. Just look at Savagegeese's car videos, or Throttle House, or Zygrene. These are great paces, too, and feels more like a conversation. As opposed to a radio ad. Or dare I say it... UA-cam influencer.
Nah he makes a good point about car sickness. I suffered from it growing up and sitting in the 2nd or even 3rd row of an SUV I don't have that problem on a 3-4hr trip. But for everything else, mpv 👌🏻
You can always upgrade springs and chocks on a minivan thats older to get that "boat" feeling gone. And it dosnt matter if its a van, vagon, sedan, suv etc every car can be "boaty" if the suspension is just bad.
My choice with 1 kid will be a sedan or hatchback. With 2 kids a stationwagon or compact suv. But not a mini van or big suv with 7 seats untill 3 or 4 kids.. i know that’s an american thing that when people have their baby they think o no! I need a HUGE car!!
3rd in the way and still using our Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid for 7 years. We are just now considering a minivan due to lack of room to haul bags and items.
I have just driven my first mini van. It was the chrysler pacifica.. My wife wanted to rent a SUV. I said lets try. We have two young children. 2.5 and 8 month old. We have a maverick 2023 with only 14000. We had it for one year. We are about to trade that in for a minivan. Drove from Vegas to Cali. I fell in love. My wife was not convinced. We drove back the next day, and she said he is completely convinced. So now we looking into the honda odyssey, toyota Sienna or kia Carnival.
Great video. We own an 01 DGC EX w/over 293K miles. (Our daily driver that I drive) When it comes to cargo/people space, no SUV can compare in the overall inside dimensions without the SUV being bigger in size. Think about it, how large of an SUV you would have to buy, to carry people in comfort and hauling stuff like a minivan. I'd like to see you carry big furniture or appliances in an SUV. (We've done this many of times) Our minivan sits up almost as high as a midsized SUV, with a ground clearance of about 12 inches. I've add rear air adjustable shocks and helper springs in the rear with heavy duty struts in front. The ride is no longer soft/floaty, but stiff and still comfortable. (We sometimes carry heavy landscaping stuff) Having used two to three car seats at the same time, you just can't bet a minivan. Easy to get the kids in and out, without a problem. Heck, we can even stand up and walk, hunched over of coarse, to get from the second to third row. In the warmer months when waiting for the kids to get out of school, I can open both side doors and cargo door for fresh air, hop in the back, recline the seat and watch a movie . You can carry the stroller in the cargo area easily, along with whatever stuff you bought at the store. The sliding doors and automatic rear hatch is a blessing. Especially in tight parking spaces. We have a rear popup cargo organizer, that is unique to our model minivan. It's very helpful and something you won't find on any modern minivan/SUV. Minivan's have come along way in style and comfort. I never thought we would own one and me love driving it so much. (That's coming from a dad). Sorry guys, I make what ever I drive cool, not the other way around.
That is great to hear that you’ve had such great success with your Dodge! Minivans have really come along way! They are just such a limited selection and you really only have one basic style to go with if you want a minivan.
In India, Toyota makes the Innova, which is part SUV and part minivan. So there's no choice to be made there; if you have a larger family, you just choose the one model. It's basically like the first-generation Honda Odyssey (with four hinged doors).
We are in that situation right now. Have a 7 seater suv and never wanted to get a minivan (the uncool car lol) but now we have our 2nd baby and with all the stuff we have to haul in the trunk I can see the issue. Also my wife sits with the baby in the 2nd row often cramped between a toddler and infant seat and she started complaining about the lack of space. So that got me thinking do I finally go the minivan route? Even though I don't prefer minivans I have to give credit to how amazingly comfortable they are, for the driver and passengers.
That’s a hard one since most modern mini vans don’t have a bench for the second row. You end up having to climb in the back to buckle the toddler then sit further away from the infant in captain chairs.
If you just need to fit lots of people in comfort then get a minivan, that's the point of it, its a people mover. Plus, if you get a larger cab on a pickup, it cuts down on tray size which defeats the purpose of a pickup, which is to move [large] things around, but trays are getting too small and now they're just horrible SUVs, AND pickups are the worst for it in the stupid pointless car arms race of size, and instead of changing the market (we're capable of that in free market economies by changing our buying patterns), or restricting size, WE ADAPT TO THEM. We also shouldn't be wasting perfectly good cars that sometimes go to waste, it wastes resources. People buy new cars on average every 5 years, whereas if you buy a good car and get it serviced and take care of it, it could last 30+ years. Sorry this took so long to read and I tailed off a bit, but I hope I made my point. Edit: I don't exactly know what most ppl do with their old cars, probably sell them used, but go to waste means to bent sent to get crushed, only cars that have completely died with no hope of working again should be crushed because again, if we crush perfectly good running cars, it wastes resources.
@@yourlocalidiot69420 Two years after my initial comment, and after I bought a used minivan that is serving us really well, your comment is REALLY SMART. You need a new handle. Thank you for your insight, I agree wholeheartedly.
Would like a comparison between minivans Vs trucks, now crossover suvs (which are more like newest jeeps) are nice cause they are higher up and good for off roading but don't fit as much as minivans, I LOVE the captains chairs in minivans. If I had money I'd buy a minivan AND a good truck cause that would offer the "style" and heavier towing and off roading capabilities with a truck, all while having good cargo capacity and safety and better mpg and road tripping with a minivan, minivans are great for kids, pets and elderly.
Hello! Thank you for the great helpful family videos! We have an infant and a toddler deciding on whether to get a SUV or Minivan as we hope to have at least another kiddo. We are looking at a Telluride, Palisade, Honda Pilot, or Honda Odyssey. Will you be reviewing the Palisade? Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated as we are still at odds at what to do. Thank you!
Those are all excellent vehicles! Currently we do not have a Hyundai partner but my neighbor has one and They are very close to the same dimensions as the Telluride. Our family prefers SUV for utility and style but honestly, for most families minivans are the way to go! Remember, you’re not gonna have this car forever and you can always have a midlife crisis and go buy a cool car then! Ha ha!
There are so many SUVS and minivans on the road and I always wonder why. There was a time when people mostly just had cars and they seemed to do just fine. Of course there was always the station wagon but that was never a very popular vehicle. I guess the big question on my mind is are most American families that large that something like a minivan is necessary? Are people really lugging so much stuff around town (or on long road journeys) that all that storage space is necessary? If the answers are yes so be it. But I wonder if people have just (no pun intended) jumped on the band wagon and decided the neighbor has a minivan or an SUV so by gum I have to have one. With no offense intended I think SUVs and minivans are eyesores.
Will this be good as a daily driver?? I been trying to decide to a buy a ridgline a rav 4 hybrid ro cx9 for my me, my wife, a 90 lbs dog and my 18 year old kid. I never liked minivans before but lately I been looking into them, so now I don't know what to buy. Lol.. I kind of like the idea of the minivan just in case we need it on a trip to take my parents or my wife's mom..anyways my 18 year old son will soon be gone to college so it will just be my wife and I and the dog
I live in an area with a lot of empty nesters and they love their minvans because they can take all their friends out to lunch or golf or hike and every one is comfortable. Also many vans you can pull the seats out and haul a full 4x8 sheet of plywood. for a daily driver I would look at the Sienna as it has a 4 cyl and hybrid. I really like the Ridgeline too...you are way off in the weeds comparing them to a RAV4 though...
In europe peope drive toyota camry or honda accord type sedans when they have 2 or 3 kids. Or a bmw 3 serie or audi a4 stationwagon. Huge suv like that you will never see here.
This is true, europe and Japan, even small Kei cars can thrive but something to consider is when we drive from Arizona to Texas, it takes us 18 hours and we only pass through 3 major cities. We did it in a Scion XB once but it wasn't great. When I visited Belgium we would drive for no more then 2 hours and it never felt like we left a suburban area. Large country, long roads leads to most preferring larger cars. Thanks for checking out our channel! Hope you enjoy our other videos.
@@Travelwiththebrams yes i live in the netherlands. We are in 2 hours and 30 minutes from the western coast to the German border. And in 3 hours from south to north. And 1 or 2 times a year we drive 1000 km for a wintersport vacation in austria or a summer vacation to the south of europe. ( if we don’t fly what’s also cheap here) me myself have one kid. Wre are a family of 3 and we drive a 2012 prius. It fits all our needs. But when i was a young kid in the 90s we had a family of 4 and we did our trips in a 1995 Hyundai Elantra. Roofbox on the top. Caravan behind the car and go!
The number one reason people prefer small cars is parking and high gasoline prices compared to the US. Parking spots are generally small in Europe. Very hard to park a big SUV.
Sorry man, 10 min of your talk could be easily put down in the bullets on one slide, and 2-3 min would suffice. Also your glasses are reflecting the monitor which you are looking. (Nothing personal) 1) There are no SUV which can comfortably move 7ppl + the cargo space. 2) The Grand Caravan has middle row StowAndGo feature . 3) SUVs are only good if you need to tow or live somewhere where 4x4 is required. The rest is just a hype for SUV.
True, and I’m sure you are the guy who says your last 3 zoom meetings could have been an email!(jk) Some people just need a little more information then others. Also this is an older video and as you can see I been working to make the videos shorter and more concise. Thanks for the feed back.
If you actually put your family’s needs above your own, the Van is hands down the way to go, it trumps an SUV in almost every category when it comes to families.
That’s what I try telling people into the suv trend
Except for safety. Hence I drive an Expedition Max.
@@ipsumlorem3076 ever heard of a rollover
When I was a Kid we were going cross country in a Mazda 3 just fine lol
Yeah minivans are way more practical for families than suvs.
I’ve been a single dad of 4 for most of my life. I bought my first minivan when I was 19, I’ve had a minivans for 25 years. I downgraded to an Explorer but it didn’t work for my life and Ended up training in on another Caravan 4 months after I bought it. My Caravan is starting to have issues now and my youngest child is 22 so I think I’m done. After all these years Im finally ready for a smaller car!
get a prius
@@blorgenwurst508 That is not for me.
@@Anonymous-ji4sb okay well you said a smaller car
@@blorgenwurst508 I purchased a 2020 Nissan Rogue SL, that’s what I meant by a smaller car. I was also thinking a Journey.
The minivan gets mpg better than a big SUV, they are comfortable, lower to the ground, more safer, more practical, more space, rides better, better handling, SUV’s are better in off-roading, basically a lifted station wagon, can tow more.
All great points! another thought that I didn't bring up is how you sit higher in the SUV which makes many drivers "Feel" safer and more in control.
@@Travelwiththebrams higher ride means more chance of roll over, a lower ride is much safer due to lower centre of gravity and less body roll and more grip
SUV build not only for offroad. Just watch how XC90, X7, CX9, Tahoe, Highlander, LX450 etc made and drive. Even much better drive and luxury than most minivan in the market.
@@adeyzas I wouldn’t say SUVs drive better, to me, they feel like it will fall off a cliff when I turn.
@@adeyzas but yea, some SUVs are luxurious
I GOT A TOYOTA SIENNA 2023 LIMITED TRIM, AND OMG… ITS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE,… ITS BETTER THAN A SUV
I have to speed the video up to 1.5x, I feel like Im waiting too long for his words to come out
Thank you for your comment! I am still getting comfortable in front of the camera and learning the best pace for our information.
I guess Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know a good site to stream new series online?
@Kellan Anakin i use Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
Im also doing this when i just need some specific info from the video.
@@Travelwiththebrams I personally like that the dialogue isn't just spat out. Just look at Savagegeese's car videos, or Throttle House, or Zygrene. These are great paces, too, and feels more like a conversation. As opposed to a radio ad. Or dare I say it... UA-cam influencer.
Van for everyone that doesn't need extra ground clearance
Aka, most americans
Nah he makes a good point about car sickness. I suffered from it growing up and sitting in the 2nd or even 3rd row of an SUV I don't have that problem on a 3-4hr trip. But for everything else, mpv 👌🏻
You can always upgrade springs and chocks on a minivan thats older to get that "boat" feeling gone.
And it dosnt matter if its a van, vagon, sedan, suv etc every car can be "boaty" if the suspension is just bad.
My choice with 1 kid will be a sedan or hatchback. With 2 kids a stationwagon or compact suv. But not a mini van or big suv with 7 seats untill 3 or 4 kids.. i know that’s an american thing that when people have their baby they think o no! I need a HUGE car!!
3rd in the way and still using our Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid for 7 years. We are just now considering a minivan due to lack of room to haul bags and items.
@@kristadavis2825 crosstrek isn’t small right? Here in europe you see a family with 3 children in little wagons
I have just driven my first mini van. It was the chrysler pacifica.. My wife wanted to rent a SUV. I said lets try. We have two young children. 2.5 and 8 month old. We have a maverick 2023 with only 14000. We had it for one year. We are about to trade that in for a minivan. Drove from Vegas to Cali. I fell in love. My wife was not convinced. We drove back the next day, and she said he is completely convinced.
So now we looking into the honda odyssey, toyota Sienna or kia Carnival.
I bought the VW Atlas and wish I got a minivan
Great video. We own an 01 DGC EX w/over 293K miles. (Our daily driver that I drive) When it comes to cargo/people space, no SUV can compare in the overall inside dimensions without the SUV being bigger in size. Think about it, how large of an SUV you would have to buy, to carry people in comfort and hauling stuff like a minivan. I'd like to see you carry big furniture or appliances in an SUV. (We've done this many of times) Our minivan sits up almost as high as a midsized SUV, with a ground clearance of about 12 inches. I've add rear air adjustable shocks and helper springs in the rear with heavy duty struts in front. The ride is no longer soft/floaty, but stiff and still comfortable. (We sometimes carry heavy landscaping stuff) Having used two to three car seats at the same time, you just can't bet a minivan. Easy to get the kids in and out, without a problem. Heck, we can even stand up and walk, hunched over of coarse, to get from the second to third row. In the warmer months when waiting for the kids to get out of school, I can open both side doors and cargo door for fresh air, hop in the back, recline the seat and watch a movie . You can carry the stroller in the cargo area easily, along with whatever stuff you bought at the store. The sliding doors and automatic rear hatch is a blessing. Especially in tight parking spaces. We have a rear popup cargo organizer, that is unique to our model minivan. It's very helpful and something you won't find on any modern minivan/SUV. Minivan's have come along way in style and comfort. I never thought we would own one and me love driving it so much. (That's coming from a dad). Sorry guys, I make what ever I drive cool, not the other way around.
That is great to hear that you’ve had such great success with your Dodge! Minivans have really come along way! They are just such a limited selection and you really only have one basic style to go with if you want a minivan.
In India, Toyota makes the Innova, which is part SUV and part minivan. So there's no choice to be made there; if you have a larger family, you just choose the one model. It's basically like the first-generation Honda Odyssey (with four hinged doors).
I'm team "wagon" or estate. Good MPG good space. Good for a family.
As am I! I just wish the rest of American buyer where!
@@Travelwiththebrams I'm from the UK, I think in the UK and Europe they are more common. Then in the US.
If you carry more luggage go for minivan. If you travel only with family with less luggage opt for SUV
We are in that situation right now. Have a 7 seater suv and never wanted to get a minivan (the uncool car lol) but now we have our 2nd baby and with all the stuff we have to haul in the trunk I can see the issue. Also my wife sits with the baby in the 2nd row often cramped between a toddler and infant seat and she started complaining about the lack of space. So that got me thinking do I finally go the minivan route? Even though I don't prefer minivans I have to give credit to how amazingly comfortable they are, for the driver and passengers.
That’s a hard one since most modern mini vans don’t have a bench for the second row. You end up having to climb in the back to buckle the toddler then sit further away from the infant in captain chairs.
The Odyssey minivan is actually fun to drive. It has VTEC, great sounding V6 engine which I prefer more than lazy 4 cylinder turbos.
Not to throw a wrench on the discussion, but the F150 Super Crew fits 6 adults in comfort...
Very true and I hope to review one! Thanks for checking us out!
You sound like my husband.... who wants to get a truck 🤣🤣🤣
Wow that's impressive
If you just need to fit lots of people in comfort then get a minivan, that's the point of it, its a people mover. Plus, if you get a larger cab on a pickup, it cuts down on tray size which defeats the purpose of a pickup, which is to move [large] things around, but trays are getting too small and now they're just horrible SUVs, AND pickups are the worst for it in the stupid pointless car arms race of size, and instead of changing the market (we're capable of that in free market economies by changing our buying patterns), or restricting size, WE ADAPT TO THEM. We also shouldn't be wasting perfectly good cars that sometimes go to waste, it wastes resources. People buy new cars on average every 5 years, whereas if you buy a good car and get it serviced and take care of it, it could last 30+ years.
Sorry this took so long to read and I tailed off a bit, but I hope I made my point.
Edit: I don't exactly know what most ppl do with their old cars, probably sell them used, but go to waste means to bent sent to get crushed, only cars that have completely died with no hope of working again should be crushed because again, if we crush perfectly good running cars, it wastes resources.
@@yourlocalidiot69420 Two years after my initial comment, and after I bought a used minivan that is serving us really well, your comment is REALLY SMART. You need a new handle. Thank you for your insight, I agree wholeheartedly.
I am expecting baby #3 and think it's time for a mini van. 2 car seats and a booster won't be practical in an SUV.
Would like a comparison between minivans Vs trucks, now crossover suvs (which are more like newest jeeps) are nice cause they are higher up and good for off roading but don't fit as much as minivans, I LOVE the captains chairs in minivans. If I had money I'd buy a minivan AND a good truck cause that would offer the "style" and heavier towing and off roading capabilities with a truck, all while having good cargo capacity and safety and better mpg and road tripping with a minivan, minivans are great for kids, pets and elderly.
MINI VAN IS THE NEW SUV, THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN CALL IT MINI VAN ANY MORE AND JUST CALL IT SUV VAN
Dude.🤣 you moving your hands so much i could mute you and play some rap song to this video🤣
Good video.👍
Link it when you make it! Just keep it family friendly!! It’s something I picked up when I used to sell cars and I can’t kick it.
Minivan is better
I would go to vans
Your 413 subscriber. 👍
Great content.
i would say aside from looks the MPV or a full on proper van is a far more practical family vehicle...
Hello! Thank you for the great helpful family videos! We have an infant and a toddler deciding on whether to get a SUV or Minivan as we hope to have at least another kiddo. We are looking at a Telluride, Palisade, Honda Pilot, or Honda Odyssey. Will you be reviewing the Palisade? Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated as we are still at odds at what to do. Thank you!
Those are all excellent vehicles! Currently we do not have a Hyundai partner but my neighbor has one and They are very close to the same dimensions as the Telluride.
Our family prefers SUV for utility and style but honestly, for most families minivans are the way to go! Remember, you’re not gonna have this car forever and you can always have a midlife crisis and go buy a cool car then! Ha ha!
Vans are better because the bigger boot
Minivan is way cheaper than full size SUV, period.
Did you mention Minivans get better gas mileage
What were you pointing at? 7:05 7:16 Nothing popped up
MINI VAN IS THE BEST WAY, DONT PUT THE SUV IN THE TOP CAUSE ITS NOT
Thank you!
Minivan Is More Better
Thank you
Minivan for the win!
I am on the suv side to
Minivan and sedans will always get my attention. SUVs and crossovers garbage and non practical.
YES FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT IM NOT ALONE.
WAIT EKDKRKDKFNJS I DIDNT CJECK THE DATE FML
There are so many SUVS and minivans on the road and I always wonder why. There was a time when people mostly just had cars and they seemed to do just fine. Of course there was always the station wagon but that was never a very popular vehicle. I guess the big question on my mind is are most American families that large that something like a minivan is necessary? Are people really lugging so much stuff around town (or on long road journeys) that all that storage space is necessary? If the answers are yes so be it. But I wonder if people have just (no pun intended) jumped on the band wagon and decided the neighbor has a minivan or an SUV so by gum I have to have one. With no offense intended I think SUVs and minivans are eyesores.
Isn't SUV over-hyped and overpriced?
I bought a Hyundai Grand Starex. Very happy.
Yes in some cases the SUV is quite over hyped. I wish they offered more of these small vans in the US.
Will this be good as a daily driver?? I been trying to decide to a buy a ridgline a rav 4 hybrid ro cx9 for my me, my wife, a 90 lbs dog and my 18 year old kid. I never liked minivans before but lately I been looking into them, so now I don't know what to buy. Lol..
I kind of like the idea of the minivan just in case we need it on a trip to take my parents or my wife's mom..anyways my 18 year old son will soon be gone to college so it will just be my wife and I and the dog
I live in an area with a lot of empty nesters and they love their minvans because they can take all their friends out to lunch or golf or hike and every one is comfortable. Also many vans you can pull the seats out and haul a full 4x8 sheet of plywood. for a daily driver I would look at the Sienna as it has a 4 cyl and hybrid. I really like the Ridgeline too...you are way off in the weeds comparing them to a RAV4 though...
@@Travelwiththebrams meaning the the rav 4 is a good veichle or not as good as the sienna and ridgline?
Geez, for safety, you do not want a Chrysler town and country. Go see the IIHS crashes on that thing.
Not one single person in our family votes van
In europe peope drive toyota camry or honda accord type sedans when they have 2 or 3 kids. Or a bmw 3 serie or audi a4 stationwagon. Huge suv like that you will never see here.
This is true, europe and Japan, even small Kei cars can thrive but something to consider is when we drive from Arizona to Texas, it takes us 18 hours and we only pass through 3 major cities. We did it in a Scion XB once but it wasn't great. When I visited Belgium we would drive for no more then 2 hours and it never felt like we left a suburban area. Large country, long roads leads to most preferring larger cars. Thanks for checking out our channel! Hope you enjoy our other videos.
@@Travelwiththebrams yes i live in the netherlands. We are in 2 hours and 30 minutes from the western coast to the German border. And in 3 hours from south to north. And 1 or 2 times a year we drive 1000 km for a wintersport vacation in austria or a summer vacation to the south of europe. ( if we don’t fly what’s also cheap here) me myself have one kid. Wre are a family of 3 and we drive a 2012 prius. It fits all our needs. But when i was a young kid in the 90s we had a family of 4 and we did our trips in a 1995 Hyundai Elantra. Roofbox on the top. Caravan behind the car and go!
The number one reason people prefer small cars is parking and high gasoline prices compared to the US. Parking spots are generally small in Europe. Very hard to park a big SUV.
Minivan
Make sure you see the Odyssey review, we may feel the same way!
@@Travelwiththebrams Just bought a Sienna. So happy.
Wonderful family video!
Thanks!
A good old station wagon is better than both of them.
Sorry man, 10 min of your talk could be easily put down in the bullets on one slide, and 2-3 min would suffice. Also your glasses are reflecting the monitor which you are looking. (Nothing personal)
1) There are no SUV which can comfortably move 7ppl + the cargo space.
2) The Grand Caravan has middle row StowAndGo feature .
3) SUVs are only good if you need to tow or live somewhere where 4x4 is required. The rest is just a hype for SUV.
True, and I’m sure you are the guy who says your last 3 zoom meetings could have been an email!(jk) Some people just need a little more information then others. Also this is an older video and as you can see I been working to make the videos shorter and more concise. Thanks for the feed back.
a van has more room
Women LOVE SUVs. SUVs are made for women. They are a women's car. Dudes like sedans more, and minivans.
Also they are not OnLy a WoMeNs cAr
I can’t get past the look of a mini-van. I refuse to ever drive one.