Tell me about your minivan

[JimmyCarter]

Gonna be in the market for a new car soonish. Only have 1 little person, but a minivan has piqued my interest due to the added space. Does it make sense to go with an AWD minivan, a small lift and slightly larger aggressive tires? Or should we just go typical midsize SUV? Any good mountain minivans out there right now (not looking for a dirtbag sienna setup)?

Get a highlander

[J. Barron DeJong]

Get a highlander

I wouldn’t swap my Sienna for a Highlander, but the Grand Highlander that is coming soon could be interesting.

[schuss]

Highlander is about 10 inches shorter than the Sienna, and a hair (2.5 inches) narrower.
However, on the interior, you have:
Smaller shoulder room in every row - 59.0/58.4/55.0 H vs. 62.4/62.7/58.5
Smaller head room - 39.6/39.4/36.1 H vs 40.1/39.9/37.4 S
Pure midget leg room in row 3 - 42.0/38.7/28.0 H vs 40.3/39.9/38.7 S
and more than double the cargo volume behind the third seat 16 cu ft H vs 33.5 cu ft. S

So while the Highlander will be fine for a family, you basically never want to ride in the back row, it has swinging vs. sliding doors (huge benefit in parking areas with kids) and a lot better cargo volume for trips without interfering with the third row. MPG is the same for the hybrids (35-36 mpg), as is the towing capacity (3500 lbs), but if you want the 5k towing you drop down to low 20's mpg wise on the Highlander. You get another inch and a half of ground clearance on the Highlander. Price is dependent on options - Highlander starts a little higher and tops out higher.
So really the Highlander is for if you can't stomach a minivan or are willing to eat the MPG difference to tow 1500 more pounds, as it loses or goes even everywhere else.

[JimmyCarter]

Highlander is about 10 inches shorter than the Sienna, and a hair (2.5 inches) narrower.
However, on the interior, you have:
Smaller shoulder room in every row - 59.0/58.4/55.0 H vs. 62.4/62.7/58.5
Smaller head room - 39.6/39.4/36.1 H vs 40.1/39.9/37.4 S
Pure midget leg room in row 3 - 42.0/38.7/28.0 H vs 40.3/39.9/38.7 S
and more than double the cargo volume behind the third seat 16 cu ft H vs 33.5 cu ft. S

So while the Highlander will be fine for a family, you basically never want to ride in the back row, it has swinging vs. sliding doors (huge benefit in parking areas with kids) and a lot better cargo volume for trips without interfering with the third row. MPG is the same for the hybrids (35-36 mpg), as is the towing capacity (3500 lbs), but if you want the 5k towing you drop down to low 20's mpg wise on the Highlander. You get another inch and a half of ground clearance on the Highlander. Price is dependent on options - Highlander starts a little higher and tops out higher.
So really the Highlander is for if you can't stomach a minivan or are willing to eat the MPG difference to tow 1500 more pounds, as it loses or goes even everywhere else.

He sounded like he wasn’t sold on the minivan. With one kid he doesn’t really need the third row seats so still plenty of storage space.

[MontuckyFried]

The reason I’d want a lift is for towing our pop-up trailer. The hitch is really low so it’s easy to drag, and having more ground clearance would help getting into certain campgrounds.

Or alternatively, just get a receiver hitch riser. Problem solved.

[schuss]

He sounded like he wasn’t sold on the minivan. With one kid he doesn’t really need the third row seats so still plenty of storage space.

My point was that a highlander is overkill. With one kid just get a rav4.

[MontuckyFried]

My point was that a highlander is overkill. With one kid just get a rav4.

Gotta love it. 'MURICA!!!

Americans pregnant with their first child be like "QUICK! We need to hurry up and buy a Suburban!"

[Yonder_River]

It's hard to beat the space/awd drive combo of the Sienna. I have three kids so it's a no-brainer, since you have one (maybe planning two?), it's a harder decision probably. It probably comes down to how much crap you pack when you go camping and on road-trips. Sliding doors and the space are the two biggest reasons we have one, otherwise, probably never would.

Our snow vehicle (outback) is getting too tight except for the quick drive to snoqualmie so we are opting to replace our odyssey with a sienna. Can't beat the 35mpg. The plan is add the 2" lift kit (maybe airbags) made by Journeys and some snows to round it out. The lift will make the snow clearance good enough and will minimize bottoming out on the potholed fs roads for camping which is generally the downfall of minivans. There are western washington places that will do the lift...I think the total cost is $1,500ish so factor that in. The 3" seems too much and starts making the rig look a bit odd imo. Most report no difference in handling - although I think most dealerships don't "recommend" it.

Wait times seem to be improving around here...we've been on a list for 8 months with a dealership charging only msrp and finally have one that should arrive in May. AWD Sienna's are a hot commodity unfortunately. Some dealerships were wanting 5-7k above msrp which is bs. Can't hurt for you to put a couple refundable deposits down in the meantime if you are at all heading that direction.

[lowsparkco]

Gotta love it. 'MURICA!!!

Americans pregnant with their first child be like "QUICK! We need to hurry up and buy a Suburban!"

Pregnant, due soon, no vehicle changes. Would like a pop up camper. Actually, most likely vehicle change would be a camper van. Vans and babies are great. I camped with my nephew in my old 85 Vanagon pop top and it was beautiful. It was frequently used as a changing station by many a mom or dad. Pop up table in the weekenders is perfect for that use. If it’s real stinky you can pop the top and let the fumes out.

[MontuckyFried]

Pregnant, due soon, no vehicle changes. Would like a pop up camper. Actually, most likely vehicle change would be a camper van. Vans and babies are great. I camped with my nephew in my old 85 Vanagon pop top and it was beautiful. It was frequently used as a changing station by many a mom or dad. Pop up table in the weekenders is perfect for that use. If it’s real stinky you can pop the top and let the fumes out.

Vanagon FTMFW!!! I miss those.

[DBdude]

He sounded like he wasn’t sold on the minivan. With one kid he doesn’t really need the third row seats so still plenty of storage space.

I wouldn’t put people in the third row of a sienna

Looks pretty dangerous sketchy to me

We used to have one / great rig

The motor didn’t quit and not bad in the snow with snow tires



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[gravitylover]

Get a Sienna or Pacifica Hybrid AWD and bag it for those times you need more clearance. Fuck SUV's and their bloated selves.

[DBdude]

Get a Sienna or Pacifica Hybrid AWD and bag it for those times you need more clearance. Fuck SUV's and their bloated selves.

I don’t think I will ever sell my volvo xc 90


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[J. Barron DeJong]

Or alternatively, just get a receiver hitch riser. Problem solved.

Nope, I’m hitting the hitch itself, and it’s the hitch with the highest receiver height that was available for the Sienna.

[J. Barron DeJong]

Get a Sienna or Pacifica Hybrid AWD and bag it for those times you need more clearance. Fuck SUV's and their bloated selves.

I have considered putting bags on the Sienna for towing. I should just bite the bullet and do it. I can’t justify a lift since it’s getting older.

[mcphee]

Gonna be in the market for a new car soonish. Only have 1 little person, but a minivan has piqued my interest due to the added space. Does it make sense to go with an AWD minivan, a small lift and slightly larger aggressive tires? Or should we just go typical midsize SUV? Any good mountain minivans out there right now (not looking for a dirtbag sienna setup)?

I have a severe bias against Chrysler products but the Pacifica comes in a hybrid AWD and they're nicely appointed. A buddy of mine has the new Sienna AWD hybrid, legitimately gets 33 mpg, AWD has been superb on icy roads with street tires. Falken makes a severe snow rated year-round tire in stock size for the new Sienna https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...erformance=ALL. FWIW i have them on my dirtbag 2006 AWD Sienna and they grip on snow covered roads.

[Yonder_River]

I wouldn’t put people in the third row of a sienna

Looks pretty dangerous sketchy to me



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There really isn't any data to back up that concern. Anything with a third row is going to be closer to the back end, and in many of the third row midsize SUVs, there's much less space.

[Not DJSapp]

There really isn't any data to back up that concern. Anything with a third row is going to be closer to the back end, and in many of the third row midsize SUVs, there's much less space.

I'd be more concerned about my knees and legs shattering against the second row seat in an SUV than I would in a minivan. And there's still more armor and airspace between the bumper and the third row of either an SUV or minivan from a rear end hit than there is against a driver's door impact of anything on the road.

[Touring_Sedan]

I have a severe bias against Chrysler products but the Pacifica comes in a hybrid AWD and they're nicely appointed. A buddy of mine has the new Sienna AWD hybrid, legitimately gets 33 mpg, AWD has been superb on icy roads with street tires. Falken makes a severe snow rated year-round tire in stock size for the new Sienna https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...erformance=ALL. FWIW i have them on my dirtbag 2006 AWD Sienna and they grip on snow covered roads.

FWIW, rented a fairly well optioned Pacifica last summer. The drivers assist was so intrusive on the Wyoming backroads it was almost dangerous.

[lowsparkco]

Vanagon FTMFW!!! I miss those.

There was a local for sale ad for a gorgeous build out of the Mercedes mini van exactly the same as a weekender, pop top and all. Way too much scratch for this dirtbag, but a real thing of beauty. Spinning captain chairs, the whole 9 yards.

Edited to add: Metris Getaway or Metris Weekender. Didn’t realize they are production model’s available direct from MB.

That gets my vote. Sell the pop up camper, the vehicle to tow it with and buy one of these.

[doebedoe]

Parked next to a lifted new gen sienna at the Costco the other day with Falken Wildpeak Trails. They'd had it for first ski season and were stoked on it as a family. Dealer installed the lift for them.

[plugboots]

OK. I’m all in. I wish the second row seats came out.

[Not DJSapp]

OK. I’m all in. I wish the second row seats came out.

? The middle row seats on my 2013 come out in seconds. The metal part that they lock into will come out as well, but that takes some real work.

[mcphee]

Parked next to a lifted new gen sienna at the Costco the other day with Falken Wildpeak Trails. They'd had it for first ski season and were stoked on it as a family. Dealer installed the lift for them.

What size lift did they have? What’s on yours?

OK. I’m all in. I wish the second row seats came out.

Took the 2nd row out when I got mine and haven’t ever put them back in. Wife want a me to put at least one in and wants it as her daily for the summer to take the doggo and daughter for hikes and bike rides. I’m like “ummmm, can you just buy your own minivan?”

[MarcusBrody]

? The middle row seats on my 2013 come out in seconds. The metal part that they lock into will come out as well, but that takes some real work.

The newest gen integrates their airbags into the middle seats and that involves hooking the seats into the electrical sensor system, so there is no way to easily take them out and if you do, it throws an error code on the dash (unless you bridge the now open circuit I understand).