A mom writes in asking for advice about buying a new car. This mom is soon to become a mom-of-three, all under 4-years-old. She is in the market now for a new vehicle and is torn between an SUV (sport utility vehicle) and a minivan. While she doesn’t love the look and reputation of a minivan, she understands many families get one for practical reasons that may be appealing to her. She asks the community to share their thoughts on the difference between an SUV and a minivan to help her make her decision.
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A member of the community asks:
“What is better, a mini-van or an SUV?
It’s partially about a current pregnancy, and I haven’t told many people yet. This is my question: I’m a few months away from giving birth to my third baby, and I’ll have three littles under 4. I’m going to have to upgrade my vehicle to have room for three car seats. I keep going back and forth between an SUV with captains seats as the second row and a third row in the back or the dreaded minivan (I’m just not a fan of them, but I do have a lot of respect for their being easy on families).
So I need advice, SUV or minivan? I’d have my oldest in the back row and the infant and one yr old in the middle, so I’d have to go between the seats to strap my three-year-old in. Trying to make the best decision for my family, please help bc I’m so conflicted.”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Wants to Know if She Should Get an SUV or a Minivan for Her Growing Family
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“Minivan with the doors and trunk that open – life-changing/saving. And safety-wise. And the space for everything and everyone. It’s just a couple of years and then you’ll be back to a “normal” vehicle. I miss my van — those automatic doors are life!”
“Minivan!!! The greatest vehicle I’ve ever owned… I said I would never drive one, so glad I test drove and bought one. By far the most versatile vehicle, especially with kids and all their stuff!”
“I love my Honda Odyssey! Minivans are great! Plus the push-button sliders make everything as a mom easier.”
“I wasn’t a fan of vans until we had to rent one for a family trip. Honestly the hands-down most comfortable for our family. I loved it surprisingly (since I always wanted an SUV) the older kids loved it as well. Super spacious and we have 2 car seats.”
“I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and absolutely love it. It’s great on gas (SUVs always seemed to be gas guzzlers) and there’s plenty of room. I have 4 kids and it was the best purchase we ever made for our family.”
“As much as I hate to say it, a minivan for those ages because the sliding doors also prevent door dings to other people’s cars by kiddos. As they grow & can buckle & unbuckle themselves, then you can go for an SUV. That’s what I had to do. I will admit my Dodge Grand Caravan was awesome with the DVD players & headphones for everyone & all heated seats. All seats reclined. I had swivel-and-go seats so the captain’s seats could flip around and face the back seat and a table would pop up out of the floor. And the auto-open buttons on the key fob made it all so easy.”
“I liked my minivan when my kids were babies. They sit lower and it was easier to get everyone in and out. Now that everyone is a little older and able to get in and out on their own, we switched back to an SUV since they sit higher and the husband wanted it for the winter. We have an Escalade now and it’s very roomie (easy to climb around in).”
“Minivan! I used to say I would NEVER drive one but after my second child, it was a done deal. There is so much room! It’s great on gas, smooth ride and my oldest can get in and out on her own and she is 5!”
“I have a minivan and love it. So much room for all the kids, all of our stuff if we go camping or on vacation, lots of room for groceries, etc., and our dog can fit in if he comes with us. I have 4 kids though so need the extra room. Bonus they can all sit on each side with space in between so they aren’t fighting in the back constantly.”
“I love my SUV – my daughter has 2 sisters (same dad) and whenever we visit, I love having the third row for all of them.”
“If you’re going to be getting fixed after this baby for sure and know you’re not having anymore I’d go with a good SUV. I love my van but we only got it because we thought we would be having more kids and then we’ve decided against it. So I’m going to look into another SUV (we had a Honda Pilot and I LOVED it!) so I’d look at the long run for the next 4-5 years.”
Do you have any advice for this mom? Leave a comment to help another mom out!
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