Mini van or large suv?
 

Hi,
We are going to Kauai with our family which will be 5 adults and and a 3 1/2 yr. old and 1 1/2 yr old. Can't decide which would be the best. Both are just about the same $$. Thanks for all the help.

It's usually easier for 7 people to get in a minivan than a SUV.

Not all SUVs seat seven, so you should confirm that the one they offered does.

If not, I don't know of any mini-vans that don't sit seven.

Hi,
Thank you for your help. The suv is a Envoy xl. Iam renting it through Alamo. I can't remember the name of the mini van. But Iam leaning toward the mini van.

Are you planning on having luggage? Seven people will fit in a mini-van but NOT all of their luggage.

Even with seating for 7, most SUVs have even less luggage room.

With that many people with bags and baggage think about a full size van. If price is about the same why not be comfortable. That way the little ones will not wear you out. More room than a SUV and no more for gas.

Hi again,
Very true about the gas the mini is a chevy uplander and the suv is a amc envoy xl. I Look at them on line, do you think I should call a dealer and ask about thier space and luggage room? or just go with the van which will have those nice sliding doors! (Iam thinking Van!)

The Chysler line of "Grand" minivans have much more luggage space than regular vans. But I agree, think about a larger passenger van. It would give the adults more moving-around room. Of course, they are harder to park too.

I have a Grand Caravan. There is no way to put luggage for 7 INSIDE with 7 people. We went to a skating competition with 5 people plus luggage and skate bags. It was a very tight fit.

I will not have 7 suitcases, because 2 of the 7 are kids. One 3 yr. old and a 1 1/2 yr. old. So hopefully the most will be 5.

I'd still suggest a larger sized minivan. You're going to need all the space you can get.

We travel all over the country in a E350 extended van. We have comfort and ample room for anything we decide we need or want to take with us.

What is a E350 van? The one Alamo has is a Chevy uplander, they say that they can hold 7. I think that means 3 rows of seats. As for the luggage it will be a one way trip from the Lihue airport to the house we rented. The 5 will be leaving to go back home before us. (My husband and I are staying longer) When our kids do leave we plan to turn the minivan in for a jeep or car. Hope this doesn't sound to confusing!!

On Alamo's website you can see a picture of the vehicles. The Chevy Minivan will not have much luggage space - it looks like it's rate as 3 suitcases, 1 carryon. The seating advantage is the middle row only seat 2 people providing space for people to access the third seat. I'm not sure why the Chevy Suburban doesn't rate higher for luggage capacity. Our son has a suburban. To access the third seat you have to fold back the middle seat. You'll need to put car seats in the second row and 2 adults will have to sit in the third row. I assume same type of seating configuration for the other SUVs. It will be much more comfortable to have a full size van with sliding doors. Double check on the leg room for the third seat if you are still considering an SUV. I have a Dodge Durango (an older, smaller one not the new big one built on a Ram chassis) and consider the third seat okay for children only. There's no leg room at all. My husband and a friend shared an SUV with 2 couples one time and there was barely enough room despite the fact that my husband and friend only had carry ons for luggage. That's why I looked at the Suburban which I think has plenty of leg room in the third seat and more luggage capacity than the Chevy minivan. If you're going to be driving the family around, getting in and out of a vehicle set up with car seats can be a pain in the neck. (Son has 2 car seats in middle row so we sit in the third row.)

Thanks for the help. I have seen the mini van and the large envoy xl on line at Alamo,. The guy at Alamo said that there were no Explorers in Kauai to rent?? Iam going to call again. Also he said that the Envoy has more luggage space? I also went online to a car dealer to see both vehicles. But Iam still confused. Iam calling Alamo now and also am calling National who is they are partners with.

An E350 Extended Van is made by Ford. It is a large vehicle and is often used by various hotel for passenger service, the Chev counterpart would be a 3500 extended van. You would not need a vehicle the size of an E350 extended. A regular/full size van (E150 or 1500) would give you ample room. It is about the same size as the SUV that you mentioned. Some are opted out as conversion vans, some are just passenger vans. They offer more room and easier access than the SUV and much more room than any mini-van. This link will give you an idea what an E150 conversion van would look like. The XLT E150 passenger version would not be as luxurious. A Chev would look similar,

http://www.conversion-vans-online.com/unit.php?id=391

IF the question is still between a mini-van or SUV, go with a mini-van. They nearly always can hold more total stuff (including people) than an SUV.

An SUV is cooler, but not nearly as functional as a van.

Thanks again to all of you!
I am going with the mini van for the one week that our kids are with us in Kauai. Before that, my husband and I will be spending 9 days on the B.I. I have a jeep reserved there. Wonder if I should do a convertible instead?? After the kids leave(Kauai) my husband and I will move from the house I rented to a very nice condo. Then I rented a convertible.(for our last week) Will be in Hawaii fort almost a month. Its my husbands retirement gift from me! So I have been planning this a LONG TIME!