Van or SUV?

Minivans get much better gas mileage, generally seat more people (and carseats) and are so much easier to get in and out of, especially in tight parking spaces.

I drive a minivan, and my husband drives an SUV. We are both happy. I drove the SUV for a few weeks this summer. I spent so much more money filling up the gas tank! Also, there are some parking lots that have really tight spaces. I did not enjoy having to open the doors to get the kids out. So much nicer having the sliding doors rather than doors that swing out.

We have a Pontiac Montana, and I really like it!

Mini-van! They don't look as cool, but they sure beat SUV's as far as price and convenience goes! They are much better on gas, your insurance will be lower...go for the van! I love mine.

to me it comes down to an SUV drives more like a truck, and vans drive more like cars. i really liked the minivans i've driven. SUV's, eh. not a huge fan, although i do like the looks better. with our smaller family i LOVE crossovers because they're smaller (and drive better!) but still have the look of the SUVs that i like. with 4 kids you can't really go that route (i'm guessing you don't want to, at least). if it was me i would prefer the van.

T.:

There is sooo much I don't know if order to answer your question...
1. how many kids do you have?
2. how many sports do your kids play?
3. how many times do you need more seats in your cars for your kids friends?

if you have more than 2 kids that play sports, and take other kids places with you, I would suggest the minivan.

If you didn't pay cash for your 2011 Pilot and still owe on it? I would keep the car and not trade it in as you might still owe more than it's worth - although Honda's DO keep their value better than some cars...

I love both SUVs and Minivans...heck I'd LOVE to have a Suburban or a F-350 Lariat Crew Cab (I would love to move to Wyoming or South Dakota in the WIDE OPEN SPACES!!)...any way...

Everyone has different desires and needs in a car...i would rent an SUV one weekend and drive it and then a minivan...not just test drive but rent for the weekend so you KNOW if you like it or not...then make the choice that's right for you...

When my kids were young, a minivan was the best for us. We had a Toyota Sienna with a button to push to get the slider to shut. After slamming my fingers in the sliding door in my previous minivan and breaking one and giving it a crush injury, that Sienna was the best thing that I could have bought.

The reason I preferred the minivan when they were young is that I could NOT trust my kids to not open the doors into another car. I would have had that problem in any other type of car.

Fast forward to when they were older teens and I bought an used Lexus RX 330 SUV. I loved that SUV (just sold it) because it drove SOOOO smoothly (my barca lounger!) I'll miss it, but that's okay!

So, think about the age of your kids and let that help you make your decision. I think you'll get better gas mileage in a minivan (my SUV was a gas guzzler, one reason I sold it.)

Good luck!
Dawn

I prefer the van. We have the Odyssey. The SUV was cramped (Pilot) compared to the van, too. So it was win-win. We have four kids and have 3 carseats in a row in the second row, and one child in the middle back.

I have a Honda Odyssey and a Toyota Highlander. I love the doors on the Odyssey, as they slide open and the kids can't hit another car when they open the door. I love how the Toyota Highlander handles though, it is very smooth and drive like a camry. Odyssey has more room and beautiful seats. Highlander is up high and you feel like you have some power too.

I have had both and they are the same to me. The SUV has a more rugged suspension but other than that no difference.

You've gotten great responses - to recap (and add a bit)
1. consider how many kids and extras you'll haul - I only had 2 kids but drove the lacrosse, field hockey and rugby teams around for YEARS.
2. Where and how much you'll drive. We drive to Pennsylvania every year to visit relatives and a minivan beats an SUV hands down for comfort, room and gas milage.
3. The ages of the kids is important to consider - because of the door into other vehicles and also the ease of getting them in and out. Most SUV are a bit higher than minivans and it's a stretch for a vertically challenged mom like me to get that infant seat lifted out of the base and down to ground level. And if your arms are full it's much easier to push a button on the keys in your hand and the door open for you than set it down and open a door.
I have a 2001 Honda Odysee that's taken us from my youngest's first grade year thru graduation. I LOVE it, although I will be letting it go for something more "adult". My parents are both in their late 70's and THEY have a one because it's just so easy to get in and out of and haul stuff - they live 20 miles from the nearest grocery store and one day a week make the trip for "shopping".
If your husband LOVES your Pilot, why doesn't he take over it and you trade his vehicle in on a van? Right now everyone has deals and it's a great time to buy. If you're a member of USAA (veterans) they have great prices with certain dealers - no haggle and VERY low.

suv hands down, i love ours. i will NEVER buy a mini van EVER they drive too hard

i bump into things ... a lot. so a van would be out of the question. suv are slightly more compact and i feel like its kinda big still but i wont bumper cars in it!!! try some out they have some that are sort of inbetween a car size and smaller than the regular suv.

I am not a diva, but a Van???? Nah.