8 seater SUV or Van - what are my top 3 options? - Page 3

Aug 27th, 2021 9:12 am

#41

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13378 posts; 7642 upvotes

Aug 27th, 2021 9:12 am

tim-x wrote: ↑ Don't get me wrong, I think those vehicles are sweet. I'd love one. I just couldn't justify the extra cost unfortunately and I wouldn't be happy with some mid level crossover pretending to be a full sized SUV so I went with the practical choice. To me it's all or nothing, and with the price of vehicles I actually want these days, I went with the "nothing" option (minivan and econo car for a family of 5).

That's primarily why I have, and will continue to drive an older one.

And that's why I continue to recommend used Armadas in this cases as they are a great value if you want the full size SUV. 2 to 3 year old top trims can be picked up for $40k-$50k and last another 10 years easily. The power train is bulletproof.

Last edited by Gutty96 on Aug 27th, 2021 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

Aug 27th, 2021 9:43 am

#42

Tommy74: Deal Fanatic; Jun 26, 2009; 5195 posts; 4946 upvotes; GTA

Aug 27th, 2021 9:43 am

nowhere2010 wrote: ↑ No single recommendation on Subaru Ascent Does it mean that we need to stay from this?

This is not "Top 10" competition and 4 bangers don't count.

+1

Aug 27th, 2021 12:19 pm

#43

CanadianLurker: Deal Fanatic; Sep 9, 2012; 5876 posts; 5057 upvotes; Oakville, ON

Aug 27th, 2021 12:19 pm

nowhere2010 wrote: ↑ Looking for suggestions preferably under $55k (if possible) some top 3 options.
Mainly for personal use & Navigation is not must assuming I can save some cost.
Location: Toronto/Canada

To give you better focus on SUV vs Van we’d really need to know how you want to deal with luggage or “other stuff”.

Generally speaking, if transporting 8 people + stuff a 3-row SUV can do the job with the caveat that you won’t be able to bring much stuff or luggage with you at the same time.

A van will be able to take the same 8 people + much more stuff than an SUV.

So if you’re looking at 8 people + sports equipment, or + strollers, or + luggage, or + groceries, or + a walker, etc the a van is your best bet.

If you’re looking at 8 people + 1 or 2 smaller bags/items then the SUV may suffice.

+1

Aug 29th, 2021 8:18 am

#44

SPARTACVS: Deal Addict; Jul 21, 2005; 3220 posts; 1192 upvotes; Lévis

Aug 29th, 2021 8:18 am

You can have a 3rd row in the Tesla model Y.
Remember that while an BEV cost more for the car, the annual expanses are much smaller because of the energy. Might be worth to do the math. After a few years you might be saving money.

Pourquoi pas?

Aug 29th, 2021 9:32 am

#45

dexdeus: Newbie; Nov 9, 2012; 13 posts; 23 upvotes; OTTAWA

Aug 29th, 2021 9:32 am

SPARTACVS wrote: ↑ You can have a 3rd row in the Tesla model Y.
Remember that while an BEV cost more for the car, the annual expanses are much smaller because of the energy. Might be worth to do the math. After a few years you might be saving money.

This is a bit... Fanciful. $74,000 for the Y 7 seat vs 40,000 for the Sienna. It's going to take a lot of time to make up the difference in costs (realistically, never). More to the point, those seats in the back are laughably small too, and there's going to be exactly zero cargo room in the Tesla with those formula seats. There's absolutely no comparison in terms of space usability. The Y is not going to compare with a van or a real 3 row SUV (except the old Rogue 3 row option maybe?).

I wish it was different because I'd love a proper family/space hauler that's an EV but until the ID Buzz comes along, there's nothing electric in this space (apart from the Pacifica phev I suppose, but for my needs it's less efficient than the Sienna).

+8

Aug 29th, 2021 10:40 am

#46

Tommy74: Deal Fanatic; Jun 26, 2009; 5195 posts; 4946 upvotes; GTA

Aug 29th, 2021 10:40 am

SPARTACVS wrote: ↑ You can have a 3rd row in the Tesla model Y.
Remember that while an BEV cost more for the car, the annual expanses are much smaller because of the energy. Might be worth to do the math. After a few years you might be saving money.

You are funny. Yes, 80 years from now OP won't be spending a cent.

+3

Aug 29th, 2021 10:44 am

#47

Rob_EV: Deal Fanatic; Sep 10, 2008; 9584 posts; 8138 upvotes; Kitchener

Aug 29th, 2021 10:44 am

Tommy74 wrote: ↑ You are funny. Yes, 80 years from now OP won't be spending a cent.

At 20-25,000km per year, it would likely take about 30 years to save $75,000 in gasoline.

Aug 29th, 2021 11:19 am

#48

Bevatron: Deal Fanatic; Jan 8, 2009; 5251 posts; 3684 upvotes; Ontario

Aug 29th, 2021 11:19 am

dexdeus wrote: ↑ This is a bit... Fanciful. $74,000 for the Y 7 seat vs 40,000 for the Sienna. It's going to take a lot of time to make up the difference in costs (realistically, never). More to the point, those seats in the back are laughably small too, and there's going to be exactly zero cargo room in the Tesla with those formula seats. There's absolutely no comparison in terms of space usability. The Y is not going to compare with a van or a real 3 row SUV (except the old Rogue 3 row option maybe?).

I wish it was different because I'd love a proper family/space hauler that's an EV but until the ID Buzz comes along, there's nothing electric in this space (apart from the Pacifica phev I suppose, but for my needs it's less efficient than the Sienna).

There are other options coming out in Europe. Maybe Stellantis will bring something over.

This would suit me - very practical yet not too big. Range is the big issue but would be fine for my uses.

Aug 29th, 2021 11:58 am

#49

Chris971: Member; Oct 23, 2013; 300 posts; 357 upvotes; Calgary

Aug 29th, 2021 11:58 am

SPARTACVS wrote: ↑ You can have a 3rd row in the Tesla model Y.
Remember that while an BEV cost more for the car, the annual expanses are much smaller because of the energy. Might be worth to do the math. After a few years you might be saving money.

OP can buy 2 minivans for the cost of a model Y with 3rd row.

+6

Aug 29th, 2021 12:31 pm

#50

SPARTACVS: Deal Addict; Jul 21, 2005; 3220 posts; 1192 upvotes; Lévis

Aug 29th, 2021 12:31 pm

Tommy74 wrote: ↑
You are funny. Yes, 80 years from now OP won't be spending a cent.

80 years? I think it's you and your math that are funny...

Rob_EV wrote: ↑ At 20-25,000km per year, it would likely take about 30 years to save $75,000 in gasoline.

I was talking of the mY, not the mX.

That being said, I forgot the mY with a 3rd row is more a 6-7 seaters so I withdraw the recommandation.
I was about to mention the Pacifica PHEV but, like someone who wasn't confortabel to recommand ford, I'm not confortable to recommand chrysler... But maybe I'm wrong.

Pourquoi pas?

Aug 29th, 2021 1:18 pm

#51

zeddy: Deal Addict; Jun 12, 2008; 1523 posts; 1064 upvotes; Ripley

Aug 29th, 2021 1:18 pm

I haven't read the other posts. If you want to fit 8 adults even for short trips, you do not want a minivan. I frequently carry 6 adults in a Sienna and they do not like the third row. The Sienna had the most leg room back there of all the vans we test drove. To drive 8 adults you need a full-size SUV like a Ford Expedition or GMC Suburban. Even then the third row isn't great and getting in and out can be a hassle. I suggest a full sized van if you can find one. Or better yet, just get two vehicles.

+1

Aug 29th, 2021 1:37 pm

#52

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13378 posts; 7642 upvotes

Aug 29th, 2021 1:37 pm

Maybe GM just needs to bring back the AWD Safari van?

+2

Aug 29th, 2021 1:53 pm

#53

JeganV: Deal Addict; Apr 22, 2013; 2974 posts; 2407 upvotes; Markham

Aug 29th, 2021 1:53 pm

Gutty96 wrote: ↑ Maybe GM just needs to bring back the AWD Safari van?

I was thinking the Vandura, if they can somehow make that stubby front crash safe, the rest of the van can be used for pure space.

Aug 29th, 2021 2:03 pm

#54

UrbanPoet: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2004; 50456 posts; 14769 upvotes; ONTARIO

Aug 29th, 2021 2:03 pm

Sienna does 8

All my threads are upvote parties! All positive vibe post get upvotes.

Aug 29th, 2021 3:07 pm

#55

sks8100: Deal Addict; Mar 2, 2017; 2281 posts; 1928 upvotes

Aug 29th, 2021 3:07 pm

Honda Pilot is an amazing suv that also comes in an 8 passenger config

+2

Aug 29th, 2021 3:21 pm

#56

lestat83: Member; Jul 21, 2013; 350 posts; 258 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 29th, 2021 3:21 pm

We just bought a Kia Carnival, very happy with the purchase so far , loaded with Tech and looks good. We ended up choosing it over the Sienna because we valued the latest tech over fuel economy, but I can see people going the other way.

The most thorough comparison I found was Alex on Autos. The truth is, if you go for the Van (you should if you need 3 rows), you’re probably fine with any of the Van options in the Canadian market.

+5

Sep 19th, 2021 8:14 am

#57

hello99: Deal Addict; Oct 3, 2005; 1252 posts; 73 upvotes

Sep 19th, 2021 8:14 am

lestat83 wrote: ↑ We just bought a Kia Carnival, very happy with the purchase so far , loaded with Tech and looks good. We ended up choosing it over the Sienna because we valued the latest tech over fuel economy, but I can see people going the other way.

The most thorough comparison I found was Alex on Autos. The truth is, if you go for the Van (you should if you need 3 rows), you’re probably fine with any of the Van options in the Canadian market.

Which model of the Carnival did you get? Any deals available on them?

Sep 19th, 2021 8:51 am

#58

thelastword: Sr. Member; Feb 14, 2010; 843 posts; 839 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 19th, 2021 8:51 am

lestat83 wrote: ↑ We just bought a Kia Carnival, very happy with the purchase so far , loaded with Tech and looks good. We ended up choosing it over the Sienna because we valued the latest tech over fuel economy, but I can see people going the other way.

The most thorough comparison I found was Alex on Autos. The truth is, if you go for the Van (you should if you need 3 rows), you’re probably fine with any of the Van options in the Canadian market.

Nice purchase. Is it true you can remove the middle seat from the second row and have it facing the back.

Sep 19th, 2021 11:38 am

#59

lestat83: Member; Jul 21, 2013; 350 posts; 258 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 19th, 2021 11:38 am

hello99 wrote: ↑ Which model of the Carnival did you get? Any deals available on them?

EX+, I wanted the 8 seats and have no need for those luxury second row chairs in the SX.

We picked it up just as the manufacturing issues were being announced, i suspect supply is fairly limited now.

+2

Sep 19th, 2021 11:40 am

#60

lestat83: Member; Jul 21, 2013; 350 posts; 258 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 19th, 2021 11:40 am

thelastword wrote: ↑ Nice purchase. Is it true you can remove the middle seat from the second row and have it facing the back.

You can certainly remove the second row seats, I can’t confirm whether you can have the middle seat backwards. I’ve seen the functionality in videos but I thought I read it doesn’t work for the North American models, I could be wrong though.

+1