I feel like this is a quintessential debate within the parenting world - Minivan or Suv??
When you have a litter or brood of children, you automatically succumb to the fact that you can no longer drive your cute, sporty sedan and you need to make the quantum leap to the next phase of adult/parenthood - the BIG honkin' vehicle. I have owned an SUV and made the switch to minivan driver. And it gets me every time I hear someone say "I will never be a minivan driver." These are the same a-holes driving around a plymouth gas-guzzling, too-tall-for-parking-garage SUV.
The SUV may look more stylish, generally speaking comes in more colours, and does not hold the stigma that you "gave up your former self" for your new chosen role as a parent. BUT, in most cases it compares reasonably in size to the modern minivan, guzzles just as much gas AND you don't get the advantage of power sliding doors. Plus they put in these "third rows" now in SUVs and cross-overs that they try to train the naked eye will fit your 4th child/visiting Aunt Hilda...but you can barely stuff a bag of groceries back there and you have to exit/enter through the trunk; which I think should be reserved for special occasions wink wink.
So basically, I don't think there is any advantage to either. I personally have never heard anyone say to me "ewww you drive a minivan." They are practical, hold a whole lotta stuff and/or people and have power everything. They may be a few more inches in length, but who ever complained about that!!! And hell, I'm proud that I have my kids in the back seat. It's a badge of honour. I earned my minivan right along side every stretch mark. I'm happy not to be a bar bunny or a speed demon and I feel privileged to have 3 kiddos who love me riding safely in the back; AND my slightly cheesy stick figure family on the back window.
So no offence to SUV parents - you do what you gotta do but don't be knockin us cool parental Mo-Fo's in our swagger wagons, k???
When you have a litter or brood of children, you automatically succumb to the fact that you can no longer drive your cute, sporty sedan and you need to make the quantum leap to the next phase of adult/parenthood - the BIG honkin' vehicle. I have owned an SUV and made the switch to minivan driver. And it gets me every time I hear someone say "I will never be a minivan driver." These are the same a-holes driving around a plymouth gas-guzzling, too-tall-for-parking-garage SUV.
The SUV may look more stylish, generally speaking comes in more colours, and does not hold the stigma that you "gave up your former self" for your new chosen role as a parent. BUT, in most cases it compares reasonably in size to the modern minivan, guzzles just as much gas AND you don't get the advantage of power sliding doors. Plus they put in these "third rows" now in SUVs and cross-overs that they try to train the naked eye will fit your 4th child/visiting Aunt Hilda...but you can barely stuff a bag of groceries back there and you have to exit/enter through the trunk; which I think should be reserved for special occasions wink wink.
So basically, I don't think there is any advantage to either. I personally have never heard anyone say to me "ewww you drive a minivan." They are practical, hold a whole lotta stuff and/or people and have power everything. They may be a few more inches in length, but who ever complained about that!!! And hell, I'm proud that I have my kids in the back seat. It's a badge of honour. I earned my minivan right along side every stretch mark. I'm happy not to be a bar bunny or a speed demon and I feel privileged to have 3 kiddos who love me riding safely in the back; AND my slightly cheesy stick figure family on the back window.
So no offence to SUV parents - you do what you gotta do but don't be knockin us cool parental Mo-Fo's in our swagger wagons, k???