I hate minivans ...

[webstrive]

... and need a decent looking 7+ seater vehicle, suggestions?

also, are there any hybrids in this class?


price isn't an issue yet, just want to know whats available

[Five Star]

Originally Posted by webstrive

... and need a decent looking 7+ seater vehicle, suggestions?

also, are there any hybrids in this class?


price isn't an issue yet, just want to know whats available

Models Available Now
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
2006 GMC Truck Sierra 1500 Hybrid Extended Cab
2006 Honda Accord Hybrid
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
2006 Honda Insight
2006 Lexus RX 400h
2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2006 Toyota Prius



Coming Soon
2006 Model Year
Nissan Altima
Lexus GS
Saturn VUE Green Line
Dodge Ram

2007
Chevy Tahoe
Dodge Durango
Gmc Yukon
Toyota Sienna
Lexus ls 600h

2008
Porsche Cayenne
Honda Fit.

Guess the Best Choice is a Toyota Highlander or wait for the Sienna

[Sherman8r44]

IDK of any current hybrids that have 7+ seats.

Your best bet for a 7+ seat non-minivan is a Honda Pilot or Acura MDX (basically the same car, the Honda doesn't have some of the bells and whistles though).

[Five Star]

Originally Posted by Sherman8r44

IDK of any current hybrids that have 7+ seats.

Your best bet for a 7+ seat non-minivan is a Honda Pilot or Acura MDX (basically the same car, the Honda doesn't have some of the bells and whistles though).

Highlander Hybrid has an optional 3rd row seat, I'm sure it'd be best to wait for the sienna

[Accumulator]

I kinda like the way some hybrids are more powerful than their conventional versions, but I question how fast you'd recoup the additional purchase price via gas savings

If our MPV got totaled tomorrow and I decided to *not* buy another minivan, I'd probably get a Suburban/Yukon. With the dogs I might have somewhat different space requirements, but the smaller SUVs I've looked at just didn't have the same interior room that a minivan has (much to my dismay). I really dislike how this sort of vehicle drives, but between the interior volume and the low step-up I just can't find a suitable replacement that I'd like better.

[jdoria]

I think you are in agreement with the rest of the world in hating minivans. I dont think anyone has ever drove past a dealership and said, "Oh man, I've got to get one of those minivans!".

Did you think about a Suburban, Tahoe, Land Cruiser, ML, or a Sequoia?

Accumulator - My mother just got an 07 Lexus GS450h Hybrid to replace an 04 GS430. It is a ROCKET SHIP. Cant comment on the economy, just drove it for a hour or so.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by jsatek

Accumulator - My mother just got an 07 Lexus GS450h Hybrid to replace an 04 GS430. It is a ROCKET SHIP..

Yeah, that extra kick from the electric motor is a cool feature. If I were buying something like that I'd get the hybrid for the performance boost.

Actually, I wish somebody would make a small, high performance minivan...the MPV with AWD, ~300hp, and a real suspension/brake package would be great for me and the dogs.

[Scottwax]

The Honda Odyssey is the 'least minivan' of the minivans, drives just like a large Accord and the 3.5 V6 is pretty strong. My brother hated minivans until he bought his Odyssey.

Non-minivan, I'd go with the new Tahoe or Yukon.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

The Honda Odyssey is the 'least minivan' of the minivans, drives just like a large Accord and the 3.5 V6 is pretty strong..

Yeah, if they'd just build a short-wheelbase version I'd be test driving it. The one nice thing about the MPV is that it's small compared to other minivans. We were parked next to an Odyssey the other day and Accumulatorette was all "that thing is one HUGE minivan".

Gotta say that the rent-a-Suburban we had last year really impressed both of us. For a big truck it drove very nicely, my wife was parallel parking it in some mighty tight spots with no trouble at all and we both thought it handled surprisingly well. Weak brakes though...

Funny how an Odyssey seems too huge but we both liked the Suburban

[webstrive]

great info .. thanks everyone

for me, being more environmentally friendly and having decent performance is a signficant selling point

i agree, i think on average it'd be quite a while before any savings are incured for gas, perhaps future hybrids will do even better although some are already impressive, and hopefully there will be even more tax savings

i've been checking out vehicles mentioned here ... no winner yet, hopefully i'll post again soon with my choice

Accumulator, I haven't looked at this in detail but at first glance I think it has some of the features you mentioned:

http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview....ED_7-PASSENGER

this one is a 7-seater, there a 5-seater too

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Funny how an Odyssey seems too huge but we both liked the Suburban

Too funny! That Suburban is HUGE. Probably like driving the Odyssey, it seems smaller when behind the wheel. My only issue with the Honda is it doesn't have an adjustable steering wheel. Everything else is dead on.

We had an Acura MDX, and like you said, just not enough room. Great vehicle, no problems, rode good, but with 2 kids and a big dog or two, and needing to haul all thier luggage to the lake, just not big enough. We can stuff it full of dogs and kids and everyone is pretty comfortable. The only thing I've tried to haul and couldn't fit was a big screen TV from Costco, it was too tall for the door opening.

Isn't it funny what we'll do for our dogs? I once traded in my 300ZX for a minivan, so my German Shepherd and Belgian Tervuren would have a comfortable ride. Of course, my wife drove the minivan and I was demoted to the early 90s Hyundai Sonata she had when we got married.

[Accumulator]

SamIam- Yeah, I go to some pretty extreme lengths over the dogs, my older one likes the low step-up of the MPV so I'm probably gonna keep it while he's still around. At 25K its probably not even broken in yet. If I ever get my other cars back from the shop(s) I can reserve the MPV for dog-only duty and quit griping.

Good point about the steering wheel, the lack of telescope on the MPV gives me fits.

webstrive- Thanks for the Subie suggestion, but I had *so* many issues with both my Subarus (Outback, WRX) that I don't think I'll ever own another one. Near the top of my "worst ownership experiences" list, which is saying something with all the dozens of cars I've had. Incompetent dealers had something to do with it, and I probably got two lemons, but still...Heh heh, Accumulatorette would probably think I'd lost my mind if I even suggested another Subaru (she *really* hated them). Funny, nobody else has trouble with Subarus and it seems that most other women like them

Let us know if you decide to get something, I'd be interested what you think when you're seriously comparing.