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Ok, mommas, what do we drive? A Car, SUV, or Minivan?
You may be at the point of pregnancy with your first baby or driving a car with two babies in car seats.
Maybe you are planning for the future or trying to get into a new vehicle ASAP because you are bursting at the seams!
Each car option is going to come with pros and cons. We want to find the right fit for where you are in life.
I think the two biggest factors in your car buying decision should be number of kids and budget.
We are going to focus on Cars, SUVs, and Minivans. I do realize these categories can vary greatly. Some SUVs for example have a third row, while some do not. There are of course so many other options out there that don’t exactly fit into one of these molds.
A major factor is space and the number of seats available, that is along with the number of children and vehicle price makes up our decision-making.
I have experience with a Honda Accord-Car, a Honda Odyssey-Minivan, and a Chevy Tahoe- SUV.
I am here to share my experience as well as the pros and cons of these 3 main types of vehicles.
Where It Started: Car Life
Before becoming a mom, I drove my Honda Accord. It had 4 doors, was quite roomy, and had a large trunk.
This car served me well!
It was large enough to fit two car seats in the back and our jogger stroller in the truck.
We could have continued making this car last for quite a while.
The only time it got tricky was when we wanted to take the jogger and we were doing a trip of some sort.
If we had luggage or maybe a cooler it could get tricky, but my husband is an amazing packer. A childhood with Tetris does pay off!
A car is typically going to be more affordable than a minivan or SUV.
The question is can you manage with the limited space?
I would recommend doing so as long as you can, especially if you are on a tight budget.
If you are living that budget life, check out a few of my tips with, 7 Smart Ways to Cut costs and Save Money as a Mom.
Moving on to the SUV
Why did we move on to the SUV?
At the time, we had 2 kids and my husband and I both drove cars. We also had an old truck that was becoming less and less reliable as well as becoming a money pit. We had a truck to pull the camper.
We decided it was time to ditch the truck and instead of replacing it with another truck, we would purchase an SUV strong enough to tow. The plan was to make this my daily driver and sell my car.
This would drop us back down to 2 vehicles which are much more manageable to maintain.
We currently have myself in the Chevy Tahoe and my husband in his car, which is a Honda Civic.
Pros and Cons of a Large SUV
Large SUVs can vary greatly. We feel like our Tahoe is huge, but when you park near a Suburban LX we feel tiny.
Anything that is an XL is absolutely huge!
These large SUVs are in my opinion beautiful, they are a dream for me.
They come with ample space for everyone.
With the larger SUV, you are probably aiming to have that third row and are more likely going to use it.
When we purchased our SUV, we went with a model that has captain chairs in the middle row.
We went this route thinking it would be easier for kids to get back to the third row.
One downside to captain chairs though is losing a seat and also we currently have our 2 kids on the captains chairs in car seats. At times it would be nice to be able to keep a basket or bin or toys and supplies in that middle seat where they could reach and access it on their own.
Another struggle I personally have is fully using the trunk.
When the third row is up, and the trunk is smaller I can reach everything.
When the third row is down, and the trunk is larger things may be so far forward I can’t reach them!
Our SUV does sit up pretty high though.
Now to be clear I can load things up on my own.
Our jogger stroller is fairly large, and I can get it in with no problem.
The jogger also fits in the truck with the third row up and in use.
Overall, we are very happy with the space with either the third row up or down.
Here is a link if you are interested in checking out our Graco Jogger Stroller.
Pros and Cons of a Small SUV
I am torn on small SUVs, for some people they can be a great option, but for others, they do not make sense!
Some small SUVs only seat 5 people total, while others will seat more. It just depends on if it has a third row.
I think a small SUV can be a great option if you have two children.
Maybe you only need the middle row for daily use and a third row for special occasions when you are hauling friends.
Typically, these SUVs have a decent trunk with no third row, however, if you are using the third row the trunk is tiny.
These SUVs are also not great for pulling anything typically. It of course would depend on weight.
A small SUV can be a good upgrade from a car without going full minivan or large SUV.
Think it through before going the small SUV route. Is it enough of a space upgrade from the car to be worth it?
Exploring the Minivan Experience
The minivan at times can get a bad rap. It is a “mom car”. It is lame. People would rather have an SUV, myself included.
However, we are not going to overlook the minivan today. We are going to touch on some important reasons a minivan may be right for you.
I drove a minivan for a family I nannied for over 9 years. It was a Honda Odyssey.
It was a smooth ride!
The number one reason to get a minivan is the sliding doors.
When it comes to pick-ups and drop-offs the sliding doors make it a breeze. They are amazing for unloading car seats and getting babies buckled in.
I have had situations where I could not get the infant car seat into my car because the person next to me parked too close. With a minivan, you are likely never going to face this problem.
The sliding doors can also give your older toddlers and growing children more independence. They may be able to open and shut the door on one side while you are buckling in a baby on the other.
You don’t have to run around both sides of the vehicle worried about them dinging the vehicle parked next to you.
Minivans are also a great deal. The amount of space and what you can do with it is amazing. If we didn’t need to haul our camper we may have gone the minivan route, primarily for money savings.
Minivans can have the deep truck, the stow-and-go seating, and the ability to do some reconfiguring by moving and removing seats.
Minivans are designed to be adaptable family vehicles.
I have also noticed grandparents adopting minivans. They find them easier to get into with the ride being higher than that of a car.
They also see the benefits of the sliding doors and can easily use them to transport grandchildren.
There is a reason minivans, despite their critiques, do not go away. They may not be the coolest vehicle on the road, but they are a solid family vehicle.
Do not overlook the minivan!
Conclusion
Ultimately, your car choice is going to depend on your lifestyle, budget, and specific needs.
Typically you can make any vehicle work for a while, provided it has enough seating to literally fit your family.
Before you make a huge investment to go to a new vehicle make sure you are paying attention to all the right things. Do you need to haul items in the truck, hitched on the back, or above in a cargo rack?
How many children are you typically hauling and will you occasionally have extras?
What is your budget versus your style?
An SUV might be your style but a minivan might be your budget, and that is ok, minivans are bomb!
So, weigh your options, consider your priorities, and find the right vehicle for your family.
Find the car that is going to make your life easier!
Check Out My Articles
A New Parent’s Guide to Packing the Perfect Diaper Bag: Tips and Tricks
The Top 7 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Daycare for Your Child
Creative Ideas for Keeping Your Toddler Engaged and Happy on a Long Car Ride
How to Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Baby: Infant vs. Convertible