Help a husband+wife (and 2 kids) decide

This. You're adults with responsibilities. Choose the right tool for the job. Nothing wrong with mommy driving a mommy mobile.

Incidentally, my friend with an 80 series DDs a 2003 Sienna. He loves that thing to death, it's incredibly practical.

 

A Highlander or Sienna is a better people mover but 3rd row 4R can work. I have 4R with 3rd row that very often has 5-7 people in it.
Had a prior gen version of Highlander, got 4R for me but wife liked driving it so much better she took it over. Passenger space comparable, both lack cargo space with 3rd row in use. Highlander had better rear passenger comfort features though. Main thing being overhead vents for rear seats. Those 2 low middle vents in 4R dont help much to smaller kids in rear facing carseats or to anyone in 3rd row. Had to get a 12v fan for my 3rd row.

 

Op needs a Honda minivan

 

@Tusa123 you mentioned the Atlas in the first post. We went through similar machinations when it was time for my wife to get a new car and chose the Atlas. It is aptly named. The third row is comfortable even for adults and there’s a useable amount of cargo space even when the third row is up. And there are no sliding doors so she can tell herself it’s not a minivan. For hauling kids and gear it’s pretty amazing.

 

Volvo XC 90 with the turbo. My wife has one and it's really fun to drive, can fit up to 7 people and some crap in the back.

 

Audi A6 Allroad, 335 hp, tons of space, autobahn cruiser and will go anywhere offroad the new 250 will go....great station wagon!

 

A Toyota Hummer?

 

All popular soccer mom vehicles

 

After watching Grand Highlander review I did a build with things I wanted. Only thing added was Panoramic view monitor & I don't want moon roof. Didn't hit send to request a quote. I don't think I have confidence on those 2.4T and 3.4TT engines. If not I don't think $58K is bad for a on road vehicle with good amount of features, spirited drive, relatively big 3rd row and still have cargo room.

 

As long as it has a turbo, I don't care. We had an turbo XC 60 for a while and that thing hauled ass. Unless I'm off-roading or towing, I'm soccer mom vehicle all the way. Especially with kids in the car. Volvo's safety record is second to none.

VOLVO CARS’ SAFETY VISION
Aiming for zero
Our Safety Vision is one of the most ambitious safety visions in the automotive industry. It is rooted in our leadership in safety and the fact that everything we do starts with protecting the people inside and around our cars. Our aim is that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo. While we are proud of what we have achieved so far, we are not satisfied yet.

 

Genesis is #1in safety. Toyota gets good marks as well

 

Looks like Genesis is better than Volvo. Just realize many others have better safety than Volvo.

 

Is that one of those publications where more money spent gets you a better rating?

 

Going right off the rails here: just after college I read a book called Shibumi. It was about an elite assassin. He lived in a chateau in the Basque region. At one point he bought a Volvo, because he heard they were efficient and reliable. Soon he discovered that his car was neither, and was so disappointed that he would give the car a kick whenever he passed it. When the assassin acquired the chateau he inherited the old groundskeeper with it. The groundskeeper observed him kicking the Volvo, and in deference to his master the groundskeeper began to kick the car every time he passed it too. Before long the townsfolk could be seen kicking the assassin’s Volvo whenever it was in town. Eventually any Volvo that passed through town would receive the same treatment, which came to be known as Volvo bashing.

 

No that is JD Powah..
The above safety ratings from IIHS where they really test crashes and publish the videos and their results

 

Volvo people are the sensitive type....

 

I miss Saab. The pre-GM Saab of course.

 

Never cared for those weird things

 

Takes one to know one

 

I'm definitely not the volvo type lol

 

I was referring to the sensitive part. I really don't care what people say to my face, let alone on a forum. Have a good rest of your day.