SUV vs Minivan

[Mrs Brizzle]

Hi,
can anyone advise if there is much difference space wise between an SUV and a mini van. We can only get the SUV with Alamo which means we won't be able to use the Dollar Express Lane also the SUV is about £40 more - so is it worth it?
cheers
Heidi

[Lynne S]

Hello Heidi,

I love the SVU's, we have been very lucky and have always managed to get a big model each time we have booked one. My sister however only got a small Jeep last year and found it to be a bit of a tight fit for the 5 of them.
I think a mini van has much more space and will be easier for you with the children.

[Mrs Brizzle]

Thanks Lynne, We definately need a big car as we have mother in law coming as well as us 5. The thing is Neil says there is a new option of a 7 seater SUV on uscarhire which seems to have more cubic ft of space than a minivan which would give us more space for the luggage and the pram. It's fitting all the stuff in to and from the airport thats the problem.

[Lynne S]

I think if you use one of these as a 7 seater you will lose some of that extra luggage space. Quite a few people have hired these so I'm sure there will be plenty more advice regarding them to follow

[andy_d]

The minivans are so uncomfortable apart from the front 2 seats. We had 8 of us on our last trip and had to hire a minivan, and everyone in the back complained about getting rattled around everywhere.

If you have 7 or less you can hire a nice comfy and roomy SUV which on the downside gives you a lot less luggage space. Even if you have to put your suitcases on your knees getting from the airport its definitely worth getting a SUV as the rest of your holiday will be in comfort.[grouphug]

[MarkJan]

We had a 7 seat SUV (from Alamo) recently but there was only two of us and the luggage. I would suggest the minivan or, 2 cars?

[brizzle]

The six of us will be 3 adults, 2 young children and 1 infant so not a full load of '6 people' with luggage so to speak.

We've normally gone for the minivan and been fine albeit minus the new sproglet but looking at the USCarhire descriptions the 7 seat SUV seems to offer the same, primarily 7 seats, but have more cubic feet of space so I would assume that we'd be OK with the 7 seat SUV.

I'm tempted to go with the 7 seat SUV and possibly downgrade to the minvan if needed? Is that a possibility?

2 cars could be an option but dear Ma hasn't driven in Florida and dear Missus tends to pluck up courage with about 3 days to go!!!!

[GrahamC]

There are 5 of us in our family, including 3 teenage boys. I always hire something with at least 2 seats more than the number in our party as this gives us all the room we need.

We had a Durango in the summer as there were 5 of us and it seats 7. My boys refuse to sit squashed together across a back seat. My MIL is coming with us for Christmas so we will have a mini van for the extra space and seat.

The cost to hire is so cheap from this site that I can see no point in messing around.

[brizzle]

I just need to know if the 7 seater SUV has more luggage space than the 7 seater minivan.

How much space was there for luggage in the Durango Graham as that seems to be one of the options you get for the 7 seater SUV?
Enough room for 3 adults, 2 small children, 1 infant, 4 normal cases, 2 small kids cases, pram/pushchair, and a few pieces of hand luggage.

Our other option which we're considering is to get the 7 seater minivan (or SUV) and hire a compact for 1 day at the start and end of the holiday for the airport transfer.

[Tonish]

It depends on which SUV you get. We had the Durango last year and I thought it was very disappointing. It was advertised as a luxury SUV. At home I drive a Range Rover and I (wrongly) expected something of similar size and equipment. Space-wise, you will all fit in OK, but luggage room isn't great. As you're usually only taking the full load of luggage from airport to villa and back once, it will be a bit cramped with the pieces you describe but not disastrous.

I found it had marginally more luggage room than a minivan but less cabin space - the Durango appears much smaller than the equivalent Ford Expedition. I am travelling next week and have booked a luxury SUV again with Budget (there are six of us - two adults plus 16 yr old, 13yr, 9yr and 5 yr). I have already decided that if we are offered the Durango rather than the Ford, we will switch to the minivan or try to upgrade further to a Lincoln Navigator if possible - I hated that Dodge.