I saw this thread and figured with me, my wife and our 4 kids I could give some good suggestions. The kids are 3, 6, 8 and 11 now. So we have used it all, car seats, boosters, phone books (kidding), etc. We have a 2004 Sienna (wife’s van, really) and a 2008 4runner (mine). When I bought the 4runner I was looking at all the options and was considering the Sequoia but realized that even with 6 of us it’s just too big considering I do most of my commuting to and from work by myself. Plus the $4.00 plus gallon gas price at that time killed that idea. After a lot of looking the 4runner, v6, limited, leather with 3rd row, was the best fit. It has it all, 4x4, power for towing 5000lbs, enough room and not to bad on gas. I get about 20mpg driving to / from work in stop / go traffic when in 2h about 18.5 when in 4h.
We can put two in the 2nd row and 2 in the 3rd row or 3 / 1 and take out one of the 3rd row seats if we need a little cargo space. As fare as comfort, we are all short so we fit just fine. If you are tall it may be a little tight. But for us, nice and comfortable. My kids can sleep anywhere and usually are all asleep in the back on long drives. Come to think of it they fall asleep on a drive to the grocery store. Even though I am short, only 5’ 5”, I can’t really put my son’s car seat behind the drivers seat because his feet hit he back of the seat. But he loves having the window go all the way down so he can put it hands out the window. That’s another thing to remember. On the 4runner’s the back windows open all the way. No safety window that stops half way. Gotta keep an extra eye on the kids so they don’t fall out, hee hee. And if you have kids, leather is the way to go. It cleans up much easier than fabric. You just can’t go wrong with the 4runner.
As for a mini van…don’t do it! They are nice and roomy but do have their problems. First I would not touch another mini van unless it was all-wheel-drive. The front-wheel-drive models slide all over the place in the snow. Also those dam sliding doors are always frozen shut. Gotta have the kids climb over the front seats or through the back hatch to get in on most cold / snowy days. And the heater does not work. You just have to wait till the sun warms them up. We have gone days with the doors frozen shut. Also have one of those power doors break, run you about $1500.00 to fix.
If you are kinda in between on the 4runner and a mini van the newer model Highlander’s may be a nice fit. Something like an 08 or newer when they got better looking. No offense to older Highlander lovers. More room then the 4runner but with its all-wheel-drive option and sportier looks it’s nicer then the van and no doors to freeze shut.
