Minivan vs 4runner

[Hogger]

Hey there everyone. I been a long time fan of the 4Runner and been lurking this forum for awhile now. The time is getting closer for us to pull the trigger on a new family vehicle. We are a Family of 5, 2 6 year olds and a 10 year old. We do a couple camping trips a year and would love to pull a small trailer as an upgrade from tenting.

We have been rocking a grand caravan now for almost 6 years so we do worry we are going to lose some of that inside space and end up being too cramped in there when we are loading up for day trips. But one thing I truly miss is going off the beaten path and finding some trails to go on. I used to own a Jeep and a lifted truck and we now down to just the van. Living in BC Canada, there is plenty of areas to go and explore

Has anyone else made this switch? Was it worth it?

 

[Jetboy]

With your size family, I think a 4runner is going to be too small. I would consider a suburban or a 4x4 van. Both will offer a lot more space and make trips more fun for everyone.

Unless you're family is small and thin. Then maybe.

 

[Hogger]

Suburbans are out of price range, looking for new or barley used vehicles


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[md-lucky]

Suburbans are out of price range, looking for new or barley used vehicles


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In your specific situation, with what sounds like your needs, I would honestly consider the Ford Flex instead of a 4-runner.

It will have the room you need, can tow a small trailer, and is available in AWD.

If you have a need to get into the mountains and do frequent real offroading... that would sway my opinion.

Flex is very popular here. They do fine on most dirt and forest service roads. Should be about the same price range as the 4 runner.

The 4runner is a very small vehicle for that sized family.

 

[Hogger]

Appreciate the input, though the flex barely has anymore ground clearance than our van does lol. Wife has been eyeing up the pacifica, was hoping to sway her over to somewhere a bit more 4x4 worthy. But can’t pay the high asking prices they want for suburbans and such.

Was hoping we could swing it with the 7 passenger 4Runner but guess will have to check it out more in person


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[Hans Moleman]

VW Atlas or Subaru Ascent. Those are the biggest crossover suvs

 

[5thToy]

I agree with everyone so far. 4Runner is too small for your family. Suburban, Excursion, Sequoia, Armada in 4WD. Whatever year you can afford.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I wouldn't get the 3rd row if you go Runner but I don't see you pulling a large enough trailer for 5 with it. A Sequoia would be more comfortable and would tow better.

 

[big51810321]

Suburbans are out of price range, looking for new or barley used vehicles


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A slightly used Sequoia?

 

[Hogger]

A slightly used Sequoia?

Possibly but they seem to be more outdated than the 4runners are.

Honestly surprised so many are against the 4runner. What prompted me to consider it more so lately was there was several out there on our camping trip this week. Many towing the ultra lite trailers with kids, more than I’ve ever seen actually.

Given me more to think about. Have one more small camping trip the following week and then we are going to start our vehicle shopping.

The trailer part I’m not too concerned with, there was plenty of ultra lites with bunks in the low 3000lb range. We been tenting it this entire time so it wouldn’t need to be anything large

Thanks for the help and suggestions so far. Armada looks interesting, still body on frame, big v8 and Nissan seems to price it aggressively. But seems to be little to no aftermarket for it if I was to lift it


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[euser]

I wouldn't get a 4Runner. It won't be enough space. Subaru has some nice options, like the ascent. I would've considered one of those if i didn't impulse buy my 4Runner.

 

[TC4Rnr]

Minivan makes more sense. We have minivans ever since before our second one was born. A Honda Odyssey, 2 Sienna's. Our boys are 6 and 8 Now, we have a Sienna XLE AWD and just traded in the second Sienna for a 2019 4Runner TRD OR.

Minivan are the most practical vehicles for the family. We have taken some long trips down to the Texas golf coast, up to Canada. You can't get beat it. I have also hauled dirt, gravel and mulch with my 5x8 trailer with it.

 

[Hogger]

One more thing I have to consider here is my wife driving it as well. She hasn’t driven for a long time because of health issues but she’s almost cleared again to start driving. I would be worried to put her into something too big while hauling the kids around.

We managed in a Jeep Liberty when our daughters were first born. Two big car seats and a high back booster. It was very tight but manageable lol


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[Hogger]

Minivan makes more sense. We have minivans ever since before our second one was born. A Honda Odyssey, 2 Sienna's. Our boys are 6 and 8 Now, we have a Sienna XLE AWD and just traded in the second Sienna for a 2019 4Runner TRD OR.

Minivan are the most practical vehicles for the family. We have taken some long trips down to the Texas golf coast, up to Canada. You can't get beat it. I have also hauled dirt, gravel and mulch with my 5x8 trailer with it.

Oh I hear you loud and clear there. We have used our minivan for everything, and we are very tempted to pull the trigger on a new Pacifica (big discounts through my work). Just hate being stuck again not being able to do any off roading and taking some trails to camp out. And even more limited on towing

When it comes to what you can haul inside? Yea the van wins hands down and much better bang for the buck.


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[Eric m]

hey, I have a 13yr girl, 12 yr boy (tall) and an 8 yr girl... From VA and we've taken my '17 4runner on anywhere from 100 mile to 800 mile trips...We have a 3rd row but Never use it on trips, no luggage space with them up. We have a large roof box and we travel pretty comfy!

 

[T4R2014]

4Runner with three kiddos just doesn't cut it IMO. I grew up in this situation. Sequoia or Suburban would be my recommendation. Frankly we are just comparing outdated vehicles anyway. I'd focus on the convenience. All these options will last if maintained.

 

[Hogger]

4Runner with three kiddos just doesn't cut it IMO. I grew up in this situation. Sequoia or Suburban would be my recommendation. Frankly we are just comparing outdated vehicles anyway. I'd focus on the convenience. All these options will last if maintained.

Any input is appreciated. I knew it wouldn’t be a cut and dry topic.

A lot of variables I have to consider in it all. My wife driving whatever we buy, we are also a blended family and only have our kids half the time, we loved traveling off road when we had our truck and Jeep. But still obviously need something the kids can fit into

Going to go back and research some more options to see what can for the budget

Canadian prices vs U.S are pretty high unfortunately

 

[wcjeep]

Someone mentioned the Flex. It's available in Awd. Near end of life, the bugs are worked out. Traditional SUV will have less room with higher step in height. Kids only get bigger. When buying used, the Lincoln version is usually cheaper.

I just saw the Pacifica hybrid gets 30mpg. However, FCA quality control needs to be considered.

Consider renting the vehicle you want for a day or weekend. Spending time with the vehicle and your family should reveal it's fit for you without 60 months of payments. Modern minivans have great crash protection.

 

[euser]

One more thing I have to consider here is my wife driving it as well. She hasn’t driven for a long time because of health issues but she’s almost cleared again to start driving. I would be worried to put her into something too big while hauling the kids around.

We managed in a Jeep Liberty when our daughters were first born. Two big car seats and a high back booster. It was very tight but manageable lol


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The 4Runner is also the least safe. It has no driver aids, unlike almost any new vehicle, especially those designed to haul around the family. It doesn’t event have blind spot monitoring. The crash protection doesn’t compare to a modern van/most crossovers either. If I was hauling around 3 kids it would definitely be in one of the nice van options or the Ascent.

 

[Jetboy]

One other option is a highlander. It's a bit bigger inside than a 4runner. And much easier to access the 3rd row. Very reliable.

Or maybe a newer minivan and an older suburban or sequoia for weekends. $5k should get you a pretty reliable older suburban. And it won't get used daily so probably less repairs because it'll have fewer miles of use.