I have a “midsize” SUV and went on vacation with seven people, and it could hardly hold all of us even with a luggage rack on the hitch. We rented a minivan at our destination, and it EASILY fit all seven people and luggage with room to spare and was more comfortable. It also was a hybrid and got > 30mpg. Definitely wanting to rethink that SUV purchase now.
I do think minivans should be more common as being more practical, but I don’t see how they’re safer. They also tend to be less fuel efficient due to aerodynamics. They tend to have a lower floor with more or less the same ceiling height. That gives them a larger frontal cross section compared to an equivalent sized SUV.
This applies to vans and trucks, as well. Trucks based on the same platform tend to have better mileage than the van.
They are safer to pedestrians because they tend to have lower and more curved hoods (making impact at low speeds less dangerous) and they also give better visibility to the driver.
Thank you. For some reason our entire society thinks “safety” only applies to the people inside of the vehicle.
It’s a testament to our very individualized society under capitalism. It’s basing all values on a individuals consumption choices. Rather than the safety and security of society as a whole.
Sadly, carrying around a brick above your head is still the only “consumer” choice pedestrians have for safety.
A minivan will hold as many kids, is safer than an SUV, and they are on the smaller end of the SUV sizes.
I have a “midsize” SUV and went on vacation with seven people, and it could hardly hold all of us even with a luggage rack on the hitch. We rented a minivan at our destination, and it EASILY fit all seven people and luggage with room to spare and was more comfortable. It also was a hybrid and got > 30mpg. Definitely wanting to rethink that SUV purchase now.
I have a little Mitsubishi Outlander that seats 7 and I’d cut off a toe for a minivan.
My teenager has to crawl through the hatch to get in her seat lol.
I do think minivans should be more common as being more practical, but I don’t see how they’re safer. They also tend to be less fuel efficient due to aerodynamics. They tend to have a lower floor with more or less the same ceiling height. That gives them a larger frontal cross section compared to an equivalent sized SUV.
This applies to vans and trucks, as well. Trucks based on the same platform tend to have better mileage than the van.
They are safer to pedestrians because they tend to have lower and more curved hoods (making impact at low speeds less dangerous) and they also give better visibility to the driver.
Thank you. For some reason our entire society thinks “safety” only applies to the people inside of the vehicle.
It’s a testament to our very individualized society under capitalism. It’s basing all values on a individuals consumption choices. Rather than the safety and security of society as a whole.
Sadly, carrying around a brick above your head is still the only “consumer” choice pedestrians have for safety.