Review of 7 Passenger Vehicles
Often those with large families or just many friends have a need for larger vehicles. The answer is normally 7 passenger vehicles which generally come in two varieties, the minivan and the SUV. Within the last few years the crossover vehicle has come on the scene which combines the platform, performance, and seating capacity of an SUV with the comfort and features of a passenger car. The right vehicle for you is the one that best meets your needs. Minivans are designed for your convenience. They are always built on passenger car platforms which make them low to the ground and easy to handle. The large sliding doors make them easy to get in and out of especially for those with children still in safety car seats.
The SUV (sport utility vehicle) is built to deal with any road or weather condition. The large cargo area, increased ground clearance, and high seating capacity are ideal for a family or group of friends that love to be outdoors. Even the best SUV’s on the market struggle in the MPG department. As fuel prices continue to rise minivans and crossovers will be better choices for most consumers. Unless you live in an area where it is necessary to have a big V8 engine coupled with four wheel drive just to get to and from work every day or you are an avid outdoor family, you may want to exclude the big SUV from your new vehicle search.
Two of the most popular minivans on the market today are the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey. Both of these manufacturers are known for producing quality reliable vehicles. The similarity between these two minivans makes the details the deciding factor. These minivans come standard with a 3.5-Liter V6 engine, seat 7 passengers, and just about all the same comfort and convenience features inside. Both also come with a 36 month basic warranty and a 60 month powertrain warranty. With that said, the difference that will play a major role in a purchase decision between these two vehicles is price and fuel economy. The Odyssey comes at a base price of $28,075. The Sienna’s base price is slightly lower at $26,300.
Even though the base price is not that far apart also take into consideration that the Odyssey does get slightly better fuel economy. The Odyssey beats the Sienna by 3 MPGs in highway mileage with an estimated 27 miles per gallon. With gas prices soaring, 3 MPGs will make a difference. If all of that is still too close to call in your mind, then perhaps you will be sold on the Sienna because of Toyota Care. Every new Toyota comes with a free 25,000 mile or 2 year road side assistance and maintenance plan. The Sienna will offer better savings coming at a lower price point and providing a maintenance plan over the first two years you own your vehicle.
The Crossover division brings us to 7 passenger vehicles like the Chevy Traverse and Ford Flex. Both are V6 powered and come with many similar features. The Chevy wins in cargo capacity and seating. The Traverse will seat 8 while the Flex will only hold 7 passengers. The Flex has 83.2 cubic feet of cargo area compared to the Traverse’s massive 116.4 cubic feet of cargo room. Crossovers are about size, so the extra seat and much larger cargo room is a huge plus for the Traverse. Chevy has also equipped the Traverse with the OnStar system which is superior to the Ford SYNC telematic system that comes with the Flex. Fuel economy is the same with these two vehicles, but the Chevy engine puts out 20 more horsepower. The Traverse has a base price of $38,250, and the Flex comes just under that at $37,620. The increased capacity and features brings the Traverse ahead of the Flex despite the slightly higher price.
