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ral
Citizen
Username: Ral
Post Number: 70
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 10:55 am: | 
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After this winter, we're in the market for an all-wheel drive vehicle suitable for a family, with as much seating as possible inside. Does anyone have experience with the Toyota Sienna minivan with AWD option or the Volvo XC90 SUV? Or any other recommendations for family sized (but not huge) AWD autos? Looking in particular for that front-facing third row seat but open to all advice. Thanks.
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Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2330
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 12:17 pm: |
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Why all-wheel drive?
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 498
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 12:38 pm: |
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Thomas,
All wheel drive provides the best traction. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2333
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 12:54 pm: |
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Yes, all-wheel drive provides the best traction in acceleration, but no better than two wheel drive in turns or braking. Because of the extra weight a typical SUV has, the handling and braking are significantly worse than those in a typical car. The extra traction in acceleration can be useful and even necessary for some, but it isn't always cost justified. I asked my question to help ral clarify what he needs.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 41
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 1:04 pm: |
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We've had an all wheel drive Volvo Cross-Country for three years now. The car is amazing in the winter and we've been really happy with it overall. Its a great alternative to an suv, but I think the third rows on the wagons are only rear-facing. We're looking at an XC90 now for more space. The XC90 also has some typical Volvo safety improvements over most other SUV's - the XC90 is little pricey though. |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 416
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 1:41 pm: |
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Land Rover Discovery. Not huge, but big enough, seats 7 with front facing mini-buckets in the back. |
ral
Citizen
Username: Ral
Post Number: 71
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 2:28 pm: |
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We're looking at AWD because my car -- a regular station wagon -- can't get up our hill in any kind of ice or snow, even a little bit. I get stuck constantly driving the kids to and from school, and frankly, it's scary.
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C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1664
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 2:48 pm: |
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I have a Subaru wagon (AWD standard) which is great in icy/snowy weather - up hills, around curves, whatever. And the acceleration is good, just a bit noisy. But, no 3rd row seating.
Cathy |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 187
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 8, 2004 - 8:07 pm: |
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We got a Nissan Murano last August. It's bigger than a station wagon, but smaller than the monster SUVs. It's been great this winter. |
Wendyn
Citizen
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 143
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 8:27 am: |
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Consumer Report's new car issue was delivered yesterday! Find it on a newsstand and take a look. For a 3 row AWD some of the recommendations are Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna. I think the Pilot and the Sienna have the most room.
We have an Outback and although WONDERFUL it only has seating for 5. The AWD is awesome though and the car handles great in the snow. |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1028
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 9:40 am: |
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ral - do you have snow tires. I had the same problem with my dinky little Saturn. Got a couple of snow tires for the front wheels and my hill climbing problems disappeared (and they were a lot cheaper than a new car). By the way, our other car is a Subaru wagon with AWD. As has been pointed out its only advantage is in getting started and accelerating. AWD does NOTHING to impove braking or cornering. Despite what the drivers of the SUV's I so often saw skidded off the road this winber, you still have to drive with care.
The biggest difference I've noticed with the AWD is when you get that really packed down sippery snow. That being said our next car will most likely be a minivan with snowtires and no AWD. Cheaper, better mileage, and safer overall than an SUV. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2338
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 9:45 am: |
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If you have front wheel drive, you're much better off with four snow tires. If your front tires have more traction than your rear tires, your car's rear end could swing around unexpectedly.
But I'll grant that snow tires only in the front can be better than none, and they're cheaper than four.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1693
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 9:47 am: |
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I love my Jeep Liberty. A small SUV (smaller than a minivan), handles great, has pretty good storage space, lots of leg and head room and it's not too expensive. Also, it PLOWS through the snow, I never shovel my driveway. |
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 124
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 6:30 pm: |
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Any input on the Pacifica? I've seen a couple around town, and I know it seats 5 and is supposed to have AWD. I think I'm getting old, because the monstrous Chrysler styling actually appeals to me. |
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 197
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 8:28 am: |
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We looked into AWD after the big snows in December and decided to try snow tires since we were happy with our car in all other respects (I haven't used snow tires in almost 20 years). The snow tires really have made a difference and were way cheaper than buying a new car. Bridgestone Blizzaks and Michelin Arctic Alpins are both highly recommended. |
Elmwoodian
Citizen
Username: Java_drinker
Post Number: 330
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:02 am: |
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We recently got the Honda CR-V EX after 3 winters with an Acura Integra (can you say fishtail!!).
Seating for 5, great gas mileage (we are averaging about 25mpg) and lots of useable room. AWD is a godsend on S.O. Ave and in South Mountain in the rain, snow and crud. But for us this was the best combination of wagon, car, and AWD. It is built on an automobile-platform (I believe the Accord) so you don't have the same types of problems you do with truck-based SUVs (mileage, tip over, safety...).
With 2 kids in car seats we really appreciate the height of the CR-V, you don’t have to stoop over and break your back to get the kids in their seats, but it’s not so high that you tower over the road.
There’s a reason you see so many of them on the road these days, they are reliable, safe, affordable, comfortable and environmentally friendly.
Consumer reports called it the most reliable car in its class with the least problems. Though they also called the Subaru Forester their PICK for 2004, we've had reliability issues with Subaru in the past. The CR-V was also rated "Best" in the Insurance Industry Safety ratings.
The CR-V EX lists for about $23k and can be purchased for about $20k.
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gretchen
Citizen
Username: Gretchen
Post Number: 103
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:26 am: |
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We have a Pacifica. It seats 6 (2 in each row). We love it. The third row is a bit small, but it's great for carpooling. We opted against AWD because from everything we read it seemed it just made the car sluggish. Also, how often do we REALLY need AWD in Maplewood? It has traction control. I'm no car expert, but I did the research on Edmunds. We looked at the Subaru and Passat but after riding in the Pacifica we decided we wanted the passenger space of the Pacifica. Also the DVD player!
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Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2347
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:14 am: |
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To augment what lah said, snow tires can be cheaper than their price appears, because if you mount them on separate rims, the labor to put them on and take them off is less than if you have the tires mounted to your rims every winter. Furthermore, you now have two sets of tires, and the cost per mile is the same. So using the winter tires reduces the annual wear on the summer tires.
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires. Nokian is a Norwegian company, which split from the parent Nokia a few years ago. Yes, the cell phone company. They've been making tires since before there were cell phones. Hakkapeliittas were the Finnish soldiers in the Swedish army. The implication is obvious, once you know that.
I've been wondering, it's great to have tires or vehicles that allow us to go almost anywhere almost any time. Really, it is. What did our parents do a generation ago when there was heavy snow and no all wheel drive? Is life that much better now that we can spend the money on these things?
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 10:42 am: |
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Check out the Volks Passat. We live in SO and needed a vehicle to get up the hill in the winter. This is our second winter with our Passat and we have been amazed at how well it handles in slippery conditions. There have been days where we pass a dozen cars that have spun out on the way up the hill and we just cruise right buy them. The Passat has an optional four wheel drive system and traction control that you purchase separately. It has honestly been a dream and highly rated for safety in consumer reports.
Handygirl
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argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 124
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 9:40 pm: |
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Yeah Tom, I always hate it when there's a nice big snowstorm and just when you're really starting to feel nice and snowed in and there's NOTHING you can do about it, here come the plows and the snowblowers and the AWD folks to rush the day back to the same old same old. Oh well what can you do, you look pretty stupid sitting there snowed in while everyone else is hurrying back to the shopping mall.
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growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 312
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 10:35 am: |
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We have an Outback and we are never going back. The vehcile did great in the snow this season. No thrid seat however very comfortable with the Winter Package option (heated seats!!!). No slipping (except when I wanted to around corners for fun in the snow...note: without wife or kid in the car) |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 497
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 11:02 am: |
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After trying to navigate my old Crown Victoria wagon up my curvy, uphill drive for several years and frequently going sideways, I gave in and bought a Subaru Forrester. It drives like a dream in the snow and rain and actually does better on gas then my Passat. It's a very small SUV but fits 5 people. Highly recommended but don't take my word, the guy's on Car Talk love it and I always trust them. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4959
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:51 pm: |
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We are very happy with our M1-A1 Abrams tank which we picked up for a song at a recent government auction. While not strickly a four wheel drive, it is a tracked vehicle, it will go just about anywhere in any weather. While large, parking is a breeze since you just park on top of whatever vehicle is in the parking space you want.
To be honest, it doesn't fit in our garage, but the 140mm cannon is great for getting old farts and soccer Moms in their Volvos out of the left lane on the Garden State Parkway. |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 762
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 11:28 am: |
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Really happy with my Acura MDX. We had the same need-set as you. I believe the Honda Pilot is the same car, but with less fancy frills. (It wasn't around when we got the MDX or I might well have gone that way.) We would have gone with the Subaru Outback as the handling is even better but we wanted more seating.
I think the Honda just came top in the "safest SUV" tests. We passed on the Volvo and the Passat as we thought they were too expensive for what you got and the Volvo actually got worse handling reviews as the AWD is a modification that wasn't in the original design.
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