SUV with sliding doors? (vehicles, joint, 2012, Japanese)

[PokerMunkee]

Why isn't anyone making SUVs with sliding doors?

I want a high up, real 4x4 SUV that can carry 7 passengers and their luggage (like a Suburban). But with a couple young kids, I also want sliding doors making it much easier to get them in and out in tight areas.

How about a door that can slide and open like a normal car door?

[Retriever]

What you want is available, even if it is technically classified as something other than an SUV, namely the Toyota Sienna AWD.

This huge van (definitely not mini) will hold all of your passengers + their luggage, has sliding doors, and is available with AWD. Hence--everything that you want/need.

[Hemlock140]

I can tell you why. The perception of minivan drivers as a "soccer mom" has become very negative, for some reason. SUV or not, if it has sliding doors it's perceived as a minivan, or at least as a "soccer mom" vehicle. The manufacturers know this and will not add sliding doors to SUVs, just
as most have stopped making minivans. Mazda tried to make their minivan, the Mazda5 look like a "crossover" but then those are just another name for a station wagon, another victim of negative repute.

[Grandpa Pipes]

I agree that AWD van is your best choice but they will be expensive.

The American vehicles that I know of today that is available as AWD is the chevy/gmc Express full size vans. This van would be great for a family.


2012 GMC Savana 1500 LS AWD Passenger Van Overview

[xeric]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I can tell you why. The perception of minivan drivers as a "soccer mom" has become very negative, for some reason. SUV or not, if it has sliding doors it's perceived as a minivan, or at least as a "soccer mom" vehicle. The manufacturers know this and will not add sliding doors to SUVs, just
as most have stopped making minivans. Mazda tried to make their minivan, the Mazda5 look like a "crossover" but then those are just another name for a station wagon, another victim of negative repute.

A sign of a spoiled society - functionality is less important than "cool."

[PokerMunkee]

I like real 4x4 SUVs with a locking differential that can tow 7,000lbs along with 5 people in the car. Great for towing the TT in the woods for some good o'l dry camping!

It's also amazing that there is only ONE minivan with AWD.

I just want a Chevy Suburban with sliding doors in the rear

[Lamborgotti]

A real van would fit your criteria.

[MustangEater82]

Do they make conversion vans anymore?

[PokerMunkee]

Conversion fans have swing out doors (2 of them usually). Not what I want with a newborn and 3 year old. Plus, no ground clearance for going off road.

[MustangEater82]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

Conversion fans have swing out doors (2 of them usually). Not what I want with a newborn and 3 year old. Plus, no ground clearance for going off road.

I was maybe thinking about the Chevy astro...




Either way they are truck based, the sky and budget is the limit on ground clearance.