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Minivans conjure images of ruined lives. SUVs conjure images of adventure and success.
It all boils down to perception and marketing.
I figure people who don't see their cars as a reflection of themselves will likely choose the vehicle that serves their needs the best. Whether it is an econobox or a minivan.
SUV's look cool and rugged. Minivans look....depressing.
However, i'll admit they are much more practical to use when dealing with kids and such. Despite that, we ended up buying a 3rd row equipped SUV with captains chairs in the 2nd row (easier access to the rear seat).
For all practical purposes, the two look the same. A minivan is a box on wheels, and so are most SUVs.
Minivans represent a stereotype that that the people who match the stereotype don’t want to be associated with, LOL. It’s like the saying, “Any club that would accept me as a member, I don’t want to be in.” LOL x1000.
After station wagons became uncool precisely because they do what they were designed to do, the minivan became the next lamb to slaughter. Then the cool-parent-wannabeFreeAndAdventurous badge got handed over to the SUV. Those still unable to shake the reality of being uncool tried crewcab pickup trucks next. So now the dominant brood transporter mostly is a mix of SUVs and crewcab trucks.
I don’t own a minivan because they never were made with the design and features I want. If there were a cargo minivan, RWD with old-fashioned part-time 4WD with both low and high range transfer case, high clearance (not just “sits up high”), body on frame (not unibody), manual transmission, focus on torque over hp, stiff suspension, minimal electronic junk, one front row of seats and plain, easily customizable cargo area, I’d rush to the dealership for a looksee. Basically, what I got in a truck was the closest match to the above. Now that combo is even going away in trucks.
I do wonder how Baby on Board pride in spawning (circa the late 1980s) turned into such denial of something that people allegedly want, namely being parents. The marketing brainwashers sure know how to make people waste money.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gtt99
I wouldn't say Americans hate minivans because I see them everywhere. For 2018, almost 500,000 were sold in the United States, and minivans are not cheap either.
CUVs are the new American family vehicle, not BOF SUVs. A car-based CUV is no more likely to roll over than a minivan, and most can't tow any more than a minivan. Fuel mileage is also on par with that of most minivans.
I don't know where you live that minivans are more expensive than a similarly equipped SUV or CUV. For example, a fully loaded Honda Odyssey Elite is $48,115 with destination charges, a Honda Pilot Elite is $49,065 with destination charges.
A loaded out 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum is $60,340 after all the shipping and handling fees. A 2019 Chevrolet Traverse High Country is $55,195 after a $1,000 rebate from GM. A 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum is $48,420, and a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium is $50,085.
These are all three-row, car-based, unibody CUVs that would be comparable to a minivan in interior space. They are all more expensive than the minivan.
It's mindboggling to me that we casually throw around such prices. I don't care how many excuses you give for them, but in reality, there arent any that are plausible. 60k for a Ford Explorer?
Personally, I think both minivans and (most of) these CUVs look incredibly frumpy and boring. I'll take a sleeker and lower wagon any day over those. If I need something taller, I'd aim towards BOF SUV or pickup truck - for more practical uses (towing capacity mainly).
CUVs will eventually stop being "cool". Maybe not soon, but the next trend is always looming.
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