Minor update, I suppose. August 9th is the last date we're really going to need the van. That's the last day the sitter will be watching our twins and one of the other girls from their class this summer before school starts up again. She's been using it to cart them around to various activities to get them out of our hair while WFH. I am admittedly

about going back to the Atlas as our only car that can carry all three kids. It's not that we'll need two, it's just that the van does such a better job of it despite the Atlas being the largest in its segment. You really can't beat a minivan in terms of interior volume for that kind of footprint.

unfortunately would divorce me before having a minivan as "her" car.
My 3x per week commute will about 38 miles round trip. Not crazy, but not exactly short, either. The van averages roughly 18mpg and it'd be really nice to have something that's at least in the 25mpg range, if not better. I really want something under warranty that I won't have to worry about. Dealing with old car shit with the van has been beyond annoying, and it could actually be detrimental to my career given badge swipes are going to be tracked. If I have to WFH because the car is borked, those are days I'll need to make up in the office.
I keep coming back to a new GTI, despite my interior gripes. The discount with the VW partner program, the fuel economy and being able to run on 87, having a brand new car with a warranty, and the combination of comfort and relative driving enjoyment are compelling factors.