I rented a Telluride a few months ago (or maybe it was a Palisade). I really didn't get the hype, very meh vehicle overall. I guess the hype is the size/features for money, but man, the Odyssey was just like so much better as a road trip vehicle. These seven seat car based SUVs don't really do anything that well, they're just worse minivans for a 'better' image.
D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:06 am
I rented a Telluride a few months ago (or maybe it was a Palisade). I really didn't get the hype, very meh vehicle overall. I guess the hype is the size/features for money, but man, the Odyssey was just like so much better as a road trip vehicle. These seven seat car based SUVs don't really do anything that well, they're just worse minivans for a 'better' image.
When you add a third row the minivans reign supreme.
There are a few things the SUVs do a bit better than minivans. If you require AWD and clearance for snow or whatever the SUVs work well. Some of them can tow more if that matters.
I don’t know why Honda hasn’t really updated the Odyssey. The electronics are pretty dated.
D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 10:06 am
I rented a Telluride a few months ago (or maybe it was a Palisade). I really didn't get the hype, very meh vehicle overall. I guess the hype is the size/features for money, but man, the Odyssey was just like so much better as a road trip vehicle. These seven seat car based SUVs don't really do anything that well, they're just worse minivans for a 'better' image.
When you add a third row the minivans reign supreme.
There are a few things the SUVs do a bit better than minivans. If you require AWD and clearance for snow or whatever the SUVs work well. Some of them can tow more if that matters.
I don’t know why Honda hasn’t really updated the Odyssey. The electronics are pretty dated.
I do think there seppuku factor of the van is not to be ignored. Sure it's the right tool for the job but I don't see people wearing croc's to work despite them being more functional than a dress shoe.
When you add a third row the minivans reign supreme.
There are a few things the SUVs do a bit better than minivans. If you require AWD and clearance for snow or whatever the SUVs work well. Some of them can tow more if that matters.
I don’t know why Honda hasn’t really updated the Odyssey. The electronics are pretty dated.
I do think there seppuku factor of the van is not to be ignored. Sure it's the right tool for the job but I don't see people wearing croc's to work despite them being more functional than a dress shoe.
How is a Telluride any more/less seppuku than a van? It is the same thing but with less usable doors, harder to use load height, less cargo space due to higher floors, seats that are harder to stow... I just don't get it. Either way it's a mom wagon, not like a Telluride or Grand Highlander is somehow 'cool' in any way.
I do think there seppuku factor of the van is not to be ignored. Sure it's the right tool for the job but I don't see people wearing croc's to work despite them being more functional than a dress shoe.
How is a Telluride any more/less seppuku than a van? It is the same thing but with less usable doors, harder to use load height, less cargo space due to higher floors, seats that are harder to stow... I just don't get it. Either way it's a mom wagon, not like a Telluride or Grand Highlander is somehow 'cool' in any way.
They are slightly less " I gave up on life and I shop at the kirkland section for clothes" type actively. It's mostly visual. As mentioned you won't find a practicality argument from me. It is clear that a van is the most PRACTICAL vehicle for the job. But that doesn't make it desirable or non seppuku.
A telluride is a decent looking SUV. None of the vans are decent looking. Visually the Kia boys got it right.
This has got to be one of the ugliest vehicles on the planet.
I do think there seppuku factor of the van is not to be ignored. Sure it's the right tool for the job but I don't see people wearing croc's to work despite them being more functional than a dress shoe.
How is a Telluride any more/less seppuku than a van? It is the same thing but with less usable doors, harder to use load height, less cargo space due to higher floors, seats that are harder to stow... I just don't get it. Either way it's a mom wagon, not like a Telluride or Grand Highlander is somehow 'cool' in any way.
D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 1:45 pm it's like arguing over a 2 and a 3 at the bar. Both are uggo. at that point.
Easy to say until you actually have to take one home.
We don't at all regret ditching the van for a second Atlas. The trip to meatchicken a couple weeks ago would have been easier with a roof box, but really it does just fine for our family of five plus .
D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 1:45 pm it's like arguing over a 2 and a 3 at the bar. Both are uggo. at that point.
Easy to say until you actually have to take one home.
We don't at all regret ditching the van for a second Atlas. The trip to meatchicken a couple weeks ago would have been easier with a roof box, but really it does just fine for our family of five plus .
At the end of the day, I will probably be in the same boat, as I'm not driving either. It will be a mobile and she'd rather the CUV thing unless I can talk her into something else.
I'll probably just try to stick with a two row SUV with more room though, as that seems to make a little more sense if you don't need the third. Wrangler is good for now though. I think it would start to get a little too small if we ever had a second kid plus the dog.
Easy to say until you actually have to take one home.
We don't at all regret ditching the van for a second Atlas. The trip to meatchicken a couple weeks ago would have been easier with a roof box, but really it does just fine for our family of five plus .
At the end of the day, I will probably be in the same boat, as I'm not driving either. It will be a mobile and she'd rather the CUV thing unless I can talk her into something else.
I'll probably just try to stick with a two row SUV with more room though, as that seems to make a little more sense if you don't need the third. Wrangler is good for now though. I think it would start to get a little too small if we ever had a second kid plus the dog.
Our CRV was fine until we had the second kid. Now it’s kind of tight.
We'll have to agree to disagree here, I see no difference, both are just toasters. Get the one that toasts best.
is with Max on this one.
Mine too, I wouldn’t be surprised if I own a telluride one day. It’s just interesting the accolades it’s received, I did a couple hundred miles in one and found it quite meh.
I’m not turning back to look at a seven seat CUV or a minivan EVER, so I don’t really care what it looks like. I get say Melon’s Passport or a 4Runner or something being less seppuku than a van, but a van with worse doors? Nah. I’ll die on this hill.
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
J-Ho-Fo-Show69 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:42 am
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
What are your thoughts on a Grand Highlander, Telluride, etc? How are they not equally as lame? To me, more lame, because it's just a minivan pretending to be something it's not.
J-Ho-Fo-Show69 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:42 am
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
What are your thoughts on a Grand Highlander, Telluride, etc? How are they not equally as lame? To me, more lame, because it's just a minivan pretending to be something it's not.
Those are slightly less lame. Any car where the door slides open like a sliding glass door on the back of a house…is lame.
Anyone who spends $50k on any of these cars is
Every guy I’ve met that drives a mini van, has given the aura that he likes watching his wife get fucked
J-Ho-Fo-Show69 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:42 am
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
its like a volt or a prius. Its the best answer made for people in a certain situation, but people cant get over the stigma.
Desertbreh wrote:
I'm happy for Brad because nobody jerks it to the Miata harder on this forum and that is the Crown Prince of Miatas.
D Griff wrote:
Inserting 'nobody jerks it harder to the Miata than Brad' quote.
J-Ho-Fo-Show69 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:42 am
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
its like a volt or a prius. Its the best answer made for people in a certain situation, but people cant get over the stigma.
Good example!
Like, if I drove a Prius or a Mini van, I think I would just kill myself
J-Ho-Fo-Show69 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:42 am
Mini vans are fuckin lame. You’re dying in that hill alone. I saw something where they polled women and asked what’s the most unattractive car a guy could drive….it was a mini van!
Now, this is a van I can get behind. You never drive anyway so who cares about mpg. why not go in lux?
I used to smoke a shit ton of weed in one of these. 10/10.
I think it comes down to this. If you have a shitload of kids are you actually worried about “image” or are you just after the best / most functional solution? Vans are pretty lame, sure. But they’re easier to live with if you’re constantly packing the littles in. For many people that functionality and the ease of use will reign supreme.
As the kids get bigger and into boosters the van becomes less necessary IMO. Because they can then climb into vehicles better, buckle themselves, whatever. For the parents at least. The kids will continue to like the van a hell of a lot more.
I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. We had minivans the switched to a Fraud Expedition. The SUV was fucking awful compared to the vans.