DC Car Examiner Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Over the next week, I'll be putting up a comparison of the Flex and Traverse vs. the Grand Caravan, Odyssey, Sedona, and Sienna. Introduction here: http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Car-Exam...s-vs-crossovers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucky2 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 This will be an interesting review. If you could, could you please do a visual capacity display of what say the largest can hold with 4 occupants inside, vs. the others with stuff left to the side or back on the ground? Reason: Families of 4 like being able to self-contain most trip stuff inside, behind the 2nd row. I'd like to be able to see how much these options can hold with a cooler or two, 4 good sized duffel bags, maybe 6-7 food bags (or 2 very large ones), maybe a couple of fishing poles, stuff like that. Make it like you're going on a real trip with 4 people, and pack as much in the back as you can. No roof racks. No trailer hitch mounted haulers. Just display the internal storage differential behind the 2nd row seat. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 This will be an interesting review. If you could, could you please do a visual capacity display of what say the largest can hold with 4 occupants inside, vs. the others with stuff left to the side or back on the ground? Reason: Families of 4 like being able to self-contain most trip stuff inside, behind the 2nd row. I'd like to be able to see how much these options can hold with a cooler or two, 4 good sized duffel bags, maybe 6-7 food bags (or 2 very large ones), maybe a couple of fishing poles, stuff like that. Make it like you're going on a real trip with 4 people, and pack as much in the back as you can. No roof racks. No trailer hitch mounted haulers. Just display the internal storage differential behind the 2nd row seat. Chuck I've already done the test drives, and I wouldn't have been able to carry enough stuff to the dealerships in my Focus to fill up a van anyway. But I do have photos and specifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I wish somebody would make a vehicle like a CUV, but with the Chrysler "fold 'n go" seating. That would be the perfect family vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucky2 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I've already done the test drives, and I wouldn't have been able to carry enough stuff to the dealerships in my Focus to fill up a van anyway. But I do have photos and specifications. Darn... That's cool, still look forward to your comparison! Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddaughter Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Bring back the minivan Ford! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 This will be an interesting review. If you could, could you please do a visual capacity display of what say the largest can hold with 4 occupants inside, vs. the others with stuff left to the side or back on the ground? Reason: Families of 4 like being able to self-contain most trip stuff inside, behind the 2nd row. I'd like to be able to see how much these options can hold with a cooler or two, 4 good sized duffel bags, maybe 6-7 food bags (or 2 very large ones), maybe a couple of fishing poles, stuff like that. Make it like you're going on a real trip with 4 people, and pack as much in the back as you can. No roof racks. No trailer hitch mounted haulers. Just display the internal storage differential behind the 2nd row seat. Chuck imho that's an EXCELLENT idea, Chuck but can see it being problematic with trying to fit various (realistic) items in to the different vehicles with equal 'dexterity' -- thinking of my brother-in-law who thinks he's the world's best packer ...looking forward to the completed review, Brady! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 (edited) Sixth place: Chevrolet Traverse 1LT FWD The Chevrolet Traverse's last-place finish in this comparison can be deceiving, implying that it is somehow a bad or uncompetitive vehicle. Quite the opposite, it is one of the few SUVs that can even pretend to be on the same level as a minivan as a family car. Nevertheless, the Traverse still doesn't go beyond pretending.... Continued at link: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC...rs-sixth-place Edited January 4, 2010 by DC Car Examiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm sorry, but you liked the second row mechanism that moves that row out of the way to allow access to the 3rd row? When my family rented one around Thanksgiving, we (and the family we were visiting) thought it was one of the most stupid designs we've seen - it seemed overly complicated and likely to break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm sorry, but you liked the second row mechanism that moves that row out of the way to allow access to the 3rd row? When my family rented one around Thanksgiving, we (and the family we were visiting) thought it was one of the most stupid designs we've seen - it seemed overly complicated and likely to break. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 (edited) DC Car Examiner has kids? No? Then why does his opinion on CUVs and minivans matter? Sorry DC, that's my minimum requirement for anyone pontificating about family vehicles for money: they need to be used by families to be properly evaluated. Otherwise, you might as well ask me to evaluate the suitability of surgical tools for simple chores around the house. Or ask me to evaluate the suitability of a Ferrari for my occasional trip to the grocery store 4 blocks away. Edited January 5, 2010 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkisler Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Over the next week, I'll be putting up a comparison of the Flex and Traverse vs. the Grand Caravan, Odyssey, Sedona, and Sienna. Introduction here: http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Car-Exam...s-vs-crossovers You're going to find a couple of things: 1. The CUV has to have at least a hint of SUV styling to differentiate it from a minivan. That means a pronounced hood. Unfortunately, once you give up that space in the front of the vehicle, you can never recapture it by the time you get to the rear bumper. 2. The CUV normally has a bit higher ride height to give it at least a hint of SUV, and has to accomodate AWD. That means a higher load floor. Ultimately, there is no better package for hauling kids and stuff than a minivan. It just requires you to put aside your vanity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 DC Car Examiner has kids? No? Then why does his opinion on CUVs and minivans matter? Sorry DC, that's my minimum requirement for anyone pontificating about family vehicles for money: they need to be used by families to be properly evaluated. Otherwise, you might as well ask me to evaluate the suitability of surgical tools for simple chores around the house. Or ask me to evaluate the suitability of a Ferrari for my occasional trip to the grocery store 4 blocks away. I'm using this post as a reference the next time a single person with no kids tells me my view of the Flex is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm using this post as a reference the next time a single person with no kids tells me my view of the Flex is wrong. depends entirely on how many kids...national average two no?....over and above that I suggest surgery or contraception....lol! Other than that drink a lot, find a quiet place, buy a minivan and deal with the barbs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm using this post as a reference the next time a single person with no kids tells me my view of the Flex is wrong. My aunt and uncle with their 4 urchins and a mutt seem to like their Flex a great deal. They've made several road trips in the thing already without a single complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 You're going to find a couple of things: 1. The CUV has to have at least a hint of SUV styling to differentiate it from a minivan. That means a pronounced hood. Unfortunately, once you give up that space in the front of the vehicle, you can never recapture it by the time you get to the rear bumper. 2. The CUV normally has a bit higher ride height to give it at least a hint of SUV, and has to accomodate AWD. That means a higher load floor. Ultimately, there is no better package for hauling kids and stuff than a minivan. It just requires you to put aside your vanity. winner, winner, KFC dinner....kinda sums up the whole scenario, if you want space for more than 3 passengers AND road trip luggage, its either Minivan or Thule time....pretty dead argument thats been beatyen to death here NUMEROUS times....DEAL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm using this post as a reference the next time a single person with no kids tells me my view of the Flex is wrong. Your view as it relates to the suitability of the Flex to your situation is correct. Your view that "because I have no use for it, Ford should not build it" is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I'm using this post as a reference the next time a single person with no kids tells me my view of the Flex is wrong. So me lugging around 3-4 coworkers in a minivan when I travel for work is also wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 DC Car Examiner has kids? No? Then why does his opinion on CUVs and minivans matter? Sorry DC, that's my minimum requirement for anyone pontificating about family vehicles for money: they need to be used by families to be properly evaluated. Otherwise, you might as well ask me to evaluate the suitability of surgical tools for simple chores around the house. Or ask me to evaluate the suitability of a Ferrari for my occasional trip to the grocery store 4 blocks away. So in your view, someone should only have an opinion about the sort of car they would buy? I'll alert the entire automotive press, as they seem to have missed that. Also, I was raised in a minivan, so I can in fact comment from the family perspective there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 So in your view, someone should only have an opinion about the sort of car they would buy? I'll alert the entire automotive press, as they seem to have missed that. A person is best at reviewing cars he/she has a likelyhood of owning...otherwise, how would you really know the best features? For instance, the stow and go may seem like a great idea until you actually use them daily in minivan uses - carting the kids around (just an example). Also, I was raised in a minivan, so I can in fact comment from the family perspective there. I'm sorry your family couldn't afford a house...how many of you were raised in that minivan? Sorry...couldn't resist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 A person is best at reviewing cars he/she has a likelyhood of owning...otherwise, how would you really know the best features? For instance, the stow and go may seem like a great idea until you actually use them daily in minivan uses - carting the kids around (just an example). I'm sorry your family couldn't afford a house...how many of you were raised in that minivan? Sorry...couldn't resist! So what's the problem you noticed with Stow 'n Go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 "In a minivan down by the river!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 (edited) So in your view, someone should only have an opinion about the sort of car they would buy? I'll alert the entire automotive press, as they seem to have missed that. Also, I was raised in a minivan, so I can in fact comment from the family perspective there. I don't have that high of an opinion of the automotive press for exactly that reason. Posting 0-60 & slalom times for trucks. Complaining about soft springs on minivans. Subjecting CUVs to skidpad trials. Thank heaven no one at C&D has ever run a tractor-trailer comparo. You'd end up having some rig declared the winner based on its resemblance to a BMW. Or an Accord. --- And I don't care if you were raised in a shoebox with a dozen other little car examiners, there's a reason why no manufacturer has ever included you in a minivan focus group. You have nothing to say on the subject that's worth listening to. Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh. But based on your previous work output, I just don't see you as having the kind of perspicacity needed to offer a real insight on a product that is clearly not intended to please you. Know why I like Road and Track? Because they don't claim to be all things to all people. Edited January 5, 2010 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 So what's the problem you noticed with Stow 'n Go? Nothing...I haven't even looked at it. Like I said...it was just an example I picked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 So what's the problem you noticed with Stow 'n Go? I'll chime in with a problem I noticed with Stow 'n Go (having spent seat time in a current generation and last generation T&C)... The seats were outrageously uncomfortable compared to most other "modern" minivans I've been in (Odyssey, Sienna, and Monterey/Freestar) [yes, the seats in the Freestar were MUCH nicer]. I get that for most families the second and third row seats will be for kids only, who aren't as concerned with comfort, but if you're taking friends or older family members out for a night, the ChryCo seats get very old very quick. Short seating surface, not nearly enough coushin on the bottom, and no lateral support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.