Are you at the point where you feel like a minivan is your only option? After years of avoiding it, you’re finally going to be “that” mom. May as well dig out the mom jeans while you’re at it, right? Wrong.
For one, minivans have come a long way since your mom had one. And second, there are plenty of alternatives to consider.
Advantages of driving a minivan
Not to sell you on the very thing you despise, but before we can settle on a suitable replacement, we must look at what is appealing about a minivan.
1. Extra cabin space – Minivans typically have lots of seating and a fair amount of legroom. In that way, they’re kind of like a mini bus.
2. Sliding doors – This may be one of the things you don’t like about a minivan, but for many, it’s a plus. There’s something to be said about avoiding dings as your kids swing the car door open.
3. Storage space – In addition to cabin space, minivans typically have a good amount of storage space, so you’ll have room for all the people and all the stuff that goes along with them.
Here are 5 of the best cars for moms who hate minivans.
1. Kia Sorento
With the Kia Sorento, moms can enjoy luxury options that don’t come standard in most mini vans, so you’ll have the space of a minivan without feeling like you’re driving the standard-issue mom car.
The Sorento seats seven and comes with new driver assistance features and updated styling for 2019. It has one of the nicest interiors in its class, gets good gas mileage and has comfortable seats, so it’s a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their ride without moving to a van.
2. Volvo XC60
If you’re looking for a great marriage between luxury and safety, Volvo is always a great option. And if you want space like a minivan, you should consider the XC60. The Volvo XC60 was redesigned for 2018 and has a list of standard and available safety features that would impress even the most skeptical mom. With a generous cargo area, this compact SUV does a great job at replacing the dreaded minivan. Plus, there’s now a plug-in hybrid model for those eco-conscious moms out there.
3. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback continues to be among the highest-ranking wagons and is a great choice for the active mom. With a spacious interior and some off-roading capabilities, the Outback is an exceptional choice for someone looking to go the unconventional route. It doesn’t have the luxury options that some others on this list feature, but it more than makes up for that in functionality.
4. Honda Pilot
The 2018 Honda Pilot ranks third in US News and World Report’s ranking of midsize SUVs. This is a great choice for a large family, as the SUV can seat up to 8 passengers and has tons of cargo room. The Pilot boasts a smooth ride, roomy interior and spacious third-row seating that really comes in handy when you’re carpooling. It also has a generous list of safety features that come standard. All around, this is a great family car. Possibly its best feature? It touches everything a mom would need in a family vehicle, and it’s still not a minivan.
5. Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 won a 10 best award from Car and Driver for 2018. It has the zippy feel that we’ve come to associate with Mazda (zoom, zoom), but it also has a lot of space. Many of its features aren’t often seen in this class, like automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. With the Mazda CX-9, you’ll get the feel of a luxury vehicle without the price, but there are some sacrifices. Cargo room and third-row seating can feel a bit cramped. The CX-9 is a great choice for the minivan-hating mom who likes a little speed and doesn’t have a terribly large family to cart around.
Disadvantages of driving a minivan
Now that we’ve seen the alternatives, we can talk freely about the disadvantages of driving a minivan. One of the biggest disadvantages is that you might feel like you’ve aged beyond your years. We’ve always associated minivans with people who are somehow older and less cool than we are.
Another disadvantage is that minivans rarely offer all-wheel drive, so they can be more dangerous to drive in the snow. Some also lack the handling you’ll find in a crossover or small SUV.
When your family begins to grow, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to choose a family-friendly vehicle. A minivan, however, is not inevitable. You have many choices. We’ve reviewed five of the best alternatives to driving a minivan, but there are others for you to consider. Take a look at the top-ranking SUVs for 2019 and see if anything catches your eye.