Price
Winner: Minivans
If you compare the average base price of three-row SUVs with the average MSRP of minivans, you’d find that minivans cost about $6,300 less than their SUV counterparts. This does not include any luxury models.
A Honda Pilot, for instance, starts at $31,650. Meanwhile, a Honda Odyssey costs $860 less, with an MSRP of $30,790.
When you're looking at the more expensive models on the market, the price differences are even more vast. A top-trim Toyota Sienna starts at $49,415, while the top-ranked large SUV, the Ford Expedition, begins at $52,810 and tops out close to $80,000.
Adding in luxury three-row SUVs only widens the price gap, as some models have base prices over $70,000. Incorporating luxury vehicles makes the average SUV cost around $18,300 more than the average base-trim minivan.
Safety
Winner: SUVs
SUVs have a slight edge when it comes to safety. Minivans tend to be more nimble overall, but three-row SUVs tend to have a higher ride height and stellar visibility.
Several SUVs have strong crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Mazda CX-9 received the highest possible honor from the IIHS: the Top Safety Pick+ award. Meanwhile, the Kia Telluride and the Subaru Ascent were among seven mainstream SUVs awarded with the organization's Top Safety Pick distinctions. The IIHS presented two minivans, the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica, with Top Safety Pick accolades.
In addition, both SUVs and minivans are available with advanced safety and driver assistance features. The Toyota Highlander and Toyota Sienna come standard with automatic emergency automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.
Seat Comfort and Interior Refinement
Winner: Minivans
Minivans come out ahead in this category, as they typically have more space than the average three-row SUV. In fact, minivans typically have about five more inches of legroom in their third row than three-row SUVs, and about seven more inches than their luxury three-row counterparts. In addition, minivans’ easy access through their rear sliding doors and to their third-row seats gives them an edge over SUVs. When looking at the overall interior room, minivans hold more than 15 extra inches of space than the average three-row SUV.
Higher-end trims in both minivans and SUVs spotlight cabins that rival the top luxury sedans, with premium materials and plenty of noise-canceling technology to make holding conversations effortless – even at highway speeds.
Sliding doors help make minivans easier to get in and out of, even in tight parking spaces. Additionally, several minivans have a lower step-in height. This makes it easier for riders with mobility challenges to enter and exit.
With the exception of the Chrysler Voyager and Dodge Grand Caravan, all minivans can seat up to eight passengers. However, only a handful of SUVs can accommodate seven or more people. To haul more than six people, you’ll have to choose one of a few midsize models with seven or more seats, such as the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, or Subaru Ascent. You could also step up to a large SUV, like the Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Suburban.
Interior Technology
Winner: Tie
Technology found in both minivans and three-row SUVs can be pretty luxurious depending on the trim level that you choose. The higher up the trim ladder you climb, the more amenities you’ll receive.
Some of the features found specifically in minivans, such as the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica, are more family and passenger oriented. For example, the Odyssey comes with a vacuum. The Pacifica has built-in games and an app that lets you find out how long it will take to reach your destination as part of the rear-seat entertainment system.
However, SUV-specific amenities are more focused on the driving experience. For example, both the Nissan Armada and the Volkswagen Atlas have rear automatic braking, allowing drivers to help prevent collisions with objects directly behind them. While this feature is common among SUVs, the only minivan that has it is the Pacifica.
Minivans and SUVs also share many features. For instance, rear-seat entertainment systems, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and surround-view cameras are common in both types of vehicles. Most SUVs and minivans also come with more than one rear USB port as well, allowing for even more access to recharge mobile devices.
Cargo Space
Winner: Minivans
Minivans win this category, and it isn’t even close. The Chevy Suburban has similar space (39.3 cubic feet) compared to some minivans with all the seats up. However, once the seats start folding, it’s clear that minivans have way more cargo capacity. The SUV that has the most cargo capacity with the back rows down is the Ford Expedition. Even so, the Expedition (with a maximum of 104.6 cubic feet) still loses out to the Kia Sedona, the minivan with the lowest maximum cargo space in the class (a maximum of 142 cubic feet).
Minivans manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have second-row Stow ‘n Go seating, which allows the seats to fold into the floor. This means the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Voyager, and Dodge Grand Caravan are all even more adaptable when it comes to cargo space. Other minivans, like the Honda Odyssey, have seats that can’t be folded into the floor, but can be removed. Even though it is nice to be able to remove the seats, it makes taking them out a cumbersome task.
Performance and Handling
Winner: Tie
Even though minivans have been getting more powerful over the years, some three-row SUVs provide blistering performance numbers, such as the top trims of the Dodge Durango and Ford Expedition. However, there are also SUVs that put out much weaker power measures, bringing their overall performance numbers back towards the middle. Minivans, on the other hand, have consistently solid performance numbers and typically handle better than most SUVs.
The Tesla Model X is a luxury electric SUV that is able to seat seven people and can accelerate very quickly. Its top-trim Performance model has a zero-to-60 mph time of just 2.7 seconds. This kind of acceleration is costly, however, as the fully-loaded model costs north of $100,000.
While SUVs may have a power edge, minivans take the handling advantage. They’re often based on platforms similar to cars, whereas many three-row SUVs are based on platforms related to trucks. This allows minivans to handle and steer more comfortably than most SUVs.
There are some SUVs that provide a stellar ride, including the Mazda CX-9, as well as several luxury SUVs, such as the BMW X5 and the Audi Q7.
Off-Road and Inclement Weather Performance
Winner: SUVs
SUVs take this category by a landslide. Many three-row SUVs come standard with either all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, allowing for much better handling when on rough terrain or in stormy weather. To add on to this, SUVs have a much higher ground clearance than minivans. Meanwhile, the only minivan currently in production that has all-wheel drive is the Toyota Sienna. The Chrysler Pacifica will add it in its 2021 model year refresh. All other new minivans only come with front-wheel drive.
If you’re trying to take your vehicle on the harshest possible roads, minivans and smaller SUVs will not be able to withstand the terrain. There are some larger SUVs, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Land Rover Range Rover, that have fantastic off-roading capabilities that smaller SUVs just can’t match up to. However, both models are pricey and cost at least $86,000.
Fuel Economy and Other Costs
Winner: Tie
Minivans have been consistent with their fuel economy estimates. Every model earns an EPA-estimated 20 to 23 mpg combined. The only exception to this rule is the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. This plug-in hybrid can reach 32 miles on electricity before switching to the gasoline engine. It’s rated at 82 MPGe when driven with a full battery charge. When driving it as a traditional hybrid, you can expect to get 30 mpg combined.
However, when comparing the Pacifica Hybrid to hybrid SUVs, it doesn’t even come close. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is more fuel efficient and gets 36 mpg combined. And if that’s not efficient enough, you could always look into the Tesla Model X, which has a maximum EPA-estimated 101 MPGe combined and a range of 258 miles when driven with a full battery.
However, even though there’s many SUVs that have strong fuel economy, others don’t do as well. Large SUVs such as the Toyota Sequoia, Lexus LX, and Nissan Armada are all gas guzzlers. Each has an EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined or lower.
Besides fuel, there are more costs to consider. SUVs typically have four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive systems. They typically require more upkeep than the front-wheel-drive systems commonly found on minivans. In addition, larger SUV tires can end up being more expensive than minivan tires due to their size.
Towing
Winner: SUVs
SUVs easily take this category. The highest maximum towing capacity of any minivan is 3,600 pounds. Large SUVs like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Suburban surpass the towing capacity of even the best compact pickup trucks, and can tow up to 9,300 and 8,300 pounds, respectively. Even the midsize Buick Enclave, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds, easily outperforms every minivan model. Some SUVs are also equipped with plenty of advanced towing technology to help anyone at any experience level tow like a pro.
While a minivan can tow something light, many SUVs are able to tow a much larger trailer or large boat. Large SUVs are based on truck platforms and can perform towing duties similar to that of a full-size pickup truck.
Which Should You Buy?
Winner: Depends on Your Needs
Deciding whether to purchase or lease a minivan or SUV depends on your budget, demands, and lifestyle. If you typically need room for a large family or do a lot of shopping, the extra space that you’d get in a minivan would likely suit your needs. However, if you like being able to take your vehicle on dirt roads or need to tow anything larger than a small vehicle or small boat, then a three-row SUV is the way to go.
If you’re still unsure or are caught somewhere in between, take a look at a three-row crossover SUV. Crossovers offer many of the benefits of minivans (poised handling and lower prices) as well as the benefits of SUVs (a higher ride height and better towing capacity). The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are both new for 2020 and are tied for the top ranking in the midsize SUV class. Both have a comfortable ride, tons of safety features, and an abundance of cargo space.
Even so, some people prefer even more space and will find it in a minivan. A great option in the minivan category is the Honda Odyssey, which has won our Best Minivan for Families award for 10 straight years. If you want the extra room of a minivan and an all-wheel-drive system, check out the Toyota Sienna, which brings together both the roominess of a minivan with the inclement weather confidence of four-wheel traction.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To see how the competitors among minivans, mainstream three-row SUVs, and luxury three-row SUVs perform, explore our new vehicle rankings and reviews. Our comparison tool lets you evaluate rivals based on the factors that car buyers tell us are critical in their purchase or lease decision.
Also, check out our 2020 Best Cars for the Money and 2020 Best Cars for Families awards to see which minivans and SUVs we honored.
Take a look at our lease deals page and car deals page to find the best lease incentives, financing deals, and cash back offers available from automakers.
You can save even more on your purchase or lease by using the U.S. News Best Price Program. We work with local dealers who provide guaranteed savings. Users of the program save an average of more than $3,000 off of the sticker price.
Minivans vs. SUVs: Which Is the Better Family Hauler?
- Price: Minivans
- Safety: SUVs
- Seat Comfort and Interior Refinement: Minivans
- Interior Technology: Tie
- Cargo Space: Minivans
- Performance and Handling: Tie
- Off-Road and Inclement Weather Performance: SUVs
- Fuel Economy and Other Costs: Tie
- Towing: SUVs
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Minivan or SUV: Which Is Right for Your Family?
The two most efficient types of vehicles on the market to haul people and cargo are minivans and SUVs. For both vehicle types, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages when it comes to price, style, features, and capability. Consumers need to examine each vehicle's abilities meticulously before determining the best decision for the entire family.
Minivans and three-row SUVs are both designed to be family-friendly vehicles, and usually come with a swath of safety features and new technology. There are also several hybrid and electric SUVs, which get great fuel economy and allow for fewer pit stops on long road trips.
Almost every minivan is in the midst of going through changes over the next couple years. For 2021, the Dodge Grand Caravan is being discontinued, the Toyota Sienna will be redesigned as a hybrid, and the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey will both be refreshed. In 2022, the Kia Sedona will also be redesigned. SUVs, on the other hand, will have a much wider scope of changes – from models being carried over to redesigns - in the next couple of years.
We’ll break down the arguments for each on the following pages, considering the latest minivans and three-row SUVs with seating for seven or eight people.
Please keep in mind that our rankings and scores change as we receive and analyze new data. So, be sure to check out each vehicle’s review for the newest information available.
Read on to see which type of vehicle best suits your needs.