4 of the Best Family-Friendly Used SUVs and Minivans!

Some vehicles have more responsibilities than others, and that’s okay. There are plenty of options out there that provide more than mere transportation, also acting as the central hub for your family on all of your fun-filled adventures. Family-friendly vehicles come in many shapes and sizes, but if you have a family with three or more kids or just don’t want to risk running out of room, you need a full-size SUV or minivan. Looking for used cars for sale near Delmar can become far simpler if you have an idea of what to look for. The pre-owned market is jam-packed with award-winning SUVs and minivans, but today, we’ll walk you through some of our favorite choices. These vehicles will provide everything you need to bring your family anywhere your heart desires while being safe, reliable, and spacious. Let’s begin.

#1 – Chevy Suburban

Full-size SUVs are rich in two things: power and spaciousness. Having a large cabin makes it more comfortable to withstand long car rides. For backseat passengers, it can be the difference between sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and having enough room to stretch out. There isn’t a full-size SUV you can call cramped, but that doesn’t mean some SUVs don’t overtake the competition when it comes to cabin space.

The Chevy Suburban is the most spacious used SUV on the market. The only other SUV with similar cargo space is the GMC Yukon XL, which shares the same platform. With all three rows of seats in place, a 2021 or later Chevy Suburban has an impressive 41.5 cu.ft. of space, which increases to 93.8 cu.ft. when the rear seats are folded. Folding down both rows of back seats gives you an abundant 144.7 cu.ft. of space. That’s incredible versatility, but considering you’ll be driving in this full-size SUV with your family, you’ll likely keep one or two of these back rows upright.

Barring the GMC Yukon XL, the Chevy Suburban is the best choice for cargo space. Anything more, and you’re looking at minivans. If you live in or around Delmar, having this type of cargo space can come in handy. With the cargo space offered by a used Chevy Suburban, you can take all your family and friends out for fun-filled days, such as everyone taking a summer swim in the cool waters of the Bethlehem Town Pool. Or, you can bring the kids to Elm Avenue Park. Folding down the third row of seats leaves plenty of room for supplies like picnic blankets, bicycles, or soccer gear.

#2 – Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a special full-size SUV because it’s the largest model built by the brand many consider to be America’s go-to manufacturer. The Ford legacy started over 100 years ago, and the brand has since become the face of the American automotive industry. Ford’s pickup trucks are incredibly popular, and with the Ford Expedition, Ford combines the power of a pickup truck with the versatility of a family-friendly SUV. We believe the Ford Expedition is a wonderful middle ground if you’re looking for a vehicle with power, efficiency, and cargo space. Like other Ford vehicles, it’s built to last with an immaculately strong chassis and premium materials spread across the interior.

What makes a used Ford Expedition a better purchase than a vehicle like the Suburban? The Expedition is an excellent choice for a few reasons, many of which can make your family’s life easier. With the Expedition, you still get a super spacious cabin that can offer a maximum of 104.6 cu.ft. of cargo space in 2018 and later models, but with the Expedition, you also get a boost in towing power. The Suburban has a maximum towing capacity of 8,300 lbs, while the Expedition can tow up to 9,300 lbs.

This towing power is thanks in no small part to Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine that outputs up to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes paired with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission, a feature the Suburban didn’t get until 2021. How does this all help the Expedition become a better family vehicle? If you like to tow your family’s cargo on vacation or want to ensure your SUV has enough towing prowess to bring anything you can think of on a camping trip, having a better towing capacity helps.

A used Expedition is excellent for cross-state road trips because it provides a comfortable ride, and the turbocharged V6 engine is more fuel-efficient than the big V8 engines in models like the Chevy Suburban, getting you to your destination quicker and cheaper. This type of power goes a long way if you are taking the beautiful drive east along NY-7 to visit the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont or helping a friend move from Delmar into Albany.

#3 – Toyota Sienna

Let’s change the discussion over to minivans. As great as full-size SUVs are, some Delmar drivers would rather trade towing power and off-road performance for greater cargo capacity and passenger room. There’s no denying that a used minivan can be the ultimate vehicle for large families, and that’s because it gives you everything you need. While towing might not be their strong point, minivans like the Toyota Sienna still offer a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. You can easily bring along a small camper with that type of towing capacity, although hauling something like a speedboat is best left to full-size SUVs like the Chevy Suburban and Ford Expedition.

The Toyota Sienna is a great vehicle that can be had at a low price if you find the right used model. The 2017 Sienna marked a refresh of the model and is a great place to begin. Under the hood of the 2017 Sienna is a 3.5L V6 engine that generates 296 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is an available option, making it perfect for winter in Delmar. The 2017 Sienna is also quite efficient, with EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Fewer gas station trips mean you can get yourself and your family to your vacation spot quicker.

Cargo space is one of the more notable highlights from the Toyota Sienna’s spec sheet. With its three rows of seats upright, the 2017 Sienna has 39.1 cu.ft. of cargo space, which increases to 87.1 cu.ft. when the rear row is folded down. With both back seats folded, you have a whopping 150 cu.ft. of cargo space, which is more than any full-size SUV can give you. A used Toyota Sienna is a great choice for drivers shopping for a family-friendly minivan owing to its impressive specs, size, and reliability. If you’re looking for a reliable way to drive around Delmar and get the kids to school every day at Bethlehem Central Middle School or Elsmere Elementary School and then have to drive your child and their friends from the soccer team to their big game, then a vehicle like the Toyota Sienna is a great idea.

#4 – Honda Odyssey

Honda is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to reliable and efficient vehicles. Sedans like the Civic and Accord are some of the most recommended and easily recognizable cars on the road. However, something else that Honda does well is minivans. The Honda Odyssey rightfully deserves its spot in Honda’s lineup of family-friendly vehicles, and you can find a good deal on a used model.

The 2018 Odyssey marked the start of the model’s fifth generation, and like the Toyota Sienna, it uses a 3.5L V6 engine. However, unlike the Sienna, the Odyssey pairs its V6 with either a nine-speed or ten-speed automatic transmission. The Odyssey’s engine produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. While it is slightly down on power compared to the Sienna, the 2018 Odyssey gets better EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.

Barring one slight exception, the Odyssey has more cargo space than the Sienna. The exception is that when all three rows of seats are kept upright, the Odyssey has 38.6 cu.ft. of space––half a cubic foot less than the Sienna. We’re willing to forgive this small discrepancy as the Odyssey provides 92 cu.ft. of cargo space with the third row folded down and 158 cu.ft when both rows are folded, which is about 5% more than the Sienna. The Honda Odyssey is the most spacious minivan, making it perfect for families.

A used Honda Odyssey is another excellent vehicle for bringing your kids to school every day or even driving yourself to work, but the extra cargo space is a bonus. This is especially true if you’re looking to bring chairs and coolers to your child’s sporting events or pack up suitcases for a much-needed vacation. Not to mention, the added fuel efficiency makes commuting into Albany along Delaware Avenue less costly, which is always an added bonus.

Which Used Family Vehicle Should You Choose?

Making your choice is easier than you might think. Now that you’ve read about these full-size SUVs and minivans, just think about what you need and see which one fits your criteria the best. Are you living in Delmar and shopping for an SUV with extra cargo room for the kids and the dog, or are you looking to tow a boat down to the Hudson River in the summer? Or do you need the amount of space that a used minivan provides? You know your situation best, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and imagine you and your family doing fresh and exciting activities in brand new places, made possible by a family-friendly used vehicle like a full-size SUV or a minivan. Visit DePaula Ford, the Capital Region’s EV Headquarters, to find your perfect used car today!