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Do-it-All Compromise

The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

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In short, we need a minivan with about 8 inches of ground clearance and allwheel/four wheel drive. Cargo space and interior utility are priorities, along with mid to low 20s combined mpg.

We have used both our old Sienna and current Odyssey minivans well, but we've hit their limits several times.
Both our families live in fairly remote areas in the western part of the country, and the minivans have been an issue getting us there. Additionally, we spend a good bit of time camping/hiking/kayaking near the parents, and have had to cancel a couple trips or borrow a jeep/SUV to make those trips happen when weather didn't cooperate.

I travel a lot, we move around a lot for work, and can't really predict where we'll end up. Our current house does not plow roads until >2" of snow accumulation.

Suburbans/Tahoes/Expeditions/Sequoias and the like are out just because of fuel mileage and the impacts due to the amount we drive.

Seems like these compromises are pointing to the three-row midsize SUV segment. A lot of them, like the GM Lambda platforms and the Highlander, really compromise on space.

Any ideas which of these will get me closest to a minivan for utility/space and 20s for mpg while being able to handle snowy pavement and the fire trails?

Priorities: Reliability & durability / Quietness / Cargo capacity

Need minimum of 6 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 100000
Maximum age: 6 years

Maximum price: US $ 40000

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Response from LectroFuel

12:25 am August 8, 2022

The Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition has .59 inches of increased ground clearance compared to the other trims. Also gets 35/36 MPG since it's a hybrid. MSRP is $45k. the e-AWD system isn't as capable as a mechanical AWD system, but it is enough for most cases.

If you need a better AWD system or if that is too pricey, I'd get a Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival. I rented a 2019 Odyssey on Turo for 1000 miles, and I couldn't have asked for a better minivan or car for the job.

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