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Choosing a Family Vehicle: SUV or Minivan?

SUV and minivan driving on road SUV and minivan driving on road

When it comes to choosing a vehicle for your family, many see it as a choice between a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) or a minivan. Both classes of vehicles have evolved over the years, to the point where it can be difficult to distinguish between them. Here’s a look at some key features in each type of vehicle, and some considerations for insuring whichever one you choose.

SUV Advantages and Disadvantages

Midsize and larger SUVs provide seating for six to eight passengers, making room for a family of four as well as the occasional extra passengers and cargo. While technically able to carry an advertised number of passengers, many mid-sized SUVs can only comfortably accommodate larger numbers of passengers for shorter trips. An SUV's shape limits the size of the cabin, often at the expense of leg room, hip room, and headroom.

  • Check the safety ratings. Safety is a key consideration in a vehicle purchase, and a number of today’s mid-sized SUVs and minivans have earned Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). IIHS Rating criteria range from crash protection to headlights to ease of use for latch systems, helping ensure safety for passengers in child seats. If you have a larger budget, IIHS has awarded IIHS Top Safety Picks and Top Safety Pick+ designations to several current mid-sized luxury SUVs as well.1
  • Where are you going? Part of the decision in choosing a vehicle may rest on how and where you'll be using it. SUVs provide all-wheel-drive (“AWD”), which finds its safety value on winter's slippery roadways. Families who venture into unpaved areas like campgrounds and parks can also benefit from AWD and the higher ground clearance typically found with SUVs.
  • What are you doing? SUVs equipped with a larger engine and beefier chassis also have a higher towing capacity than base-trim SUVs or minivans of any trim level. If you need to tow something heavy, such as a large boat or a camper, a properly equipped SUV is built to handle the task safely.
  • Gas mileage and insurance. Fuel economy, once a challenge for SUVs, is now more closely matched with minivans. When compared with minivans of similar size, SUV fuel economy is often within one or two MPG – but fuel efficiency comparisons depend on which models you're comparing. A wider variety of hybrids are available for SUVs than for their minivan counterparts.2

SUVs generally tend to be more costly to insure, but you can always explore multi-policy discounts, which can help to maintain your household budget.

Minivan Advantages and Disadvantages

The boxy appearance of minivans contributes to the perception of minivans as being less "cool" than other vehicle choices. However, the box-like shape of minivans is what makes them roomy inside, often offering over ten extra cubic feet of room for passengers and 15 extra cubic feet for passenger cargo, making long trips more comfortable than in smaller vehicles.

  • Comfort and practicality. A lower platform for minivans makes getting in and out easier, as do sliding side doors that offer a wider door opening. Fold-down or stowable seating combined with a low platform makes loading a few sheets of  plywood or drywall a breeze. Today's minivans, while known for creature comforts, provide plenty of light-duty utility as well.
  • Budget-friendly compared to SUVs. Minivans, on average, usually cost less than SUVs with a similar passenger capacity. In some cases, the difference in price is substantial. Expect to pay less than $50,000 for a top-end minivan. Whereas some SUVs start at that price, with options driving costs even higher. Vehicle costs can affect not just your monthly car payment, but also the cost of auto insurance.
  • Gas mileage isn’t a major differentiator. Expect up to 22 MPG combined city and highway from today's current lineup of minivans. Some minivans may be available in a hybrid version, which can mean even greater fuel efficiency. Non-hybrid minivan models compare closely with non-hybrid mid-sized SUVs.3

The functionality of SUVs and minivans is becoming more similar, and the decision often returns to one of increased practicality versus styling preference.

Sources:
1 http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/TSP-List
2 https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39726&id=39730
3 https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/best-worst.shtml

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*Quotes may not be available in all states or for all products. In CA, quotes for all products must be obtained through a local independent agent.

The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, deductibles and other features are subject to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria and state availability. Not all features available in all states. Discounts may not apply to all coverages and/or vehicles.

Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In TX: Automobile insurance is offered by Travelers Texas MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company (CCM). CCM is not a Travelers Company. In CA: Automobile Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 6519; Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 6521. Homeowners Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 3545. Boat and Yacht Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, Certificate of Authority # 3545. All underwriting companies listed above are domiciled in the state of Connecticut and are located at One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In WA: Automobile Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company. Homeowners Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Personal Insurance Company. Personal Article Floater Insurance is underwritten by The Phoenix Insurance Company and The Travelers Indemnity Company of America. Personal Liability Umbrella Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company and Travelers Personal Insurance Company. Special Event Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company. Boat Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company. Yacht Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and The Travelers Indemnity Company of America. Underwriting companies in CA and WA listed above are located at One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183.

Pet Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, and Travel Insurance is not underwritten by Travelers or its Affiliates (“Travelers”). Travelers utilizes its affiliate, InsuraMatch, LLC, an independent insurance agency, to refer consumers interested in pet coverage, motorcycle and off-road vehicle coverage, and travel coverage. For more information about the underwriting entities click “Learn More” to be directed to the specific product page.