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Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we decided to go through each of them and see what's what. For the record, it's probably better if we tell you from the start that there is no clear winner. Most car buyers like to take informed decisions before dragging their checkbooks to the dealership, but the final verdict on buying a car comes from nowhere else but their own feelings.
For quite a few decades now, the three most common types of family haulers out there have been the SUV, the minivan (or MPV if you feel more European) and the good old' station wagon. Without further ado, let's see how each of them stacks up.SUV: The Traditional Soccer Mom Vehicle
We know there has been a growing hate for this type of vehicle in recent years, mostly because of their below-average fuel economy and their above-average size. We perfectly understand the flipping-the-bird attitude most road-clogging humongous vehicle that only carries its driver gets, but this position is not always accurate.
We're no longer stuck behind yellow Hummer H2s with 26-inch wheels at intersections, and there haven't been that many Cadillac Escalades that take our parking spots at the mall lately. A lot of people don't even go to the mall anymore either.
That said, SUV and crossover sales have been on the rise for over a decade now, and the trend doesn't look like it will slow down any time soon.
Some SUVs do get good fuel economy nowdays (the Tesla Model X doesn't even use any fuel, in the traditional sense, for example), while others don't even carry that much useless metal (think about the sub-compact Honda HRV or even the compact Volkswagen Tiguan).
When thinking about buying an SUV for family vacations, apart from the allocated budget you should take into account facts like fuel economy, exterior size over interior space ratio and ergonomics. You shouldn't jump at buying a 16 mpg Chevrolet Suburban just because it can carry your family of five and have enough room for the next-door neighbors, plus their pets.
Plus, some SUVs are more family-oriented, while others are more of a status symbol (Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Benz GLS, anyone?). Base your buying decision on what you really need from an SUV, and don't forget to think about its downsides.
Not all crossovers and SUVs are created equal. Some don't even have all-wheel-drive, which is probably what draws you to this type of car in the first place, while others have an interior not much roomier than what a subcompact econobox offers.
On top of it, by design, SUVs and crossovers have worse brakes and handling compared to other vehicles, unless we're talking about exceptions like the Porsche Cayenne and Macan. Most of them offer greater all-around visibility and thanks to their larger mass they usually fare better in a crash with another vehicle. Minivan/MPV: The Cargo Van That Likes Kids
Initially, just family-friendly vehicles derived from vans who usually carried cargo, the minivan has become a crucial part of modern family transportation. Now we have car-based minivans who offer the space, ergonomics, and luxury of an airport shuttle but the handling and safety of a mid-size sedan.
Although in recent years the range of choices in this segment has become slightly lower than that of the SUV category, the “public's acceptance” on roads is still as high as ever. Nobody's going to flip the bird at you for cutting them off in a minivan full of screaming children and relatives.
The regular downsides found in these vehicles are similar to those of the SUV, though. Most of them occupy too much space on the road and don't exactly have decent fuel economy, a fact that is inherent to their overall size.
On the other hand, the exterior size over interior space ratio is probably the best of any family hauler, or any other type of car, for that matter. If you don't have a huge family, there are compact minivans/MPVS also, like the Volkswagen Touran or the Fiat 500L, only one of which is available in the U.S., though.
Depending on the size of your family, you can still choose from a compact 5-seater to a full-size van that's bigger than your bedroom in volume. In Europe, you can even get a luxury minivan, like the latest Mercedes-Benz V-Class or a fully loaded Volkswagen Transporter.Station Wagon: The Closest Thing to a Regular Car
Unlike the minivan and or the SUV, a wagon isn't guzzling so much extra gas, since its size and weight are not much higher than the sedans that they're usually based on.
That said, station wagons have almost disappeared from almost all families' buying choice in recent years, and mostly because of the rise of crossovers, compact minivans, and small SUVs. As we mentioned before, you can't really argue with the inherent safety of an SUV with all-wheel-drive or with the roominess of a minivan/MPV.
Still, wagons remain a more than logical choice considering they are the closest thing to a normal car from the bunch, while offering sufficient cargo space and ergonomics to entertain a family of four or five, including their luggage.
The car-like handling, exterior size and fuel economy are still strong sale points, plus, some of them are even available with all-wheel-drive or have higher ground clearance. If you want an SUV-like wagon, carmakers like Subaru, Volvo, Audi, Volkswagen and even Peugeot can help you get your fix.
Although lacking a bit in height, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon is about as roomy as a full-size minivan, while the AMG S version is faster than a thoroughbred sports car. At the other end of the scale, a BMW 335d xDrive Touring gets awesome fuel economy, is AWD and can haul a lot more than a**. There are still plenty of alternatives in the station wagon segment, albeit most of them can only be found in Europe.
In the end, the choice remains yours, but please take into account more than just looks and price when thinking about buying a third car. Especially one that is most likely to be used only on long trips and vacations with your family.
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