The age-old debate of Minivan vs. SUV is more relevant than ever, especially as three-row SUVs continue to dominate the market. To settle the score, we brought together three heavy hitters: the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Grand Highlander, and the Ford Expedition. While SUVs like the Expedition offer unmatched towing and off-road capability, and the Grand Highlander provides a midsize hybrid alternative, the question remains: which one actually handles “family duty” the best? Edmunds’ Brian Wong compares all three in this video to find out.
Ford Expedition:https://www.edmunds.com/ford/expedition/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Honda Odyssey: https://www.edmunds.com/honda/odyssey/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description
Toyota Grand Highlander: https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/grand-highlander/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description
00:00 Intro
00:50 Interior
04:37 Cargo
06:59 Parking/Livability
10:20 Edmunds’ Take
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We get it. Minivans aren't the coolest cars around, and that's why folks buy a lot of SUVs. But as our tests showed, the vans offer an undeniable level of family-friendly utility, space and comfort. Is that compelling enough to get you to consider one over an SUV? Let us know in the comments below!
Brain says minivan but heart says SUV ❤
The Rivian R2 the perfection for 2026 can't wait we get it here in Europe 🤟.
Or lux minivan the XPeng X9 we are also getting this year 🤟🤟😁
The Odyssey is a little bit homely but it drives very well and gets very good gas mileage on the highway.
Bwahahaha. Really? An suv against a minivan, it doesn't stand a chance! The minivan will utterly SLAY the suv. Then it will cut off the suv's head and feed it's carcass to the birds of the air.
No comparison. Puh-leeeease.
Odyssey for the win for families with little kids.
The “how much chassis flex do you want?” Comparison
I like the parking side by side and hahaha good luck putting baby seats in the back.
"I want to look cool" Vs. "I want to have functionality"
Why vans are better you get out the sliding door via the door lol. But this changes nothing mini vans will never sell because they have a stigma and stereotype around them that they’ve had for a very long time so I don’t ever expect minivans to takeoff in the United States because nobody uses any of the features of an SUV they use it as a big minivan but the stereotype is it’s not a minivan so good luck with that and because of that mini vans don’t get a lot of love or attention in the powertrain departments or other areas because they’re not considered high volume sellers.
Minivans are superior to modern crossover SUVs in every practical way. Especially the Sienna with AWD. You will not be able to do any meaningful off-roading with most of the 3 row SUVs (which most people won’t ever do anyway) and most people never tow close to or over 3500lbs. Minivans carry 7 comfortably, are better on gas and carry MUCH more cargo, seats up or down. They are not even close and I’m surprised at how popular 3 row SUVs have become. They are form over function.
Kia Carnival has best of both!
Considering minivans have a lower side crash test rating, no thanks.
What about the driving differences?
Why are we comparing a mid-size 3-row SUV (Grand Highlander) with a Full-size 3-row SUV (Expedition)?
This was great
Did my man just say the Highlander has a wider door opening than the Odyssey that slides completely out of the way?
Could u make comparison with Toyota grand highlander and Honda passport trail sport with Brian Wong as car journalist?
BRAIN 🧠 Wong 🦾
please report notsodelusional for harassment and violating youtube tos
So let's just credit Alex from auto buyers guide. He posed this question last year and its clearly a good video idea
We have one of these Odysseys. It's a disappointment. Major engine work at 60k miles. Suspension problems now. Exterior sheet metal is so thin, it dented when I leaned on the car to clean the windshield. The upholstery on the third row seat backs is laughably bad. Every time we open and close the rear hatch it squeals like a pig. Push button shifter is slow to respond. It's very noisy at highway speeds. Occasionally, the transmission gets confused and the car just won't go. That has made for some scary situations at intersections.
On the upside, the seats are comfortable and it handles very well.
LOL I will never understand why people think they're too cool for a minivan but somehow a Traverse, Sorento, Grand Highlander, Explorer, etc. is cool? Crossovers and SUVs will soon diminish just like wagons did when minivans came out and young parents didn't want to drive their kids to school in the same type of vehicle their parents did. Younger parents have been going to less practical crossovers and SUVs cuz they don't want to take their kids to school in the same type of vehicle their parents did. And to each their own, but to me top trims of the Pacifica and Carnival look a hell of a lot better than most any crossover on the market today. IDK about the Sienna and especially the Odyssey tho. They need to fire those designers and whoever signed off on those designs.