Families with dogs or other large pets should be responsible when choosing a car. This is the only way to find a suitable vehicle that can cope well with the tasks, regardless of whether you take animals on your trip. Most often, families opt for minivans and three-row seat SUVs. Both of these types of cars can become indispensable transport and meet all the needs of many people with pets. Let’s consider both of these options together and try to determine which one is better.
Interior space
Let’s start the comparison of the two types of family transport with the features of their interior space. In this case, the advantage will almost always be on the side of minivans. They are distinguished by the spacious interior, which will be comfortable for all family members, regardless of their height and weight, and animals of any size. In minivans, your legs will never be squeezed to the limit due to the seats located in the front, and your head will not hit the ceiling when the car bounces on an uneven road. Also, the interior space of such transport is almost always easily expanded by folding or removing the third-row seats, which creates an ideal space for dogs.
SUVs cannot provide as much freedom as minivans. Almost always in cars of this type, the distance between the rows of seats is minimal, which is why placing a large dog in the cabin will be problematic. In this case, folding the third-row seats is the only option for transporting a pet. However, this function is not available in all SUVs.
Cargo space
It isn’t easy to name a clear winner when comparing minivans and three-row seat SUVs regarding available cargo space. The fact is that most minivans initially have less space for transporting various goods than SUVs. However, if you fold the third row of seats in both types of vehicles, the situation will be the opposite. In this regard, for large families who have to place people in all rows during a trip, SUVs will be the best option regarding available cargo space. Minivans will be a priority option if the family consists of 4-5 people.
If you have dogs and other pets, both types of vehicles will be a good choice. Almost all minivans allow you to fold the seats into the floor, creating a flat space for transporting animals of any size and some things that could not be placed in the back. At the same time, SUVs often have unique mounts in the cargo area for fixing cages and carriers. This feature makes them a priority option for families transporting their dogs this way.
Safety
The main criterion for families with and without dogs is always the car’s safety. Most minivans and SUVs have a high level of protection, thanks to many modern systems and valuable functions. If you compare vehicles of this type, you cannot identify a clear winner. Everything will depend on the specific models and their manufacturers’ approach to ensuring the safety of people in the car.
Considering the presence of previously mentioned fasteners for fixing cages and carriers in SUVs, they will become a priority option for families with dogs. When fixed, the device where the animal will be transported will not start moving during sudden braking and acceleration, eliminating any danger to the pet.
Comfort
Comfort level often becomes the main factor influencing the choice to favor one or another vehicle. Most three-row seat SUVs and minivans have the highest level. This is due to the family status of both types of cars, which are often used for trips with children and animals. SUVs and minivans have climate control and other functions that allow you to increase comfort even when traveling in difficult conditions (for example, in extreme heat).
The main advantage of minivans compared to SUVs is the low floor. Even small children and dogs of different breeds can get into the cabin independently. Minivans also stand out with their sliding door, thanks to which you can eliminate the discomfort associated with stopping in tight parking spaces and reduce the risk of injury to your pet. SUVs purchased at a dealership or the Memphis TN salvage car auction will have essential advantages, such as a broader range of passenger comfort features and automatic opening/closing of the trunk door (relieves discomfort in cases when you need to do this operation while holding bags and a dog’s leash).
Fuel efficiency
In terms of fuel consumption, minivans always have the advantage. They are generally equipped with less powerful engines and consume less gasoline or diesel fuel than SUVs. The same applies to electric cars. All minivans consume the battery charge more slowly and provide a more extended range.
Fuel efficiency will be a significant advantage for families who often take a dog or any other animal on trips. It will allow you to stop at the gas station less frequently and stand there for a long time, waiting for the entire procedure to be completed. This will relieve the pet from unnecessary stress, thereby having a positive effect on its condition.
Ease of operation
Due to their size, minivans and three-row seat SUVs can sometimes be quite challenging to drive. If you compare both types of vehicles by this indicator, then in some situations, minivans will be the winner, and in others, SUVs will be the winner. Everything will depend on the characteristics of the road surface and the surrounding conditions in which the trip is made.
For families with dogs who often drive on poor-quality roads or off-road, the only right decision will be to buy SUVs. They are initially designed for such conditions, so moving the vehicle will be much easier. If the trip is made mainly on high-quality roads, minivans will be a priority option for families with dogs. They are more maneuverable than SUVs, so driving them will not be a problem even in dense city traffic. In addition, minivans provide the driver with a better view, which also positively affects the ease of control.
Price
In many cases, the cost of a car is the main criterion by which people choose a vehicle. Minivans are the ideal option for families with dogs who are forced to regularly spend extra money on keeping a pet. They are cheaper than three-row seat SUVs, and the price difference is often quite significant. Minivans are also suitable for families who initially have limited financial capabilities.
SUVs have three rows of seats and are always powerful, significant and luxurious-looking transport. In this regard, they are pretty expensive and are an excellent option exclusively for families with a dog who do not have financial problems.
For large families with dogs and other pets, minivans and three-row seat SUVs are an excellent option. If you compare them with each other, it will be challenging to determine a clear winner. In some situations, minivans must be preferred, and SUVs will be selected in others. Everything depends solely on the purposes of using the vehicle and the priorities of its owners. In our article, we talked about all the pros and cons of both types of cars and also assessed their efficiency in various situations. We hope you find the best option to satisfy all family members and allow you to travel with a dog without any problems.
