I’m seeking advice from the collective as we’re a pretty healthy cross section of people with varying experiences and this is outside of anything I ever though I’d have any interest in, and over my years have paid very little attention to.
Seeking a vehicle to carry 2-4 passengers (usually 2) in comfort, with a cargo load that must be protected from most weather measuring approximately 34"hx36"lx25"w weighing in at 245lbs on a semi-regular trek of about 6 hrs/day (~200 miles each way, round trip).
Personally I trend toward “sporty” “European” models, but in this case, I think “comfort” (for the passengers) outweighs any pretense of driver enjoyability, though driver fatigue is certainly a consideration. Thinking “chauffeur” rather than “transporter”.
I’ve considered everything from a Chevy Astro (mini?) van to a Range Rover LWB, to a Rivian R1S. The former probably too ‘cheap’ and/or old, the latter two probably outside of what we’re willing/able to spend (trying to consider TCO over ~5 years. These miles would be approximately the ONLY mileage this vehicle would accrue, so about 400-800 miles/ month). Fuel economy is not paramount, but y’know, fuel isn’t cheap, either. I would think not older than ~10 years (so, 2014 & newer).
So…what do ya think YOU would want to be driven around in?
OR…what do you think YOU would want to drive someone around in?
My son has owned one for many years and he loves it. It took him too and from Baylor when he was enrolled there. The trip is about 100 miles one way. He moved a lot of luggage in the car, too.
The new one has a more spacious interior and comfortable even for me at 6’9"’ tall.
2 major concerns with all-electric, Rivian’s cargo capacity putting it in the running (vs, say, models x/y, which really won’t fit what we need to carry due mostly to slope on rear window)
at 250 mile range on the low end models I would usually consider, range anxiety
even with top-end range estimates of ~400 miles, with “public” charging being sparse at best on the far end (let’s call it Hope, AR), range anxiety + cost concerns. Tesla trip planner suggests recharge in Texarkana, but there’s only 1 charging station in that town…
On the other hand, I think they resell well (without having done any hard research on that to date)
EDIT: I wish every vehicle (but especially Van/SUV/Hatch) came with something like this post in the brochure
Have a look at A Better Route Planner (ABRP) and plan out your route. Also, Rivian supports Telsa chargers using an adapter, so when you configure your vehicle and everything make sure you check with adapters. With the fast chargers along the way I’ve driven across the US a couple times and I found my body needed breaks more often than I needed to stop to charge.
I’m currently not in the Rivian owner’s club, I drive a Leaf and range and while my range is only 30 miles, I’m surprised how little I have range anxiety.
DFW to Hope AR, eh? I take that route regularly myself. I’ve seen the Sulphur Springs and Texarkana Superchargers - the latter far more often (and never at capacity).
Perhaps some more out there. I glanced at Plugshare to get the obvious fast DC chargers - numerous L2 chargers out there as well for slower charging.
Been contemplating an Ioniq 5 or 6 myself - Hyundai seems to have really leaned into EVs and it shows with their designs and well-reviewed lineup. Like the looks of the Ioniq 6, but ultimately think I want the easier in/out of the 5. No idea if the 5 meets your interior volume requirements; Hyundai’s website merely lists interior volume in cubic feet.
On the last list, Benton is almost to Little Rock, so way past Hope.
There are also chargers in Little Rock at the factory outlet mall just before the I 430 exit.
Crew cab pickup with a shell? Back seat of most full size crew cab pickups is pretty sweet. You can get things like sliding beds to make loading and unloading cargo easier. I also like the Highlander suggestion if the cargo fits.
I have surely considered this, despite my own perception that full-size pickups are crap to ride in (others seem to hold a different opinion, with my brother’s recent acquisition of an F150 Platinum Edition being raved about by friends & family - if only he were local!).
Those shells/covers are a LOT more expensive than the last time I shopped them! And their purveyors are just awful about stating clearances/dimensions. Apparently 34" bed to top of opening (for these shells, or SUVs/Vans) is more than usual (as in need a Tahoe/Suburban, Excursion, or the like - most “CUVs”, estates (station wagons), and even mini vans don’t get this tall, per the resources I can find online - I’d think a tape measure & in person visit would be required before writing any cheques). I did not know that until now, and I knew, but didn’t KNOW that “cargo dimensions” tend to state size between wheel wells, distance from seats/cargo box front to tailgate, etc. Nothing about opening dimensions. Those seem to come exclusively from individuals asking for it in forums. “Biggest box you can stick in the back and close the {hatch, cover, whatever}” seems like a measure “the magazines” should start including (CONSUMER REPORTS - CAN YOU HEAR ME?).
Tried to transport two bikes once with the Ranger while it had a camper shell. After 15 minutes of faffing around found the one tight contortion of the two that would work without causing damage and - post return journey - never attempted this feat again.
As this was the general story of the camper shell - impedance - I soon got rid of it.
My dad has resorted to having a 12 year old truck with an 8 foot bed and shell, and a 20 year old truck without a shell. They are kept about 90 minutes apart, which allows him to drive a car back and forth most of the time, yet still have a truck if unexpectedly needed at either place. But he prefers/usually uses the newer one and will usually drive it if he knows he needs a truck at the property. But if he knows he needs to haul things at home that work better without the shell, he will swap them out for a few weeks.
The point here is that while some say you can always take the shell off when needed, the only time the shell came off the first truck is when he bought the second one, and at least one truck owner finds it preferable to own a second truck than deal with even occasionally taking the shell off and putting it back on when done.
Not a unique take on the topic, and as Kevin comments, a situation with many solutions.
This is another that intrigued, but doesn’t seem feasible in my particular case.
Looks to be an interesting solution for regular on/off - something no one wants to do with the usual rigid toppers - and basic weatherproofing, but that’s a lot more greenbacks than I’d want to throw down. But at the same time a casual glance at the market suggests this genre has gotten immensely more expensive than I remember.
Hell a minivan should take that pretty easily. The rear 3rd row normally lays into the floor.
Excursions are great but I have some bias. The newest ones at now 20 years old with the diesel variant of that era being the dreaded 6.0. 22.5 years to get the 7.3.
I’m not saying “no” to a minivan, but those I’ve occupied (passenger, mostly) in the last ~decade do not tick the “comfortable” box, and certainly do not approach “luxury” that I’d like. Those have included Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Dodge Caravan/VW Routan, Toyota Sienna, Ford Transit Connect…I’m sure there must be others, but those are what I can recall currently. The Odyssey was most comfortable.
But you’re right, they should meet or exceed the cargo requirements in most cases (Kia Carnival for reference)
Hmm. lol. I never thought they were that bad. My comparison is 1 ton truck unloaded and back seat of a 3/4 Chevy with a load.
The Chevy is kinda a funny story. Riding back from an off-roading trip, I was in the backseat of an 07 2500 Chevy Duramax. I was on the phone talking to a friend when we drove the Hi-5 interchange. I couldn’t talk to said friend when we hit the bridge section. I’d start talking and we’d hit an expansion joint at which point it would knock my breath out enough not to speak in a way that could be understood. Which led to all of us laughing.
