4 kids: Minivan -> X...?

[Mrcook4590]

I also recommend using duffels instead of hard side luggage. We took a trip to Florida last year from Virginia, and I had both frunk and trunk full of stuff for the seven of us. We had no issues either finding a charger or having to wait a long time to charge. As a matter of fact, our car was usually ready before we were. AP definitely makes driving much less tiresome! Once we even charged so long that we skipped a charge point - getting seven people in and out of the car, using the restroom, and getting food can take a little while, but it always did even in the Nav. Our only regret is the battery size; a 75. It was a demo, so we still received the full rebate as well as a huge discount. We are actually thinking about trading up to get the bigger battery. Ours is a 2016 with the old version of pedestal chairs, but the new interior sounds nice with features such as the lower middle headrest and slightly larger leg room in the rear. I would miss the auto seat function of the middle row, through, but that's a completely different dilemma than you have right now.

I think it's interesting that so many people think there is so little storage area in the X. This baffles my mind. I have also had a minivan in the past (town and country), but even so, the X storage is on par if not better than those. I always had a hard time getting in the under seat storage in the t&c - the lid would close on me or I would have to move the seat out of the way, and it was always gross from crumbs and dirt getting all over anything stored there.

 

[aagosh]

We just taken 4 adults and 2 toddler + luggage on airport run - 4 medium size check in suit cases, 2 in the back, 1 in the trunk, and 1 in the middle of 6 seats. Realised later I could have fitted 3 medium suitcases in the back by stacking them differently.

Only way to know is to visit a show room and try out the space for your self.

But I echo what others say about ultimate utility versus 'fun'. A proper min van/people carrier will carry more stuff/people, but has anyone ever aspired to own/drive a min van??

After all how many cars can key the entire family+in-laws happy.....

....and still look this awesome when taking stuff to the dump

There are more practical cars around, there are 100% better value EVs around, if you want sheer drama an i8 is more dramatic, but nothing else on the road today has so much utility/drama/fun bundled into one packed. Even after doing 30K+ miles I still cannot help smile every time I drive our X. There simply isn't a better all round family car on sale today at any price!!

Couldn't agree more - especially when a family visits - it was not so much fun to have two cars driving to same destination. Not anymore with our ModelX. Travelling together is so much fun.

This car has everything for everyone in the family.

 

[ammulder]

A full on Tesla Suburban would have people lining up to buy it at over 100K.

For sure. Let's say it got half the range of a sedan, due to weight and aerodynamics and all. Right now, at ~150 miles, that would be a hard sell. If batteries keep advancing for the next few years... 200 miles? 250 miles? There's got to come a point where it works. Just like a gas car, the efficiency is lousy, except in return you're carrying so many people/things...

I guess the better question is: can Tesla make a Suburban cool?

i absolutely love this thread. in essence it's a bunch of family people trying to reason out a way to get an X. i am in the same boat myself. being honest with myself, a lot of the time i am trying to tease out good enough reasons for me to justify the cost and smaller space with the x. realistically the odyssey serves as a better people/stuff mover. is it "cool"? nope. is it fun to drive? nope. it is cheaper? definitely. the x though, it just invokes that feeling that i can haul my family and gear around and still feel a bit more alive.

I guess I'd say I'm not so much trying to reason my way into an X, as to be sure there's not a hidden dealbreaker. If not even kids could be comfortable in the back row, or the cargo space really was terrible, or whatever... we can't bring 2 cars on a family trip, and I don't see my wife agreeing to buy a super-expensive car with the understanding that we'd rent the car we already have to go on trips.

It's been encouraging to hear so many people say they can make it work, though for sure this is going nowhere until we get an extended test drive and trying some packing jobs and see if the little guy can operate the seatbelts and doors on his own and whatnot.

I think it's interesting that so many people think there is so little storage area in the X. This baffles my mind. I have also had a minivan in the past (town and country), but even so, the X storage is on par if not better than those. I always had a hard time getting in the under seat storage in the t&c - the lid would close on me or I would have to move the seat out of the way, and it was always gross from crumbs and dirt getting all over anything stored there.

Very encouraging to hear your perspective on the storage.

I would like to be in complete agreement with you! But... four kids. Could the X possibly magic all the crumbs away? (I mean, If so, we'll put a deposit down TODAY!)

 

[Zaxxon]

I guess the better question is: can Tesla make a Suburban cool?

As cool as the S/3/X? No. Way cooler than an actual Suburban? Without really even trying.

I guess I'd say I'm not so much trying to reason my way into an X, as to be sure there's not a hidden dealbreaker. If not even kids could be comfortable in the back row, or the cargo space really was terrible, or whatever... we can't bring 2 cars on a family trip, and I don't see my wife agreeing to buy a super-expensive car with the understanding that we'd rent the car we already have to go on trips.

FWIW, I'm about 5'10", and I could ride in the third row of the 7-seater for short trips without going insane. For kids under 5', no worries at all. My kids are 7.5 and 5, and are insisting that when our X arrives their car seats both go in the third row. We'll see if we allow it (sibling disagreements may intercede), but that tells me they'll be fine in terms of size back there for some time to come.

It's been encouraging to hear so many people say they can make it work, though for sure this is going nowhere until we get an extended test drive and trying some packing jobs and see if the little guy can operate the seatbelts and doors on his own and whatnot.

I definitely recommend the overnight test drive. We took advantage of that and it was a huge help in getting my wife on board. (I'm such a Tesla obsessive that I was fully prepared to jump off the cliff first and figure out any required parachutes while in the air...)

Could the X possibly magic all the crumbs away? (I mean, If so, we'll put a deposit down TODAY!)

If my experience cleaning my 3's interior this week is any indication, that feature is not yet in production. Oh, well. Maybe a future OTA?

 

[mickeyme123]

The 6-seater is the perfect kid limo. You can control the falcon wing doors and also slide the 2nd row seats forward and back from the touchscreen. The space between the 2nd row seats also allows for easy access to the 3rd row without having to move the 2nd row seats. Older kids (such as my 8yo) have no problem controlling the seats or opening and closing the falcon wing doors. I put together some additional info that might be helpful...

Car seats
https://www.teslaadviceblog.com/blo...s-diono-radian-rxt-convertible-child-car-seat

Boosters
https://www.teslaadviceblog.com/blog/model-s-x-and-3-tips-a-cheap-child-booster-that-fits

More generally, regarding 6-seat vs 7-seat
https://www.teslaadviceblog.com/blog/model-x-5-6-or-7-seats

And regarding cargo
https://www.teslaadviceblog.com/blo...gers-and-4-5-large-suitcases-worth-of-luggage

Thanks! This is great information!

 

[Dazex]

Wait, how does that work? Who has to sit in the frunk?

LOL. Too funny.
Typo... I meant the OP family of 6... that the six seater X may work out.

 

[Yinn]

LOL. Too funny.
Typo... I meant the OP family of 6... that the six seater X may work out.

I was picturing an X towing a camping trailer with the rest of the family in tow.

Does anyone know what are the seat belt laws with that btw? Is it any different in an RV vs Trailer?

 

[ammulder]

I was picturing an X towing a camping trailer with the rest of the family in tow.

LOL. When we first got the 3 my wife said ‘we can’t take it on a road trip’ and I was so sick of reading about range anxiety that I said ‘wait a minute, it has almost 300 miles of range and we’ll be fine stopping every couple hours for a break to supercharge!’

She just gave me The Look. ‘And who would you put on the roof?’

Oh. THAT can’t take it.

The good news is, we’re now over a week with the car and now she’d probably say ‘in the frunk.’

 

[Uncle Paul]

Most Moms will make a strong case for a Mini-Van. Their top priorities are space, comfort and convenience for loading the kids.

They do not care how it handles, how it looks, how much gas it sucks, how it rides, how it depreciates...it is all about how it helps Her move the kids around.

Points for a Model X is that it does not pollute. It will help provide a cleaner Earth for her kids to grow up in. It has prestige and is perhaps the safest vehicle on Earth to transport a valuable family.

 

[MXWing]

Most Moms will make a strong case for a Mini-Van. Their top priorities are space, comfort and convenience for loading the kids.

They do not care how it handles, how it looks, how much gas it sucks, how it rides, how it depreciates...it is all about how it helps Her move the kids around.

Points for a Model X is that it does not pollute. It will help provide a cleaner Earth for her kids to grow up in. It has prestige and is perhaps the safest vehicle on Earth to transport a valuable family.

This man knows.

However there is a way to defeat the practical tactician.

Buy the X without telling her and profusely apologize after the fact.

You know what they say about permission and forgiveness..

Wife thought my 3P was “around” 35K. I mean, how much more could it be over Elon’s announcement? Right???

Bwahaha

 

[ammulder]

Wife thought my 3P was “around” 35K.

Yeah, there was apparently some confusion over AWD vs. P in this household.

But I would never be so bold as to take her minivan away without permission. The first and only thing I’d hear after that would be, ‘Any last words?’

I’m just darn lucky that after driving the 3, she doesn’t want to drive the minivan any more either. Hope springs eternal...

 

[yerEVan]

Yeah, there was apparently some confusion over AWD vs. P in this household.

But I would never be so bold as to take her minivan away without permission. The first and only thing I’d hear after that would be, ‘Any last words?’

I’m just darn lucky that after driving the 3, she doesn’t want to drive the minivan any more either. Hope springs eternal...

I just pulled the trigger 2 hours ago. Had an existing inventory specialist reach out an gave him specs. And he found a crazy good deal on a 2018. If all works out, then, goodbye Sienna.

 

[Zaxxon]

I just pulled the trigger 2 hours ago. Had an existing inventory specialist reach out an gave him specs. And he found a crazy good deal on a 2018. If all works out, then, goodbye Sienna.

Awesome!

 

[Mrcook4590]

[QUOTE="Very encouraging to hear your perspective on the storage.

I would like to be in complete agreement with you! But... four kids. Could the X possibly magic all the crumbs away? (I mean, If so, we'll put a deposit down TODAY!)[/QUOTE]

The crumbs are there, but they don't get all over my stowed stuff like in the minivan. Those wells got NASTY! Lol!!


Oh, and I'm a mom who tries to encourage all other moms to ditch the minivan! If people show interest, I will show them my car and talk about the company. I have given several friends test drives. They're amazing cars. Once you drive one, you don't want to go back.

 

[Dazex]

Here’s a possible help. I like that it was designed by an X owner/engineer. With the thoughts towards making it lightweight and ability to stow in the car. Possibly replacing the rear trunk deck.

X-Rack Tesla Model X cargo carrier: lightweight aluminum and custom fit for the trunk

 

[3dprintacar]

So it's like this. We got a Model 3 to replace my old sedan. The "family car" is an Odyssey minivan.



(if you think we stop less often than once every 2 hours with 4 kids, I'd like some of what you're smoking!). The real concern is cargo.

There's already a lot of great perspective here regarding the minivan versus the X. I have owned the Odyssey and now drive an X. Family of three kids (five total, no pets). The 6 seater is perfect for us with room for luggage, no room for extras like bike or boogie board if going to the beach or long trip. With a roof rack, in all honesty the Odyssey in my opinion is the better option with room for fun cargo transport.

Lastly, I have to comment on how to have the kids sit longer than 2 hours at a time. Audiobooks. We did this on our last trip and they all wanted to get back in the vehicle to continue to listen to it. Ready Player One was the hit on that trip and they still like to talk about it. (It has strong language by the way, so it might not be great for the little ones, but I am one of those parents who could care less and it didn't bother me or the kids).

 

[CPhoenix]

Sorry for the thread necromancy however, I've loved reading this thread and thought I should append this for anyone still considering the X with a family of 6.

As I'm currently going through the same debate at the moment since I'm about to have 4 kids under 2. Frankly, I'm getting suicidal at the thought of having to drive a mini-van as my daily driver (just to have bootspace for buggies and baby seats).
Luckily, my wife came across this game changer called the MultiMac ihere n the UK (apparently they are trying to find safety approval for the US and Aus), allowing 4x child/baby seats across the middle row of most SUVs.

This should give us sufficient boot space and comfortably fit the kids. Its also been confirmed that it should fit the 6 seater (without centre console obviously). It's not cheap (£1500), especially when the baby seats are an additional £300 each and I do have reservations of having kids in there over 6 years old, but by that point they'd probably want to sit in the back with booster seats, right?

Apart from stirring up this discussion again - I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts and opinions...

 

[ElectricSteve]

I had 4 kids. Sold the 4th so the 5 seater works great for us. 3 childseats on the 2nd row and tons of space in the back (because the 3rd row isn’t there).

 

[yerEVan]

Sorry for the thread necromancy however, I've loved reading this thread and thought I should append this for anyone still considering the X with a family of 6.

As I'm currently going through the same debate at the moment since I'm about to have 4 kids under 2. Frankly, I'm getting suicidal at the thought of having to drive a mini-van as my daily driver (just to have bootspace for buggies and baby seats).
Luckily, my wife came across this game changer called the MultiMac ihere n the UK (apparently they are trying to find safety approval for the US and Aus), allowing 4x child/baby seats across the middle row of most SUVs.

This should give us sufficient boot space and comfortably fit the kids. Its also been confirmed that it should fit the 6 seater (without centre console obviously). It's not cheap (£1500), especially when the baby seats are an additional £300 each and I do have reservations of having kids in there over 6 years old, but by that point they'd probably want to sit in the back with booster seats, right?

Apart from stirring up this discussion again - I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts and opinions...

How do people get in and out of the rear most seats? I guess you can’t safely have anyone back there if they need to exit quickly.

 

[CPhoenix]

How do people get in and out of the rear most seats? I guess you can’t safely have anyone back there if they need to exit quickly.

I personally wouldn't have anyone in the rear seats whilst the MultiMac is in. My main objective is to have the extra boot space with the rear seats folded (to fit a triple buggy, etc.) and still have a 6 seater that will fit the kids.

Still, I wonder if its possible to raise the floor stabiliser bars and still tilt the whole middle bench forward??