Family trips around New York. Which car to choose — a sedan or a minivan?
A family trip to New York is almost never just “airport – hotel – back again.” More often it looks like this: airport, suitcases, kids, stroller, a couple of bags with groceries, stops at friends’ places, quick drives to parks, maybe a day trip out of town, and then the way back. In this puzzle, the car is not a nice extra — it’s a tool. The right model can turn the whole trip from stressful into manageable.
In New York, Drivo has three types of cars that work especially well for families:
- midsize sedan (Hyundai Elantra or similar)
- fullsize sedan (Nissan Altima or similar)
- minivan (Chrysler Pacifica or similar).
Let’s look at how they differ and when each of them is the right choice.
Typical scenarios
If you simplify things, most family routes around NYC fall into three patterns:
- Airports → city → back again
JFK, LaGuardia, Newark — pick up luggage, get to the hotel, move around the city for a few days, then return the car and fly out. - City + short side trips
You stay in Brooklyn/Queens/Manhattan, drive to parks, visit relatives in nearby suburbs, maybe do a quick beach or outlet trip. - City + longer road trips
New York as a home base, with drives to upstate New York (Catskills, Hudson Valley), New Jersey, Long Island or beyond.
For each of these scenarios, the “ideal” car is slightly different — and that’s where it’s useful that Drivo has both sedans and a minivan, all available right in NYC and at the airports.
Midsize sedan: for a small family and active city use
A typical example from Drivo’s fleet would be a Hyundai Elantra or similar: 5 seats, automatic transmission, fuel-efficient (around 33–43 mpg), minimum driver age 21.
When this is a good choice
A midsize sedan is a great fit when:
- there are 2–3 of you (up to 4 people);
- you have one or two suitcases and a couple of carry-ons;
- most of your driving is inside the city: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens;
- you want to keep parking as easy as possible.
For this kind of trip, a midsize car usually covers all the basics without overcomplicating anything.
Why midsize works well in New York
- Easiest to park.
Squeezing into a tight street spot between two SUVs or navigating a narrow garage ramp in Midtown is simply easier in a sedan. - Saves on fuel.
If you expect to drive a lot — airport runs, city errands, visiting friends in different boroughs — fuel use becomes noticeable. - Enough space for a small family.
A child seat and one more passenger fit comfortably in the back, and with a bit of smart packing, you’ll have room for everything you need for a few days.
When a midsize sedan might feel tight
- Three kids, especially if you need two or three child seats.
- Several large suitcases for a long stay.
- Older relatives in the back who prefer more legroom.
In those cases it makes sense to look at a fullsize sedan, or go straight to a minivan.
Fullsize sedan: one car that can do a bit of everything
On Drivo’s side, a typical fullsize option is a Nissan Altima or similar: 5 seats, automatic, a more spacious cabin, a bigger trunk, still good fuel economy (around 28–39 mpg). Minimum age is often 25+ for this class.
Who it’s right for
A fullsize sedan is a good pick when:
- your family is 3–5 people;
- you’re traveling with a fair amount of luggage: several suitcases, backpacks, maybe a stroller;
- you plan not only city driving but also longer trips outside New York;
- comfort in the back seat actually matters — for teens or grandparents.
Benefits of fullsize for family trips
- More room in the back.
Two adults or older kids will feel noticeably more comfortable on longer drives than in a smaller car. - A genuinely large trunk.
You’re much less likely to be rearranging bags on the curb in front of the hotel just to make the trunk close. - Better for highway driving.
If your day includes both city streets and a few hours on the highway, that extra space and stability make the ride easier on everyone.
Things to keep in mind
- Parking in dense parts of Manhattan can take a little longer than with a midsize, simply because the car is larger.
Minivan: for bigger families and mixed “city + suburbs” routes
For families, Drivo’s minivan category includes models like Chrysler Pacifica or similar: 7 seats, automatic transmission, three rows of seating, flexible cargo space.
A minivan is designed with families in mind: lots of space, easy access to each row, and a cabin that can be rearranged depending on how much luggage you have and how many seats you need.
When a minivan is the best option
A minivan is hard to beat if:
- you’re traveling as a larger family: parents, kids, maybe grandparents too;
- you actually need that third row for people, not just “in case”;
- you have a stroller, several child seats, bags, plus gifts or sports gear;
- your plans include more than just central Manhattan: New Jersey, Long Island, upstate, day trips and visiting relatives.
Why a minivan makes sense
- It still behaves more like a big car than like a 12–15 passenger van in terms of height and everyday usability.
- Sliding doors are a huge bonus on narrow streets and crowded parking lots.
- Three rows let you separate kids so they are not sitting right next to each other (and not constantly distracting the driver).
If you’re landing at JFK as a big family, staying in Brooklyn, then heading out to New Jersey for a visit and later taking a weekend outside the city, a minivan is usually much more convenient than juggling two sedans.
What to double-check when booking with Drivo
Before you confirm your booking, it’s worth clarifying:
- the age requirement for the specific class of car;
- how much luggage realistically fits in the trunk of the model you’re choosing;
- whether it will be convenient to install the number of child seats you plan to use.
Final thoughts
There’s no single “right” car for a family trip to New York — only the car that’s right for your family and your plans.
If you’re ready to book, check out Drivo.com — we’ve got every option you need for your trip.
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