GAME CHANGERS

THE THREE-ROW MIDSIZE SUV TAKES ITS PLACE AS THE MODERN-ERA FAMILY HAULER

- MIGUEL CORTINA

Chevrolet Traverse Premier (FWD) ..................................... $47,990

Ford Explorer XLT (RWD)......................................................... $47,715

Honda Pilot Black Edition AWD ..........................................$50,740

Hyundai Palisade HTRAC (Limited)....................................$48,205

Kia Telluride SX V6 AWD ........................................................$47,585

Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD.................................................$47,715

Subaru Ascent Touring ...........................................................$47,017

Toyota Highlander XLE AWD ...............................................$42,320

Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4Motion ..................................... $49,390

I grew up surrounded by minivans. Whether it was the Chrysler Voyager or the two Ford Windstars we had in Mexico City in the late ’90s or the two Honda Odysseys and the Toyota Sienna my mom drove when we moved to Texas, our family sought spacious and comfortable family haulers.

And we made good use of them. We spent countless weekends and holidays ​driving from Mexico City to Acapulco and Cuernavaca. We’d drive from Houston to Mexico City during the summers, went to New Mexico for a ski trip, and visited all of Texas’ major cities several times.

A big family like ours needed a vehicle with plenty of space for six and their gear, and back then, a minivan was the only option. Space, safety, and reliability were at the top of my parents’ list of must-have transportation features. SUVs were for off-roading, not the road trip or morning school run.