Before anyone says minivan...
They are banned at my place and I would get a p4xl before one of those pos with sliding doors.

I'm thinking of
Tesla X
Range Rover Sport diesel
Volvo xc90

For tesla... Note that we have the most expensive gas and cheapest electricity.
For every 500$ fuel... I only need 50$ in electricity here.

Regular gas is close to 5-6$/gallon
electricity is 5.7¢/kWh
Range anxiety is not an issue.

Sounds like the Tesla might be an interesting one for you then (based on prices for power and fuel). I'll have to go look at all three of them. I'll admit I've always wanted a Range Rover.

Do it right. 7.3 PowerStroke

Yeah, 'cause you like fixing stuff

And that's why I've never owned a Range Rover.

My wife has a Mazda CX-9. Hers is FWD but the also come in an AWD model. It's a close to a minivan as you can get without being one. It's got tons of space, and I have to admit, Mazda knows how to make fun driving machines. It drives like it's a much smaller car than it is. The transmission is always in right right gear and it has a great engine.

I think the CX-9 is a good option, and honestly a good one, mainly when you think about the "chassis" setting it comes with. I have a 2015 model, and although it is a fatty 2.3 ton (metric ton) SUV, it has close to 0 understeer, the rear end is well behaive under certain demand, and the V6 (I think the new one comes with a L4 turbo) comes with good punch to back things up. As you mentioned, the gearbox is really good. The only thing I did not like about my CX-9, is the fuel consumption (city driving = 11 mpg or highway = 19 mpg) level, which I think is high... No idea, how good it would be with the L4 turbo it comes with the new model (guess it will improve greatly).

I tested when purchased my CX-9, other options, as: Explorer (too loose, engine not as "punchy"), Highlander (good, but the trans did not worked that well), Pilot (did not like the "chassis" tune up).

Anyway, hope it helps.

Rodolfo Lara

I'm staring at a Model X right now, I don't like it

I suggest a used Suburban (LTZ or LT) or Yukon Denali. Plenty of seating and storage in the back. Plus it can double as a tow vehicle when needed:-) I swear by them, I have owned (2) 1500 Suburbans and the last one I just had (sold it last week) was a 2500 LT that was loaded. That was an awesome truck for towing and for loading up with people and stuff. I just bought a used 15 Yukon Denali XL - I like the luxury features and plus it has more HP & torque than my 2500 did.

My wife is on her 3rd Acadia . We have been leasing them. It is a good people and "stuff" mover. Comfortable, decent power and gas mileage. Reasonable cost for a true "utility" vehicle.
I have used it to tow a small utility trailer, once in a while. I think its rated at 3000 or 3500lbs for towing.
No sliding (mini-van) door, but has about the same space, and drives more like a car. AWD is nice in the winter.

Tahoe PPV. It's a truck, that still runs well, and handles like it's on rails. Low enough to load the spawn without a lot of stretching, and when they barf on the carpet, it's rubber matting that you can just mop up.

Haven't they been having a lot of issues with the V6? Something to do with the timing chain IRRC.

just putting an update.

Revised list of contenders after test driving them:
1. Audi SQ7 (although I only drove the Q7)
2. Ford Exploder Sport (but will require aftermarket shocks)
3. Mazda MX-9 (great package, although a bit anemic in power)

This excludes my next toy project:
Suburban or Wrangler w/ 1000+ hp LS S/C, atlas4, tr6060, baja style suspension, armored bumpers... off road toy.