Chevy= GM product
Pacifica= Chrysler product

Yes it's spacious inside but the boot isn't huge. 2 suitcases and a 60lb dog and it's packed to max. I've gotten 2 car seats in the back and an adult in the middle and that's fine.

I echo about the winter tyres - we have all seasons and winter and the difference in the snow is massive.

It won best SUV under £25,000 in 2013.

It has Lane Departure Warning System which is a light that comes on in your wing mirror when something is in your blind spot. If you go to pull out it sends off an alarm. This has saved my bacon several times in the early days when you are driving around feeling like an alien on the wrong side of the road.

I know it's not the coolest car on the road but I really rate it. I feel very safe in it. Who cares about cool in Alberta's winters eh?

I may have come across wrong, I am totally after the safety and driving experience. I am clueless with vehicles and got the list from some people's recommendations, if you have any suggestions I'm keen to hear

Cheers

Totally agree, don't really care what the car looks like and will def go check it out now .. Thanks :-)

We opted for a Mitsubishi Outlander after considering a few that also feature on your list - just another suggestion to throw into the mix!

Thanks will check it out :-)

We have an older shape highlander. It has great legroom in the back compared to quite a few similar models we tried. Drives fine and we put winter tires on it. Traded up (or down depending on your opinion) from a Subaru outback because we didn't have much clearance with the kids car seats when they were more bulky. I loved the outback - it was lovely to drive, handled superbly in the winter and always seemed to sit on the road nicely. If you want an awd mini van then I think the only model that offers this at the moment is the Toyota sienna.

Isn't aspen posh - was up that way the other week garage sale-ing and gawking at the mini mansions round there

P.s. welcome to Calgary! Was it you that was trying to find decent schools a while back and did you find anything in the end?

I test drove a GMC Acadia a few months back and really liked it...

Think it goes to show though from all the answers you are getting that it comes down to personal choice.

Go for winter tyres though to be on the safe side.

My commute is 30 mins of country driving and I have a FWD. This winter just gone I did scare myself once when the car decided to just start sliding of it's own free will!!!
I didn't end up in the ditch but I had a bit of an adrenaline rush!!

Happy shopping!!

We run a Dodge caravan, This is also sold as chryler town/country and VW Routan. All made on the same production line.

For a family, kids, sports gear, collecting lumber, furniture ect the grand caravan is perfect, Thousands around, not to bad on fuel, ride average,

Our other car is a nissian altima i use for work i do approx 50,000 a year all over northan alberta no issues on hwy,range roads, logging tracks ect.

trust me winter tires do make a difference, Alberta is one of a few provinces where it is not law to use winter tires.

Be a patriot - buy an Asian vehicle.

You could also look at the Toyota Sienna.

Hi and thanks

Yes that was me school searching, it's been easier to do it from here in Calgary, but there is still a massive shortage for upcoming grade 1 for some reason. Capt John Palliser was a consideration doing the Montessori program, but we're still undecided.

Stopped in Tuscany for a week, that seemed like a nice family area, now in Aspen and yes it is def full of some mini mansions. Difference I have noticed, in Tuscany I met some of the neighbours just out the front of the house, here in aspen I haven't met (or seen) any. Been looking in Arbour Lake for a place, looks awesome in there, has a real nice community vibe about it. But as usual the school is full so the kids get bussed to Citadel, so now we need to look into the overflow school to see what it's like. The only thing that has frustrated me here so far is the schooling over subscription.

Apart from the schooling, loving the adventure so far :-)

Sounds like the Outback handles better than the Highlander IYO?

Cheers
Wayne

Hi

Definitely comes down to personal opinion, which is fine as I prefer to hear from real drivers rather than the salesperson that told me not to bother with winter tires ....

1st time snow driver, I'm gonna be on the road with winter tires and snow chains from September :-)

Good for you I think I was probably the first person to have winter tires on in NB, I was all psyched up, and it wasn't a problem...you'll be fine!

i dont know what the fuss is about? i had more issues driving in winter weather conditions in the UK than i have ever had in either Edmonton or Calgary