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Last week’s indecisive (read: my nature) post lead to comments on Car & Caboodle, private e-mails, private messages and many responses on Facebook. While scattered in were a few “No”s and “Don’t do its”, all readers were certain about their advice, and many comments were so insightful I feel the need to share. Some excerpts:

…we LOVE our 8-seat Sienna with two Safeseats and a Wizard. The automatic doors are just sweet… and that’s a function you won’t find on an SUV. Cheryl

…I love my Odyssey. Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward to eventually downsizing but with three I think you’ll need the space. What will you do with three play date kids??? And no one has to climb over the seat. Dottie

You need to do it – I LOVE our Odyssey. It is so easy with the kids, and if I need to access them quickly (which is often) all I do is climb back. Plus, the third row is easy to use and access, too, without having to move carseats around. Lena

We have three and I love my SUV! We have an Expedition EL with captains chairs in the second row so we can access the third row easily. And I have room for two labs and suitcases behind the third row! I love it way more than my mom’s Odyssey. Robin

We avoided the minivan at all costs. We wound up w/the new Chevy Traverse and cannot be any happier. Candice

We got the Buick Enclave and you can get it with Captains Chairs in the middle. It is great and the kids can walk right through to the third row. There is still room for groceries in the back with the third row up also. The third row has a 60/40 split. Brandie

…the Toyato Highlander has an option for 2 captain chairs in the middle, so it’s like a mini without being one. Debbie

…we test drove a pilot and I really liked it, but just couldn’t see having to climb through the trunk to access the 3rd row and would have issues getting the 2nd seat to fold down b/c it would have car seats. Jenn (who is pregnant with her 3rd and just purchased the new Highlander.)

We have been looking at the Mazda 5. It’s mini-van like, smaller than a minivan, but better seating capacity than our Ford Focus. pscherry

While I love our [Expedition] NOW, I remember using my dad’s Expedition when the kids were in real car seats and I had to lift them in and buckle them. It was a pain in the butt in the Expedition b/c it’s so much higher. You have to lift them up into the car and not just our on front of you. My Explorer was perfect–not too low like a sedan, but not too high. Devon

We’ve had our Toyota Sienna for almost 5 years now and can’t imagine what we did before. Our kids love it more than we do. The sliding doors, the ease of hopping in and out for them. The room each child has, the road trips we’ve had in them from TX to Florida. The trunk space is 2x or 3x’s the size of our old SUV’s. … The best advice I can give is to at least test drive it… you will be surprised how much you love it. Susan

Now that’s a lot to take in. Great advice… many cars to at least check out. And its Susan’s advice I’ll follow. At least I’ll test drive. And continue the discussion for several more weeks, I’m sure.

Volvo was kind enough to invite C&C out to the launch of their all-new XC60 crossover. As you can tell from the pictures, the new XUV is a visually stunning machine, taking design cues from the C60 and S80 vehicles, which adds up to a very comprehensive look for their entire line.

The first thing I noticed about the car were the “DNA” lights at the front and rear. LED marker lights that run all the time, the front lights give the grill a very distinct face, which is instantly recognizable in your mirrors. The rear lights are actually a series of reflectors that give a wraparound feature to a standard array of LEDs and highlight the curves yet remain very similar to taillights on the XC90 and V50.

The high beltline that stretches from the grille to the tailgate is another striking feature. Another first impression: I was happy they did not follow the trend of thick D-pillars with rounded windows like so many other crossovers in this segment (GL-class, I’m looking at you!)

The drip rails with contrasting color and dual-panel panoramic roof give the roofline a nice look, and the integrated spoiler/third brake light at the rear finishes quite nicely. Overall I’d have to say this is without question the best looking crossover in its class, possibly anywhere.

Inside the cabin the seats are done up in a contrasting-leather X pattern. Our test vehicle had some of the softest, most comfortable Volvo seats I’d ever sat in, but lacked even basic bolstering for the spirited driving the car is capable of.

The “floating” center console found in the S80 has been carried over to the XC60, and it is tilted slightly towards the driver. The vehicle we drove was finished in birch colored wood, which unlike the glassy lacquer found most luxury cars, had the texture of real wood, and a very Scandinavian feel to it. I think it matches a piece of Ikea furniture we have perfectly. At the top of the stack is the navigation system, which worked well once we figured out that it had a wireless remote. Otherwise, the driver had to control it from a well-engineered stalk on the wheel. I found myself wishing the 5″ screen was a 7″ though, there is room in the space, but the recessed 5″ screen did reduce glare dramatically.

Above the center stack is another floating piece that protrudes upward from the dash, with a monochrome display for audio and climate control features. Overall I found this unit a bit cumbersome, and disliked having to look 3 places for information.

The rear seats fold flat in what Volvo calls a 60/60 configuration which is really a 40/20/40 scenario, and allows you to customize which side had the cargo duty and which side carries the passenger. Our test model did not have the integrated child safety seats pioneered by Volvo.

The power liftgate was a bit quirky at times, but that might have been operator error. If you give it a boost while it’s moving, it’s easy to make it change course on you and start closing in. Not being used to such fancy accoutrements, I found myself wishing I could turn it off. The hatch opening is widest in class, and according to Volvo design engineers will fit most Ikea boxes laid flat. Scandinavian synergy, maybe, but that’s actually far more important to me than a sheet of drywall. Now that I’ve mentioned Ikea twice in one article, I think it’s high time to take a trip to White Marsh and get some more disposable dressers.

In conclusion, my overall impression of the design of the XC60 was one of awe. The car looks amazing, and really redefines comfort and styling in the segment.

So how did it drive? What’s under the hood? What’ kind of safety features does it have? Stay tuned.

It seems like everyone is running around in a panic trying to unload their SUVs these days.  Maybe not our readers, many of whom have to carry around more than 5.  Smartmoney recently published an article offering 5 essential tips to help sell your Seqouia.

It seems that trading in your Pathfinder might not be a viable option anymore, so if you are downsizing, this list is chock full of good advice.

In fact, gas crunch notwithstanding, I see this list as great advice for selling any car, in any financial climate:

1. Be Your Own Salesperson

Owners almost always get a better price for their car when they sell it on their own vs. trading it in, says Robyn Eckard, a spokeswoman for Kelley Blue Book. This is especially true when it comes to SUVs. Dealers already have a hard time getting rid of the used SUVs clogging up their lots. In fact, the market is so bad that some dealerships won’t even accept SUVs as trade-ins anymore, says Eckard. Even if a dealer is willing to take an SUV trade-in, they’ll likely offer the owner a price quote that’s well below market value in an effort to preserve their own profit margins.

2. Price It Right

The fact that used-SUV prices are falling fast is not lost on potential buyers. So when selling an SUV, make sure to check its current value on Kelley Blue Book’s web site. (Prices are updated every Thursday.) Then visit a site like AutoTrader.com to see what other local sellers are asking for. Just be aware that many people who list their vehicles don’t actually need to sell them. These folks often ask for a relatively high price and only part with their trucks if and when they get what they want. For owners desperate to sell their SUV quickly, consider pricing it $100 to $200 less than the cheapest comparable car in the region, says Howard Polirer, industry relations director for AutoTrader.com.

3. Advertise Online

Sixty one percent of used-car buyers start their search online, according to AutoTrader.com. So it’s critical that you list your SUV on a web site like AutoTrader.com, Carsdirect.com, Cars.com, or eBay Motors (EBAY: 28.45, -0.20, -0.69%). By reaching millions of potential buyers, web sites like these allow individual sellers to compete directly with dealerships. Since an owner doesn’t have overhead costs to worry about, he could list his SUV for less than a dealer, making his vehicle look like a bargain. And if you throw in free car shipping — a technique dealers often employ — you might be surprised at how many additional offers you get.

4. Provide Plenty of Details

To help your ad gain more traction, include as many details about your SUV as possible. Autotrader.com recommends posting at least 25 pictures that highlight the vehicle’s best features, including shots of the cargo space, fold-down seats and its general condition. And as you should with any car listing, include photos of any scratches or dings, as well as the odometer showing the SUV’s mileage.

5. Build Credibility

Finally, work on building credibility with prospective buyers. Provide them with all maintenance records and a Carfax Vehicle History Report. The vehicle history report, which costs $25, details factors that every buyer should know, including whether or not the SUV was ever in a serious accident or flood. Also, consider paying an independent mechanic to inspect the car (it should cost about $150) so buyers feel confident they aren’t getting a lemon.

One last piece of advice: Don’t get so caught up with the price at the pump that you’re willing to sell your SUV at any price. Make sure to ask for enough to cover any outstanding auto loans and the cost of acquiring a new car. If that’s not feasible, it might make more sense to keep your existing vehicle and find ways to drive it more efficiently.