Right now only the Sienna can be had with AWD, Chrysler used to offer AWD on the Caravan last generation, and the old RWD based Mazda/Ford van did too.
The AWD Sienna also uses a real mechanical center differential with a viscous coupling lock, similar to a manual transmission WRX, and so takes a fairly hefty fuel economy penalty.
I live in Buffalo. It has snowed here on occasion. Never been stuck once, and my van is only FWD.
FWD vs. AWD is kind of a mcguffin. Your tires make much more of a difference in poor conditions than your drivetrain. Just drive smart with proper rubber and you will be fine.
One final consideration if you travel a lot with kids…
Sometimes kids misbehave on long road trips. Behavior improves in the minivan when they discover the non-driving parent can easily get up and come back there.
I’ve never seen a car or SUV where this could be done easily. 
My neighbor with the 4 kids has a Sequoia, which, to me, is a truck masquerading as a minivan.
Our housemates had issues with their RAV4 last winter, which surprised me. Then again it’s old and the tires weren’t the best.
Ah, that’s helpful. A Sienna is too big for what I need unless I adopt a couple more dogs, LOL.
Back to the SUV’s, I guess.
Interesting, only because I’ve had it pounded into my head that lots of snow = 4WDF or RWD only unless you enjoy getting stuck in your driveway, never mind the road. I think part of the reason might’ve been because snow tires are expensive; ergo, concentrate on the drivetrain. Is that true? I have no idea. I’m not very knowledgeable about this stuff.
Snow tires are much more cost effective than getting AWD, and much more important for stopping. AWD is just involved in the “Go” part of driving (and handling, yes, I know) but doesn’t do you a bit of good when trying to stop.
There are places where AWD or 4WD is required - but most people don’t live there. Good snows and knowledge of how to drive in snow will get you through 99% of what you are likely to face.
Like I always say, all vehicles are 4 wheel stop.
not to single anyone out, but any guy that loses his “man card” ‘cause he’s driving a mini van for the sake of his kids and family is an emasculated POS. When you become a father, the real man does the right thing as a hero to his family and doesn’t give a flying rats ass what society, buddies or anyone else thinks. Jus’ sayin’
Or he could drive this rather homely looking Renault minivan with and F1 engine… 
Mind you it’s a few years old and the cargo area might suffer a bit.
Personally, I’d have a ton of respect for a guy who drove a late nineties Toyota Previa. A supercharged minivan with the engine in the middle of the car, as God intended? YES PLEASE
I am an avid off-roader and a life long SUV owner and I am telling you, you need the minivan. That is going to fit your over all needs much better.
One thing for hubby to keep in mind: AWD is NOT the same thing as 4WD. Yes, both involve all four wheels getting power, but that is where the similarities stop. 4WD drive vehicles have stronger frames, upgraded suspension components and stronger differentials, axles and drive shafts for use off road. An AWD uses car parts and a 4WD transfer case. It will be fine for snow, ice and unpaved roads but should not be taken to anywhere that does not have at least a dirt road access, it is not meant for it. From your OP it sounds like the most you need is to get to a camp site which the van can do just fine.
That is insane in a good way. A minivan that could do 0-60 in less than 3 second.
Now if Chrysler will only build a Hellcat Dodge Caravan.
Wait, sorry, this is my ignorance speaking. I had no idea there was a difference between AWD and 4WD. Do SUVs have 4WD? Are they suitable for being taken really off-road?
(That being said, you’re right: we would generally be taking the vehicle on unpaved roads, not off-road.)
It seems that with every passing year SUV’s are becoming less rugged :mad:. I think the line between AWD, and 4WD is getting blurred. But it depends on the individual systems themselves.
One thing that an SUV/4WD will (or certainly SHOULD) have is Low Range 4x4. This shifts your transfer case into ‘extra’ low gear providing more power for steep hills, pulling and climbing over stuff.
There’s not really a difference. The automakers’ marketing departments have at various points used “all wheel drive” and “four wheel drive” interchangeably. It used to be that 4wd meant a part-time system and AWD was full-time, but those definitions weren’t universal and full-time 4wd systems are so common these days that that definintion doesn’t really apply well anymore. The rather tautological answer these days is simply that 4wd systems are found on rugged truck-based vehicles whereas AWD is found on road-oriented car-based ones.
With a 4wd system, you can safely say it’ll provide close to 50/50 front-to-rear power distribution, which means it’ll have at least a modicum of off-road ability. But some AWD systems (like Subaru’s) do that too and are at least in terms of drivetrain just as capable off-road. Unfortunately car reviewers (and the aforementioned marketing departments) are really bad about actually describing how various cars’ AWD systems work, which makes shopping somewhat difficult if that’s a priority.
Just wanted to say we just bought an AWD Toyota Sienna. Our daughter is soooo excited. She especially loves the push-button minivan doors. I am excited that we can finally cart more than four people around (which will be relevant this weekend when my parents come to visit). Husband is excited to have a spiffy navigation system.
Daughter and I (the messy ones) are under strict instructions to keep the car clean and neat, otherwise I’ve told her I’m going to drive her in our Civic instead.
Thank you to everyone for your advice!
Mini Vans are great. They are so much easier to drive every day and safer than an SUV.
Any male that thinks his ridiculous ego is somehow more important than his families well being is better left by the side of the road.
I see you distracted your hubby with toys. Very sneaky… 
And effective.
One of my friends bought a minivan a few years ago with wireless headphones and screens built into the rear headrests. He made his wife drive him around so he could watch movies, and this is a guy who loves driving, normally…
Good for you!
I drive a 2000 Town & Country and love it. I take it camping, windsurfing, xc skiing, on back trails, on beaches, and only a handful of times have I changed course due to low wheelbase or 2WD (and you have 4WD so no worries there!) It comfortably hauls my sizable keyboard rig plus the band PA and half the other members’ gear from rehearsal space to gigs, without having to unload my windsurfing gear. With 2nd row captains chairs it’s a super comfortable ride for a driving vacation for 2 adult couples. With the 3rd seat in (which is typical) I can offer a ride to 6 of my co-workers when we go out to lunch, for which they thank me.
Nobody but me has ever said anything about it, though I like to joke how it’s effective birth control. As it turns out, that’s not even true but fortunately I know how to say “no thanks.”
I don’t give a rip about image while I’m driving up. I care more about what people think when I’m driving away. Hopefully it’s that I’m a good sailor or musician or friend.
A “real man” has a vehicle that can handle his activities. Minivans work great for me. I’m on my 3rd, since I keep them to at least 150K miles. Hoping thus one makes it to 175. I like having only one car payment at a time between the two of us!
4WD is better in deep snow but offers no advantage on icy or wet roads. The assumption that 4WD is good on slick roads causes a lot of accidents. Antilock braking is way more important.