Honda Odyssey Vs. Chevrolet Tahoe Vs. Infiniti QX60

Apparently family values matter. Conservative politicians tap-dance around these issues, pundits prognosticate about their demise and segments of the driving population make them a central issue when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle. Not surprisingly they play a starring role in this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

Nadine is a 37-year-old mother of three. She’s in the market for a family-friendly vehicle that can endure the abuse handed out by her growing brood of little ones.

Ruggedness, power and space are important, but so is seating capacity. How do you efficiently transport a whole mess of kiddies? While simple and extremely cost effective dragging them along in a trawler net isn’t feasible; they need to be properly restrained in a manner that won’t cause them harm (read: rope burn).

She mentioned an interest in the Honda Odyssey miniature van along with its integrated vacuum cleaner. This means she’s not intimidated by a high price tag, because one of these puppies with a suction device is north of 45 grand. Aside from this family-focused option, what are some other alternatives? Well, she’s come to the right place because we’ve got a whole mess of suggestions. And by that we mean two other possibilities that might serve her. Please continue…

Fortunately this highfalutin’ Honda is equipped with everything except the kitchen sink (maybe that’s next). You want tri-zone automatic climate control with air filtration? You got it. How about navigation, blind-spot monitoring, Bluetooth and push-button start? All that jazz is included, too. You even get a 10-way adjustable power driver’s chair, electric windows, locks and mirrors, integrated third-row sunshades, leather trimmings and much more. For an additional $375 a breast-pump attachment is available for the aptly named HondaVAC (actually, we made that up).

When it comes to safety your most precious possessions will be well protected. The Oddity is safer than the confines of a padded bomb shelter 100 feet below ground level. It’s got forward collision warning, a new-fangled lane-departure buzzer, three-row side-curtain air bags, active head restraints and more. Tally everything up and the results are impressive: Honda’s van earned Top Safety Pick Plus status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Under their truncated bonnets all Odysseys are propelled by a VTEC-infused 3.5-liter V6. The engine delivers 248 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, a little bit less oomph than what’s provided by similarly sized powerplants from other manufacturers. Fortunately it’s a smoothie as bent-sixes go and pretty efficient.

The EPA rates Honda’s Odyssey at 19 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway. Combined it clocks in at 22. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board and certainly helps the van achieve those thrifty figures.

On the other hand, full-Size SUVs provide essentially the same cargo and seating capacity but in a far more rugged and stylish package. One of the freshest on the market today is the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

This handsome truck-based schlepper features a host of useful features and amenities, though it’s not cheap, even in its most basic form. But we know Nadine doesn’t want to suffer automotive hardship so we’re going to recommend the LS 4WD model to her.

Out the door this truck costs $48,595, including $995 for you know what. This may be the most affordable trim level but it’s still decently well-equipped.

Of course if price is a top concern you can always opt for a rear-wheel drive model. They’re significantly less expensive ($3,000 in fact), but what’s the point in that? Body-on-frame SUVs are all about capability, and they’re not very useful in bad weather or off road if only half the wheels are moving. This is why we recommend four-wheel drive, plus we don’t want Nadine to be a poseur.

The Tahoe LS rides on 18-inch wheels and comes equipped with things like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seats, a remote starter as well as power windows, door locks and mirrors. A six-speaker audio system is sure to delight your tympanic membranes, while Bluetooth connectivity, cross-traffic alert and a rearview camera further sweeten the deal.

When it comes to utility the Tahoe delivers. With the back seats folded flat there’s nearly 95 cubic feet of space in this rig. However, at 148.5 cubes the Odyssey offers way more room.

Power is provided by a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine. It delivers the goods, 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque to be precise. Obviously that’s FAR more than you get in the Honda. The old-school pushrod powerplant is bolstered with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, features that boost output and cut fuel consumption. It’s matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Inevitably extra power (and mass) comes at a price. The Tahoe is a good bit less efficient than the Odyssey, though it’s not the fuel-chugger you might expect. It stickers at 16 mpg city and 22 highway; combined it ought to stretch a gallon of fuel for 22 miles.

The Infiniti QX60 is a three-row luxury crossover that coddles passengers in leather-lined luxury. It’s pretty handsome, yet functional at the same time. Might this be the Goldilocks of the trio?

Without any extras it checks out at $44,395, including $995 in destination fees. That actually makes it cheaper than the Odyssey… for an Infiniti, a proper luxury vehicle. Either this thing has fewer features than a trash can or the Honda is grossly overpriced.

Plopping a big ol’ spoonful of frosting on this cake, the QX60 is equipped with all-wheel drive, which, while not mandatory, is always handy. It also comes standard with leather trimmings, an eight-way power driver’s seat, six-speaker audio system, Tri-zone climate control, a backup camera and more.

The QX60 AWD also has power, like, everywhere. The moonroof, liftgate, side-view mirrors and steering column are all electrically operated. But more important than its standard features is what’s available on the options list.

Drivers that want to fork over a ton of greenbacks can get all kinds of fancy doohickeys. Things like forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, a 15-speaker Bose sound system and radiant maple-wood trim are all available through options packages, just be prepared to spend a lot. The base all-wheel drive QX60 may be cheaper than a top-of-the-line Odyssey but it’s far from loaded.

Mechanically this prestigious-sounding luxury crossover is powered by a 3.5-liter V6. The engine delivers an effective 265 hp with 248 lb-ft of twist. Maximizing driver annoyance, output is routed through a continuously variable transmission.

At least this combination is efficient. Average fuel consumption should hit 21 mpg, a figure that’s derived from the QX60’s city score of 19 mpg and its highway performance of 25. Curiously it’s not as miserly as the Odyssey. Perhaps the van’s cylinder deactivation pays bigger dividends than expected; all-wheel drive doesn’t help matters, either.

With a budget of around $45,000 Nadine has almost limitless choice when it comes to a new family hauler. She can go the patriotic route and get the red, white and blue Chevy Tahoe. It’s rugged, spacious and powerful. With four-wheel drive and a burly V8 engine, it can tackle just anything Mother Nature has in mind. If she prefers something a little softer and more luxurious yet still reasonably capable, there’s the prestigious Infiniti QX60; it shouldn’t disappoint. Finally there’s the sensible choice, the Honda Odyssey. It’s the most efficient and best-equipped vehicle in this trio.

As always, good luck in your quest for a new family vehicle, Nadine, and thanks again for taking the time to Ask AutoGuide.

If you need a little assistance shopping for your next vehicle feel free to do the same. Send a short message to ask@AutoGuide.com. Let us know the basics of what you’re looking for. How many seats do you need? What size of vehicle do you want? How much are you willing to spend? With some of those fundamentals out of the way we’ll get busy to come up with two or three must-see vehicles that you’ll have to put on your test-drive list.