We pulled the trigger on a brand new fully loaded 2018 Metris back in December. Nearly 4 months and 6000 miles later, "Plasticvan" has proven to be much better than we imagined.

Of course it's a work van at heart. It's rough and loud on neighborhood roads. The rear seats are hard and don't adjust at all. It is not very attractive. We knew this before we bought it.

But, on the highway it is very smooth and quiet. Highway MPG is about 24-25. The heated front seats are very comfortable and supportive. You sit up very high and the windows are enormous, so you can see all around you very well.

When parked next to a Suburban, it is the same size, except the hood is much shorter. Despite its size, it is very nimble, and navigates parking lots with extreme ease. We've made u-turns (not K turns) in one shot on neighborhood streets. There is much more room inside, as the wife and kids can stand up and walk around as needed. The third row is a full sized seat, and we've fit 3 adults back there comfortably.

The best part, the family can't hurt it. We've packed it full of kids going to birthday parties. Next day, pick out the candy wrappers and fast food containers, wipe it clean, and it's back on duty. The dog vomited on the seat. Shrugged our shoulders, wiped it up, and carried on. The cup holders in front are large and have no seams, so when your drink spills it's not going to leave a sticky mess in the cracks forever. There's no moving parts inside, or cheap handles and levers to break. The front seats sit on metal boxes. The kids love it, and my wife actually prefers it to the MDX on almost every level. It's a wonder these things aren't everywhere by now.