See, there's all this talk about minivans being 'uncool' and 'soul destroying'. And then you're talking about something like a Durango being 'cool'. Really? A Durango is yet another people hauler, yet has compromises. Okay, so you can get it in all black, and with a V8. Okay. Still doesn't mean it's not a mommy-mobile.
The same thing goes for a large body-on-frame GM SUV. Unless you are regularly transporting 8 people AND towing a 6000lb trailer, driving a huge, gas-sucking, body-on-frame 3-row SUV is nothing but excess. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it, but it definitely isn't 'cool'. And no, an Escalade with its gobs of chrome and pretentiousness is the last thing from 'cool' in my mind.
You know what I think is cool? Having a vehicle that allows you to live life. To do the activities that you and your kids want to do. If you have 2 kids and can accomplish that in a sedan, then that's great. If you have 4-5 kids and tow a boat, then yeah, a big SUV is the ticket. Need a JEEP or a PowerWagon to get you and 4 buddies down a crazy fire-road to your favorite hunting spot? That's cool. You're a guy without children and want a Camaro 1LE to take to the track on weekends? Or even a dude with kids and weekend Camaro. Awesome. That's cool!
But attributing the term 'cool' and 'uncool' to something as material as a transportation device...that doesn't make any sense. I think the only vehicle that should have 'cool' attached to it is a hobby vehicle. Firm, your Camaro's and Firebird are 'cool', because they ARE the activity. Same goes for anybody with an S2000 or a Miata. Those are vehicles for which their intended purpose is fun. An all-black V8 Durango? Nah, that's just a minivan for men with small-penis syndrome.
Or people that simply don't like vans. I've never understood why people think it has something to do with penis size. My penis is a great size and I don't want a van. There's nothing wrong with a van but I'd prefer an SUV. Just like how red is nice but I prefer blue.
I have nothing wrong with those that choose vans, though. Totally understand it. Many of my friends have made the plunge. My answer is similar to Firm's.
My point is, a 3-row kid hauler like a Durango isn't necessarily any cooler than a minivan (swagger-wagon). If you choose a Durango over a minivan because of 'cool factor', or 'you wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan', then your ego is clearly dictating your vehicle purchasing decisions, and you're falling right into the marketing that the manufacturers are using to move these CUV's. Lock, Stock, barrel.
And how can you 'not like' minivans, but then like most SUV's? A CUV will drive almost identically to a minivan. I.E. like crap, especially if you're used to something like a 1LE or a Miata, or a 3-series. When you're shopping in the 3-row segment, you're beyond driving dynamics, and well into the comfort realm.
Oh, I'm sorry, your Unibody Nissan Pathfinder has 'AWD' and 2 extra inches of ground clearance than a Toyota Sienna. I guess that makes it a big, bad, bushwacking machine.