I own my own wedding cake business (It's just me, no employees) and I've used the same suv for seven years to delivery wedding cakes with. It's time for a new one but it also needs to double as my personal vehicle. Things that are a must are as smooth a ride as possible, tinted windows (I live in Florida), rear A/C and a back end that is completely flat. Any recommendations for a van or suv that meets all those specs?
Appreciate any and all feedback.
Thanks,
Roberta

I had my eye on a Ford Freestyle for a while. Ended up being too costly for me, but it has a lot of features.

Got an Escape. It's flat in back even when the seats are folded down. Ride is smooth, though I can't testify to delivering large cakes. No rear AC, but it might be an option.

DH has an Envoy which is a super-smooth ride, and reaf AC, BUT the back seats do not fold flat.

I've heard several people rave about the Chrysler minivans. The ones with all the secret compartments, just as a general family vehicle.

I so want a 2006 toyota sienna. I don't know if the 2005 is similar, but this is why I want it. Very, Very smooth travel. 2 sliding doors and a hatch back. A/C in back. Back seat collapse flat with floor. Sliding doors have windows that roll half way down. Front passenger seat can tell if a small child under 60 lbs is seating there and so it shuts off the air bag. Just amazing. I want, I want, I want.

Anyways - that would be my suggestion.

I recently bought a Pontiac Torrent. LOVE,LOVE ,LOVE IT!!!!
I has all the features that you mentioned. The rear air vents are under the front seats. Oh, the windows are not tinted very dark, though.
Very roomy, and the smoothest ride ever.

I have the toyota sienna, great for cakes. the back seats fold into the floor the back is then totally flat, what i love most is the remote contol that opens and closes the back door, so as im approaching i can get the back open or when im walking away i can close it with my hands full as long as i can push the remote control button. AC is great, windows are tinted, all in all perfect for cakes, hubby wanted me to get the ford freestyle but the back was not totally flat, so i said no.

Just bought myself a Pontiac Vibe same as the Toyota Matrix but with more features. The back seats lay completely flat thats why I chose it so I can make my deliveries and great on gas. Love it.

just bought a jeep commander. love love love it!!! my rear seats fold down completely, there's a seperate rear a/c and heating unit (perfect for right now that its cold so i can have heat up front and cool air in back for my cakes). the suv is also on the same platform as a car which means that the ride is smooth and the car is easy to handle especially when you're delivering cakes and have to worry about them slidin when you make a turn (not a problem with this car!) there's also an optional navigation system which i've found to be great when delivering cakes.

I have a Honda CR-V. I love it. The back is very roomy and completely flat. I have a 2004 model, which doesn't have rear A/C, but I believe the 2007 model does. The back seats fold up and go against the back of the front seats, which creates even more space. It's built on the same frame as an Accord, so it drives like a car. It rides very smooth, and the windows are tinted!!

Interesting post...I'm trading in a Camry and going back to BMW this year; had one for years (before my cake days though) and miss it!

I LOVE the idea of rear A/C separately--I'm tired of freezing my toes to keep the whole car cool.

And I'm such a car person that I'm having trouble looking at the SUV, even though it has "self-leveling" rear axles, which sounds good, in terms of cakes. I love the different ones you mention that have rear seats that fold completely flat, too; I'll have to do some homework...and try to be less of a car person?

I have always delivered in my trunk with no problems, but...it's seeming much less professional as I get busier...

.............

of course, the trunk of a shiny new 530xi probably won't offend too many customers