Hey I'm not arguing that for such a popular "family" vehicle they need to re-think their setup. Not arguing that at all.
But I couldn't afford an Odyssey or Sienna. We were about to declare bankruptcy and needed a vehicle that would be safe for our 3 kids and have enough room for cargo, etc. We were seriously limited on financing and any other options, and had finally found a dealership that could work with us, so we were working with the inventory they had.
And we need it to last for a long time, which is why we didn't think that getting another van that might be more popular or more car seat friendly but would be MUCH older and have tons more mileage, was a good idea.
So depending on the situation, yes I think the Dodge/Chrysler vans can absolutely be a good option. I don't feel like I'm "making it work" at all, it's actually a very convenient setup. You wanna talk about making it work, I can moan and complain all freaking day about how annoying my CR-V is.
I can easily have two extended rear facers in the captains chairs, and have the small portion of the 3rd row bench stowed so that my oldest can get in the back to her Frontier (very easily I might add), and I have also stowed all the seats in order to haul things before. It works GREAT for my family. DH had a vasectomy, and there will never be a baby #4, so I am not worried in the slightest at the few limitations it does have. And the OP is not someone who is going to be moving her 4 year old to a LBB in the 3rd row as soon as the garage sale AOE 3 in 1 is outgrown, so I think it would be totally fine for her situation as well