Though SUVs are popular, some drivers still need the ultimately family vehicle: a minivan. With upgraded features and improved fuel economy, today’s minivans are hard to overlook. Here are the best minivans on the market:
2017 Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna certainly deserves to be mentioned among the best minivans on the market. With a starting price of $29,750, it is priced just right for most families. However, keep in mind that the Sienna does have a higher MSRP than rivals such as the Nissan Quest and the Kia Sedona. Sharp exterior styling remains one of the Sienna’s key highlights. Featuring a stylish set of 19-inch wheels and under-body spoilers, the Sienna SE looks especially sporty.
This year, a more potent V6 engine sits under the hood. It pushes out a muscular 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. When you press down on the accelerator, the new Sienna feels remarkably strong. It is also quite efficient. According to the EPA, you can anticipate getting 19 mpg in urban areas and 27 mpg on the highway. In contrast to every other minivan of this list, the Sienna can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
Toyota’s impressive Entune infotainment system, a backup camera, and a tri-zone climate control system all come standard. Featuring an ultra-wide screen, the optional rear-seat entertainment system will be a favorite among kids. When equipped with blind-spot monitoring and pre-collision braking, the Sienna gives drivers an extra peace of mind.
2017 Honda Odyssey
Drivers appreciate the Honda Odyssey’s excellent history of reliability and extensive list of family-friendly features. You can also take advantage of the Odyssey’s high level of passenger comfort. Prices start at a reasonable $30,500.
Powering the Odyssey is a durable V6 engine, which produces 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. On the road, the Odyssey has enough pep to satisfy most drivers. Fuel economy stands at an economical 19 mpg in town and 27 mpg on the open road. All versions of the Odyssey feature front-wheel drive, which makes it less formidable in snowy weather than the Toyota Sienna.
The Honda Odyssey is perfect for hauling your family around on an everyday basis. Supportive seats and generous interior room enable your passengers to truly relax. When extra cargo space is needed, the third-row seat folds flat at the simple pull of a lever. Bluetooth technology and an 8.0-inch infotainment display come standard. An available HondaVac enables you to quickly clean up food crumbs. Several advanced safety innovations are offered, including forward collision monitoring and blind-pot monitoring.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
This is currently the only hybrid-powered minivan on the market. This should intrigue the drivers who consider fuel economy to be a top priority. Car shoppers are also being lured by the Pacific Hybrid’s sleek design. While prices start at $43,000, the government gives hybrid buyers a $7,500 tax incentive.
The combination of twin electric motors and a V6 engine enables the Pacifica Hybrid to develop a competitive 260 horsepower. In real-world driving conditions, it feels nearly just as strong as the regular Chrysler Pacifica. Of course, class-leading fuel efficiency is this minivan’s most attractive feature. Drivers can look forward to getting a combined 32 mpg. There is also an all-electric driving mode, which allows you to travel up to 33 miles without burning any gas.
Everyone in your family will like the Pacifica Hybrid’s luxurious interior. The minivan’s well-insulated cabin virtually eliminates road noise. Blind-spot monitoring comes standard, which will help you to dodge oncoming vehicles in the next lane. Meanwhile, an available surround-view camera further simplifies the task of parking. With the ability to play movies and video games, the Uconnect Theater system seeks to prevent boredom on long road trips.
2017 Kia Sedona
Priced at around $27,500, the Kia Sedona is a smooth-riding minivan that brings a lot of value to the table. Its overall performance and level of comfort are outstanding. Furthermore, no other minivan offers a longer powertrain warranty.
The Kia Sedona’s 276-horsepower engine delivers a stout performance. Test drivers rave about how responsive the Sedona feels on the street. Its six-speed automatic transmission enables you to accelerate quickly when necessary. While the Sedona is impressive, it isn’t quite as efficient as the competition. Drivers can expect to get 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Although the Sedona is less spacious than minivans like as the Honda Odyssey, it is still roomy enough for most families. Standard stain-resistant upholstery makes it a great choice for small children. Drivers will certainly appreciate the interior’s easy-to-use features. While the standard touchscreen is rather small, a larger 8.0-inch screen is found on the higher trim levels. A premium sound system is available as well. The available safety innovations include smart cruise control, forward collision detection, and lane departure warning.
2017 Dodge Caravan
If you are on a tight budget, the 2017 Dodge Caravan will save you some additional cash. A starting MSRP of less than $26,000 makes it the most affordable minivan on the market. Luckily, it does not suffer from a lack of quality.
All Caravan models are motivated by a beefy V6 engine, which produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Whether you are traveling in a mountainous area or speeding down the highway, you will always have plenty of power on hand. In terms of fuel economy, the Caravan will return 17 mpg in town and 25 mpg on the interstate.
To help the Caravan to remain competitive, Dodge loaded it with several popular features. Even the inexpensive base model comes equipped with a backup camera, remote keyless entry, and hidden storage bins. Dodge’s well-designed Uconnect interface and a DVD entertainment package are optional. While the Caravan does offer blind-spot detection, you won’t be able to get advanced driving aids like forward collision warning or adaptive cruise control.