A good minivan will accommodate the essentials, such as sporting goods, hardware supplies, and groceries. It will also be capable of transporting your camping equipment. If you buy a Pacifica, Grand Caravan, Odyssey, Quest, or Sienna, you’ll have ample space for cargo. However, before you make a decision, there are a few things that you must consider.
Key Considerations
In terms of overall storage, there are four features that every minivan should have. Though, if a minivan only has one of these features, it’s still a winner.
In-Floor Storage
An in-floor storage compartment is great for groceries. While the door is shut, it blocks direct sunlight, so everything stays cool in storage. You can also store a bundle of toys in this compartment. The Honda Odyssey and the Dodge Grand Caravan have this storage solution.
Fold-Flat Seats
Many minivans have 60/40-split folding seats in the third row. When these seats are collapsed, there is much more space for cargo. If you buy a Chevrolet Uplander, a Mazda 5, or a Buick Terraza, you’ll get a version of this feature. These vehicles have a single-piece setup in the third row that folds flat. If you prefer 60/40-split folding seats, you’ll need to buy a Honda Odyssey, a Dodge Grand Caravan, or a Kia Sedona.
Reconfigurable Seats
In some situations, you may need help arranging cargo inside of a minivan. If a minivan has reconfigurable seats, you could easily make more room for cargo or passengers. The Honda Odyssey has this particular feature; you can remove the center seat out of this minivan to maximize space. A Toyota Sienna has reconfigurable seats, too. In a Sienna, the second-row seats are fully adjustable. If you’re a Mazda fan, the MPV has fully adjustable seats as well.
Power Liftgate
A power liftgate is a convenient element for grocery shopping. If a minivan has one, storage will always be a breeze. Instead of opening a door the traditional way, you can lift it by pressing a button on a remote or by slightly pulling a handle. You’ll get a power liftgate if you buy a Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, or Dodge Grand Caravan.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica has upscale materials in its cabin, and it’s very quiet on the road. It has many impressive storage solutions, too. One of the highlights is the Stow ‘n Go system.
This Chrysler Pacifica’s cargo bay is 32.3 cubic feet. The layout is quite reasonable for a minivan; however, it’s slightly smaller than most layouts.
The Pacifica’s biggest selling point is its Stow ‘n Go system because it’s easy to use. Unlike other minivans, you don’t have to detach the second-row seats in order to create more space for cargo in the cabin.
Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go system also has storage compartments; they’re found underneath the floor. You can buy liners for these compartments. With a proper liner, you could transform one of the compartments into a cooler if you fill the compartment with ice.
Beyond the compartments, this edition of the Pacifica has even more useful storage solutions. It has bottle holders, cup holders, storage cubbies, and pockets for maps.
Minivans With Great Cargo Space
The top brands have respectable layouts for their minivans. The following vehicles are spacious and affordable.
2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan has traditional features like most minivans. It also has many wonderful storage solutions for family road trips.
In the storage department, this particular minivan has less overall cargo space than other minivans. The Grand Caravan’s selling point is its Stow ‘n Go storage system because it creates additional space in the third row. Chrysler has an optional setup for this system. If you shop around, you may find a used Grand Caravan that has a Stow ‘n Go system in the third and second row.
The Grand Caravan and the Pacifica have cargo bins underneath the floor. The Grand Caravan also has pockets and cubbies like the Pacifica.
2018 Honda Odyssey
A Honda Odyssey is an upscale minivan. It has comfortable seats, a useful infotainment system, and a spacious cabin.
The cabin layout is quite practical. However, some zones have more space than others. For example, there is more space behind the first and third row and less space in the second row. You can collapse the seats in the third row to create more space. The second-row seats don’t fold flat; however, you can remove them.
2016 Nissan Quest
The Nissan Quest has a stylish cabin, good storage options, and top-of-the-line features. With this minivan, you’ll get 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space. If you consider the dimensions in the cabin, the Quest’s passenger volume surpasses 175 cubic feet.
All trims can accommodate up to seven passengers, and they have folding seats and convenient compartments for cargo.
2017 Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a modern minivan for daily commutes. A base-level Sienna has a basic layout, and the higher trims have better features like leather accents.
If you pit the Sienna against other vehicles in its class, the Sienna’s cargo space will impress you. In terms of the layout, there is 150 cubic feet behind the first row, 87.1 in the second row, and 39.1 in the third row.
Great Minivans for Camping
A minivan for camping needs plenty of cargo space and other essential features. These minivans are great for a trip in the great outdoors.
A Used Toyota Sienna
Toyota makes reliable minivans, so you’ll have peace of mind while you’re exploring the great outdoors in any used Sienna. The Sienna is built for camping because it’s durable and powerful. Anyone can transport hefty equipment to a campsite with this minivan.
The Highlights
It’s easy to remove the seats without tools, so you’ll have no problems setting up a bed in the cabin. The seat brackets will never interfere with your bed because you can remove them, too.
A Used Mazda 5
If you’re not going to go camping with many people, you’ll need a small minivan like the Mazda 5. It’s shorter than a typical minivan; however, it has enough cargo space for a solo camper.
The Highlights
Although the Mazda 5 is a minivan, it operates like a sedan. Thanks to its size, you can park it in many spots in the great outdoors.
The Mazda 5 can tow a small trailer. If you need additional space for cargo, you could make a trailer your second headquarters.
If you’re looking for a minivan that has a lot of cargo space and functionality, then the models discussed above are some of the best and most affordable options. Determine what features are the most important to you and choose a model based on what you plan to do with your minivan. Before you know it, you will be transporting your cargo with ease and style.
