Car shopping is a complex process. There are so many factors to consider, and for some people, it’s the first big purchase they make on their own. With the myriad of information online these days, it can be tough to find the car that fits your needs best. The minivans listed below are some of the most reliable ones on the market today.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a mid-size, seven-passenger minivan with excellent reviews from those who have purchased and driven it. Its ergonomic and roomy interior can comfortably seat five adults and two children in car seats. The base model has a four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available as an option.
The Odyssey has some of the best crash test ratings in its class. It offers a good amount of options for tech-savvy drivers, including an available dual DVD player and entertainment system for backseat passengers, GPS navigation with real-time traffic updates, and Honda’s own LaneWatch blind-spot display on the right side mirror.
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is a full-size van with seating for 12 to 15 passengers, depending on the model. It’s great for moving groups or larger families around town or across the country since it has a high capacity of enclosed storage areas that are lockable and easily accessible from all main seating areas. It comes with a variety of engine and drivetrain options to suit drivers of all tastes.
It also has an excellent crash test rating, and it’s available in several different wheelbase lengths to accommodate cargo needs or passenger capacity requirements. The Transit comes with many options for customization and several other entertainment systems to keep passengers occupied.
Nissan Quest
The Nissan Quest is another mid-size, seven-passenger minivan that has been recently redesigned from front to back. It’s very reliable, and it has a good amount of power for a minivan. Its unique seat configuration options make it a favorite for family road trips.
The Quest has been redesigned from the ground up and builds on Nissan’s excellent reputation for reliability. It also gets above-average gas mileage, which is good news for consumers looking to save money while carting their loved ones around town. One of its best features is the rear entertainment system that’s available with a DVD player and wireless headphones for backseat passengers.
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a popular minivan that seats eight to 12, depending on the model. It’s got plenty of room inside, and its four-cylinder engine gets good mileage for an eight-seat van. Although it doesn’t offer the high-tech options that some of the other minivans on this list include, it makes up for this with its solid build quality and reliability. The Sienna does not come with all-wheel drive standard, but it can be purchased as an option.
The Toyota Sienna comes in many different trims to suit various needs and budgets. Its base price is well under its competitors’, making the Sienna a great value overall. This minivan has some of the best crash test ratings in its class, including rear passenger side impact. It’s also one of the safest minivans for children, including infants in forward-facing car seats.
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan, a larger minivan made by Chrysler, seats up to seven passengers, depending on the model. It’s another excellent way to move many friends or family members around conveniently and comfortably. The Grand Caravan is one of the roomiest vans available, with lots of trunk space and storage under its front hood. It’s a good option for those who plan to do a lot of hauling or need more cargo room.
The Grand Caravan can be equipped with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on which engine and transmission you choose. It also comes in several different trims, from base models up to luxury package levels. The Grand Caravan has a good crash test rating and is one of the safest minivans on the road today.
Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona is a minivan with seating for up to seven people. It comes standard with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the model chosen. It’s roomy inside and has quite a few interesting interior features like power-adjustable pedals for driver comfort and lumbar support. The Sedona gets decent crash-test ratings overall but isn’t quite as good as some of its competitors.
The Kia Sedona is an affordable minivan that offers the buyer many standard features for the money. It’s not entirely up to par with other minivans on this list, but it’s still quite good overall. Its high points are in power and interior comfort while its main drawback is in rear passenger legroom.
Chevrolet Venture
The Chevy Venture is a minivan with seating for up to six passengers. It’s one of the smaller minivans on the market but provides plenty of room inside. The base engine, front-wheel drivetrain, and manual transmission make it an excellent choice for fuel economy. A rear-wheel drivetrain is available on some higher trim levels, but it’s an added cost option.
It also comes with several optional features on most models. These include power windows and door locks, air conditioning systems, different entertainment systems for backseat passengers, and rear-seat DVD players. The Venture has received excellent crash-test results in its class and is one of the safest minivans available.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV minivan is another full-size minivan that seats up to six passengers. It has excellent crash test ratings, which are combined with its high reliability rating. There are two powertrain options for the MPV, including front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It has strong engine performance when equipped with a six-cylinder engine.
The Mazda MPV is very spacious inside, with more cargo room behind its third-row seat than most minivans have in total. This makes it one of the best options for those who carry lots of items or like to take long trips. The Mazda MPV is a comfortable and versatile vehicle, and it’s one of the safest minivans on the road today.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a mid-size luxury minivan with seating for seven to eight passengers. It has the sleek looks and smooth ride of a big SUV, but it can seat as many as four car seats across its second- and third-row seats.
It comes standard with Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go seating system that completely folds away into hidden compartments under the floor, so cargo space is always maximized. The Pacifica has an excellent crash test rating and offers a high level of safety features for the entire family to enjoy while traveling.
