Minivans — once a relatively rare vehicle style — are now relatively ubiquitous, having become the quintessential suburban chariot of the American family. Their cargo space, ample seating, reputation for safety, and comfort-forward features make them the perfect catch-all car type for families with children ranging in age from toddler to teen.
Since minivans debuted in the 1980s, their popularity has varied, peaking in the early aughts. 1.3 million minivans were sold in 2000 alone, representing 7% of total vehicle sales that year. Since then, the ubiquity of the minivan has waned, but it's still a safe, practical, and relatively affordable choice for many modern families.
Interestingly, the number of available minivan models in the modern day is in the single digits, and just two models — the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey — make up more than half of the minivan market by sales.
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What is a minivan, exactly?
In simple terms, a minivan is a medium to large-sized passenger-oriented vehicle that resembles a small van but is built more like a car. Most minivans have the following features in common:
- Sedan-like frame: While they are more spacious than sedans, and their seats give them a similarly high vantage point to an SUV, most minivans are built on sedan-like frames, resulting in easier handling and better gas mileage than most mid-sized SUVs.
- Three rows of seating: Most minivans have three rows of seating for a total of seven or eight seats overall. The most common seat layout is 2-2-3, with a driver and passenger seat in the front row, two large bucket seats in the middle row, and a three-seat bench in the back row.
- Spacious interior: Minivans are designed to transport families and their gear, so they tend to have spacious interiors and hatchback trunks with plenty of room for cargo.
- Sliding doors: Most minivans have sliding doors on one or both sides. In modern minivans, these can usually be operated by a button or key fob.
- Family-friendly features: Minivans tend to come with various family-oriented features, including built-in vacuums for messes, passenger-view mirrors for parents, multiple-zone climate controls, and seatback entertainment systems for kids.
The 5 available minivan models in 2024
As of 2024, there are only five minivan models in production. These are their specifications:
Chrysler Pacifica
- Engine type: Gas
- Seats: 7
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
- 2024 MSRP: $39,645+
- Gas mileage: 22 combined (FWD), 20 combined (AWD)
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Engine type: Plug-in hybrid
- Seats: 7
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- 2024 MSRP: $52,495
- Gas mileage: 30 combined (gas only), 82 combined (electric + gas)
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Honda Odyssey
- Engine type: Gas
- Seats: 8
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- 2024 MSRP: $38,240+
- Gas mileage: 22 combined
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
Kia Carnival
- Engine type: Gas (hybrid available 2025)
- Seats: 7–8
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- 2024 MSRP: $33,600+
- Gas mileage: 22 combined
- Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles, 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain
Toyota Sienna
- Engine type: Gas-electric hybrid
- Seats: 7–8
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
- 2024 MSRP: $37,685+
- Gas mileage: 35 combined (AWD), 36 combined (2WD)
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
More on vehicles:
- Best new cars and SUVs under $30k according to Consumer Reports
- The longest-lasting car models (200k+ miles) according to Consumer Reports
- Hybrid cars with the best fuel economy according to Consumer Reports
Minivan models ranked according to Consumer Reports, Edmunds, & Car and Driver
| Rank | Consumer Reports | Edmunds | Car and Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
Kia Carnival |
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid |
Toyota Sienna |
#2 |
Toyota Sienna |
Honda Odyssey |
Kia Carnival |
#3 |
Honda Odyssey |
Toyota Sienna |
Honda Odyssey |
#4 |
Chrysler Pacifica |
Kia Carnival |
Chrysler Pacifica |
#5 |
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid |
Chrysler Pacifica |
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid |
What’s the best minivan available in 2024?
Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Car and Driver — three of the most trusted names in the automotive review industry — each rank the five available minivans differently. It is worth noting, however, that the Toyota Sienna and the Kia Carnival made the top two in two out of three of these ranked lists.
Overall, the Toyota Sienna was the best-ranked vehicle across all three sources. Its hybrid engine, excellent gas mileage, AWD capability, and powertrain warranty make it an excellent choice for any family seeking a safe, reliable, and long-lasting minivan.
At a starting MSRP of $37,685, it’s notably cheaper than the only other hybrid minivan (the Chrysler Pacifica at $52,495). That being said, the Kia Carnival will also be offered as a hybrid in starting in 2025, but the starting price will be higher at $40,500, and the gas mileage still comes in a couple of points below the Sienna at 33 combined.
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