Although minivans are not the perfect example of glamorous vehicles, they have come a long way from what they were once. It is unfortunate that many people still associate minivans with soccer mum and school runs, hence considering them as uncool, but the reality is way different than that. Minivans are no longer boxes on wheels that consume tremendous gas and has a penchant for breaking down, instead, they are sexier, sleeker, and comes with premium features that make them a head turner. One of the most striking qualities of minivans is its spacious interiors. No other type of vehicle is able to carry as many people or as much cargo as the minivan. Plus, it consumes less fuel as compared to full-size SUVs.
If you are thinking about purchasing a minivan, the list below can guide you towards arriving at the right choice;
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Honda Odyssey:
Although it may not come first when it comes to sales, it is a benchmark by which other minivans are judged. The Honda Odyssey comes packed with technology to keep your little ones entertained and to even clean up their mess. It also comes with features that help to keep them safe. The interior is versatile and spacious and has innovative features such as purse holder, in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, and cold beverage storage spot. It also consumes less fuel as compared to some of its competitors by shutting down some of its cylinders when it is idle or when it is on highway cruising. The only downside to the Honda Odyssey is its high price.
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Toyota Sienna:
The Toyota Sienna is similarly priced to the Odyssey and it is a wonderful choice for families who don’t mind spending more to ensure they enjoy the reliability and high resale value. This van is reliable and sensible but the downside lies in its design, which is aging, although the design still appears to look new. The available engine option with the Toyota Sienna is the 3.5-liter V6, which generates 296hp and 263 pound-feet of twisting power and can shift through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes with some wonderful features such as Wi-Fi connectivity for up to 5 devices, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.
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KIA Sedona:
The KIA Sedona offers the best bang for your buck in the van segment. it comes at a cheaper rate compared to its Honda and Toyota competitors and offers amazing 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. When it comes to design, the KIA Sedona looks more like an SUV than a van. Its front end and unique hood line waters its van-like profile. It has a properly laid interior with a reclining second-row captain chair for a feeling of luxury.
The only available powertrain is a 3.3liter V6 engine, which generates 276 hp and 248 pounds to the front wheels. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission which replaces the old six-speed automatic of the previous year.
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Dodge Caravan:
The Dodge Caravan is one of the top sellers in the category of minivans, this is thanks to its combination of versatile seating and value. Each Caravan comes with a Stow n Go third-row seat which can disappear into the floor when there is a need for extra space. But if you wish for the second row of seat to perform similar magic, you would have to move up a bit in price. The downside to this minivan is the noise the engine makes when it is pushed.
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Nissan NV 3500 SL:
The Nissan NV 3500 HD may not exactly qualify as a minivan but it is worthy of consideration for big families who need a lot of space. It is built with a big V8 engine which is apt for towing weight of up to 8,700 pounds and has an excellent five year/100,000 mile warranty. All the rows behind the front can be removed while the fourth-row seat can be split 50/50. It has a very flexible interior. For people with large families, the NV 3500 is a good option as it is more versatile than the majority of the other options. It is reasonably safe as it comes with roof-mounted airbag and rollover sensors for side-impact, and rollover head protection for all onboard passengers.
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Chrysler Pacifica:
The Chrysler Pacifica is regarded as one of the most handsome models of minivans. The Pacifica comes with a high quality feel on the inside. The quality of the material used for higher trim models is a lot higher than what is obtainable in most mainstream vehicles. The Pacifica also comes with clever features such as the Stow N’ Go folding seat system that allows the seat to disappear into the floor thereby creating a huge cargo space. There is also a built-in vacuum cleaner and a Wi-Fi connection for up to eight devices.
