March 2007
What to look for in a minivan
With roomy interiors and flexible seating, minivans are some of the most versatile vehicles for carrying passengers and cargo.
Most models today share the same basic shape, and configuration, with three rows of seats and sliding doors on each side.
Models built by Chrysler and GM are available in different lengths: regular and extended versions. (See our complete test results and Ratings for reliability, owner satisfaction, safety, and more, available to subscribers.)
Why buy a minivan? The main appeal of minivans is their ability to carry various combinations of people and cargo. They can be configured for a range of needs, from spartan, functionally oriented interiors to luxurious cabins with leather seating, dual-zone climate control, and rear DVD entertainment systems. This versatility makes minivans popular with a wide range of buyers, from families to workmen.
Access and roominess. Minivans offer a lot of interior room with typically plenty of head room and leg room. Most have wide front doors. They typically have sliding doors on both sides for easier entry and exit. In many models, you can open one or both rear-sliding doors with a button on the key fob or an interior switch. This is particularly useful for people carrying packages or small children to the vehicle. Some models offer power-operated rear doors as well.
Seating. All minivan models offer seating for seven or eight people, depending on the seating configuration. A seven-passenger model has captain’s chairs rather than a bench seat in the second row. These are more comfortable than a bench, help separate kids, and allow for easy passage to the third row. The Honda Odyssey has a small removable center seat in the second row, which gives the vehicle the flexibility to carry seven or eight people. Look for models that have a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt in all seating positions.
Engines and transmissions. Minivans typically come with a six-cylinder engine, which provides a good balance between power and fuel economy. Look for an engine that operates smoothly and quietly. While idling, there should be minimal noise or vibration. Even under hard acceleration, the engine should never be intrusive. Minivans are only available with an automatic transmission.
Front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive? Minivans use front-wheel drive, which is more space efficient and provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in slippery conditions. Only the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari use rear-wheel drive, which is better for towing. All-wheel drive (AWD), available in a few models, provides significantly better traction in slippery conditions. Traction control, available on many models, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive. For more information about drive systems see our traction-debate report.
Fuel economy. Even within the same categories, the fuel-economy of different models can vary significantly. (See our comparison of real-world fuel-economy results for all tested models, available to subscribers.)
Cargo space. The versatile seating configurations of a minivan mean that all of the space behind the front seats can be used as cargo space if needed. This is done with second- and third-row seats that are either removable or, preferably, fold down into the floor. The most convenient type of third-row seat is one with a split design, so that one section can be folded down while allowing someone to sit in the other section. When comparing models, try removing and folding the various seats to see which designs are easier to lower, raise, and/or remove. (See our cargo capacity chart to compare the cargo area of different models, available to subscribers.) Minivans also typically have wide rear openings and lower floors than SUVs, which make loading easier. They usually have maximum weight loads of 1,100 pounds or more, which is more than most SUVs.
Towing. A typical minivan can tow 3,000 pounds or more, which is roughly the weight of a large (5x10-foot) moving trailer loaded to capacity. This is more than what a typical sedan can tow, but less than most SUVs can tow.
Safety features. All new minivans have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats. Most models offer side air bags, antilock brakes, and head-protection bags, typically a side-curtain design that protects people in both the front and second-row seats. Other safety features to look for include electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, tire pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights. See our Guide to safety features. Rear back-up alert systems, which warn the driver with an audible signal and visual graphic when the rear bumper is near a solid object, such as a parked car or a signpost, are becoming more common on minivans. These systems are marketed as parking aids and in testing CR has found they work well for this. But they aren’t reliable enough for use as backup safety systems that can detect a small child behind the vehicle. (See our report on vehicle blind spots, to compare the blind spot measurements for all tested models.)
Why buy a minivan? The main appeal of minivans is their ability to carry various combinations of people and cargo. They can be configured for a range of needs, from spartan, functionally oriented interiors to luxurious cabins with leather seating, dual-zone climate control, and rear DVD entertainment systems. This versatility makes minivans popular with a wide range of buyers, from families to workmen.
Access and roominess. Minivans offer a lot of interior room with typically plenty of head room and leg room. Most have wide front doors. They typically have sliding doors on both sides for easier entry and exit. In many models, you can open one or both rear-sliding doors with a button on the key fob or an interior switch. This is particularly useful for people carrying packages or small children to the vehicle. Some models offer power-operated rear doors as well.
Seating. All minivan models offer seating for seven or eight people, depending on the seating configuration. A seven-passenger model has captain’s chairs rather than a bench seat in the second row. These are more comfortable than a bench, help separate kids, and allow for easy passage to the third row. The Honda Odyssey has a small removable center seat in the second row, which gives the vehicle the flexibility to carry seven or eight people. Look for models that have a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt in all seating positions.
Engines and transmissions. Minivans typically come with a six-cylinder engine, which provides a good balance between power and fuel economy. Look for an engine that operates smoothly and quietly. While idling, there should be minimal noise or vibration. Even under hard acceleration, the engine should never be intrusive. Minivans are only available with an automatic transmission.
Front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive? Minivans use front-wheel drive, which is more space efficient and provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in slippery conditions. Only the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari use rear-wheel drive, which is better for towing. All-wheel drive (AWD), available in a few models, provides significantly better traction in slippery conditions. Traction control, available on many models, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive. For more information about drive systems see our traction-debate report.
Fuel economy. Even within the same categories, the fuel-economy of different models can vary significantly. (See our comparison of real-world fuel-economy results for all tested models, available to subscribers.)
Cargo space. The versatile seating configurations of a minivan mean that all of the space behind the front seats can be used as cargo space if needed. This is done with second- and third-row seats that are either removable or, preferably, fold down into the floor. The most convenient type of third-row seat is one with a split design, so that one section can be folded down while allowing someone to sit in the other section. When comparing models, try removing and folding the various seats to see which designs are easier to lower, raise, and/or remove. (See our cargo capacity chart to compare the cargo area of different models, available to subscribers.) Minivans also typically have wide rear openings and lower floors than SUVs, which make loading easier. They usually have maximum weight loads of 1,100 pounds or more, which is more than most SUVs.
Towing. A typical minivan can tow 3,000 pounds or more, which is roughly the weight of a large (5x10-foot) moving trailer loaded to capacity. This is more than what a typical sedan can tow, but less than most SUVs can tow.
Safety features. All new minivans have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats. Most models offer side air bags, antilock brakes, and head-protection bags, typically a side-curtain design that protects people in both the front and second-row seats. Other safety features to look for include electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, tire pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights. See our Guide to safety features. Rear back-up alert systems, which warn the driver with an audible signal and visual graphic when the rear bumper is near a solid object, such as a parked car or a signpost, are becoming more common on minivans. These systems are marketed as parking aids and in testing CR has found they work well for this. But they aren’t reliable enough for use as backup safety systems that can detect a small child behind the vehicle. (See our report on vehicle blind spots, to compare the blind spot measurements for all tested models.)
