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Buying Guide

How to Find the Best Minivan

There isn’t a better vehicle than a minivan for transporting lots of people and/or stuff. They provide the most spacious, versatile, and cost-effective solution for families on the go. Since many shoppers have gravitated toward SUVs in recent years, this buying guide will include three-row SUVs as popular alternatives.

2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid going through the accident avoidance test at CR's Auto Test Center

Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

Top Minivans Questions

What Are the Best New Minivans?

  • Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Honda, Toyota, and Lexus logos on background of tinted green overhead view of highway overpasses

    Which Brands Make the Best Cars and SUVs?

    Consumer Reports rated cars from 31 brands on reliability, owner satisfaction, safety, and road-test scores. Here’s how the manufacturers rank, based on their vehicles’ Overall Scores. See the full chart.

    Photo Illustration: Consumer Reports, Getty Images, Manufacturers
  • photo illustration of Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS, and BMW 2 Series with graphic horizontal lines and desert landscape in background

    Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars and SUVs?

    Once the warranty period expires, an unreliable vehicle begins to cost owners both time and money. That’s why Consumer Reports recommends that buyers start their car-buying journey by looking at dependable brands See how the brands rank for reliability.


    Photo Illustration: Consumer Reports, Getty Images, Manufacturers
  • Cars with scores

    Safest Car Brands Ranked by Consumer Reports' Safety Verdict

    Consumer Reports’ new safety verdict is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand score that helps you identify which new cars do the best job of preventing a crash or protecting you if one occurs, and which cars lag behind. See the safest brands.

    Photo Illustration: Consumer Reports, Getty Images

What Minivans and SUVS Have the Most Space?

  • person in beige shirt and hat loading rolling suitcase

    Cargo Room for SUVs and Minivans as Measured by Consumer Reports

    Our auto engineers calculated the space behind the raised third-row seat and the overall cargo room for each model. See the ones with the most cargo room.

    Photo: Getty Images
  • The cargo area of a Chevrolet Suburban

    Best Large SUVs for Maximum Cargo Capacity

    These mainstream and luxury models have the most usable storage room, according to CR's tests. See the roomy SUVs.

    Photo: Chevrolet
  • interior of 2024 Kia EV9 showing three rows of seating with grey fabric

    Minivans and SUVs With the Best Third-Row Seats

    These models offer comfort and access for seven passengers or more. See models with the roomiest third rows.

    Photo: Kia

What Are The Best Minivans for Child Seats?

  • A side view shows three children secured in car seats arranged side-by-side across a vehicle'a back bench seat. In the foreground, an infant lies in a rear-facing car seat, while a young boy sits in a forward-facing car seat in the middle. On the far side, a young girl is secured in a rear-facing car seat.

    The Best Cars for Fitting 3 Child Car Seats Across the Second Row?

    Here’s what to look for in a car that fits three kids across the back seat, and the CR Recommended vehicles with features that make it easier. See the best cars, minivans, and SUVs.

    Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
  • Chicco OneFit LX All-in-One Car Seat, Graco TrioGrow SnugLock 3-in-1 Car Seat, Joie Saffron SI

    Best All-in-One Car Seats

    An all-in-one car seat can take you from birth to booster-age. Here are our expert-recommended picks.

    Photos: Consumer Reports, Graco
  • Nuna Revv convertible car seat, Chicco Fit360, and Britax Poplar

    Best Convertible Car Seats

    These top convertible car seats provide the best combination of safety and ease of installation. See the best convertible seats.

    Photos: Consumer Reports, Manufacturers

Video: Reliability Survey

The podcast panel discusses the best and worst in car reliability, owner satisfaction, and road tests.

Should I Buy a Minivan or 3-Row SUV?

  • white 2026 Toyota Sienna 3/4 facing left

    Minivans

    PRICE RANGE $37,000 to $53,000
    pros & cons
    • Minivans are a wise choice for anyone who needs abundant space. They have a comfortable, composed ride and a quieter interior than most SUVs.
    • Seating flexibility means you can carry people and/or cargo in different configurations.
    • Fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive are available.
    • Gas-only V6 models get just 20-21 mpg.
  • red 2026 Honda Pilot 3/4 facing left

    Midsized/Large SUVs

    PRICE RANGE $34,000 to $80,000
    pros & cons
    • Midsized models have the best balance of power and interior space, with two-row versions easily carrying five people and their luggage. Some can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Consider a large SUV if you tow heavy loads or often carry eight people and their bags.
    • The third-row seats in midsized SUVs are mostly suitable for children, and when the seats are raised there’s scant cargo room behind them. Only a few nonhybrid versions get more than 24 mpg overall. Large SUVs can be pricey. They also have awkward handling and poor fuel efficiency, and can be tricky to drive and park, particularly in cities.
  • white 2026 Lexus TX 3/4 facing left

    Luxury Midsized/Large SUVs

    PRICE RANGE $48,000 to $85,000+
    pros & cons
    • Automakers don’t cut many corners with these models. They feature the highest-quality materials throughout the cabin. Both their front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat room is generous, and the largest SUVs can even accommodate adults in the third-row seat. Buyers will find numerous hybrids and PHEVs among the midsized options.
    • Prices quickly climb, with some models easily exceeding $100,000. Automakers often introduce their newest, most convoluted controls and infotainment systems in these vehicles.

What Are the Latest Deals on Minivans & 3-Row SUVs?

  • Woman smiling driving on a sunny day

    Best New-Car Deals

    Save money on models recommended by Consumer Reports. See the best new-car deals.

    Photo: Getty Images
  • 2026.5 Nissan Rogue Dark Armor, front in a tunnel

    Best Deals on SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

    Consumer Reports has combed through national deals to find the best ones on good, safe, and reliable models. See the latest SUV deals.

    Photo: Nissan
  • 2025 Honda Odyssey driving, rear

    Most-Discounted New Cars Right Now

    These models are selling below their sticker price, according to CR's exclusive analysis of car deals.

    Photo: Honda

How Do I Maintain or Insure a Minivan or 3-Row SUV?

  • 2024 Toyota Sienna driving

    Best Car & SUV Tires of the Year

    Consumer Reports' experts spotlight the best car tires in every category, including all-season and winter/snow. See the best tires.

    Photo: Toyota
  • Car battery in engine compartment

    Best Car Batteries

    Consumer Reports charges and discharges car batteries from popular brands to find out how long they’ll last. See the best car batteries of the year.

    Photo: Getty Images
  • Illustration of an Orange sedan driving through stormy weather with rain, wind, and deer nearby.

    Best Car Insurance Companies

    The top-rated car insurance companies based on a survey of over 40,000 policyholders about coverage, price, and other vital factors. See the best car insurance companies.

    Illustration: Federico Gastaldi