The Rise and (Relative) Fall of the Minivan
Minivans, once a distinctive niche vehicle, have become a staple of suburban life. Their spacious interiors, multiple seating options, safety features, and comfort-focused designs make them ideal for families navigating the daily demands of raising children. From toddlers to teens, the minivan typically meets the needs of a modern family.
During the 1980s, minivans began their ascent, with popularity peaking in the early 2000s. In 2000 alone, 1.3 million minivans were sold, representing 7% of all vehicle sales that year. Although the minivan’s dominance has since waned, it remains a sensible, practical, and reasonably affordable choice for many families.
Interestingly, the number of minivan models available today is in the single digits. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey alone account for over half of all minivan sales.
What Exactly Is a Minivan?
To put it simply, a minivan is a passenger-focused vehicle, falling in the medium to large-sized category. While it resembles a smaller van, it’s built more like a car. Most minivans share these common features:
- Sedan-like frame: Minivans are more spacious than sedans, and their seats give them a similar vantage point to an SUV. Most are built on sedan-like frames, leading to easier handling and improved gas mileage compared to many mid-sized SUVs.
- Three rows of seating: Typically, minivans have three rows of seating, accommodating seven or eight passengers. The most common layout is 2-2-3, with two seats in the front, two bucket seats in the middle row, and a three-seat bench at the back.
- Spacious interior: Designed to transport families and their belongings, minivans usually have large interiors and hatchback trunks, providing plenty of cargo space.
- Sliding doors: Most minivans are equipped with sliding doors on at least one side. Modern models often allow operation via a button or key fob.
- Family-friendly features: Minivans come with various features for families, including built-in vacuums, passenger-view mirrors, multi-zone climate control, and seatback entertainment systems for children.
The Minivan Lineup in 2024
As things stand in 2024, only five minivan models are actively in production. Here’s a glimpse at 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
Which Minivan Reigns Supreme in 2024?
Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Car and Driver—three of the leading automotive review sources—offer varying rankings of the available minivans. However, the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival consistently land at the top of these lists.
Overall, the Toyota Sienna is the best-ranked vehicle across all three sources. Its hybrid engine, excellent gas mileage, AWD capability, and robust powertrain warranty make it a strong choice for families seeking a safe, reliable, and long-lasting minivan. With a starting MSRP of $37,685, it also undercuts the only other hybrid minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica, which starts at $52,495. Although the Kia Carnival will offer a hybrid option starting in 2025, with a starting price of $40,500, its gas mileage will still be slightly lower than the Sienna’s at 33 combined.
