Best Minivans for Families
Minivans remain a top choice for families needing space, comfort, and practicality. While they may not be the most exciting vehicles on the road, their ability to transport family members of all ages with ease makes them indispensable. In addition to spacious interiors, minivans often boast innovative features, fuel efficiency, and impressive safety ratings. Many models now offer all-wheel drive and even plug-in hybrid technology.
This review analyzes the best minivans for families using a methodology that considers professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability data, cargo and seating capacity, and the availability of family-friendly features. The car with the highest overall score in each category is named “Best Car for Families.”
Keep in mind that scores on the U.S. News site are continuously updated based on new reviews and data.
2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is an all-electric minivan that debuted at the bottom of this year’s minivan rankings. Although it offers a similar amount of cargo and passenger space as its competitors, its high starting price of over $60,000 is a major drawback. While its retro styling is visually appealing, the interior quality doesn’t quite justify the premium price, and the infotainment system has a significant learning curve. The ID.Buzz is too new to have undergone crash testing by the NHTSA or IIHS.
- Price: $59,995 – $69,995
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
- Passenger Capacity: 7
- Max. Cargo Space: 145.5 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet.
2025 Chrysler Voyager
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
The Chrysler Voyager reappears in the rankings for 2025 after a three-year absence. This minivan shares a platform and design with the Chrysler Pacifica. For the past few years, the Voyager was only available to fleet buyers, but now, it’s back in showrooms as a more affordable entry. It’s available in a single, well-equipped trim level and offers average passenger and cargo space.
While the Voyager’s price is tempting, its subpar performance and driving experience can be off-putting. This model is designed to be basic, so it lacks many of the key family-friendly features of its rivals.
- Price: $39,995
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
- U.S. News Safety Score: 8.8/10
- Passenger Capacity: 7
- Max. Cargo Space: 140.5 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate
2025 Toyota Sienna
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
For the 2025 model year, the Toyota Sienna gets an updated infotainment system, now featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. A new rear-seat alert system, as well as available refrigerator and onboard vacuum cleaner features, are also included. The Sienna comes standard as a hybrid and handles well.
While the Sienna is fuel-efficient, its powertrain can be loud. It offers competitive passenger legroom but lacks headroom. Its cargo space and versatility fall short, since the second-row seats can’t be removed or folded flat. The fixed seating arrangement limits the size of items that can be transported.
- Price: $39,185 – $56,905
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
- U.S. News Safety Score: 8.9/10
- Passenger Capacity: 8
- Max. Cargo Space: 101 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, rear-seat alert, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
The Kia Carnival Hybrid is a new minivan for 2025, adding a major boost in fuel efficiency to the existing Carnival, introduced in 2022. It offers reasonable pricing, a combined fuel economy of 33 mpg, and a smooth ride. While headroom is about average, ample legroom is available for second-row passengers.
The Carnival Hybrid excels in family-friendly features, making it a well-rounded choice. The trade-off for its efficiency is that it may struggle on hills or during passing maneuvers. Its third row isn’t as spacious as some rivals.
- Price: $40,500 – $52,600
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
- U.S. News Safety Score: 8.3/10
- Passenger Capacity: 8
- Max. Cargo Space: 145.1 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, rear-seat alert, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet
2025 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is exceptionally highly rated for its exceptional family-friendly features. The Pacifica Hybrid is the only plug-in hybrid minivan available, offering a quiet, EV-only range and outstanding fuel economy. It offers about average cargo and passenger space. The Pacifica Hybrid has most of the family-friendly amenities that count toward this award.
However, its price point is high. In base configurations, the cabin finish may not meet expectations. The Pacifica Hybrid also lacks sufficient safety data for safety scores.
- Price: $51,055 – $59,785
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10
- Passenger Capacity: 7
- Max. Cargo Space: 140.5 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet
Finalist: 2025 Kia Carnival
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
The Kia Carnival, now in its fourth year, receives updates for 2025. The Carnival has updated interior and exterior styling, with more standard features and an updated infotainment system. It is praised for its approachable pricing, stable handling, a comfortable ride, and an upscale cabin. The Carnival offers plenty of cargo space and excellent passenger accommodations too; it also has all of the family-friendly amenities.
Shoppers needing maximum cargo capacity should choose the second-row bench, because the available captain’s chairs don’t fold or stow away.
- Price: $36,500 – $50,600
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
- U.S. News Safety Score: 8.3/10
- Passenger Capacity: 8
- Max. Cargo Space: 145.1 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, rear-seat alert, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet
Winner: 2025 Chrysler Pacifica
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
The Chrysler Pacifica wins the Best Minivan for Families award for 2025. Its high price keeps it from topping the rankings, but it excels in features for parents and kids. It performs well in terms of cargo space and passenger space. It is easy to drive and offers many family-friendly features.
The Pacifica’s price may be a deterrent for some families. It is typically well-equipped. It is a family-friendly champion that provides the room, versatility, safety, and convenience families expect in a package that drives and looks good.
- Price: $42,450 – $57,230
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
- U.S. News Safety Score: 8.7/10
- Passenger Capacity: 8
- Max. Cargo Space: 140.5 cubic feet
- Family-Friendly Features: Hands-free liftgate, tri-zone climate control, Wi-Fi hot spot, household-style power outlet
