The Best Minivans for Families: A 2025 Guide
When it comes to shuttling families around, minivans remain a top choice, offering unparalleled practicality and a wealth of family-friendly features. While they may not be the flashiest vehicles on the road, minivans provide an unmatched combination of space, comfort, and versatility. This guide highlights the best minivans for families in 2025, considering factors like safety, features, and value.
Our rankings take into account expert automotive reviews, safety and reliability data, passenger and cargo space, and the availability of features designed with families in mind. Keep in mind that the scores you see on various sites can change over time as new data and reviews become available.
2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz, new to the market, is an electric minivan that offers ample space for passengers and cargo, with a third row that is reasonably comfortable for adults. The ID.Buzz boasts a variety of efficient and responsive powertrains, coupled with a well-equipped interior. However, it’s the most expensive minivan on the market with a starting price over $60,000. While the retro styling is appealing, the interior quality doesn’t quite live up to the premium price tag, and the infotainment system may present a learning curve. Given its recent arrival, the ID.Buzz currently lacks safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS.
- Starting Price: $59,995-$69,995
- U.S. News Safety Score: N/A
- 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 returns to the minivan arena after a three-year absence. Sharing a platform and design with the more luxurious Chrysler Pacifica, the Voyager now caters to mass-market consumers as a budget-friendly option. It is available in a single, well-equipped trim level and provides average passenger and cargo space. The Voyager’s affordability is tempting, but its performance and driving experience may leave something to be desired. It also lacks some family-friendly features found in its competitors.
- Starting Price: $39,995
- 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 2025, the Toyota Sienna receives a refresh, including an updated infotainment system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new rear-seat alert system, and optional features like a refrigerator and an onboard vacuum cleaner. The Sienna comes standard as a hybrid and offers good handling. While the Sienna is fuel-efficient, its powertrain can be noisy. It offers competitive passenger legroom but may feel cramped in terms of headroom compared to competitors. Also, the Sienna falls short on cargo space and versatility, as its second-row seats cannot be removed or folded.
- Starting Price: $39,185-$56,905
- 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 addition for 2025, bringing improved fuel efficiency to the existing Carnival model. It combines reasonable pricing, 33-mpg combined fuel economy, and a smooth ride. While headroom is average, second-row passengers enjoy ample legroom. The Carnival Hybrid is one of the few minivans that includes all the family-friendly features sought after. The trade-off for its efficiency may be its power, which is adequate but may struggle on inclines or during passing maneuvers. It also has good maximum cargo capacity but only when the second-row bench seat is in use, as the optional captain’s chairs cannot be stowed away or removed. The third row may not be as adult-friendly.
- Starting Price: $40,500-$52,600
- 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 a top contender, though the standard Pacifica has more comprehensive safety scores, which impacts its standing in the awards. The Pacifica Hybrid gets streamlined trim options, but is otherwise unchanged for 2025. It is the only plug-in hybrid minivan, offering electric-only range and excellent fuel economy. It offers average cargo and passenger space and offers a complete suite of family-friendly amenities. The Pacifica Hybrid comes with a high price tag, typical of plug-in hybrids, and some may not find the interior finish meets expectations considering the price. It also lacks sufficient safety data for a score in that area
- Starting Price: $51,055-$59,785
- U.S. News Safety Score: N/A
- 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
2025 Kia Carnival
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
The Kia Carnival receives updates for the 2025 model year, with refreshed styling, more standard features, and an updated infotainment system. The Carnival earns praise for its affordable pricing, stable handling, comfortable ride, and upscale cabin. It offers generous cargo space and excellent passenger accommodations. The Carnival also includes a full complement of family-friendly features. One thing to keep in mind is that maximum cargo capacity is best utilized with the second-row bench seat, as the captain’s chairs do not fold or pop out.
- Starting Price: $36,500-$50,600
- 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 – Winner
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
The Chrysler Pacifica is the winner of the Best Minivan for Families award in 2025. While its higher price prevents it from topping the rankings in the overall class, the Pacifica excels in features designed for parents and children. It provides ample passenger space and cargo capacity, handles well, and offers numerous family-friendly features. The Pacifica’s price may be a drawback. In its segment, the Pacifica blends spaciousness, versatility, safety, and features into a well-designed and appealing vehicle.
- Starting Price: $42,450-$57,230
- 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
