Minivans: Reviews

The 2010 Honda Odyssey minivan continues to earn reviewers' highest praise, although the 2010 Toyota Sienna (Base MSRP: $24,540 to $37,865) holds its own as a close second, and a new 2011 Toyota Sienna (Base MSRP: $25,500… to $39,770) has just hit the market. Testers say the Honda minivan is smoother and more agile, offering an excellent balance of driving dynamics, comfort and safety. Reviewers also give high marks for the Odyssey's space efficiency and superior safety ratings. The 2010 Honda Odyssey continues to be the most expensive minivan on the market, and some experts say the budget-priced 2010 Kia Sedona (Base MSRP: $22,195 to $28,695) is just as safe and roomy. But the Kia minivan can't match the Honda Odyssey's elegance, top-notch materials and poise.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

The 2010 Toyota Sienna minivan remains the strong second choice of reviewers, who bestow nearly unanimous praise for its spacious interior, generous storage, capable V6 engine, smooth ride and driver-friendly… functionality. Many reviewers note the Sienna is not as nimble as the 2010 Honda Odyssey (Base MSRP: $26,805 to $40,755), while others say it doesn't match up to the Odyssey's quality, especially when it comes to interior materials. Still, reviews show that the Toyota Sienna has proven itself to be an exceedingly reliable, easy-to-drive minivan. Sienna is also the only minivan to offer the option of all-wheel drive, an advantage for consumers who live in areas with rough roads or harsh winters, where additional traction could be helpful. An all-new, fully redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna (Base MSRP: $25,500 to $39,770) has been introduced, but it had not yet been widely reviewed enough to earn Best Reviewed status as of this writing.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

Dubbed a practical and easy to appreciate minivan, the 2010 Kia Sedona continues to offer budget-conscious minivan buyers an affordable alternative to the substantially more expensive 2010 Honda Odyssey (Base MSRP:… $26,805 to $40,755) and 2010 Toyota Sienna (Base MSRP: $24,540 to $37,865). Testers like the Kia minivan's excellent crash-test scores, impressive warranty coverage and practical interior, especially its ample rear-seat space. While the Kia Sedona minivan offers fewer high-tech and entertainment options than its pricier rivals, reviewers say it's otherwise generously equipped and offers all the comforts expected of a minivan. Some critics take issue with the Sedona interior's abundance of uninspiring plastics but concede they're commensurate with the vehicle's pricing. The 2010 Kia Sedona is also uniquely offered in both short- and long-wheelbase versions.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

More aptly known as a "mini-minivan" -- a key aspect of its charm -- the six-seat 2010 Mazda Mazda5 is adored by reviewers and owners alike. Testers like this compact minivan's sporty maneuverability, hip appearance and… versatile utility. Unlike the rest of the vehicles in this category, it's also available with a manual gearbox. It gets better gas mileage than full-size minivans, and costs thousands less, but the Mazda5 isn't nearly as roomy as other minivans, and reviews say the third row can be a tight squeeze for adults. For 2010, Mazda adds electronic stability control, addressing what critics previously noted as one of this fun-to-drive minivan's few shortcomings.

See more photos, specs, and reviews