EmailFuel-efficient minivans planned?
Chrysler showed a fuel-efficient, range-extended electric minivan at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Chrysler Town & Country EV concept, first unveiled in 2008, can drive 40 miles on electricity alone before a small gasoline generator kicks in to power its lithium ion battery pack for another 360 miles. Chrysler officials say they plan to start selling a vehicle using this technology in 2010, but they wouldn't say which one (similarly-equipped Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot concepts, along with the 200C EV concept sedan, were also displayed).
Meanwhile, Toyota already makes and sells a 35 mpg hybrid minivan -- but only overseas. In 2007, the Union of Concerned Scientists got nearly 18,000 signatures for an online petition to bring the Toyota Estima Hybrid to the United States, but to no avail. Toyota continues to offer its Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the 7-passenger Highlander Hybrid SUV.
Choosing a minivan
On the surface, minivans look a lot alike. No matter which one you pick, you can get DVD players for the kids, captain's chairs for the second row and more cup holders than seven or eight people could possibly use.
But the best reviewers dig deeper and find some real differences. Here's what the experts say to look for in a minivan:
- Pay attention to how easily (and quickly) the interior space can be used and reconfigured. Most minivans are designed for seven to eight passengers. Reviewers generally favor second- and third-row bench seats that fold entirely into the floor. Most minivans have a third-row split seat that folds flat, but not as many have fold-flat second-row seats.
- Passengers (usually children) who'll be sitting in the rear seats should be part of your buying and testing process. All the vans reviewed have comfortable driver and front passenger seats, but there's some variation in rear-seat comfort.
- Consider advanced safety features. All minivans now have antilock brakes and a full complement of airbags -- front, side and curtain --standard. Most have electronic stability control (which experts say is important for avoiding accidents) and traction control as standard features, but the Mazda5 offers neither. Many minivans offer backup warning sensors (or rear view cameras) as extra-cost options. Some testers say power sliding doors are important, because heavy manual ones could roll shut and crush kids' hands.
- A minivan should drive more like a car than a truck. One of the reasons minivans are popular is their car-like ride and handling. Obviously, a test drive is necessary to determine if a minivan's ride is acceptable to you.
- Almost all minivans today are front-wheel drive, but reviewers say all-wheel-drive models have better winter traction. If you want all-wheel-drive, the Toyota Sienna is your only option.