Other Competitors

Three of a kind: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan

In 2008, reviewers were excited about the new Swivel 'n Go seats offered on upper trim levels of the Dodge Grand Caravan (*Est. $22,745 to $28,595) and the very similar Chrysler Town & Country (*Est. $26,500 to $37,300). Critics already liked the Stow 'n Go seats that come standard on these minivans, with deep storage bins that allow the second- and third- row seats to fold flat into the floor (although some reviews say the thinner-than-usual seat cushions can get uncomfortable).

With Swivel 'n Go, second-row captain's chairs can rotate backward to face the third-row seat, and a stowaway table can be set up between them. Chrysler advertised this feature heavily in 2008, with ads showing a grumpy family cheering up over games and picnics in the family minivan.

A year later, some reviewers still like Swivel 'n Go -- Edmunds.com calls it "quite useful" -- while others find too many drawbacks. Car and Driver calls Swivel 'n Go "gimmicky," noting that legroom shrinks when the second-row chairs are turned, space is tight around the removable table, and the swiveling seats can't fold to the floor.

More worrisome are the reliability problems that have plagued both the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. A major consumer survey rates them both worse for breakdowns than the average vehicle, and certainly much worse than the very reliable Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. When it comes to safety, the Dodge and Chrysler minivans can't keep up with the top-rated Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona; although the Dodge/Chrysler gets mostly good crash-test scores, it provides only "marginal" protection in a rear-end accident, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Testers also complain of the Dodge/Chrysler's long braking distances, cheap-looking interior and more. As for styling, Sara Lacey of MotherProof.com says the Chrysler Town & Country "could dress up as a mailbox for Halloween with nothing more than the attachment of a bright red flag." Reviews say the pair's fuel economy (18 mpg with the standard 3.8-liter engine, 20 with the optional 4.0-liter engine) is nothing special. The new Volkswagen Routan (*Est. $24,700 to $38,400), built on the Grand Caravan platform, shares many of these same flaws (see introduction).

"After living with a 2008 Grand Caravan in our long-term fleet for the better part of a year, we have little to say about the experience that is positive," Edmunds.com states. Car & Driver editors come to a similar conclusion:the Chrysler Town & Country "isn't a terrible choice, but there are simply better minivans to be found."

Nissan Quest: Costly premium fuel and a missing safety feature

The Nissan Quest (*Est. $25,950 to $35,650) is probably the most stylish minivan on the market, reviews say. Its standard features include "mood lighting" (a soft orange glow that illuminates the center console at night) and a glass-paneled roof is optional.

"For those who want their minivan to look the least like the archetypical minivan (dare I say the "soccer mom" vehicle), this is the vehicle to purchase," writes a tester at CanadianDriver.

The Quest is also the roomiest minivan on the market, according to one top testing organization. But although the Quest is powerful and "pleasant to drive," Edmunds.com says it just isn't as functional or full-featured as better minivans, such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Reviews say the Quest is less reliable, too. The Quest also has the worst fuel cost of any minivan, according to the EPA: its 19 mpg combined fuel economy is middle-of-the-road, but Nissan recommends premium gas.

Experts particularly criticize the Quest for not including electronic stability control – which studies show is important for avoiding accidents -- as a standard feature. Nissan sold only 491 Quests in December 2008; Consumer Guide says 2009 may be the Quest's final year.