Minivans Reviews

We found good all-around coverage of 2008 minivans at ConsumerGuide.com, where editors have pieced together a very thorough minivan buying guide that includes pricing, specs and ratings for various aspects of performance and design for the majority of 2008 minivans. We also found good minivan coverage at Edmunds.com, Consumer Reports, CarCritic.com and Cars.com. A two-minivan head-to-head test at Edmunds.com compares the newly-redesigned 2008 Dodge Caravan to the class-leading 2007 Honda Odyssey, offering a preview of how two of the hottest contenders for the best-in-class crown are likely to fare in 2008. Motor Trend also reviews the new Grand Caravan against last year's Odyssey and Sienna in a road trial that, while admittedly limited, still gives interested shoppers a tantalizing first look at the new Grand Caravan's features. Reviewers at Auto123.com and Automobile.com also examine the revamped Grand Caravan and its sister model, the Chrysler Town & Country.

While trucks, SUVs and minivans comprise more than 50 percent of the U.S. market, the minivan's piece of the pie has dwindled a bit, possibly due to the introduction of trendy new station wagons, such as the Dodge Magnum, and the appearance of crossover SUVs that blur the line between sport utility and family transport. GM, in fact, is in the process of withdrawing from the minivan market altogether. In past years, GM's strategy to keep a foothold in this notoriously difficult market was to label its Buick Terraza and Chevrolet Uplander as 'crossover sports wagons,' but neither buyers nor experts were fooled. Sales have been so lackluster that the Buick Terraza was recently discontinued, and the Chevy Uplander is in its final year of production. Ford, too, is jumping ship – its Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans have been discontinued.

The Chevrolet Uplander (*est. $21,215 to $28,885) is recognized as having sporty style lines and a top-notch entertainment system, and early complaints about the lack of side airbags for the second row of seats were addressed for the 2006 model year. Still, the Uplander has traditionally been one of the lowest-rated minivans on the market in terms of safety, and it continues to land near the bottom of the charts in IIHS rear-impact tests, particularly in those models without optional side airbags. Side airbags for front- and second-row seats are a $350 option for the 2008 model year. Its rollover risk is higher than that of most other minivans as well. By comparison, the Honda Odyssey (*est. $25,860 to $40,610), the Hyundai Entourage (*est. $23,895 to $29,795) and the Entourage's near twin, the Kia Sedona (*est. $20,695 to $26,195), all receive the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's highest rating of "good" for all crash positions. The Chevrolet Uplander also takes some knocks in reviews for low long-term reliability, a stiff ride, noisy interior and outdated styling.

The Honda Odyssey minivan (*est.$25,860 to $40,610) remains a long-running favorite in reviews. In past years, the Toyota Sienna minivan (*est. $24,340 to $37,665) , which was redesigned for the 2007 model year, had been the Odyssey's primary competitor. However, the Chrysler Group's minivans, the redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan (*est. $21,740 to $26,805) and the Chrysler Town & Country (*est. $22,460 to $35,670) , have seen an extensive overhaul this year and will also look to topple the Odyssey from its perch. The Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona wins lots of praise, as well. While the Honda Odyssey has totally swept reviews for the last several years, the other five models seem likely to level the playing field somewhat and reviews say there are now some compelling reasons to choose one of these minivans over the Honda Odyssey.  ... Continued

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The Honda Odyssey remains the favorite choice among automotive experts as the best minivan on the market, while most reviews rate the Toyota Sienna as its near equal in terms of engine, handling and refinement. The two minivans get almost equal fuel economy. One area where the Sienna trumps the Odyssey is the availability of all-wheel drive.

This year, however, the newly-redesigned Chrysler minivans are also contenders. Both the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country are jam-packed with family-friendly features and accessories (some exclusive to this segment of the market) that reviewers feel will place these models firmly back in competition with the long-reigning Odyssey and Sienna. The question mark here is reliability, which wasn't impressive in past generations of the Chrysler minivans.

Sister vehicles Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage score big points for their fresh designs, value and general roadworthiness, although reviews say handling and interior refinement don't match that of the Odyssey or Sienna, and some upscale options, like a navigation system, aren't available on the Sedona and Entourage. Still, these two minivans get good ratings for value. The Kia has a lower base price; reviews say the tradeoff is in the quality and fit/finish of the interior, as well as predicted retained value.