Minivans

Best 2008 minivans

The Honda Odyssey (*est.$25,860 to $40,610) remains the number one minivan on nearly every reviewer's list -- but no longer by a wide margin. Several reviewers are extremely enthusiastic about the newly-redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan (*est. $21,740 to $26,805) and Chrysler Town & Country (*est. $22,460 to $35,670) , and many others concede that the Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665) is also an excellent choice.

According to reviews, the Honda Odyssey minivan offers a smooth ride, car-like handling and the high resale value that stems from Honda's reputation for reliability. The Honda minivan has a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine with 244 horsepower, an engine that's only very slightly bested by the Toyota Sienna's new 266-hp 3.5-liter V6. On the higher-priced Touring and EX-L (leather) Odyssey minivans, a Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system discreetly shuts down two or three of its six cylinders while cruising to increase fuel efficiency. The latest EPA ratings estimate 16 mpg in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway for the Odyssey, while the VCM-equipped Odyssey is expected to get about 17 mpg in city driving and 25 on the highway. However, these numbers are no longer good enough to rate the Odyssey the mileage king, since the EPA ratings for all Toyota Sienna minivans are at least equal, if not slightly superior, to the VCM-equipped Odyssey. Honda Odyssey minivans with VCM also are equipped with an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system to reduce engine noise in the cabin.

The 2008 Honda Odyssey minivan is highly regarded by a number of reviewers, including those at Car and Driver and CarCritic.com. The 2008 Odyssey also wins a Best Buy designation at Consumer Guide. In light of its large owner-satisfaction surveys, J.D. Power and Associates places the Odyssey in the top two minivans in terms of reliability. Reviewers at Edmunds.com say the Odyssey is just fun to drive -- a notable achievement for any minivan. Handling is agile and responsive, and the ride is stable. IIHS crash-test scores have caught up to those of the Kia Sedona/Hyundai Entourage minivans, with the ratings of "good" in front, side and rear impacts. Additional safety features for the Honda Odyssey minivan include antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control and rear-seat head restraints.

All Honda Odyssey minivans feature standard curtain-side airbags for all three rows of seats -- a real bonus over minivans like the Chevy Uplander, where side airbags for front and second rows are only optional and third-row airbags aren't offered at all. In 2006, reviewers at Road and Track claimed that the Odyssey was the class leader in terms of "plywood space," meaning it's slightly more utilitarian for visits to Home Depot, with the most flexible cargo area. The third row of seats folds into the floor in sections, increasing cargo flexibility. However, no reviewer has reported on the plywood hauling abilities of the new or redesigned minivans from Kia, Hyundai, Toyota or Chrysler.

The 2008 Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665) received a major update for the 2007 model year, not the least of which was a more powerful engine -- a point of criticism in the past. The newer engine is a bit more powerful than the Honda Odyssey's V6; a 266-hp 3.5-liter V6 replaced the 2006 model's 215-hp, 3.3-liter V6. The 2008 Sienna minivan wins awards from Consumer Guide and it's well-liked by reviewers at Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com, as well. Nearly all other reviews say the Toyota Sienna runs neck and neck with the Honda Odyssey on engine power, reliability and fuel economy. One area where it falls a bit behind is IIHS crash-test ratings. The Sienna receives the highest scores of "good" for front and side impacts, but a score of "poor" for rear impacts. Front airbags plus side airbags for all rows are standard. All Sienna minivans include a tire-pressure monitoring system and disk brakes. Traction control and stability control are also standard as of the 2008 model year.

Edmunds.com describes the Sienna's engine as "superb." A five-speed automatic transmission is the only option. The Sienna remains available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and it's the only current minivan that offers all-wheel drive at all -- it's not an option on the Odyssey, which could make a difference to those living in areas with harsher winters.

In a real coup for Toyota, the gas mileage for the front-wheel-drive Sienna has caught up to (and possibly surpassed) the Honda Odyssey. 2008 EPA mileage estimates for FWD Sienna minivans are 17 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway. AWD Sienna minivans take a slight dip in fuel economy, however.

The Sienna retains a stowable split-folding third-row rear seat that is light and easy to fold, and a telescoping steering wheel, which many critics miss on the Odyssey minivan. Reviewers note that the Sienna rides exceptionally smoothly and delivers performance comparable to the best minivans in this class. It handles about as well as a family sedan. Altogether, most reviews say the Toyota Sienna is on par with the Honda Odyssey. The Toyota minivan has a slightly lower starting price, while reliability ratings from J.D. Power and Associates are similar to the Odyssey's. If you're looking for a new minivan, both deserve a test drive.

Best redesigned minivans: Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country

The Chrysler Group, which started the minivan revolution in the early '80s, is getting back to its roots with the redesigned-for-2008 Dodge Grand Caravan (*est. $21,740 to $26,805) and the Chrysler Town & Country (*est. $22,460 to $35,670) . Both minivans are equipped with a number of innovative features, including a new twist on the popular Stow 'n Go seating. Gone are the shorter wheelbase versions. Both models are also reverting from what Motor Trend refers to as previous years' "dated jellybean design" to a boxier, more angular shape.

But where the Chrysler minivans really shine, according to reviewers, is in their optional amenities for passengers. The Chrysler Group had already hit a home run with their Stow 'n Go seating, which allows for one or both rows of rear seats to fold flat into the floor of the vehicle. This year, though, the upgrades include available Swivel n' Go seating, with two second-row captain's chairs that can rotate 180 degrees, enabling passengers to face each other while riding. Minivans with Swivel 'n Go can also be purchased with a small table that unfolds between the two rows of seating; the table collapses and folds under the second row for easy storage. Most reviewers rave about the Swivel 'n Go option, although several also noted that legroom with the Swivel n' Go seats can be very tight. The Swivel n' Go seats also don't fold into the floor, and -- though they can be removed to create more cargo space -- at over 90 pounds each, getting them out of the vehicle is no small feat.

Chrysler has even more in their bag of tricks when it comes to keeping passengers entertained. Dual DVD players with independent screens are available, as is Sirius Satellite Backseat TV. All audio can feed through wireless headphones and built-in power outlets can be easily accessed by riders in the back rows. Other available features include a 20-GB hard drive for storing MP3's or digital photographs, voice-activated navigation and a drop-down conversation mirror that enables the driver to keep an eye on backseat passengers. Reviewers note that the interiors of both the Grand Caravan and the Town & Country offer loads of storage, with bins and cup holders scattered throughout.

Drivers should like the available six-speed automatic transmission, the first for a minivan. Motor Trend's reviewer also approves of the changes to the engine -- the previous models' four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a choice of three V6s, including a 3.3-liter flex-fuel version. Predicted fuel economy is about the same as the Sienna and Odyssey minivans, with EPA estimates of 16 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway. On the downside, drivers might not care for what several reviewers note as the "vague" steering on both Chrysler minivans, and the four-speed automatic transmission that's standard on base models.

The Chrysler Group has added a number of important safety features, like standard stability control and side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats. These minivans are also the only ones on the market with self-leveling shocks. All that aside, an area in which the Grand Caravan and Town & Country may fall short is in reliability; J.D. Power and Associate's dependability ratings for previous years' models were generally well below those of the Odyssey and Sienna.

Essentially, the Grand Caravan and the Town & Country are the same, although some minor differences do exist. The 2008 Grand Caravan supposedly caters to a younger, more active demographic; its exterior styling, gauges and heavy use of black in the interior are meant to suggest a sportier appearance. It has a slightly lower base price, but a few reviewers -- including those at Kelley Blue Book and Car and Driver -- complain that the bargain is reflected in the interior accessories, which don't look as well-made as those in high-end minivans like the Honda Odyssey. The Chrysler Town & Country fares a bit better in this regard. While some reviewers still don't care much for its interior styling, most concede that it's more aesthetically pleasing or refined-looking than that of the Grand Caravan. Aside from the differences in appearance and price, the Town & Country also comes in three available trim levels as opposed to the Grand Caravan's two. None of these deviations, however, were significant enough to prevent the 2008 Grand Caravan from making the list of finalists for Motor Trend's Car of the Year Award, nor are they likely to impact your choice. Test-driving both is probably the best means of determining which (if either) of these would be the right minivan for you.

Best entry-level minivans: Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona

If your minivan budget doesn't accommodate a price tag that could soar over $40,000, then the 2008 Hyundai Entourage (*est. $23,895 to $29,795) and its near clone, the Kia Sedona (*est. $20,695 to $26,195) receive very good reviews, and both are cheaper than the Odyssey or Sienna minivans.

The Kia Sedona was a brand-new design for 2006. Reviews at Kelley Blue Book are a bit dated, but still positive; editors call the 2007 model "a nightmare for rival manufacturers." The Kia Sedona was a finalist in the Motor Trend Car of the Year competition for 2007 (at the time, a first for any minivan), and at Consumer Guide, the Kia Sedona earns a Recommended rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Sedona and Entourage a rating of Top Safety Pick for their scores of "good" -- the highest rating possible -- in all three of its crash tests.

These minivans are largely unchanged for 2008, and the few upgrades that have been made are primarily cosmetic. Standard features for the Kia minivan include fold-flat 60/40 third-row seating, ABS [.1] and side airbags. The 244-horsepower V6 engine gets just slightly less mileage than the competing Sienna and Odyssey minivans -- about 18 mpg in mixed real-world driving. Safety features for the Kia Sedona include antilock brakes, traction control and stability control, as well as a full complement of front and side airbags. In addition to top crash-test scores at the IIHS, it receives top 5-star ratings in all NHTSA front- and side-impact crash tests.

The Kia Sedona is less expensive than either the Sienna or Odyssey and it gets great safety ratings. So what's the tradeoff? Reviewers, including those at Edmunds.com, say that handling and agility just aren't up to the level of the more responsive Sienna and Odyssey. Even though engine power is comparable, steering response isn't as crisp. Reviews also say the interior isn't as refined or nicely constructed as the class leaders. Several reviews say the third-row seat isn't comfortable for adults since the cushion sits rather low to the floor. Lastly, the Sedona (as well as the Hyundai Entourage) doesn't offer some of the more popular options, such as a rear-view camera or navigation system, both of which are options on the Sienna and Odyssey. These factors keep the Sedona from competing on the same level as the Sienna and Odyssey, but if price and safety are primary considerations, the Kia Sedona is an excellent value.

The Hyundai Entourage, the first minivan offered by Hyundai, was brand new in 2007. It is based on the Kia Sedona platform, with similar performance, features and options in reviews. Most reviews cover the Entourage and the Sedona as nearly identical minivans, and the Entourage gets the same excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS. Like the Sedona, the Hyundai Entourage is clearly a good value. Standard safety features include side airbags for all three rows of seats and stability control. Seating includes a 60/40 split third-row bench that drops into the floor and removable second-row seats -- features also available in the Sedona. This year, the Hyundai nixes the Entourage's mid-range trim level, but includes new options for the base model.

The 242-horsepower V6 Entourage minivan gets the same gas mileage as the Sedona. The main difference between these two minivans is styling, along with interior fit and finish. According to a review by Jil McIntosh in Canadian Driver magazine, Hyundai (which makes both minivans) says the Entourage has a higher price tag due to its higher predicted resale value and higher quality materials. McIntosh does say she noticed more rattles and squeaks in the 2007 Sedona compared to the Entourage she tested from the same model year. Test driving both is probably the way to go. McIntosh suggests your choice might come down to dealership location more than anything.

More 2008 minivans

This will be the final model year for the Chevrolet Uplander (*est. $21,215 to $28,885) ; the two other models with which it shares its platform, the Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay, have already been discontinued. Last model year, Chevrolet dropped the base 3.5-liter V6 found in 2006 models, and discontinued the all-wheel-drive option. Reviews compliment the Uplander minivan on its smooth ride and interior innovations. The Uplander benefits from nicer styling inside and out, and more comfort features like the PhatNoise entertainment system (which includes a removable hard drive). Also noteworthy are available heated leather seats, overall safety improvements, power sliding doors and optional all-wheel drive. XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all 2008 Uplander minivans. Another noteworthy aspect of the Uplander's design is that as of 2007, its V6 engine is a flexible-fuel engine that can run on E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol) as well as regular gasoline. Fuel economy is respectable, but not outstanding, and crash-test scores are lower compared to the likes of the Entourage/Sedona, Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans. Reliability and resale value are also expected to be worse than average.

The Mazda5 (*est. $17,995 to $22,365) is the smallest and lightest of the minivan crowd -- it's actually considered a station wagon with some minivan features. It is almost 1,000 pounds lighter than most competitors. The Mazda5 remains the only minivan with an available manual transmission; a five-speed automatic is a new offering for 2008. A 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with 153 horsepower provides its power. Fuel economy is excellent, with EPA estimates of 22 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway for the manual transmission model, and 21 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway for the automatic transmission model. Of course, this is due to its smaller engine, lighter weight and much smaller interior compared to standard minivans -- it's a full two feet shorter than the Honda Odyssey.

Edmunds.com quips, "If ever the time was right for a compact minivan like the 5 to break into the U.S. market, it's now." It praises the Mazda5 for its low price, excellent fuel economy, sporty looks and handling and long list of features. The Mazda5 minivan has twin sliding rear doors that can be operated by the push of one finger. The seats in the second row both recline and fold flat. Front side airbags and full-length head-protecting side-curtain airbags are standard. Other safety features include standard antilock brakes, but traction control and stability control are not available. Crash-test results are not available for any current or past Mazda5 models.

The Nissan Quest (*est. $24,630 to $34,330) benefited from major upgrades to the interior for 2007 and several more changes are evident in 2008 models. Last year, Nissan chose to retire the controversial pillar-style center stack in favor of a more traditional instrument panel; the 2008 Quest has added standard side-impact airbags for the front seat. Several other new features are available on higher trim levels, including automatic headlights, dual-zone climate control and a rearview "back-up" camera. Electronic stability control is optional.

The Quest minivan is built on a heavily modified Altima platform and is powered by a 3.5-liter 240-horsepower engine. Editors at Kelley Blue Book appreciate the Quest's versatility and credit this minivan with "one of the industry's best powertrains." They claim the Quest is responsive, sure-footed and offers a comfortable ride for driver and passengers alike. One problem spot is that reviews say overall reliability has been low relative to the competition.

Important Features: Minivans

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. 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.

• All minivans have dual front airbags, but side airbags aren't always standard. Options include side airbags and sensors to detect objects behind the vehicle when backing up. Rollover protection systems (also known as stability control) are finally becoming a standard safety feature in minivans and should be taken into consideration when purchasing. Some models offer an optional rear view camera.

• Minivans 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. GM minivans no longer offer all-wheel drive.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Edmunds.com
9	2008 Honda Odyssey (*est. $25,860 to $40,610)	details
6	2008 Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665)	details
5	2008 Dodge Grand Caravan (*est. $21,740 to $26,805)	details
5	2008 Chrysler Town & Country (*est. $22,460 to $35,670)	details
3	2008 Kia Sedona (*est. $20,695 to $26,195)	details
2	2008 Hyundai Entourage (*est. $23,895 to $29,795)	details
1	2008 Nissan Quest (*est. $24,630 to $34,330)	details

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.

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