Best Kept Secrets of the family Minivan…
Facts that will save you gas, time and money, Plus our favorite models
Do you ever wonder why you see so many minivans on the road? It’s because they’re great, comfortable, affordable, gas friendly, easy to maintain and safe…safe... safe!
Minivans are sleek on the outside and are basically a full-scale media room on the inside. Gone are the days when owning a minivan was say, “less than cool”. Today the minivan says the driver is, “intelligent, confident, selfless, giving, environmentally conscience, more likely to go to church and more likely to do volunteer work.” It’s true. That’s what the latest studies have proven. Isn’t that much sexier than any chrome dipped SUV?
The minivans safety features come in a notch above other comparably priced vehicles. If a manufacturer makes a minivan you can rest assured that this minivan will be highly equipped with more standard safety features than most sedans and SUVs. When designing and working on minivan models the one thing the engineers always have in common are our children and their absolute safety. For example, some minivans are designed and fitted with run-flat tires (this allows the tire after the loss of air to support the vehicles weight), others offer self-sealing tires and most offer tire warning pressure systems. The one thing that’s for sure is when you’re running around with kids checking tire pressure isn’t the first thing on your mind. You’d also be hard pressed to find a minivan that doesn’t come with a type of reverse-sensing system, side curtain airbags for all three rows and traction and stability control. Because the minivan has a lower center of gravity (since it’s on a sedan platform) they have a strong resistance to rolling over in an accident. In fact, minivans outscored SUVs when it comes to rollover resistance.
While the safety features on the minivans emits our intelligence to pick such a ride, let’s face it... the number one reason we gravitate toward the minivan is because of its raw cargo space. We need to put in a lot of bodies and a lot of their “things” and a lot of our “things” yet we need everyone to be comfortable. The average minivan carries 6 passengers comfortably. There is no need to take two cars anymore. Everyone fits in the minivan. The fewer vehicles on the road the less carbon emissions and fuel costs. So you can feel good that you’re doing your part in “going green." Oh yeah, with that many passengers how does Mom know who is instigating border warfare between the second and third row? She will know because most minivans are equipped with the “conversation mirror” which allows the driver to see what’s going on in every seating position without turning around and looking away from the road. Uh-Oh!
There are so many cool things to point out about the minivan but the coolest right now is the miles per gallon a minivan will achieve. The average minivan will come in at approximately 25 miles per gallon! With savings on gas you save more money for the more important things in your life.
Speaking of saving money. Did you know that the minivan is one of the least expensive vehicle classes to insure? Which is yet another reason why minivan drivers are classified as intelligent. Minivans also have low operating cost. The costs to own a minivan from fuel and insurance to maintenance and replacement parts are all cost efficient.
Climb in a minivan and checkout the adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheel. People do come in all shapes and sizes right? Minivan engineers just always get it right. What about the in-floor storage? While its big enough for all your groceries it’s ideal to store the cold milk in there while running the rest of your errands or use the storage to keep valuables while at the park or ball game. Don’t forget to checkout the fold-flat third row seats or the re-configurable second row seats. Even though those fold-flat third row seats are great there are times when you want to reposition the second row captain's chairs to form a bench seat or make way for bulky cargo. Name one sedan or SUV that can do that!
As if minivans couldn’t get better…. they do! Minivans are loaded with bonus features not found or even available on many sedans and SUVs. How about the 115-volt power outlet? Good thing it’s a minivan with plenty of room for your Play Station and Wii. There’s also the 6-DVD/ CD changer. This gives you hours to not hear, “Are we there yet?” And the center folding storage tray (Yeaaaaah no more fries on the floor), navigation system and an onboard hard drive to accommodate your MP3’s, several dozen movies and have all of them accessible from inside your minivan.
Come on, you didn’t know all this about the minivan did you? You have to own a minivan to see why driving anything else just doesn’t make sense. Let’s go on a drive. Get the kids, the in-laws (or not) and let's go. See how much fun it can be just to go to warehouse club, the dry cleaners or anywhere else you need to go. Driving will be, if not necessary, enjoyable!
Listed below are a few of our favorites….
The Honda Odyssey…
The 2008 Odyssey is a leader in its class for great reasons. According to test drivers, it's powerful, fuel efficient, and handles like a car. The Odyssey has numerous reviews naming it the best-performing minivan on the market.
The 2008 Honda Odyssey has a spacious, comfortable and versatile interior cabin. In addition to having enough space for seven or eight passengers, the Odyssey also maintains an impressive list of standard convenience features and expansive cargo room. "All the switches and materials are top notch, and the overall look and feel is more luxury car than grocery getter," says Automobile Magazine. Compared to the other minivans in its class, the Odyssey holds the highest interior score.
The 2008 Odyssey performs exceptionally well in federal government crash tests, and comes equipped with a wide array of active and passive safety features - including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and three-row side curtain air bags. In fact, the Odyssey ranks at the top of its class for safety.
The Honda Odyssey offers Adjustable pedals, in-floor storage, conversation mirror, a 60/40 split fold-flat third row seat, run-flat tires, tire pressure warning system, seats that adjust side to side and fore/aft, rearview camera, side curtain airbags for all three rows of seating, traction control, stability control and one of the few minivans that offer side-window sunshades.
The Honda Odyssey’s bonus features are power-down rear side windows, power rear lift gate, rear DVD entertainment systems, center folding storage tray and a navigation system.
It’s no wonder the Honda Odyssey was a recommended vehicle by Consumer Reports.
We also recommend the Toyota Sienna...
We recommend the Sienna because it delivers one of the best combinations of power, comfort, and interior space in its class. Reviewers find the 2008 Toyota Sienna is a comfortable, safe, and reliable minivan with a surprising amount of power off the line, a touch of exterior flair, and plenty of space for a family and its stuff. Automobile Magazine contends, "The Sienna is great for drivers who require the people- and cargo-toting versatility a minivan offers, yet want a refined, civilized vehicle."
- "If one needs a lot of passenger and cargo room -- and no one would buy a minivan if they didn't -- then the Sienna gets our vote as one terrific family car." -- Forbes
- "With typical Toyota quality the Sienna has all the practicality a soccer mom could want, with cubbies and cup holders everywhere, plenty of power, easy to drive and not bad looking. But no one could refer to its size as 'mini.' Sienna is a large, front-wheel-drive, luxurious 7- or 8-passenger kid hauler, with lots of amenities and a reasonable price." -- The Auto Channel
The 2008 Toyota Sienna is a solid performer that's pretty powerful. Automobile Magazine represents the consensus, writing the "driving experience in the Sienna is one of confidence and security." The Sienna scores near the top of its class for its performance attributes.
The Sienna has attractive lines and may even turn heads as minivans go. U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman notes, "The Sienna has some trendy styling and some sharp edges that help it stand out (from a rather sedate crowd)." The Sienna earns the highest exterior score in its class.
The interior of the Sienna gets favorable reviews for its spaciousness, utility, and overall feeling of quality at all trim levels. One reviewer describes the Sienna's cabin as "Lexus-like." Wow!
The 2008 Sienna performs well in crash tests conducted by the federal government and insurance industry. Automobile Magazine contends, "The lengthy list of safety gear helps make the Sienna one of the most appealing family conveyances on the road."
Toyota offers competitive warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
The Toyota Sienna offers a telescoping steering wheel, conversation mirror, a 60/40 split fold-flat third row seat, run-flat tires, tire pressure warning system, reconfigurable second row seats, rearview camera, side curtain airbags for all three rows of seating, traction control, stability control and one of the few minivans that offer side-window sunshades.
The Toyota Sienna bonus features are power-down rear side windows, power rear lift gate, rear DVD entertainment systems, center folding storage tray, a navigation system and also comes equipped with auxiliary inputs.
And a recommended buy from Consumer Reports! - Kia Sedona
The 2008 Kia Sedona receives a very good ranking for its wide range of standard features, stellar safety equipment, and impressive powertrain warranty.
Kia, a division of Korean automaker Hyundai, redesigned the Sedona minivan in 2006 and the 2008 model is only slightly changed from that one. Reviewers find it to be a significant improvement over the pre-2006 Sedona. "The new Sedona minivan is better in almost every way than the first-generation Sedona," says Autoweek. The majority of the praise goes to the Sedona's award-winning safety equipment, the powertrain warranty and Kia's willingness to put features in the base model that would ordinarily be available as extra-cost options. Reviewers are less enthusiastic about the vehicle's performance and appearance, but many find the Sedona an acceptable alternative to its rivals in the minivan market. In fact, Motor Week awarded it a Driver's Choice Award in 2007 for "Best Minivan.”
- "Kia is selling value, not sex appeal, and the Sedona shows that the Korean automaker understands its mission well." -- U.S. News
- "Kia, looking to snag some of those companies' deserted sales, has greatly improved its second-generation Sedona and benchmarked it against the leaders of the minivan pack." –Automobile Magazine
- "The new Sedona has everything a minivan must: a solid drivetrain, enough optional electronic gadgetry to narcotize the kiddies on trips, side windows that roll down, lots of cup holders, an optional power liftgate, and standard airbags in front and all along the sides. The drivetrain is refined and powerful, the chassis is well-sorted, and there's plenty of room for plenty of stuff." -- Car and Driver
- "Bigger and more powerful, this Sedona packs more family-pleasing punch than ever." -- Motor Week
- "[T]his second-generation Sedona arrives with the form, function, and mechanical aptitude to go toe-to-toe with the big sellers from Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota." -- Motor Trend
- "Test drivers largely agree that the 2008 Kia Sedona's performance is competitive, at least within its class. Acceleration off the line is peppy in the Sedona," says Newsday.
Reviewers praise the 2008 Kia Sedona's long list of available features while generally agreeing that its interior is spacious and comfortable. "Inside, there's seven-passenger seating with seats that easily collapse to create a vast cargo space," says New Car Test Drive. "Every cabin convenience known to man is either standard or available."
The Kia Sedona performs exceptionally well in federal government and insurance industry crash tests, and comes loaded with plenty of active and passive safety features -- including traction control and full-length side curtain air bags. Within the class of minivans, the Sedona earns a top safety score.
Kia offers impressive warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. Kia also offers a standard ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program.
The Kia Sedona offers Adjustable pedals, conversation mirror, a 60/40 split fold-flat third row seat, tire pressure warning system, reverse sensing system, side curtain airbags for all three rows of seating, traction control and stability control.
The Kia Sedona bonus features are power-down rear side windows, power rear lift gate, rear DVD entertainment systems, a 6 DVD/CD changer and a center folding storage tray.
