Minivan is a car classification that was first established in North America. It is designed to give rides to passengers. The imitation of a minivan in Europe is known as Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).

Body shape

The body configuration of a minivan is either one-box or two-box. It possesses high H-point seating, sliding door, flat floor, a high roof, and configurable rear seats in two or more rows. In comparison to full-vans, minivans have a less high body.

Why purchase Minivans?

  • Super practicality

Minivans are Non-sporty, less speedy, and have normal looks but for daily traveling with a large group of people, no other option is better than minivans. These have a highly spacious interior. This generous storage space gives a sense of peace when it comes to taking a monthly grocery from store to home and placing camping equipment in the car during vacation. The cargo space can be doubled just by folding the rear seats. Minivans are also spacious for passenger seating.

  • Affordability

Due to less demand nowadays, the purchase of minivans is highly affordable. In comparison, the cost of a minivan is $6300-8000 less than 3-rowed SUV. When it comes to luxury models then a highly luxurious SUV costs $18300 more than the equivalent model of a minivan. Fuel consumption of a minivan is also affordable. Its maintenance fee and insurance coverage are also less costly.

  • Convenient to climb

The low profile of the minivan makes it convenient for children, the elderly, and the disabled to climb in and out. Its sliding doors also eliminate the chances of a hand injury, which mostly happens in other car doors while shutting them. Sliding doors also mean that a person can park the minivan even in a narrow parking area without worrying about the space to open a traditional door.

  • Appropriate for long trips

Minivan provides a comfortable and refined long drive on the road. In other cars, passengers are usually packed and do not find space to stretch their limbs.  Minivan eliminates this discomfort and provides enough room for passengers to sit comfortably and relax their bodies. Separate cargo space in minivans also gives a sense of peace to fit maximum luggage for long trips.

  • Safety

Due to the lower center of gravity minivans are much safer to drive than crossovers and SUVs. The low profile of minivans helps to reduce air resistance and give better stability on the road. The advanced driver and safety features in new models have extended the safety of minivans. These features include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and automatic brake system in an emergency, back-view camera, and pre-collision safety feature.

Top luxurious minivans and prices

  1. Chrysler Pacifica

This model of a minivan is the current favorite for hauling and cargo purposes. It is a comfortable and thoughtfully designed van for a family. Its interior has three-rowed seating. 2nd and 3rd row is configurable and can turn a minivan into a cargo van.

Highs

  • Multiple USB ports
  • High storage
  • Option for a plug-in hybrid is available

Lows

  • Some interior bits are made of cheap plastic
  • Continually Ignored by SUV-focused users

Pricing

  • Touring: $37315
  • Touring L:$40615
  • Hybrid Touring: $42115
  • Hybrid Touring L: $44415
  • Limited: $47290
  • Hybrid Limited: $47540
  • Pinnacle: $52290
  • Hybrid Pinnacle: $53045

Touring L is a midrange minivan and offers a blend of value and features. These features include 18-inch wheels, a heated front seat, leather upholstery, and heated steering.

Details

  • Engine: V-6
  • Horsepower: 287
  • Fuel consumption: 3.6L per Km
  • Connectivity: CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple, Wi-Fi hotspot
  • 10-inch infotainment screen
  • An automatic braking system in emergency
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-departure alert
  • Back cross-traffic alert
  • Hybrid components warranty for 100000 miles or 10 years.
  1. Honda Odyssey

It is much appreciated and liked for its day-to-day cruise. Its reconfigurable and spacious interior is appropriate for hauling cargo, or, kids or both. It provides several inventive features that make the life of a family much easier.

Highs

  • Excellent practical interior
  • Remarkable tech features
  • 2nd-row seats are adjustable

Lows

  • less firm cruise on 19-inch wheels
  • Rear seats are heavy and difficult to remove

Pricing

  • LX: $32965
  • EX: $36365
  • EX-L: $39635
  • Touring: $43675
  • Elite: $48995

EX and LX are well equipped and give a fine ride. But EX-L Possessive additional luxury features such as a power-operated back liftgate, multi USB ports at back, and leather seats.

Details

  • Engine: V-6
  • Horsepower: 287
  • Connectivity: Apple, CarPlay, Bluetooth, and Android auto.
  • 8-inch infotainment screen
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Automatic braking system
  • Lane-departure alert
  • Adaptive cruise control
  1. Chrysler Voyager

It is a budget-friendly minivan and is equipped with bare necessities. It is a cheap model of Chrysler Pacifica. Its interior has three-rowed seating that provides space for up to seven members as well as cargo.

Highs

  • bargaining price
  • Innovative storage space
  • Resembles expensive Pacifica

Lows

  • Few frills
  • No driver-assistance features

Pricing

  • L: $29355
  • LX: $32065

LX is a preferred version of Chrysler voyager. It gives a compliant suspension as well as three-zone climate control, aluminum wheels, automatic headlamps, and superior lighting on the exterior.

Details

  • Engine: V-6
  • Horsepower: 287
  • Fuel consumption: 3.6L per Km
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple, CarPlay, android auto, six-speaker Audio system
  • Back-parking sensors
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Back cross-traffic alert
  1. Mercedes Benz Metris

The chief feature of Mercedes-Benz is luxury. It is a long or short wheelbase cargo van. It also has flexible seating and can haul up to 8 passengers. All models of Mercedes come with a 4-cylinder powertrain with a towing capacity of up to 5000 pounds. It has earned an editors’ choice award.

Highs

  • It rides better than rivals
  • Tremendous hauling and towing capacities

Lows

  • Costly
  • Fuel efficiency is unimpressive
  • Lacks brake pedal feedback

Pricing

  • Cargo Van: $34125
  • Passenger Van: $38335

The passenger van is a preferable version of Mercedes-Benz Metris. It has opted for its built-in navigation, power-adjustable seats at the front, electrically-powered sliding of doors, tremendous air suspension, automated climate control, and crosswind assist.

Details

  • Engine: turbocharged 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 208
  • Towing capacity: 5000 pounds
  • Hauling capacity: 2425 pounds
  • Connectivity: Apple, CarPlay Android auto
  • 7-inch infotainment screen
  • The basic automatic braking system
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Lane-keeping assist

 

Reference

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minivan
  2. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g15087665/best-most-reliable-minivans/