Minivan Recommendations

[CloneFanInKC]

Due to the family growing in size, wife and I are looking at trading in her car for a minivan. Looking to see if anymore has their own personal recommendations and why.

We went from an Acadia to a Pacifica 5 years ago and absolutely love it for what it is/does.

Best thing for us the kids can open the doors themselves (sliding doors) climb in (low access level) and the 5&9 YO climb in back and buckle themselves.

I strongly suggest the power lift gate and (depending on your device usage/preference for kids) the Uconnect Video/DVR option that has screens in the back of the front head rests. We commonly do 3.5-4hr road-trips and the movies have been a life saver (along my iPhone earbuds and CF podcasts ). Also, the Stow and Go option is really convenient. I also suggest the power third row option.

Side Note - I’m 6’3” - 6’4” (time of day depending) and I fit fine in driver’s seat.

It’s been extremely practical for my family of 6 (9,5,3 and 11months). I see us moving onto a full size SUV in the future however this minivan is great for little kids IMO.

 

[CoachHines3]

those new kia carnivals look cool

 

[CloneFanInKC]

My FWD minivan handles worse in the snow than any of my FWD cars. I even have snow tires in the minivan.

I’d go Toyota just to get the AWD. I believe it’s the only manufacturer that offers that option.

Pacifica now has an AWD offering.

 

[ClonerJams]

 

[rpcyclone2013]

We have a 2019 Odyssey and really like it. Went with the Honda because of the reliability. We have three kids (twins who just turned 3 and then a 9 month old). We also have a golden retriever. One thing I really like about our van is that we can fit three car seats in the middle row which leaves the back for our dog and stroller. I have friends who like the Pacifica because the middle seats fold into the floor.

 

[cowgirl836]

Honda. Magic slide is *chef's kiss*. Has power liftgate. 4yr old can get in and out by himself. No issue with winter driving so far.

 

[DSMCy]

Another recommendation for the Pacifica. We have the media version with 2 screens in the back.
I hook a roku up when we travel, that has movies loaded onto a USB drive.
We also like the stow n go seats. Another storage bin when the seats are up and tons of room in the back when the seats are down.

Friends got a Kia Carnival last year. It has a little more of an SUV look, if you like that.
They don't have it, but I guess the higher end model has reclining middle row seats, with a foot rest.

 

[KnappShack]

We've heard they're once they hit over 100,000 they start to become lots of maintenance. Have you experienced this?

Consumer Reports wasn't a fan of that legendary Chrysler quality when I was shopping.

Rust/body integrity was a big issue too

 

[besserheimerphat]

Had a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and now drive a 2018 Pacifica. Both are terrific. Had no issues witb the DGC on snowy, drifted gravel roads. It did better than the AWD Honda CRV it replaced.

Until we got our pickup this past spring, we always used the minivans as pickups. Hauled 1200lbs of junk to the dump in one load. Hauled 10 foot lumber (run up between the front captains chairs, hatch closes) and 4x8 plywood and drywall.

Lower step-in and seat heights means its much easier for little kids to get themselves in and out. A 5 year old can climb into their car seat themselves, and then you just have to buckle them. No lifting them 4 feet in the air put them in a Suburban or Explorer. Plus the sliding doors gives you more room to operate in tight parking lots.

From what I recall, the Honda and Toyota options are more refined, powerful and expensive but no more capable. Last I knew ONLY the Chrysler offers fold-in-floor seats for the middle row. Everybody's third row folds flat, but the imports require middle seats to be removed for hauling plywood.

On our last road trip from near Seattle back to Iowa, we averaged 28mpg. In combined driving we get more like 24mpg. We do use the stop/start feature that turns the engine off at stoplights. We have the smaller 3.6 liter V6.

We've had two issues with the 2018, which wasnt totally unexpected since it was a major refresh for the model year (none with the 2008):

1. Bad transmission controller at delivery. Morning after we bought it, it wouldn't shift out if park. Had it towed to the dealer and repaired under warranty (including the tow bill).
2. Head unit failure. Radio just went crazy, randomly changing stations/sources. Replaced under warranty.

My wife has talked about getting out of the minivan life after a couple of the kids have moved out (we have 4).

 

[KnappShack]

Honda. Magic slide is *chef's kiss*. Has power liftgate. 4yr old can get in and out by himself. No issue with winter driving so far.

Sure. Rub it in.

Grandma only has to climb through the back hatch a few times a year in our "Rock and Roll Minivan"

Not sure about the Kia winter driving issue. We haven't had any issues in the past few years.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Pacifica now has an AWD offering.

And a hybrid version. Not sure if you can get hydride with AWD.

 

[carvers4math]

We have a 2019 Odyssey and really like it. Went with the Honda because of the reliability. We have three kids (twins who just turned 3 and then a 9 month old). We also have a golden retriever. One thing I really like about our van is that we can fit three car seats in the middle row which leaves the back for our dog and stroller. I have friends who like the Pacifica because the middle seats fold into the floor.

Niece has one of these with four kids and a dog ( and a husband but he can sit anywhere). Seems reliable and versatile.

 

[Gorm]

Consumer Reports wasn't a fan of that legendary Chrysler quality when I was shopping.

Rust/body integrity was a big issue too

Rust is the only thing that finally made me retire my 1999 Dodge Intrepid I used during my college years. It had 269K on it at the end. It had body rust so bad, a hole had formed in the passenger floorboard.

My two Chrysler vans both have 172k and 159K. Both are running like champs and rust free. As long as parts are available, I plan on owning them for the next 10 years. The transmission's are the weak point of the vans from this era. However the engines, specifically the 3.8, are nearly bullet proof.

 

[Jeremy]

I wouldn't personally ever get a Chrysler due to reliability ratings and just hearing things. But both the Honda and Toyota vans would be great options.

The only knock I've heard on the Honda is the air conditioning is apparently pretty week in the back, but otherwise solid.

Toyota is my brand of choice so I'd personally go with the Sienna, but that's more about brand loyalty and experience than anything else in particular.

 

[Scruff]

Parents drove 3 Town&Countrys in a row and they were all great. The Pacific appears to be the advanced version, but with all its power and light front end it sucks in the winter. They've had a few other minor issues 2 years in. Mom claims she loves it and dad says he'll never buy another one. The folding middle seats are still a great selling point, but it doesn't have a donut tire which seems incredibly stupid to me.

We drive a 2019 Odyssey and could not be happier. Drives like a dream. Has done well for a van in the winter. Zero issues so far. Parents don't like it because it has a small motor, dad has a heavy foot when driving. The magic sliding seats aren't as awesome as folding middle seats, but they are cool. 3 year old likes to ride by her baby sister. I like being able to move the seat for groceries and things.

 

[Cyclonick182]

I bet you could rock a white panel van. Maybe paint some wizards on it. Or better yet just go really minimalist and write something inspirational on the side like "Free Candy" or "Ass, Gas or Grass"

 

[cyfan92]

Honda. Magic slide is *chef's kiss*. Has power liftgate. 4yr old can get in and out by himself. No issue with winter driving so far.

Same here.

I did a pretty exhaustive search in 2020 and the Odyssey beat out the Sienna because of the sliding second row and I also felt the Sienna felt really dated versus the Odyssey. If you live in the DSM suburbs or similar, there is likely no reason for AWD and you are just pissing your money away on fuel, tires, and future maintenance. Different story for rural travel.

We originally wanted to go with a 3-row SUV. My verdict on 3-row SUV's is they are impractical and a waste of space and money unless you go to the Suburban size. Adults can ride COMFORTABLY in the 3rd row of our Odyssey. You get FAR better fuel efficiency than and SUV, cost of ownership is ridiculously low, and they will run forever.

Feel free to DM me if you want more. I couldn't give a bigger endorsement to our minivan. Especially after riding in a 3-row SUV over the holidays. I feel there is no better vehicle for highway travel driving than our Odyssey.

 

[Scruff]

I wouldn't personally ever get a Chrysler due to reliability ratings and just hearing things. But both the Honda and Toyota vans would be great options.

The only knock I've heard on the Honda is the air conditioning is apparently pretty week in the back, but otherwise solid.

Toyota is my brand of choice so I'd personally go with the Sienna, but that's more about brand loyalty and experience than anything else in particular.

Sienna was my 3rd favorite just driving around town. When we looked it had been years since Toyota updated them and it was very noticeable. After driving my parents Pacifica, I'd only look at an Odyssey and Sienna as well.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Had two Honda mini vans and 4 transmissions- One Kia no problems with it until the deer. Minivan issues and winter driving 100% a problem. If you can get AWD do it if not skip it.

 

[ianoconnor]

We've heard they're once they hit over 100,000 they start to become lots of maintenance. Have you experienced this?

Wouldn't surprise me. We bought our 2018 Pacifica new and it's been mostly good. Just had to replace the starter which wasn't fun. I think I'll probably go Odyssey next time. I also have a 2018 Accord and it just generally feels of higher quality long term.