Minivan Recommendations

[SEIOWA CLONE]

We have purchased 5 minivans over the past 30 years or so, the first 4 were Chrysler, the last 2019 Toyota. We prefer the Toyota, but they are all great if you are hauling kids, sports equipment and for family vacations. Nothing like having the kids in the back, watching their movie on the screen with their headphones on, and me and my wife listening to music as you motor down the highway.

 

[NWICY]

I've been itching to get something forest service road capable the last few years. I'm about 60 miles north of Seattle. I like the Gladiator and Bronco but my wife hates the styling of both. I don't like the FJ Cruiser and they don't make them anymore anyway. Maybe a ForeRunner or XTerra...

We took a family vacation to a beach house in Ocean Shores, WA and our minivan did fine as long as we stayed back on the packed sand.

LOL I did forest service roads in Colorado 2 yrs ago with a Chevy Cruze drove up them till it became too rough or rocks got too big then would turn around and bike down letting the SO drive it back out and pick me up in town. You can bike a lot of miles in a day when it is all down hill

 

[besserheimerphat]

We have purchased 5 minivans over the past 30 years or so, the first 4 were Chrysler, the last 2019 Toyota. We prefer the Toyota, but they are all great if you are hauling kids, sports equipment and for family vacations. Nothing like having the kids in the back, watching their movie on the screen with their headphones on, and me and my wife listening to music as you motor down the highway.

Or the 5 year old listening to his shows on his iPad at full volume while your wife cranks her dumb ass audio book.

 

[flycy]

I'll echo what a lot of people have said here. I would really encourage you to stick with Honda or Toyota. We've had a 2011 Odyssey for the last 8 years. My wife totaled it this summer and we actually purchased the same thing (one higher trim level). I do think the Odyssey's are a little nicer than the Sienna's, but know people who have loved them.

I'm not a "car guy" by any means but would be nervous to own a Chrysler based on what I have heard from others and read from Consumer Reports.

Funny how all the Chrysler minivan haters haven't owned one. Had one when the kids were younger. It had minor things go wrong, like the alternator, but was so easy and cheap to fix. Way less money buying a used one than a Honda or Toyota. Served us well. Admittedly probably wouldn't buy a Chrysler car.

 

[Stewo]

Whatever you do, get AWD. You'll never regret it. We ended up trading our 2011 T&C in for a Yukon XL and it became a tiny bit cumbersome for my wife to drive the kids to school everyday. So, we traded in my Golf for a Telluride for the day to day stuff. It's been nice to have the two different sized vehicles.

 

[cyclonemagic]

We got a new 2002 fully-loaded Honda Odyssey when my son was entering grade school. It replaced a small Mercury Villager van. I was not exactly happy with another minivan purchase at the time. But I have to admit that the Odyessy was the most practical vehicle that we ever owned for that stage in our life. It was refined and so smooth to drive compared to the vehicle it replaced. The Odyssey began to develop transmission issues when the vehicle was 10 years old with high mileage and lots of heavy usages. Honda minivans had a known transmission issue in the vans of that era that they did not want to own up to. I assume that they eventually fixed that problem. My wife was in an accident and our Odyssey was totaled. We moved on to a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe which we love and still own.

 

[cyclonemagic]

There is a reason you can't find many low mileage, newer vans on dealer lots. Buyers LOVE them

No kidding. My wife and I are nearing retirement and bought a new Subaru Forrester. As we were looking for cars at various dealers for the past month, we noticed that there were very few new or used vans for sale. Used vans always looked well-used and had high mileage. I believe SUVs have replaced vans to some extent. You just do not see as many of them on the road anymore. But IMHO, vans are the most functional and practical vehicle for young child years.

 

[Cy4Lifer]

We’ve had one Dodge Caravan (1994), two Chrysler T&C (1999 & 2003), and two Honda Odysseys (2008 & 2014). We’ve had great reliability with all except the ‘03 T&C. Love everything about vans that has been written in this thread. Very versatile vehicle, smooth ride, decent gas mileage. Good luck!

 

[CycloneSpinning]

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.

I reserved a minivan from Enterprise (for a trip to Texas), and they gave me a Lincoln Aviator. If that counts as a minivan…it gets my vote. One of the best vehicles I’ve ever driven.

 

[mb7299]

I have a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and love it. 30 miles of electric then the good gas mileage of a hybrid.

What year is it, still notice a recall on the early years. Wondering because we are looking at getting one in the future as they are finally dropping price wise. We have two Ford cmax's right now so we love at least partial plug ins.

 

[shadow]

On the newer models how do I get a CD player? Do I have to get an entertainment center? If so is it better to get one after market? Our current 2005 mini van probably is near end of life but we're nervous losing our CD player.

As funny as this might be it is a serious question. We're not the most technology savvy so rely upon audio books from the library for longer trips.

 

[simply1]

As funny as this might be it is a serious question. We're not the most technology savvy so rely upon audio books from the library for longer trips.

Hmmm, you could put in an after market stereo with a cd player.

I use Libby with my library to check out audio books and play them via Bluetooth. You might look into that option.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

As funny as this might be it is a serious question. We're not the most technology savvy so rely upon audio books from the library for longer trips.

After-market stereo, external CD player that plugs into a USB port, or vehicle 2014 or older would probably be your best options.

 

[drmwevr08]

We have had 3 vans. Both Toyota and Kia have been pretty good. Dodge are always the cheapest but I've never given them a try.
You don't need AWD.

 

[aeroclone]

As funny as this might be it is a serious question. We're not the most technology savvy so rely upon audio books from the library for longer trips.

Our 2019 Odyssey has a Blu Ray player for that also will play CDs. We have the rear video system for the kids though, so not sure if a CD player is included at other trim levels.

 

[cytor]

No mini vans. Go with a half ton pick up truck with a crew cab. Way better than minivans.

 

[cyfan92]

No mini vans. Go with a half ton pick up truck with a crew cab. Way better than minivans.

Comparing a minivan to a truck is like comparing ice cream to a cheeseburger...

 

[cytor]

Comparing a minivan to a truck is like comparing ice cream to a cheeseburger...

I have owned both... Pick ups are by far better to have. I will never go back to a minivan.

 

[Jeremy]

I have owned both... Pick ups are by far better to have. I will never go back to a minivan.

I don't think anyone would argue that pickups can be great. But minivans and pickups are generally great at different things, and therefore, targeted to different people or situations.

 

[MeanDean]

Trying to confirm or not. Are Toyota Siennas only offered as hybrids? No gas only version. At least that's what it looks like.

Toyota may have the best vehicles but their websites are definitely not the best.