When shopping for minivans, it's good to begin by comparing features. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. However, by looking at a few top models in the vehicle class, even those that you might not intend to buy, you will get a feel for what type of features your family needs.
Minivan Model Comparisons
One way to get a good feel for minivan features is to compare some of the top-selling minivans on the market. This will give you a general idea of minivan features. You might want to buy one of these models, or you might just use these as starting points for making a list of features you need in a vehicle. When shopping for any vehicle, take time to look through relevant literature, including websites like Consumer Search, U.S. News and World Report and Edmunds.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey received praise from both U.S. News and World Report and Consumer Search as one of the top full-sized minivans on the market. It enjoyed particularly high ratings for safety, a feature that is always important. Other notable features of the Odyssey include the following:
- Seating for up to eight, making it an ideal choice for large families or people who do a lot of driving soccer and softball teams around
- A high resale value, important for those who don't like to own cars for too long
- Roof rails, useful for families who like to go camping and on other outdoor adventures
- Multi-view rear camera, an excellent safety feature that gives you eyes in the back of your head
The Odyssey is an ideal choice for larger families who want to keep safe and enjoy engaging in outdoor activities together.
Toyota Sienna
U.S. News and World Report rated the Toyota Sienna as the best minivan on the market. In addition to a perfect 10.0 safety rating, the Toyota Sienna boasts many great features:
- Large amounts of cargo space, an attractive feature for a number of lifestyles
- The most powerful engine in its class, for those who don't want to sacrifice power for cargo space
- A comfortable interior for the driver who wants a bit of luxury at an affordable price point
- An optional towing package that has a tow rating of 3,500 pounds, great for someone who wants to tow a boat, camper or other heavy object
The Sienna is a versatile vehicle for the woman on the go who likes to spend her weekends outside of the city.
Kia Sedona
Affordability is the name of the game with the Kia Sedona, but don't let the lower price point fool you. This inexpensive little minivan has a lot to offer in the way of features:
- A V6 engine, which balances power and fuel efficiency
- The longest warranty in its class, allowing you can rest easy after you drive it off the lot
- A perfect 10.0 safety rating
- Optional luxury, entertainment and navigation packages with things like leather seating, DVD players and GPS systems
If you are looking for a minivan and are on a budget but don't want to feel like you're in a budget car every time you sit in the driver's seat, the Sedona is the right vehicle for you. It combines a low price point with features that are attractive for any type of buyer.
Mazda Mazda5
The Mazda5 is a smaller minivan that offers big features. Consumer Search named this as the best smaller-sized minivan. Its attractive features include the following:
- Easy to maneuver, making this a great choice for women who have to fight urban traffic every day
- Optional manual transmission, allowing you greater control over the vehicle
- Small size, making this a highly fuel efficient vehicle, perfect for those who don't want to spend a lot on gas and are conscious of the environment
- Sport, touring and grand touring packages with features like a moon roof, roof racks, a remote engine starter and a six-disc CD changer
The Mazda5 is the perfect vehicle for a single urban woman or a small family who wants something fuel efficient and small. Further, it is the cheapest minivan on the market, though you wouldn't know it based on the standard features.
Choosing the Right Minivan
The perfect minivan with all the features you are looking for might not exist. Ranking the features in order of importance can help you to find which minivan is the right choice for you and your family. However, what type of lifestyle you lead might be the best way to decide what features are going to be most important to you. If you find a minivan that has some features but not others, talk to the dealership about whether or not those features can be added as aftermarket options.
