5 Car Brands That Make Minivans (+Popular Models Listed)
Amid Americans’ obsession with SUVs, minivans maintain their appeal among buyers seeking comfort, space, and utility for the family.
Although only a handful, these car brands manufacture minivans – four are current, while the fifth has discontinued its sole model.
#1 Chrysler
Alongside General Motors and Ford, Chrysler (part of Stellantis) is one of North America’s three largest car manufacturers.
After the difficult recent decades, Chrysler is pinning its hope of an automotive revival on two of the brand’s current models, the 300 full-size sedan and seven-seater Pacifica minivan.
The minivan is available in gas-only and plug-in-hybrid powertrains.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica minivan began life as a six-seater in 2004, combining the attributes of a wagon, minivan, and SUV aimed at midsize families.
It had respectable handling for its size and an upscale interior among its peers at the time.
However, the pre-2009 Pacifica’s reliability was below average, and the company discontinued it after 2008.
Subsequently, the then-new Pacifica with seven seats debuted in 2017 to challenge similar offerings from Honda and Toyota.
Its ride quality is generally smooth across most road surfaces, and the V6 powertrain’s performance is average for the class.
Still, a distinct feature that makes the current-generation Pacifica stands out is the convenience and versatility of its Stow-n-Go seating, allowing you to fold the second-row captain’s chairs into the floor for maximum cargo-carrying capacity.
An all-wheel-drive option is available for enhanced wet-weather traction.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Chrysler introduced a plug-in-hybrid version of the Pacifica in 2020 as the only minivan manufacturer to do so.
Although this PHEV version is considerably more expensive than the gasoline-powered Pacifica (over $10k more), the initial investment will repay you quickly if you mostly drive short distances.
Once fully charged, the Pacifica Hybrid can travel 32 miles exclusively on electric power, making it an attractive option for families on short daily commutes.
Plus, the Pacifica minivan is remarkably safe, achieving consecutive safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since 2017.
The Pacifica’s IIHS awards:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2019 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2018 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
Chrysler Voyager
The Voyager is another minivan from Chrysler, but it’s less well-known than the Pacifica.
Like Pacifica’s less-than-glorious past, the Voyager made its first appearance in 2000 and only experienced a few short years of market presence up until 2003.
The 2020-revived seven-seater Voyager carried an attractive price tag, had excellent all-around visibility, and a strong V6.
But Voyager’s overall refinement is subpar compared to its Japanese rivals, and Chrysler ultimately relegated it to fleet-only barely two years after its introduction.
#2 Kia
Kia has come a long way to shed its economy-car image with stylish and competent vehicles often sold for less than the competition.
While the marque’s lineup covers popular SUVs and sedans, Kia is arguably the best minivan brand for value-minded shoppers, rivaling similar family haulers from Honda and Toyota while offering abundant features and industry-leading warranty.
A case in point is the family-friendly Kia Carnival minivan, boasting distinctive SUV-like styling, a comfortable interior, and an unbeatable price for the segment.
Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival, a relatively new segment entrant, debuted in 2022 and offered budget-minded large families an affordable people hauler without breaking the bank.
With the base model starting in the low $30,000 range, the Kia Carnival is the cheapest minivan that can seat seven occupants – although eight is possible with the optional seating configuration.
Climbing in and out for the rear passengers is straightforward, given the spacious interior, and the driver enjoys excellent visibility, thanks to the large front, side, and back windows.
It is second to the Honda Odyssey in cargo capacity with the rear seats in place or folded.
Kia Sedona
Kia Sedona is the predecessor to Kia Carnival, recording a near-two-decade lifespan that ended in 2021.
It is a V6-powered minivan capable of transporting occupants in a quiet cabin, even at highway speeds.
For midsize to large families wanting an affordable used minivan, the eight-seater Kia Sedona is an excellent pick.
Its interior carries a distinctive SUV-like cockpit design and, like all Kia vehicles, has tonnes of features for the money.
#3 Toyota
A car company as popular as Toyota needs no elaborate introduction.
For people-hauler shoppers, Toyota is a compelling minivan manufacturer worth serious consideration for its renowned ride comfort, safety credentials, and reliability.
While it produces many best-selling models in the sedan and SUV body styles, the Toyota Sienna carries the Japanese marque’s flag commendably in the minivan market.
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna should make anyone’s family hauler shortlist with its best non-EV fuel economy.
Since it adopted the hybrid powertrain as standard in 2021, the Toyota Sienna has been the most frugal minivan for a seven-pax family, returning an impressive above-35 mpg average when most gas-only models hardly reach the mid-20s.
Toyota is a leader among hybrid car manufacturers, with gas-electric technologies that the competition strives to match.
Another massive plus for the Sienna is its inexpensive all-wheel-drive trim that is several thousand dollars cheaper than its Chrysler rival.
Toyota Sienna is also a safe family vehicle:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2019 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2018 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2017 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2016 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2015 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2014 Toyota Sienna | – |
| 2013 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
| 2012 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
| 2011 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
#4 Honda
If you can find a Toyota in your preferred body style, you’ll find a Honda alongside it, competing for attention.
Like Toyota, an expert at designing comfortable and reliable passenger vehicles, Honda is a strong pick for a car brand that makes minivans.
In typical Honda fashion, however, the Odyssey minivan is the most enjoyable to drive among the competition.
Honda Odyssey
While minivans are generally superior people movers, the Odyssey is the strongest all-rounder if you’re after a conventional gasoline-powered model.
The Odyssey tops the segment in interior roominess and maximum cargo space with the seats folded (rpd). Plus, it provides an enjoyable driving experience despite its size and heft.
The Honda Odyssey is the ideal minivan for families wanting the ultimate balance in power, gas-only efficiency, comfort, and cabin quietness.
External noise intrusion is the lowest among minivans, and it offers ample room and in-cabin features for all occupants to travel long distances in quiet relaxation.
The Honda Odyssey’s safety credentials are arguably the most impressive:
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2021 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2020 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2019 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2018 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Honda Odyssey | – |
| 2016 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2015 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2014 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2013 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2012 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2010 Honda Odyssey | – |
| 2009 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
| 2008 Honda Odyssey | Top Safety Pick |
#5 Dodge
Dodge is the final entry of this list because its only minivan has entered the manufacturer’s history books at the end of 2020 – like several competitors before it.
Instead, this American automaker’s focus centers around muscle cars, where the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are frontrunners in the space.
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan was one of the cheapest minivans when it was still in production.
While it’s a discontinued model and may appeal to used minivan shoppers with its affordable price, the Grand Caravan is an uncompetitive machine in overall performance, feature list, tailpipe emission, and crash test scores.
Its mediocrity in almost all practical aspects means focusing on the first four minivan manufacturers in this post is best.
References:
https://www.chrysler.com/pacifica.html
https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival-mpv
