Minivan Madness: The Caravan's New Competition

Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica is the modern-day Dodge Caravan, and is the only Mopar minivan available today; Chrysler discontinued the entry-level “Voyager” in 2022 after producing an old Pacifica for three years with the former Plymouth model name. If you rent a minivan in America, you are likely to get a Pacifica, and you may be surprised just how luxurious they are. Starting at $38,020 msrp for Touring trim, the Pacifica is offered as a regular gas model or as a plug-in hybrid, which allows electric-only mode for 33 miles of driving and is rated at 84 MPGe combined. Touring L steps up to $42,175 msrp and Limited starts at $49,450 with luxurious Napa leather-trimmed seats, and ventilated and heated seats. The hybrid option is considerably more expensive, starting at $51,095 for Touring L, however, there is a $7500 federal tax credit available. There is also a top-of-the-line Pinnacle Hybrid trim which starts at $60,990 msrp and includes 18 inch wheels and quilted leather upholstery and matching lumbar pillows. Neither the 287 hp gas model nor the 260hp combined hybrid output are speed demons, each taking about eight seconds to reach 60 miles per hour.

Honda Odyssey

While the 2024 Odyssey is getting a bit long in the tooth, dating back to a 2018 redesign, it is still one of the best driving minivans on the market in terms of handling and accelerating, along with traditional Honda reliability. It blows other minivans away (relatively speaking) with a sub-7 second 0-60 time and fifteen seconds flat in the quarter mile with its 280hp / 262 lb-ft of torque VTEC, the only powertrain available, with a 10 speed automatic. EX trim starts at $37,840 msrp and standard options include “Magic Slide” 2nd row seats, a blind spot sensing system, power sliding doors, heated cloth seats, and full LED headlights. EX-L steps it up to leather at $40,910 msrp, as well as one-touch power moonroof, power liftgate, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Sport, Touring, and Elite at $41,860, $45,100, and $49,970 starting msrp, respectively, adding even more options such as Sport 19-inch gloss black wheels, ventilated front seats, wifi hotspot capability, parking sensors, rear entertainment system, and hands-free power tailgate.

Toyota Sienna

No longer billed as a Swagger Wagon, the 2024 Sienna comes in a swaggering six trim levels: LE ($37,185 msrp), XLE ($42,495 msrp), XSE ($44,745 msrp), Woodland ($48,125 msrp), Limited ($49,445 msrp), and Platinum ($52,645 msrp). All wheel drive is available. Despite all these trims, the Sienna has one engine choice, a 245 horsepower configuration resulting from Toyota’s hybrid technology famous in the Prius. While the Sienna won’t win any drag races, it can get up to a very respectable 36mpg on the freeway, and should at least be able to merge sufficiently with its 7.5 second 0-60 time. All models have dual power sliding doors, push button start with remote keyless entry, and blind spot monitoring. Genuine leather comes on the Limited and Platinum trim, while synthetic leather comes on the XLE through Woodland trims. The XSE trim is the sport suspension model, and has available 20 inch wheels.

Kia Carnival

The Carnival is the value-leader in the minivan segment, starting at $33,200 msrp. Handily undercutting all the aforementioned competition, it has some of the best amount of space in the industry to boot. A 3.5L V6 is standard with 290 hp / 262 lb-ft torque, which propels the Carnival and its 2-ton plus weight to sixty miles an hour in 7 seconds. A long list of standard and optional features make for an opulent minivan, including power sliding rear doors, push button start, eight inch touch screen and accompanying exterior sensors to help with parking this large van. The Seat trim option makes it possible to have so-called slide flex seats, and also adds faux leather trim, which is becoming de rigeur in the industry from makers such as Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac unless you pay extra for the real deal. Upper level models, starting north of $46k, include large 19 inch alloys wheels, memory and power seats, larger navigation screen, genuine leather, premium Bose stereo, and a host of other luxuries making the Carnival the coolest ride to school.

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