Minivans, mom-mobiles, and the best choices for family haulers

Minivans became popular in the mid-1980s, replacing station wagons with clever packaging. But over time, they became stigmatized and derided as “mommy-mobiles.” Minivans can seat up to eight people and have versatile interiors, making them helpful for busy parents having to cart around cargo, kids and their friends, and sometimes both at the same time. They are the right transport for many families, and with continued concern for fuel economy and a cultural trend to more multi-generation families cohabitating (often out of economic necessity), minivan appeal may increase. Mommy mobile? You betcha.

Minivans have evolved since the Dodge Caravan defined the segment, but still remaining true to the original mission and basic one-box design. Over time, a shift toward SUVs caused the segment to shrink and uncompetitive models from Ford and GM got discontinued. More families decided to choose three-row SUVs instead as their primary family hauler, since it offered the same amount of seating, go-anywhere pretensions, keeping up with the Joneses notion, and a tougher image.

Minivans have become ever more refined with clever packaging, abundant safety systems, available AWD, improved reliability, and road-trip-ready entertainment systems. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are leaders in the dwindling class with excellent cargo space, a usable and comfortable third row, and both have better gas mileage than most three-row SUVs (19 mpg overall for the FWD versions of the Odyssey and Sienna).

In addition, minivans have been statistically safer. A recent study published in the Journal for Injury Prevention reported that SUVs are more dangerous than minivans. The study looked at crash data from 2000-2006 and found that children seated in minivans had a significantly lower risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries than those in an SUV. The rate was 35 percent less likely that a child would suffer an injury in a minivan and a 24 percent greater chance of fatality in an SUV than a minivan. Real factors that could influence these results include difference between driver psychographics/behavior and the increased risk for SUVs to rollover in crashes.

Interestingly, both Odyssey and Sienna both sell better than their three-row counterparts the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. However, across brands, there are more choices for SUVs than minivans.

Bottom line:
When researching your next vehicle, focus on the attributes you seek, rather than the car type. By doing so, you might find some surprising choices. For large families seeking a safe, roomy model with a comfortable ride, versatile interior, and respectable fuel economy, the right answer may be a minivan. In general, we’ve found minivans to be a good alternative to large SUVs. They’re less expensive, get better mileage, generally ride and handle better, and provide easier access to the third-row seat. Smaller families may see similar appeal with the Kia Rondo and Mazda5, two Consumer Reports recommended models that are somewhat hidden treasures.

What ever model you seek, the interactive New Car Selector can help you quickly sort and filter models down to the attributes that matter most to you.

—Liza Barth 

Minivans became popular in the mid-1980s, replacing station wagons with clever packaging. But over time, they became stigmatized and derided as “mommy-mobiles.” Minivans can seat up to eight people and have versatile interiors, making them helpful for busy parents having to cart around cargo, kids and their friends, and sometimes both at the same time. They are the right transport for many families, and with continued concern for fuel economy and a cultural trend to more multi-generation families cohabitating (often out of economic necessity), minivan appeal may increase. Mommy mobile? You betcha.

Minivans have evolved since the Dodge Caravan defined the segment, but still remaining true to the original mission and basic one-box design. Over time, a shift toward SUVs caused the segment to shrink and uncompetitive models from Ford and GM got discontinued. More families decided to choose three-row SUVs instead as their primary family hauler, since it offered the same amount of seating, go-anywhere pretensions, keeping up with the Joneses notion, and a tougher image.

Minivans have become ever more refined with clever packaging, abundant safety systems, available AWD, improved reliability, and road-trip-ready entertainment systems. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are leaders in the dwindling class with excellent cargo space, a usable and comfortable third row, and both have better gas mileage than most three-row SUVs (19 mpg overall for the FWD versions of the Odyssey and Sienna).

In addition, minivans have been statistically safer. A recent study published in the Journal for Injury Prevention reported that SUVs are more dangerous than minivans. The study looked at crash data from 2000-2006 and found that children seated in minivans had a significantly lower risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries than those in an SUV. The rate was 35 percent less likely that a child would suffer an injury in a minivan and a 24 percent greater chance of fatality in an SUV than a minivan. Real factors that could influence these results include difference between driver psychographics/behavior and the increased risk for SUVs to rollover in crashes.

Interestingly, both Odyssey and Sienna both sell better than their three-row counterparts the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. However, across brands, there are more choices for SUVs than minivans.

Bottom line:
When researching your next vehicle, focus on the attributes you seek, rather than the car type. By doing so, you might find some surprising choices. For large families seeking a safe, roomy model with a comfortable ride, versatile interior, and respectable fuel economy, the right answer may be a minivan. In general, we’ve found minivans to be a good alternative to large SUVs. They’re less expensive, get better mileage, generally ride and handle better, and provide easier access to the third-row seat. Smaller families may see similar appeal with the Kia Rondo and Mazda5, two Consumer Reports recommended models that are somewhat hidden treasures.

What ever model you seek, the interactive New Car Selector can help you quickly sort and filter models down to the attributes that matter most to you.

—Liza Barth 

Comments

[john]

I bought a Buick Enclave earlier this year and am extremely pleased. I think it is beautiful inside and out, has a very smooth engine and gets better mpg than any previous minivan I have had. Works great for my family of 6.

[C Gastineau]

It's worth noting that the Odyssey is a IIHS Top Safety Pick, whereas the Sienna scores a "Poor" in the IIHS rear impact crash test. (However, the Sienna is a Consumer Reports Top Pick in the category.)
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=80

[CharlesP]

"Go anywhere pretentions"? Yep, you nailed it.
I laugh at SUV's and pickups as our Chrysler minivan gets 15mpg WHILE TOWING our 3,000 lb. pop-up camper. The sad sacks get that mileage around town if they're lucky. Like typical excessive Americans, they pay dearly for their pretentions.