The Best Used Minivans

• All-wheel-drive minivan. Motorists who want all-wheel-drive vehicles expect a higher level of safety and performance on slippery surfaces. These are often people who live in the mountains, where difficult weather conditions are common. A 4x4 minivan is simply indispensable in such places. Such buyers are increasingly turning to SUVs. But is it so necessary? No, but the choice of 4x4 minivans is very limited.
• A 7-person minivan. There are a large number of motorists who want a car that has seven seats. The reason for that is banal - the big family, but such a car may be necessary for the company to carry the employees, and for a cab, it is a great option. But it should be noted that the third row of seats is usually hidden on the floor. And it is much less space for legs. The back will be maximally comfortable for two passengers of modest size (for children).
• Vans. Among them, the leading models are Ford Transit Passenger and RAM ProMaster. However, these are much more expensive offerings, but not without reason. They usually offer a higher level of quality, a more comfortable third-row, and larger trunks.

What is the best used minivan to buy: If someone needs a family car and doesn't intend to pay extra according to prevailing trends, a minivan would be a very good idea. Their prices are reasonable, and their interiors are very practical. Proven drivetrain systems are also pleasing because, with these models, manufacturers usually use simple solutions

The Honda Odyssey is one of the most popular minivans in the United States, which means that the model will meet all the requirements of the most spoiled buyers, have a wide range of preset options, and will be convenient for a relaxed trip for a family of five. The Odyssey is extremely reliable and safe through the use of Honda's proprietary, patented Sensing technology, which offers the driver numerous assistive features such as automatic braking and lane-keeping technologies. Of course, the availability of safety systems varies greatly depending on the year of manufacture and configuration. But what exactly can't be taken away is the luxury inside – the big space, leather, excellent sound of the multimedia system.

A representative of the South Korean car industry is the direct heir of the Kia Carnival minivan, known since 1998, and in some countries, the Best used minivan is still called that today. The third generation, which debuted relatively recently in 2014. Externally Sedona reminds Kia Sorento Prime, and for a reason: the models have a common platform, although the minivan base is almost 30 cm more than the crossover, and there is no full drive, only front. The Korean six-cylinder engine is the most "small-capacity" in our review, but its efficiency is quite decent: the Kia is inferior only to Chrysler in power. However, the "automatic device" has six steps, as Honda has, and its weight is even a little bit more: it is the main heavyweight of our review. As to conveniences, we can note the "smart" fifth door, which can raise itself if the owner with a key in a pocket lingers for some seconds near the car: it is very convenient if hands are busy, and it is not necessary to sweep with legs.

One more pleasant surprise is the starting price of 26,400 dollars, approximately equivalent to our two and a half million (not at the official rate, but in comparison with other models). Base equipment of Sedona is similar to Chrysler's, and there are as many as 12 cup holders for seven passengers. The eight-seater interior is already at extra charge, as well as leather trimming of the interior, 18- or 19-inch wheels, panoramic roof, all-around cameras, valet, climate control with an air ionizer, and the above mentioned magic fifth door. But Sedona will hardly suit music lovers: the premium Infinity sound system (not to be confused with automobile brand Infiniti) has only eight speakers.

Speaking of Infiniti: the cars of this particular brand strongly resemble the interior of the fourth-generation Nissan Quest minivan, introduced in 2011. It shares the platform with several Nissan models (Teana, Murano, Pathfinder), as well as with crossovers Infiniti QX60 and JX, - without, however, having all-wheel drive, as well as most competitors. The main technical difference between the Quest and them - is the box-variator Xtronic instead of a classic "automatic", which engineers Nissan long ago and quite happily "married" with a powerful six-cylinder engine known as the family VQ35. Among the functional advantages is the most "wagon" design with a high roof (Quest is 8 cm higher than the Odyssey), which adds space in the cabin, but hardly contributes to the visual elegance. Though, on the other hand, both Mercedes V-class and Volkswagen T6 are noticeably higher, so we have no moral right to reproach any of the reviewers with too much "business".

The Nissan Quest's base price is almost as attractive as the Kia Sedona's, increasing by only $180. But the complete set is closer to Honda's: neither cast discs nor leather, but there is an engine start button by default. The list of options includes "music" Bose with 13 loudspeakers, an entertainment complex for passengers with the 11-inch screen, traditional climate control, navigation, a compass, a panoramic roof, and xenon headlights, which for the American market is rather an exception than a rule.

In America, the not-so-young Sienna plays in the same price category as the freshest Chrysler Pacifica, with a base price of $28,850. The Sienna does not offer all-wheel drive, Parktronic, xenon, and leather interior trim. The Sienna is the only car that in all versions is not only supposed to have light-alloy disks and a rear-view camera, but also three-zoned climate control. And as usual, the powerful multimedia system, all sorts of electric drives, cameras and radars (despite the age), navigation, etc., are for the select few. Finally, the cherry on the four-wheel-drive cake is the special passenger seat Auto Access, able to get out of the car and turn around for comfortable boarding and unloading.

2006-2007 Mercury Monterey. This model is quite a rarity in the U.S.: many Americans have only seen it in photos. Nevertheless, those lucky people who managed the best used minivan to buy are completely satisfied with it. The luggage compartment is not too big - only 3,876 liters if you fold the back row, but it more than pays off with excellent crash test results (4 and 5 stars in the NHTSA rating, as well as the rating of "good" from the IIHS). The technical equipment of these models corresponds to the class of luxury.

Dodge Grand Caravan 2010. Photos of this beauty can often be seen on the covers of automobile magazines. It is popular among car enthusiasts due to its reliability, safety, and practicality. Stow'n go system allows increasing useful interior space up to 4071 liters. There is not much electronic stuffing in it - only the most necessary. In the safety ratings, it got the highest points: "good" from IIHS and 5 stars from NHTSA.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country. This model performed well in safety tests, which couldn't help but get the attention of buyers. The highest NHTSA and IIHS ratings, plus average reliability scores, make this year's minivans quite popular in the aftermarket. Stow'n go system for 30 seconds removes the second and third rows of seats, increasing useful space inside up to 4071 liters.

2006-2007 Ford Freestar. At one time, these models were unable to compete adequately with cars from other manufacturers, but over time it turned out that they are quite good. The low price in the aftermarket is successfully combined with an average level of reliability and a capacity of 3842 liters. As for the crash-test results, there were very different evaluations. If NHTSA has spared 4 and 5 stars, IIHS was pickier. The front and rear crash protection was rated "good."

The history of the Dodge Caravan model began back in the first half of the eighties, and each generation used to be produced for an average of six years. However, the minivan of the fifth generation, presented only in the long version Grand Caravan, was produced for almost thirteen years. Despite the considerable age, in the USA, the Dodge Grand Caravan is still the sales leader in its segment, although for the last year, the demand has dropped by 17% (to 122 thousand units). The FCA concern, which includes the Dodge brand, has been talking about stopping production for years, and now the time has come: in May, production of the Caravans will be stopped.

After that, FCA's Canadian plant in Ontario, where the Grand Caravan and the more modern Chrysler Pacifica minivans are made, will change from a three-shift operation to a two-shift operation, and as a result, about 1,500 people will lose their jobs. The further destiny of the Caravan itself is still unclear: most likely, there will be no new generation, and the place of the model on the market will be taken by the Chrysler Voyager presented last summer, which is the simplified version of the Pacifica model.

The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan offers four optional extras in addition to the base AVP: SE, SXT, Crew, and R/T. Among the most notable options:

• folding roof rack, heated steering wheel,
• heated rear seats,
• power tailgate and Uconnect hard-drive navigation and entertainment system with voice control.
• sound upgrade with 9 speakers with 506 watts, hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity,
• satellite radio, rear-seat DVD entertainment system,
• rearview monitor, mobile Wi-Fi connect hotspot,
• rear backup sensors, louvered spot monitoring system with crossover protection, manually operated sunblinds
• windshield wipers with rain sensors, power pedals, and power side sliding doors.

The most important thing that the manufacturer has emphasized is the comfort for the driver and passengers of the updated car. In addition to decorative elements and quality materials trim, Dodge Grand Caravan 2013 got several useful options. For example, the equipment list  can include cruise control, climate control, airbags (including lap airbags), keyless entry, ESP, and other equipment.