Shopping for a minivan once meant giving up all hope of ever looking cool again, swapping the keys of the fun little car you’ve been driving around for the ho-hum people-carrier that shows people you're all about family now. But there are a lot of reasons to feel good about making your new car a minivan.
These vans pack plenty of passenger and cargo space, but the same could be said of work vans like the Ford Transit and the Ram ProMaster. Many minivans also have helpful features that maximize the practical use of their frames’ versatility, but what gives minivans their family-friendly edge is their extra attention to creature comforts. Some of their features are downright plush, and many offer the latest infotainment and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Automakers have realized that carting a family around can be tough, so they've developed the best cars to meet your needs.
Shopping for a minivan? Browse our favorites on CarGurus.
The Best Minivans of 2024
Chrysler Pacifica
Best for: Families who need the space of a three-row SUV or crossover
Dodge retired the Grand Caravan after the 2020 model year, but its sister company, Chrysler has kept the Pacifica going strong. The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the fantastic Uconnect infotainment system, which is an example for other automakers on how infotainment should be laid out. It also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is available with the Uconnect Theater system. It features a pair of seat-back touchscreens hosting entertainment and even educational features, great for occupying kids on longer road trips. Last year, Chrysler added a Road-Tripper trim with unique styling touches, roof racks, and an included tow package.
The Pacifica provides 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space. That may be on the low side for the segment, but it’s still a significant amount of usable space. Cargo space totals 87.5 cubic feet with the second row in place and 32.3 cubic feet with all three rows in use. Chrysler makes it easier to utilize this space easier with its Stow ’n Go seating: The seats fold completely into the floor, which more than makes up for the slightly lower cargo volume numbers.
The 2024 Pacifica comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. It sends 287 horsepower through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option.
There are a host of standard safety features for the Pacifica, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear-seat occupant alert. In fact, the only optional driver-assistance features are a surround-view parking camera, self-park assist, and front parking sensors.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Best for: Families who want to brag about fuel economy and pure EV miles
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid continues to reign as the only minivan with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain on the market in 2024. The Pacifica Hybrid uses the same V6 engine as the conventional Pacifica, but here, it’s paired with two electric motors, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a lithium-ion battery pack. It can be charged in as little as two hours with a Level 2 home charger.
The result is a net output of 260 horsepower and fuel economy of 80 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) thanks to its 32-mile electric range. Once the electric range is exhausted, the Pacifica Hybrid averages 30 mpg combined. Acceleration is strong from the hybrid setup, but the car is noisy when the gas engine engages.
The 2024 Pacifica Hybrid offers the same cargo space as the gas-powered Pacifica. However, the battery pack’s location in the central floor of the minivan means that only the back seats have the Stow ’n Go feature. Otherwise, the Pacifica Hybrid offers all the same tech, creature comforts, and infotainment as its non-hybrid counterpart does—but at a higher price point. One great perk: Chrysler offers an impressive 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on its battery pack.
Honda Odyssey
Best for: Families that want tech and style
Not only does the 2024 Honda Odyssey have a higher-grade cabin than the 2024 Sienna, it also comes with more total cargo space (between 140 and 158 cubic feet depending on trim selected). As is the case for the Sienna, getting all that room requires removing the second-row seats. The Odyssey is super practical thanks to its clever interior storage, including a center console with multiple tiers and sliding trays. It also offers helpful features like the hands-free power liftgate, remote power-sliding side doors, an available Wi-Fi hot spot, and a wireless phone charger. Note that the available rear-seat entertainment system doesn't offer the same split-screen functionality as the Sienna’s does.
The Odyssey's driver enjoys a powerful, user-friendly infotainment system. It's a welcome departure from the confusing infotainment system Honda used to use—something to be aware of if you're shopping for used minivans. The current system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment and makes the most of the 280-horsepower V6 engine. This is a strong engine that complements the Odyssey’s solid driving dynamics. Our only complaint with the latest Odyssey is where the powertrain and cabin design meet: the shifter. It's not the most user-friendly, and it falls right in the middle of the center console, taking up valuable dash space and moving it further from the driver.
The 2024 Odyssey comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance features. This includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control.
Kia Carnival
Best for: Parents wanting an upscale family vehicle that doesn't look like a minivan
The Kia Carnival is the Sedona’s successor, and it makes the minivan pill easier to swallow with its more SUV-like styling. Inside, the Carnival features a modern, upscale cabin that has a sleek-yet-functional design. We appreciate the conventional shifter layout (looking at you, Honda) and easy-to-find radio and climate controls. The base LX trim comes with seven USB ports and an 8-inch touchscreen. All other trim levels come with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both are easy to use and include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024 Carnival also provides an impressive 145.1 cubic feet of total cargo space. With all seats in use, that total comes to 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 2024 Kia Carnival is powered by a 290-horsepower V6 engine which routes power to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination provides confident acceleration around town and on the highway. Fuel economy estimates for the Carnival are 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined. If you’re looking for a near-luxury minivan, check out the range-topping SX Prestige trim. In addition to its fetching leather upholstery, it features a heated steering wheel, dual moonroofs, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The second-row seats are comfortable reclining captain’s chairs.
Toyota Sienna
Best for: Families that need plenty of functional space
Thanks to its standard hybrid powertrain, the 2024 Toyota Sienna delivers 36 miles per gallon city, 36 highway, and 36 combined with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 35/36/35 in its all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration. Every other minivan on the market comes standard with a conventionally powered gas engine, while the Sienna is hybrid-only (the Chrysler Pacifica is offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but it’s optional).
The Sienna can carry plenty of cargo, too. It’s got 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, and 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row. That middle row can't be completely removed or folded into the floor, however, so total cargo volume measures 101 cubic feet. On the bright side, the second row of seating is flexible, sliding forward and backward to accommodate awkwardly shaped items, while keeping seating capacity greater than two people.
The 2024 Sienna can be optioned with plenty of content. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, and a premium JBL audio system is available. The Sienna also offers dual power-sliding doors and a power rear lift gate. Last year, Toyota expanded the lineup to include the Woodland trim, which offers standard AWD, wireless device charging, and a pair of wall-style power outlets.
The hybrid engine produces 245 horsepower, and a separate electric motor can drive the rear wheels on AWD models to the tune of 54 horses and 89 pound-feet of torque. The Sienna routes power through a CVT for maximum fuel efficiency.
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