I don't know if I ever shared the fact that when I was shopping for my S2000 I was cross-shopping against a van/minivan. The wife squashed that idea since we already have a minivan, a 2007 Toyota Sienna with ~130,000 miles, and the the kids are getting to the age that they're getting their own cars and too cool to be seen in the minivan unless mandated so she didn't see the need for another minivan.

And yet...

...is it weird that I am STILL looking at (mini)van reviews? That I want to replace our minivan with a newer model just for us (the wife and I)? I just find them awesomely cool with so much technical and convenience features that has more potential than a XUV for everyday driving. The ease of ingress and egress to convenience features to cargo loading. I mean with the rear seats folded flat there is just tons more room than all but the biggest XUVs. The newest Toyota Sienna has a hybrid powertrain that is rated at 36mpg combined! With AWD! The Chrysler Pacifica has a PHEV powertrain that can go 30miles before the gas engine kicks in! Tons of cup holders, tons of USB ports. Touchless, power-sliding doors and liftgate. Built-in interior vacuum cleaners AND refrigerator. Built in rear seat entertainment with built-in games!!! Just so many cool, fun features. Neither one is a bad looking vehicle either although I question the practicality or necessity of having 20" wheels on a minivan. I can't wait to see what and how the new Kia Carnival packages and when Honda updates the Odyssey but the two gas-efficient powertrains from Toyota and Chrysler will be hard to beat.

They say the minivan is going the way of the dinosaur but it's never been a better time to be a minivan enthusiast (<-- ).

 

We had one when we were doing road trips with our young son. They are the best vehicle bar none for road trips. We got rid of it after our road trip days but we enjoyed when we needed its practicality. I also liked the fact you could put a sheet of plywood in there or all kinds of furniture and it stayed dry, unlike a typical pick up truck. If you travel with luggage it arrives nice and warm, not like having it in a pickup truck bed. My only complaint about today's minivans is the cost, they have gone way up since we had ours.

 

I got a minivan when the kids were young and during the divorce bought another one since the ex took the first one. The comfort of a car and room of a big SUV. From family trips around town to out os state and cross country trips, that minivan is still with me, even with the addition of the S ten years ago. It got better gas mileage that an equivalent SUV did, had more people seats and more cargo room. It was a no brainer 20 years ago and should still be valid today.

 

The best minivan I remember was the manual shift, turbo Chrysler from the mid 80's. It used the turbo from the GLHS. Rare bird indeed. But I can see the appeal of a minivan over an SUV for practical purposes...plus, its got more room to have sex in.
darcy

 

Functional vehicle. Some guys use them for track day haulers (motorcycles).

 

Why not both?

https://www.carscoops.com/2021/02/ma...ack-day-combo/

 

I love minivans, they're far superior to any SUV minus the offroading aspect which no one ever uses them for. They have more luxury and tech than almost all luxury cars. The sliding door is probably the best design of all time, full opening but takes up zero space. And the thing just swallows stuff up, and no one pays any attention to them.

When you boil it right down, as far as a people/stuff hauler, there's nothing better.

 

Except for full-size conversion vans!

 

Minivans are great for everyone besides the driver. That's how I think about them. With that said the utility most certainly can't be beat. They are much cheaper than trucks (especially used), and are solid vehicles if you need to haul people/stuff regularly. We have a 2013 Sienna and it's a great vehicle. I daily drove it for a little while (the v6 is quite peppy), but there's no doubt it's huge/boat like handling wise. I get being in love with the utility of them, but other than that I don't miss driving it everyday.

 

We bought a new Odyssey back in 04, it was good for what it is/was but we don't miss it at all Storage was good, but my god the road noise on the highway was tiresome.