Minivans have long been written off as the ultimate “dad cars,” the boxy, dull family wagons that trade style and speed for functionality. However, some minivans have been designed to provide drivers and passengers with cool features and an incredible driving experience. Over the years, manufacturers have bucked the trend, building minivans with turbocharged engines, upscale interiors, and even supercar-like speed. These are 20 minivans that are cooler than you think:
Toyota Previa Supercharged (1994)
When Toyota created the Previa, they didn’t just throw another minivan together. They revolutionized what a people’s career should be. Tokuo Fukuichi created this minivan with a mid-engine design with an inline-4 2.4L engine. But that wasn’t enough for Toyota. They threw in a supercharger and took output up to 161 horsepower. This minivan could compete in traffic, accelerating from 0-60 mph in around 9.8 seconds. On the inside, the Previa was cutting-edge, featuring a roomy three-row configuration, comfortable cloth seats, and an optional moonroof that provided passengers with a breathtaking panoramic view. The space-age dashboard design with a center-mounted gauge cluster was also a highlight. This was no typical minivan, it was a rolling spaceship.
Dodge Caravan Turbo (1989)
Everyone thinks of soccer practice and road trips when they hear the name Dodge Caravan, but in 1989, Dodge turbocharged the vehicle. Under the direction of Lee Iacocca, this minivan came with a turbocharged 2.5L inline-4 engine that produced 150 horsepower. That may not seem like a lot now, but at the time, it made a plain family wagon a sleeper to be reckoned with. The inside was cutting-edge, with soft captain’s chairs, an optional electronic dashboard, and even a car phone built in. It could accelerate to 60 mph in approximately 9 seconds, which was faster than many sedans of the time. This turbocharged box on wheels showed that minivans did not need to be sluggish.
Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG (2007)
In 2007, Mercedes turned their R-Class luxury minivan over to AMG, leading to the stunning R63 AMG. Created by Gordon Wagener’s design team, this monster came equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 engine that growled with 503 horsepower. This minivan had more horsepower than a Porsche 911 of its era. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in only 4.6 seconds, one of the quickest minivans produced. The inside was all Mercedes luxury, featuring leather seats, heated seats, a high-end Harman Kardon audio system, and three levels of comfort. Unfortunately, it was too visionary, and Mercedes dropped it after only one year. But for those fortunate enough to have owned one, it’s still one of the coolest minivans ever.
Renault Espace F1 (1995)
The Renault Espace F1 has one of the craziest concepts in a car, with the practicality of a European minivan and a Formula 1 engine. Built by Renault’s engineers to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Espace minivan, this monster was equipped with a 3.5L V10 engine taken from a Williams-Renault F1 car, which generated an astonishing 800 horsepower. With its carbon-fiber chassis and aerodynamic upgrades, it could accelerate from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds, quicker than most supercars at the time. The interior was a mix of race car and family hauler, featuring four separate bucket seats and racing harnesses. This minivan was never intended for production, but it demonstrated that even a minivan could be a beast with enough creativity and horsepower.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (2017)
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is not only a minivan, it’s a technological wonder. Launched in 2017 and designed by Ralph Gilles’ team, it became the first-ever plug-in hybrid minivan. Under the hood, it features a 3.6L V6 engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 260 horsepower. Its efficiency makes it remarkable, offering up to 32 miles of all-electric range before switching to hybrid mode. The inside is also impressive, with Stow ‘n Go seating, an optional rear-seat entertainment system with dual touchscreens, and even a vacuum cleaner built into the floor to clean up after dirty kids. It’s not a speedster, but with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, it’s fast for a hybrid. And in addition to all that, it’s making minivans environmentally friendly.
Volkswagen T3 Syncro (1985)
The Volkswagen T3 Syncro was more than a minivan, it was an off-road icon. Herbert Schäfer conceived this boxy go-anywhere vehicle featuring a 2.1L flat-four engine and Volkswagen’s tough Syncro all-wheel-drive system, which allowed it to handle dirt roads, snow, and even dunes. The interior was highly versatile, with detachable seats, a fold-down bed, and even optional camping gear. It wasn’t quick, taking about 12 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, but it offered an adventurous drive. It’s still a cult classic among van-lifers and overlanders today.
Honda Odyssey Absolute (2015)
The Honda Odyssey is a decent family hauler in the U.S. In Japan, though, the Odyssey Absolute is in a different league. This Japanese-market minivan boasts a lower ride height, sportier appearance, and a robust 2.4L inline-4 engine with 190 horsepower. On the inside, it delivers ultra-comfort reclining captain’s chairs with footrests, rich leather trim, and ambient lighting, making it seem like a private plane on wheels. Yet, for all its luxury, it’s amazingly fast for a minivan, hitting 0-60 mph in about 8.5 seconds. It’s evidence that minivans can be cool, sexy, and downright opulent.
Nissan Quest SE (2004)
When Nissan redesigned the Quest in 2004, they didn’t merely construct another minivan, they built a rolling work of art. Under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, this minivan boasted aggressive, cutting-edge styling, such as a wraparound rear window and a showy center-mounted speedometer. Under the hood, it contained a 3.5L V6 engine that delivered 240 horsepower, which gave it a surprisingly fast 0-60 mph time of just 7.8 seconds. The interior was a work of art, with a floating center console, optional DVD entertainment, and ultra-plush seating. Though its aggressive styling wasn’t to everyone’s taste, it demonstrated that minivans didn’t have to be dull.
Ford Aerostar 4WD (1989)
The Ford Aerostar was not your average minivan. It was a truck in disguise. Built by the design team working under Bob Lutz, the Grand Caravan had a rear-wheel-drive setup and an all-wheel-drive setup as an option, which helped it become the toughest minivan ever designed. With its 4.0L V6 engine outputting 160 horsepower, the Grand Caravan could tow up to 5,000 pounds—the unheard-of limit for most minivans. The focus was on functionality, providing a roomy three-row interior, optional captain’s chairs, and even a precursor to a rear-seat entertainment system. Though its 10.5-second 0-60 mph run wasn’t swift, it had a toughness quotient that separated it from the others.
Pontiac Trans Sport (1989)
Dominated by the nickname “Dustbuster” for its stretched, aerodynamic profile, the Pontiac Trans Sport was among the most futuristic minivans of the era. Wayne Cherry’s design sported a revolutionary aerodynamic body style, a wraparound windshield, and a power-sliding door option decades before they became commonplace. Under the bonnet, it boasted a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 170 horsepower, which propelled it from 0-60 mph in 9 seconds. The interior was 90s excess incarnate, with digital screens, optional leather seating, and an innovative modular seating system that permitted ultimate personalization. It resembled something from Star Trek, and in the minivan universe, that’s as good as it gets.
Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge (2015)
If luxury sedans had a minivan equivalent, it would be the Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge. Built specifically for Japan, this ultra-lux minivan was equipped with a robust 3.5L V6 engine with 296 horsepower, leaving it with a smooth 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds. But the real showstopper is the interior. It had first-class airline-style reclining captain’s chairs with massage capabilities, woodgrain trim, a huge infotainment system, and even ambient lighting, making it feel more like an exclusive jet than a minivan. Unsurprisingly, it’s the choice of vehicle for CEOs and celebrities in Japan.
Honda StepWGN Modulo X (2020)
While the regular Honda StepWGN is a functional family van, the Modulo X model goes full throttle. As a performance vehicle, it has a sports suspension, improved aerodynamics, and a turbo 1.5L inline-4 engine good for 150 horsepower. Coming off the 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds, it’s one of the fastest minivans on sale. Its interior is dazzling with premium leather, a digital driver’s instrument display, and an enormous glassy panoramic sunroof. It shows that there’s more than style to be delivered by the people-mover crowd.
Nissan Serena NISMO (2018)
Nissan took its best-selling Serena minivan and turned it over to their NISMO department, which produced a ferocious, performance-bred family hauler. A 2.0L engine tuned for 147 horsepower and a sport-tuned suspension provides crisper handling and a slightly faster 0-60 mph time of 9 seconds. The interior also received the NISMO treatment, including red stitching, sport bucket seats, and a race-inspired steering wheel. It’s not a GT-R, but it’s undoubtedly one of the sportiest minivans on the market.
Buick GL8 Avenir (2017)
Buick no longer sells minivans in America, but the GL8 Avenir is a mobile luxury suite in China. Targeted as a premium competitor to European executive sedans, the car has a 2.0L turbocharged engine with 237 horsepower, enabling a respectable 8.3-second 0-60 mph performance. Inside, it’s a technophile’s paradise with quilted leather seats, a huge digital dashboard, a rear entertainment system, and even an air purification system. Buick is not known for being a performance division, but this minivan is cooler than many luxury SUVs.
Chrysler Town & Country SRT (2005)
Although Chrysler never actually produced a high-performance minivan, the Town & Country SRT concept gave us an idea of what might have been. This concept car used a 6.1L HEMI V8 engine with 425 horsepower, which could take it from 0 to 60 mph in only 5 seconds. Inside was just as impressive: sport bucket seats, a steering wheel modeled after race cars, and a sport suspension to improve handling. Chrysler never produced it, but the concept of a 400+ horsepower minivan is cool.
Peugeot 806 Procar (1995)
The Peugeot 806 Procar was a single-production racing minivan built to participate in the Belgian Procar series. Powered by a mid-mounted 2.9L V6 engine making 400 horsepower, it had a scorching 0-60 mph time of 4 seconds. The interior consisted of bare-bone racing essentials, without comfortable seats, and only had a roll cage and a racing harness. It never was a full-time competitor, but the mere fact that Peugeot even contemplated racing a minivan makes it legendary. With its expanded footprint, aggressive styling, and gargantuan rear wing, the 806 Procar resembled a Le Mans prototype rather than a family wagon. If it had been put into full-on racing, it would have been among the most singular motorsport inventions ever.
Hyundai Staria N-Line (2021)
The Hyundai Staria already has a futuristic look, but the N-Line trim takes it to the next level. A 3.5L V6 engine and 268 horsepower provide a solid 0-60 mph of 7.6 seconds. The interior is just as futuristic, with ambient LED lighting, a huge infotainment screen, and reclining seats that are like sitting on a cloud. It’s like a spaceship on wheels. The exterior design is impressive, with a sharp LED light bar along the front, aggressive grille, and sporty red trim that differentiates it from typical minivans. Hyundai shows us that even family minivans can have an aggressive, eye-catching look.
Opel Zafira OPC (2001)
Whereas the Opel Zafira was a run-of-the-mill European minivan, the OPC variant made it into a hot rod. With a turbocharged 2.0L engine making 192 horsepower, it accelerated from 0-60 mph in a swift 7.4 seconds. Its sport suspension, aggressive body kit, and heavily bolstered Recaro seats made it the most thrilling minivan of its era. It was practical, but it possessed the essence of a hot hatch. The Zafira OPC also featured a sportier exhaust sound, more sensitive steering, and a lowered ride height, giving it the feel of a rally car instead of a minivan. While practical, it became a cult darling among driving enthusiasts who required room but wouldn’t settle for excitement.
Mitsubishi Delica D:5 (2007)
The Mitsubishi Delica D:5 is not a minivan. It’s an off-road monster. With a 2.2L turbo-diesel engine, sophisticated all-wheel drive, and high ground clearance, it can navigate tougher terrain than certain SUVs. The inside is designed for adventure, with tough materials, fold-flat seats, and an optional pop-up roof for camping. It’s one of the coolest vans for overlanders and explorers. Unlike regular minivans, the Delica is constructed on a rugged platform designed to survive in harsh conditions, thus making it highly sought after by off-road enthusiasts in Japan and other parts of the world. Whether driving through muddy trails or snow-covered mountain roads, this minivan rewrites the expectations of family cars.
Volkswagen Multivan T7 (2021)
The new-generation Volkswagen Multivan is an excellent combination of style, luxury, and technology. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which produces 215 horsepower, combines efficiency and performance with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. Inside, it has a flexible seating system, a huge infotainment screen, and premium materials that make it feel more like a luxury sedan. Volkswagen also concentrated on making the Multivan extremely versatile, with modular seating easily configured to meet different requirements.
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