Minivans have always been associated with family road trips and carpools. However, things have changed today. Minivans can be fitted for every style of life and even prove a capable yet luxurious ride for adventure seekers, corporate professionals, and many others. Here are 20 minivans defying all expectations and proving they’re not just for the family.
Chrysler Pacifica (2017)
Designed by Ralph Gilles, the Chrysler Pacifica has redefined the minivan segment with its sleek look and advanced technology. The car’s 3.6L V6 engine delivers 287 horsepower and offers smooth, efficient performance. The premium leather seats inside, roomy cabin, Stow ‘n Go seating, and the Uconnect Theater for entertainment define this vehicle. The Pacifica offers a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.3 seconds.
Toyota Sienna (2021)
The Toyota Sienna is a hybrid minivan that perfectly balances performance and efficiency. Its 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain delivers 245 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds while achieving impressive fuel economy. Inside, the Sienna offers a luxurious and family-friendly cabin. SoftTex seats, a large touchscreen infotainment system, a built-in refrigerator, and a vacuum cleaner make it a comfortable and convenient vehicle for long journeys.
Honda Odyssey (1995)
The Honda Odyssey, designed in-house by Honda’s team, is legendary within the minivan world. Its current model is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine with 280 horsepower. The Odyssey also has features inside: Magic Slide seats, CabinWatch rear-seat monitoring, and the tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey is a reliable and fun minivan for any lifestyle, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.6 seconds.
Kia Carnival (2022)
Designed by Karim Habib, the Kia Carnival comes with a striking SUV-inspired look and potent performance. With a 3.5L V6 engine putting out 290 horsepower, it quickly moves from a standstill. It features VIP lounge seats with reclining leg rests, dual-screen entertainment systems, and a large cabin that can hold all your gear. The 0 to 60 mph time is just 7.0 seconds, blending luxury and performance into a practical package.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2014)
This is a premium minivan created by Volker Mornhinweg to portray class and style. It is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 190 horsepower, making it smooth and quiet. It can seat up to eight people and has leather upholstery with ambient lighting. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of 9.1 seconds, making it appropriate for business executives or luxury travelers who need comfort and style.
Volkswagen Multivan T7 (2021)
Designed by Albert Kirzinger, the Volkswagen Multivan T7 is a next-generation versatile van. It delivers 215 horsepower with a plug-in hybrid system, a 1.4L turbocharged engine, and an electric motor. The Volkswagen Multivan T7 has a modular interior and seats that can be repositioned easily, making using a modern digital cockpit and advanced infotainment a must. Powered from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, the Multivan T7 can conquer driving through city streets and weekend wanderings.
Chrysler Town & Country (1989)
The Chrysler Town & Country is the luxury leader in the minivan market. Chrysler designed this car to be utility mixed with sophistication, and it boasted 283 horsepower in the later editions of the vehicle from the 3.6L Pentastar V6. This vehicle’s interior features included high-quality leather seats, a scheme for entertainment, and luggage space. The model’s 0 to 60 time was 8.3 seconds.
Nissan Quest (1993)
Nissan Quest, designed by Jerry Hirshberg, gave the minivan market a fresh, aerodynamic look. Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine generating 260 horsepower, it was well-performing. With features including a smooth dashboard, enough room for seven people to sit comfortably, and better infotainment options, the Quest was one alternative to traditional family haulers, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.5 seconds.
Mazda5 (2005)
The Mazda5 is a compact minivan engineered by Mazda’s in-house team that promises a sporty driving experience. Its 2.5L inline-four-cylinder engine with a 157-horsepower output was agile. Its interior features a three-row seating arrangement, sliding rear doors, and cargo space adaptable to any need. With an 8.8-second 0 to 60 mph time, it was practical.
Ford Transit Connect Wagon (2010)
The Ford Transit Connect Wagon, designed by Ford of Europe, is a functional and stylish minivan. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 162 horsepower and offers decent performance. The interior is spacious and versatile, accommodating up to seven passengers and featuring user-friendly infotainment. With a 0-60 mph time of 10.1 seconds, the Transit Connect Wagon is a practical and comfortable choice for families and businesses.
Hyundai Entourage (2006)
The global design team for Hyundai produced the Entourage, which added more value and reliability to the minivan class. It featured a 3.8L V6 with a strong output of 250 horsepower for smooth, responsive driving. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with leather seats, rear entertainment, and safety features. The Entourage ran 0 to 60 mph in just 8.6 seconds, delivering exceptional performance with value for money.
Volkswagen Routan (2008)
The Volkswagen Routan, a joint venture between Volkswagen and Chrysler, blended German engineering with American practicality. The Routan offered a smooth and comfortable ride, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 283 horsepower. The interior featured a clean, European-inspired design with high-quality materials, ample space, and a user-friendly infotainment system. With a 0-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds, the Routan balanced performance and practicality, making it a stylish and versatile minivan.
Renault Espace (1984)
Designed by Matra and Renault, Espace is one of the earliest examples of a multipurpose— vehicle. Early models had a 2.0L inline-four engine, but later versions had diesel and turbocharged variants. The modular interior featured adjustable and removable seats, innovative storage solutions, and large windows for superior visibility. The Espace could accelerate to 0 to 60 mph in approximately 10.0 seconds and appealed to families and urban explorers.
Mazda MPV (1989)
One of the first minivans offered with sporty handling, the Mazda MPV was developed by a team of engineers within the company. Early models had a 3.0L V6 engine with 155 horsepower, but later models had more powerful engines. The interior emphasized comfort and practicality; fold-down rear seats and simple controls were standard. With a 10.2-second time to 60 mph, the MPV is a good compromise for those looking for a more driver-oriented minivan.
Ford Freestar (2004)
Ford built the Freestar in-house, but this time, it replaced the Windstar and featured better safety and flexibility. It was powered by a 4.2L V6 engine that produced 201 horsepower, emphasizing smooth, reliable performance. The cabin had flexible seating for up to seven, a friendly user dashboard, and loads of storage space. With its 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, the Freestar served families and professionals looking for a dependable and practical minivan.
Chevrolet Venture (1997)
GM’s design team developed the Chevrolet Venture, a minivan built to prioritize comfort and utility. With its 3.4L V6 engine putting 185 horsepower under the hood, performance was not compromised. Configurable seating, sliding doors, and an optional DVD player helped make the Venture the go-to minivan for many families and small businesses, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 9.5 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz R-Class (2005)
The R-Class, designed by Volker Mornhinweg and the Mercedes-Benz team, is a minivan with luxurious practicality. The vehicle came in various engines, such as a 3.5L V6 or 3.0L turbodiesel, capable of 302 horsepower. The interior features leather seats, a premium sound system, and plenty of space for passengers and luggage. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.4 seconds, the R-Class offered elegance and performance for those seeking a high-end multipurpose vehicle.
Toyota Previa (1990)
The Toyota Previa was designed by Toyota’s in-house team and brought to market with a futuristic look and a unique mid-engine layout. Early models were fitted with a 2.4L inline-four engine that produced 138 horsepower. The roomy interior had swivel seats, rear climate controls, and innovative storage solutions. It ran from 0 to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds, and the Previa was one of the favorite cars among families and enthusiasts because of its practicality and design.
Hyundai Staria (2021)
Designed by Hyundai’s European design team, the Staria is a futuristic minivan that prioritizes luxury and tech. Powered by a 2.2L turbodiesel or a 3.5L V6 engine, it offers a choice between efficiency and power. It boasts lounge-like seating, ambient lighting, and a widescreen infotainment system. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.9 seconds, the Staria redefines what a minivan can be, appealing to professionals and adventure seekers.
Dodge Caravan (1984)
Designed by the legendary Chrysler designer Hal Sperlich’s team, the Dodge Caravan is the first modern minivan and a standard leader in this class. Early models used the 2.2L inline-four, but a more powerful V6 became an option later. The presence of sliding doors has complemented practical and flexible seating inside. A mixed-use cargo area is now included, so it takes 10.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. That makes the Caravan just revolutionary.
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