Newer Minivans, which one is best?

**CyCloned** · 01-15-2011, 11:39 AM

The old 2002 Buick Rendezvous is getting tired and we may need to get something to replace it sometime this year. The wife likes being up high to see the road so it will be another mid sized SUV (2WD) or a minivan. Anyone have a suggestions? We are more interested in functionality and good gas mileage than cool features.

**Bobber** · 01-15-2011, 11:45 AM

Can't go wrong with the Honda or Toyota. We have an 07 Honda Odyssey and has been trouble free. Very functional. Mileage isn't going to be much different between any of them.

**CyCloned** · 01-15-2011, 11:57 AM

I have heard good things about Hondas, not so much about the Toyota MV.

**jsb** · 01-15-2011, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by CyCloned

The old 2002 Buick Rendezvous is getting tired and we may need to get something to replace it sometime this year. The wife likes being up high to see the road so it will be another mid sized SUV (2WD) or a minivan. Anyone have a suggestions? We are more interested in functionality and good gas mileage than cool features.

My parents have had 3 Dodge/Chrystler/Plymouth minivans since 1989. The 2005 and 1997 ones are still running well :)

**Bobber** · 01-15-2011, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by CyCloned

I have heard good things about Hondas, not so much about the Toyota MV.

Consumer Reports gives the Toyota pretty good ratings. Actually in some respects their reliability scores have been better than the Honda's(the pre 2005 Hondas had some major transmission issues). The Honda's handle better, but you do tend to hear more road noise with the Honda.

When we were looking we test drove both of them and simply liked the styling and the way the Honda handled a little better. Toyota was our second choice. The new restyled Chryslers seem to be nice(my brother has one), but long term reilability scores are still a question mark.

**brianhos** · 01-15-2011, 12:33 PM

We have an 04 odyssey that has had nothing ever go wrong. My wife got backed into and when it was being repaired we got a sienna rental. That was a much nicer van.

**BigBake** · 01-15-2011, 07:07 PM

I sadly can't recommend an 07 Odyssey. (new ones may be better)

- Extremely inside while driving. I think they skimped a bit on floor insulation.
- Been in shop one too many times for warranty repairs. It was covered of course but not a good sign for post 36k miles.
- To me a cheap build quality on some interior pieces.

The biggest complaint for me was for the premium they charge (compared to Dodge) it wasn't worth it.

**Cyclophile1** · 01-15-2011, 07:23 PM

If you can deal with bad gas mileage, our Kia Sedona minivan has been solid, if tankish family-mover for us. Had back to back Niassan Quests and took a chance on a Kia. Probably half a notch worse than the Nissan product, but it was priced close to the Chrysler product and better overall reliability ratings. The gas mileage is terrible and it feels similar to our 1998 Dodge Caravan which went through three transmissions in five years.

Cheers

**besserheimerphat** · 01-15-2011, 07:35 PM

As others have said, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are top of the line. Probably next is the Grand Caravan. They are less expensive but it does come through in the driving experience. Does Chevy make a minivan anymore? Or Ford? A coworker of mine has had a great experience with his Kia Sedona.

We have an 09 Grand Caravan that we bought new, very basic model with the smaller 3.3L V6. The engine is adequate, but I wouldn't want anything with less power especially when the van is loaded up to the brim. Quality so far (~41,000 miles) has been pretty good, though we've got one intermittent squeal that we can't locate/diagnose.

If you do your own maintenance, oil changes on the Dodge have been super easy. Everything is easy to get to. Our old CR-V had an oil filter that was nearly impossible to get to - I don't know if they do the same thing on their vans, but I cursed that thing out every 3000

**Clonehomer** · 01-15-2011, 07:46 PM

We've been test driving them and I have found the Honda and Toyota's seats to be more comfortable than the dodge. It seems that in order for dodge to make the seats stow and go, they reduced the amount of padding in them.

Also, if you have more than two kids the Dodge has an option of a second screen for the back seat rather than just the one for the second row (although Honda and Toyota have a split screen so they still will show two different movies).

**Wesley** · 01-15-2011, 07:58 PM

Kias cost less and are getting better each year. Safety rating is also high.

**Bobber** · 01-16-2011, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

We've been test driving them and I have found the Honda and Toyota's seats to be more comfortable than the dodge. It seems that in order for dodge to make the seats stow and go, they reduced the amount of padding in them.

One of the best thing about the Honda is it's seats. I remember how uncomfortabe the Dodge's were relative to it.

**Wx4Cy** · 01-16-2011, 10:36 AM

Depends on what you want. If you want pretty on the outside, check out the Nissan. But for interior features it's pretty tough to beat the Caravan. We have 2010 Caravan and love it.

**MNCYWX** · 01-16-2011, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by CyCloned

The old 2002 Buick Rendezvous is getting tired and we may need to get something to replace it sometime this year. The wife likes being up high to see the road so it will be another mid sized SUV (2WD) or a minivan. Anyone have a suggestions? We are more interested in functionality and good gas mileage than cool features.

Does your rear hatch latch still work?

**azepp** · 01-16-2011, 11:58 AM

We have a Subaru Forester and like it a lot. Probably a little smaller than what you're looking for, but it's been great so far for us. 4WD so it handles well in winter. 23 mpg with mostly in-town miles.