According to Capital One, 1.3 million minivans were sold in the US in 2000. The same year, they accounted for nearly 7% of all US vehicle sales.
According to the article, the 1983 debut of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager proved game-changers in the minivan segment. Families gravitated toward these vehicles due to their cost-effectiveness, space, and ability to fit in suburban garages.
SUVs and Crossovers Get More Love These Days
Although some families love minivans and wouldn’t trade them for anything, many prefer sports utility vehicles and crossovers. Here are 15 reasons why minivans are pound-for-pound the perfect people movers.
Spacious Interior
Minivans offer substantial interior space without being gargantuan vehicles overall. They’re perfect for transporting large families, pets, and property. Although SUVs offer tons of interior space, they tend to be cumbersome and challenging, if not impossible, to fit in residential garages.
Sliding Doors
Another thing minivans offer that SUVs and crossovers don’t is sliding doors. These make it easier for adults, kids, and pets to get in and out. Sliding doors can be a godsend if you’re parked in a tight spot while wedged between two cars.
Seating for Up to Eight People
While some SUVs and crossovers seat seven or eight people, their rear seats are usually only spacious enough for small children. If all seats are roomy enough for even adult-sized passengers, the odds are the SUV is humongous. Thankfully, you can own a minivan with seven or eight seats without feeling like you’re driving the Titanic.
Versatile Seating Configurations
Minivans feature versatile seating configurations. You can remove seats, fold them, or reconfigure their arrangement to accommodate passengers or oversized items, meaning minivans offer greater versatility than SUVs.
Stow ‘n Go Seats
If you want maximum versatility, get a minivan with Stow ‘n Go Seating. These seats easily fold down, offering a flat surface for more cargo room. Brilliant!
Huge Cargo Capacity
Consider the cargo capacity minivans offer—especially if you fold down the second and third-row seats. Some SUVs and crossovers have three rows of seating. However, minivans feature more interior space for cargo. According to Kelley Blue Book, minivans can hold north of 15 inches of extra space than the average three-row midsize SUV.
Low Step-In Height
Yet another reason minivans are the perfect vehicle for families with places to go, things to do, and people to see is their low step-in height. It’s easier for kids, older adults, or people with mobility issues to get in and out. Meanwhile, you almost need a running start to jump, climb, and catapult your way into many SUVs.
Great Visibility
Minivans offer excellent visibility since they have large windows on the front, back, and sides. Compare that with many SUVs and crossovers that are known for having many blindspots.
Better Fuel Economy
Minivans tend to offer better fuel economy than similarly sized SUVs, making them easier on your wallet. If you go on long road trips, they’re a bigger bang for your buck than SUVs.
Affordability
Minivans tend to be less expensive than SUVs. If you want a large vehicle to accommodate your family and all the activities you participate in—without breaking the bank—it’s a good idea to consider a minivan.
AWD Options Available
While some drivers choose SUVs over crossovers for AWD capabilities, you can get a minivan equipped with an AWD drivetrain. AWD is not as standard on minivans, but it does exist. One option is the Toyota Sienna.
Practical for Long Trips
Instead of getting a three-row SUV or crossover that’s cramped inside, buy a three-row minivan that’s perfect for long road trips or family excursions. You’ll have plenty of room for luggage and anything else you pick up along the way, including ample leg, arm, and headroom.
Built-in Vacuum Cleaner
One family-friendly feature some minivans have is a built-in vacuum cleaner. Anyone who has children will love this feature.
Aerodynamic
Some minivans are more aerodynamic than SUVs. They’re built more for practicality over style, after all. Aerodynamic designs make minivans more energy-efficient and easier to handle at highway speeds. This is a plus when going on long road trips with lots of people.
Ideal for Carpooling
If you need a vehicle to transport your kids and friends to soccer practice, etc., a minivan is the way to go. They often seat up to eight people, feature configurable seating for people and equipment, and facilitate easy entry and exit via low step-in height and sliding doors.
Minivans Win Hands-Down
The reasons listed above are why minivans are ideal vehicles for families. Although they’re not as cool as SUVs and crossovers, they’re hard to beat when it comes to transporting people, equipment, and gear with relative comfort.
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