You may think a minivan is the last vehicle you want to be seen driving. They
aren't glamorous, but they're great workhorses. For many businesses, minivans
are the ideal size, shape and all-around functional transportation, short of
resorting to a commercial van.
With large interiors for several people, exceptional cargo space and huge
exterior side panels for your company logo, minivans serve soccer moms and
entrepreneurs alike. Among the most versatile of vehicles, they can be turned
into a multi-people mover or into an office with the addition of a small mobile
desk or workstation. Chrysler minivans have a removable table that can be
installed between two rows for mobile client meetings. A minivan can even be
transformed into a rolling PowerPoint presentation vehicle. Plus, in a pinch,
when it's many miles to the next hotel, you can stretch out comfortably in the
back to sleep.
Sure, sport utility vehicles outsold all other categories for a while. But
the oil crunch has people turning to smaller cars and crossovers--a combination
of a station wagon and an SUV. So maybe it’s time to take a second look at the
much-maligned minivan. The square styling has been replaced with sleeker,
aerodynamic lines; the technology equals that found in luxury sedans; and safety
features abound. Third-row seats can be lowered into floor recesses or
completely removed, and the soaring headroom means you can easily stack bulky
boxes and oddly shaped cargo. Volkswagen believes so solidly in a resurgence of
the U.S. minivan market that in February it debuted the new 2009 Routan, a
seven-passenger van being built at Chrysler’s Canadian factory. It goes on sale
later this year.
Safe, fun and economical
Safety and entertainment are a big part of a well-stocked minivan, and
designers have kept both adults and children in mind when coming up with ways to
keep parents confident in their ride and kids busy on the road. Engineering has
taken giant strides forward to help ensure safe driving. Some manufacturers also
have added quirky essentials: Chrysler has an umbrella holder in its 2008 models
a la the Bentley Arnage sedan. It has also added a removable center console, so
you can grab the entire box and take it to meetings. Storage places are
everywhere: There are overhead, in-door, under-trunk and behind-the-seat pockets
and cubbyholes.
Some minivans gulp gas. But others get as good as or even better fuel economy
than a mid-size car. For instance, the Mazda5 minivan gets 22 mpg in the city,
compared with 20 mpg for the Ford Fusion mid-size sedan. What's more, the EPA is
recalculating mileage this year--downward. For instance, the 2007 Toyota Sienna
minivan, initially rated at 19 city/26 highway mpg, is now rated at 17 city/24
highway mpg. That's because the EPA is taking into account gas consumption
related to air conditioner use, colder outside temperatures, and speed and
acceleration.
Don't look for a hybrid yet. Toyota is the sole manufacturer that has built a
production minivan hybrid, the Estima. But it’s for sale only in Japan. It may
make its way to our shores in the near future.
The downside to a minivan might be trying to parallel park. But the addition
of blind-spot and backup cameras provides a rear-view picture on your GPS
monitor to help you slot the vehicle into a parking spot more easily. Honda’s
Odyssey features memory-linked side mirrors that automatically tilt down when
you reverse the vehicle, enabling you to view the curb and parking area when you
back up.
J.D. Power and Associates has the best-sellers ranked. Honda’s four-model
Odyssey lineup leads the list. Not far behind are Chrysler’s upscale Town and
Country, the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Toyota Sienna. You can also check out
the Nissan Quest, Mazda5, Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage.