Driving Smart's Best 2009 Minivans Date : 04/20/2009
Can minivans be cool again? Yes and no.
No, they will never be as sexy as CUVs or SUVs. (However, minivan-driving-dad Evhen Farmiga @HotRodMinivan is trying to make them cool by offering minivan-specific graphics like flames, flowers and racing stripes.)
Yes, it does seem minivans can be cool. However, to be truly cool, minivans need to become way more fuel efficient and better for the environment overall. My five-year-old daughter, who experiences all of my road trip vehicles, is literally wishing for an all-electric minivan for eight passengers with rear entertainment system.
As a mobile worker and mother to a busy family of five, I want all the totally amazing features minivans now offer, plus green qualities and more friendly devices for all kinds of mobile tech products.
So, with all this experience as a mommy journalist, who has tested many minivan models through the years, who tops my best minivan list? The winner is: Both the 2009 Toyota Sienna and the 2009 Honda Odyssey are America’s top minivans for performance, features and family appeal.
I took a family road trip in the 2009 Toyota Sienna to north San Diego County’s Fallbrook countryside. My fully-loaded test model had powerful acceleration and excellent driving dynamics in all categories. The 2009 Toyota Sienna is also perhaps the best-looking minivan interior and has over-the-top features like a killer navigation, truly comfortable seating, lots of storage possibilities and a way cool rear entertainment system with wireless headphones. Truly, the 2009 Toyota Sienna is a dream-come-true-vehicle for big, active families.
The 2009 Honda Odyssey is comparable to the 2009 Toyota Sienna in all ways. I did find the performance on the Sienna does eclipse the Odyssey somewhat, but the acceleration and other driving dynamics on this award-winning minivan are all top notch. Inside, the 2009 Honda Odyssey may be even more plush than the 2009 Toyota Sienna with its super ergonomic dash, control panel and arm rests. The second row can include a kickin’ rear entertainment system with wireless head phones as well. Plus, the third row seating in the 2009 Honda Odyssey is truly roomy and comfortable even for adults.
Although TV commercials portray the 2009 VW Routan as a challenger in America’s minivans wars, I’m not certain this Euro van can deliver in all categories as well as the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. The performance does have that brisk German engineering feel and is certainly adequate, but I found the Routan’s can’t-move steering wheel and stark minimalism was a deal buster. The 2009 VW Routan just doesn’t have all the tons of family-friendly features as in the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country (see below).
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of driving a 2009 Kia Sedona, even though Kia’s U.S. headquarters are located right here in Orange County, Calif. What’s up, Kia? Still, most auto journalists seem to find the 2009 Kia Sedona has adequate performance and great safety.
Same thing goes for the 2009 Hyundai Entourage. So far, I’ve yet to road test what auto journalists seem to view as an overall good buy in performance, comfortable ride and roomy interior. My active family of five would LOVE to test out your 2009 Entourage, Hyundai!
I didn’t know the Mazda5 was considered a minivan even though I road tested it a couple of years back. But I can see how this hatchback-minivan combo car resembles one with its slide open-and-close doors, captain’s chairs with armrests and versatile cargo space. But this sport wagon can’t compare to the other full-sized minivans in this story. Still, if you don’t want a go-to vehicle without the volume of a big minivan, check out the 2009 MAZDA5 for its overall excellent performance and design.
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan/2009 Chrysler Town & Country
Last year, I may have put these Chrysler cousin models in the top spot or at least third under the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. But with bankruptcy looming, the only good thing about buying one of these minivans is perhaps you will get a really great deal. Certainly, Chrysler’s minivans are top notch in performance, overall driving dynamics and fabulous features. Last year, my family road tested a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country with its “stow-n-go” center table. Now that’s a minivan! My family has been talking about the minivan-with-a-table ever since and especially every time we pack up to take a long road trip.
If only this table option were available in the 2009 Honda Odyssey and 2009 Toyota Sienna. Then, they would both be the perfect minivan. Maybe next year!
Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
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