Who Has the Best Minivan? Chrysler, Honda or Toyota?

Written by Sheryll Alexander
Date : 06/09/2009

Which minivan is truly tops in interior, exterior, performance, fuel efficiency, safety and quality? Here, I compare the nation’s three most popular minivan models: 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, 2009 Honda Odyssey and 2009 Toyota Sienna.

Price Winner: Toyota Sienna
While all three minivans are very similar in price, the 2009 Toyota Sienna’s base MSRP is several thousand dollars lower at $24,540 than Honda Odyssey ($26,355). Plus, the Sienna tops out at $37,865 as compared to the Town & Country ($36,780) and Honda Odyssey ($40,505).
Quality Winner: Honda Odyssey
Experts at Consumer Reports have ranked the Honda Odyssey as the most reliable minivan based on extensive tests. Toyota Sienna came in at a very close second, so says Consumer Reports. Not only does the Chrysler Town & Country have questionable quality, as per auto experts, but consumers should be wary of Chrysler’s impending bankruptcy and dealer closings. The good news, however, is that you can probably get a great deal on a fully-loaded minivan.
Interior Winner: Chrysler Town & Country
The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country wins the interior award because of its overall good design and because it is the only minivan with a table and swiveling chairs option. I mean, how cool is when your family can all face each other and play games, eat food and work on their laptops in the back of your car? Super cool! However, this does not diminish the super plush interiors of the 2009 Honda Odyssey and 2009 Toyota Sienna. Both of these minivans provide great design, comfort and convenience as well.
Exterior Winner: Chrysler Town & Country
Minivans aren’t known for their exterior style, but I found the beefy American design of the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country is a delight for the eyes. Yes, the Town & Country may have more square lines than the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, however, the Town & Country somehow has a more sporty passenger car feel from the outside.
Fuel Efficiency Winner: Chrysler Town & Country
Surprisingly, the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country with its larger capacity 4.0 liter V6 engine wins the fuel efficiency competition at 24 mpg highway and 17 mpg city. The 2009 Honda Odyssey ad 2009 Toyota Sienna have get similar gas mileage at 23 mpg highway and 16 mpg city (Honda Odyssey) and 17 mpg city (Toyota Sienna).
Performance Winner: Honda Odyssey & Toyota Sienna
While the Chrysler Town & Country has a larger engine with its 4.0-liter V6, I found both the 3.5-liter V6 2009 Honda Odyssey and 3.5-liter V6 2009 Toyota Sienna eclipse the Town & Country with superior performance, including powerful acceleration, nimble handling, responsive braking and pleasing suspension.
Safety Winner: Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Town & Country
Both the 2009 Honda Odyssey and 2009 Chrysler Town & Country have earned top ratings for front driver, front passenger, side driver and rollover crash ratings from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The 2009 Toyota Sienna only received four stars in its front driver crash test, but got top marks in all other crash test ratings.