Sometimes minivans are also referred as vans and they are designed to hold 6 to 10 passengers at the rear seats. The corresponding classification in Europe is the M class that is best called multipurpose vehicles or minivans.
Body type
Minivans sometimes have one-box or two-box body configuration, the next roof, a sliding door for rear seats passenger, a flat floor and high seats at the H point. Since the front engine structure is almost entirely used, MPV uses a body structure with two or a single box. Bucket seats are followed by one or two rows of seats, usually in a 2 + 2 + 3 configuration.
Like its larger counterparts, the minivan/MPV uses multiple side and back door configurations. Many examples use sliding doors, while other examples provide doors with front hinges (such as cars). It was originally introduced on the Nissan Prairie in 1982. In 1996, Chrysler minivans introduced sliding doors on the driver’s side; in 2002, all minivans were equipped with doors on both sides of the body. Most minivans have hatchbacks; some minivans use slab-shaped rear doors (cargo versions of Chevrolet Astro, Ford Aerostar, and Mercedes-Benz Metris).
As a multi-purpose vehicle (but not a utility vehicle), a minivan has a reconfigurable interior space to carry passengers or cargo. Early examples were designed with detachable rear seats that can be lifted from the floor for removal and storage (consistent with pickups); however, this design was not accepted by users (because many seats are heavy and difficult to remove). In 1995, Honda Odyssey introduced the third row of seats that can be folded to the floor; Odyssey’s car-style folding rear seat configuration was adopted by many competitors, and Chrysler introduced the second row of seats in 2005.
There is nothing shameful while sitting in a minivan. Indeed minivans have very good fuel consumption rather than many other SUVs and their interior is also very flexible.
Here are some of the top-rated minivans and their description.
Chrysler Pacifica:
When we talk about transporting people and goods, minivans are better than SUVs in various aspects. The Chrysler Pacifica 2021 is our current favorite. It provides a normal V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid power system, both of which have reasonable fuel efficiency in our tests. The second and third rows can be folded, turning the Pacifica into a spacious transporter. Very suitable for transporting large items and the price range of Chrysler is not higher than $60,000 in the market.
Toyota Sienna:
Say goodbye to the dilapidated, new styling of the Toyota Sienna minivan in 2021, the full hybrid series makes it a particularly effective choice among competitors. The interior of Sienna has undergone the same bold redesign, but at the same time retains functionality and familiarity. Last year’s V6 engine was over. Powertrain all-wheel drive is still an option, and Toyota provides the best fuel economy in its class. Price of Toyota Sienna is around $30,000-55,000.
Mercedes-Benz Metris:
Luxury is the flagship product of Mercedes-Benz, but Metris’ city truck series is characterized by vanity, which is conducive to versatility. It can be used as a transporter with a short or long wheelbase, as well as a passenger transporter with flexible seats, and is even supported by Mercedes, which competitors can discard. Such as integration with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Although the Metris 2021 is not as perfect as the company’s more streamlined products, it is still one of the most advanced and powerful trucks on the market. Their price range stands between $35,000-40,000.(1)
Ford Transit Connect:
Ford Transit Connect 2021 offers customization options, which are attractive to dealers and those who value versatility. This city van can carry up to 7 people. It can also be hollow and can carry things, depending on whether it is a van or a car. Ford also offers a choice of short or long wheelbase, symmetrical tailgate or tailgate, and two different four-cylinder power systems. And limited space with countless configurations and a long list of popular options, Transit Connect 2021 has proven to be a very useful tool. Ford minivans starting price is $30,000.(2)
Ford Transit:
Whether you want to enter the life of trucking or need a well-equipped truck for commercial purposes, the Ford Transit 2021 can handle almost anything you can handle. Ford offers a variety of configurations to meet your needs, as well as the host. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers more payloads, and Transit’s base price is higher than some of its competitors, but compared to other large truck markets, Ford is still climbing to the top of this segment. For a car of this size, the handling is surprisingly adequate, and the cabin is surprisingly quiet. Regardless of work requirements or family needs, Transit can do any task.
Honda Odyssey:
Although the name implies that the next family outing will be a great adventure, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is likely to be praised for its durability. It also provides many creative features designed to make family life easier. The driving performance of the Odyssey is also much better than its sloppy shape implies, and its silky smooth V6 engine barely pulls out of the way. It is standard in the Odyssey series, but so are its main competitors Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna, and it also offers optional all-wheel drive. Their price of this minivan starts from $30,000.
Chrysler Voyager:
If you have not received the news, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been officially discontinued, and the Chrysler Voyager 2021 is the only cheap minivan option for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. As a cheap version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, Voyager is powered by a V6 engine, with three rows of seats that can accommodate up to 7 passengers and provides plenty of cargo space. Voyager that we know should provide the same refined driving performance as the Pacifica because it is essentially the same car.
References:
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/minivans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minivan
