Considering Top 10 Minivans
The minivan market has been geared to parents since the first minivans in the 1980s. The minivan handles like a sedan, offers the seating space of a full-sized van, and protects passengers like a truck. Automakers like Toyota, Ford, and Honda have focused on safety features with its past minivan models. As parents look for the top 10 minivans on the market today, they will look as much at side curtain airbags and anti-lock brake systems as fuel mileage. These vehicles feature multiple rows of seating and movable seats to accommodate the entire family. The top 10 minivans mentioned below are also attractive to sports clubs and schools trying to avoid bus rental costs for off-campus trips.
Top Minivans From North America
America’s Big Three automakers have been at the forefront of the minivan market for two decades. Ford Motor Company© in particular has been a strong player in this market niche. Ford© has introduced two new minivans that feature the styling and functionality appealing to its loyal customers. The 2010 Ford Transit Connect® is designed for the workplace with a 1,600-pound capacity, 135 cubic feet of cargo space, and dual sliding doors. The Transit Connect® features a four-speed automatic transmission that pushes the highway mileage rate to 25 miles per gallon. The van’s tire pressure monitoring system alerts drivers about low pressure and tire damage before dangerous blowouts.
Another minivan sold through Ford© is the 2010 Flex®, a stylish minivan priced from $28,495 that achieves 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The Ford Flex® is available in nine colors including red, white, and black. Ford© outfitted the Flex® with interesting features like the VistaRoof™ system, which controls sunroofs and windows at all three levels of seating. Ford Flex® drivers experience smooth rides, thanks to a 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ engine and an independent suspension.
Chrysler© stays competitive with Ford Motor Company© with its signature minivan, the Chrysler Town and Country®. The 2010 Chrysler Town and Country® is priced from $26,415 and features a 175-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 engine. The minivan’s eight-way seating allows users to lean back, rotate, and contort seats in multiple ways to allow maximum comfort for passengers. The 2010 Chrysler Town and Country® allows users to add features like matching running boards and multimedia entertainment packages to add value to the vehicle.
Chrysler’s© subsidiary Dodge© continues to sell its popular Caravan® minivan heading into 2010. The newest version of the Dodge Caravan® features a 3.8-liter, 275-horsepower engine as well as a multi-point injection fuel system to blend power with fuel efficiency. The 2010 Dodge Caravan® achieves 25 miles per gallon during highway driving, helping cash-strapped families save more money each year. The Caravan’s® three rows of seats are perfect for day-to-day tasks and long trips with up to seven people.
Top Minivans From Asia
Toyota© is one of the leading automakers in the world because of its family-friendly minivans and crossovers. The automaker produces the Toyota Sienna® minivan in four trim levels starting from $24,540. This seven-passenger minivan achieves 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway according to the EPA. Toyota© includes a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine capable of producing 266 horsepower in the 2010 Sienna®.
Toyota© subsidiary Scion© aims for younger families and couples with its 2010 xB® minivan/crossover. The Scion xB® is available in manual and automatic transmissions starting from $15,750. Scion© includes interesting features like a chrome exhaust pipe, iPod™-compatible radio, and center-mounted display in the xB. The 2.4-liter Toyota© engine in the 2010 Scion xB® is efficient with an EPA rating of 24 miles per gallon.
The 2010 Honda Odyssey® gives Toyota’s© minivans and crossovers plenty of competition on the global market. The latest version of Honda’s© popular minivan is priced from $26,805 and achieves 23 miles per gallon. The 2010 Honda Odyssey® is packed with safety features including three rows of side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist™. This minivan is a great value for families with its power sliding doors and Tri-Zone Climate Control™ system.
Kia© attracts customers with its simple vehicle designs, 10 year/100,000 mile warranties, and affordable prices. The 2010 Kia Sedona® is priced from $21,245 and comes available in seven colors for style-conscious buyers. The 2010 Sedona® includes a 3.8-liter V6 engine capable of producing 244 horsepower. While the 2010 Kia Sedona® can tow up to 3,500 pounds, this minivan model achieves 23 miles per gallon at highway speeds.
Top Minivans From Europe
European consumers look to Germany for top minivans from Opel© and Volkswagen©. Opel© is owned by General Motors© and produces a multitude of family-friendly vehicles for Latin American, European, and African consumers. The Opel Zafira® is the automaker’s largest minivan model and offers up to 240 horsepower when a turbocharged engine is used. The Zafira® features the Flex7® seating system and the Interactive Driving System to provide the safest possible ride for Opel® customers.
Volkswagen© is a leading automaker in continental Europe, but has lagged behind in the minivan market recently. The 2010 Volkswagen Routan® is the automaker’s effort to compete for families and couples looking for reliable minivans. The Routan® is priced from $25,200 USD and includes features like adjustable pedals and an optional SIRIUS® package. Volkswagen© includes a 3.8-liter, 197 horsepower V6 engine in the Routan® efficient enough to achieve 23 miles per gallon on the highway.
Finding Information On Top 10 Minivans
Thoughtful consumers looking for more information on the top 10 minivans can simply head to the Internet. Each automaker listed above releases information on its latest minivan models in late summer when the next model year is released. Motor Trend Magazine© (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/02/minivans_vans/index.html) lists every minivan in the American market with MSRP, fuel mileage, and other metrics important to consumers. Minivan buyers concerned about fuel mileage, emissions, and alternative-fuel models can head to FuelEconomy.gov (http://www.fueleconomy.gov), a website maintained by the EPA and the Department of Energy.
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