Many people may not have minivans at the top of their vehicle wish list. However, when it comes to today’s growing families and automotive needs, there are many reasons to purchase a minivan.
The End of the Minivan Stigma Era
Although minivans have been on the market for more than 30 years, they don’t operate like the bulky rides that began in 1984 with the Dodge Caravan. In the 1980s, luxury models included features such as air conditioning and electric windows, but these features are now equipped in today’s base models. According to CBS News, today’s minivan is all about the ease and comfort of the ride, great accessories, style, and comfort, especially for families with multiple children.
More for Your Money
While the comfort and ride of a minivan may be subjective, it seems that these vehicles’ ease of drivability improved in recent years. Besides improved handling, the minivan of this generation has made a much better use of space and base model luxury accessories. One example of this is the Toyota Sienna, which won numerous awards including the Kelley Blue Book Family Car award for the 2016 model, according to Toyota. There are other features to consider during the research stage such as cabin, cargo room, and infotainment options.
A Comfortable Ride is a Safer Ride
All buyers should check the safety rating of every base model they’re interested in during their search. Oftentimes, many base models will include more airbags than other models, which are usually equipped with the most amount of airbags, especially when comparing vehicle classes. Check ratings from numerous organizations such as J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.
For 2017 models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded two minivans. The first is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which received IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ award, and the 2017 Kia Sedona, which earned a Top Safety Pick award. Both earned a Superior rating in the Front Crash Prevention category.
Safety should be a priority when considering the best vehicle for your busy and growing family. Once you narrow down your list to a number of vehicles that are up to your safety standards, you can then pick the right make and model.