Top 5 Minivans With Good Gas Mileage

1. Mazda5 Touring

EPA city/highway mileage: 22/27 (manual) 21/26 (automatic)

The class fuel economy champ is the Mazda5, which is a fuel miser when compared to the other minivans on the market today. To be fair, the Mazda5 is a much smaller vehicle than the other minivans on this list, boasting a compact minivan form factor that is just beginning to appear in North America. This compact minivan design may not have enough space for your needs; take it for a test drive and do some research before purchasing.

2. Dodge Caravan SE

EPA city/highway mileage: 20/26 (automatic, 2.4 liter 4 cyl.)

Coming very close to capturing top honors, the Dodge Caravan SE -- equipped with a stingy 2.4 liter 4-cylinder motor -- earned respectable EPA mileage ratings of its own. A few caveats: This model is a short-wheelbase variant, so it doesn't offer the impressive Stow 'n Go seating system found on long-wheelbase Caravan models. The 2.4 liter engine may serve up good fuel economy, but is a bit underpowered when fully-loaded.

3. Tie

EPA city/highway mileage: 19/26

• Dodge Caravan SXT
• Dodge Grand Caravan SE
• Honda Odyssey EX-L/Limited
• Toyota Sienna (FWD)
• Chrysler Town & Country (base)

Many of the contenders in the full-size minivan segment fall into this category by virtue of having remarkably similar size, weight and powertrain options. The Honda Odyssey Touring / EX-L models feature technology that shuts off cylinders at highway speeds to conserve fuel, while Dodge Caravan models offer a ethanol flexfuel engine option.

4. Tie

EPA city/highway mileage: 18/25

• Hyundai Entourage
• Mazda MPV
• Honda Odyssey
• Nissan Quest
• Kia Sedona
• Buick Terraza
• Chevrolet Uplander
• Chrysler Town & Country Limited

As was the case with our 3rd place position, many minivans fall into this fuel economy bracket. All tend to have remarkably similar size, weight and powertrain options, and feature 6-cylinder engines from 3.3 to 3.9 liters in displacement. The Uplander and Terraza can also be equipped with an ethanol-friendly 3.9 liter V6 engine.

5. Ford Freestar

EPA city/highway mileage: 18/24

Rounding out our list is the Ford Freestar, which missed being bumped into a higher category by only a single highway mile per gallon.The Freestar's sister vehicle -- the Mercury Monterey -- is only available with a thirsty 4.2 liter V6 engine, which gives the Monterey EPA mileage ratings of 17 city and 23 highway.