If you’re weighing the purchase of a minivan against some other vehicle types – namely SUVs and wagons – the following guide will help you separate fact from fiction.
Safety first
Most new vehicles are well-equipped with basic safety features, like anti-lock brakes (ABS) and front air bags. Many new minivans offer more safety options than traditional vehicles, or have features often reserved for more expensive vehicles such as back-up warning sensors, tire pressure monitoring systems, run flat tires and full-length side curtain air bags. These can obviously vary by make and model, but – as a vehicle class – new minivans models offer a robust set of standard and optional safety features.
For families with small children, the extra interior space, sliding side doors and flexible seating of most minivans make using more than one car seat a snap. Many minivans can even fit two or three infant car seats in the second row seat. How many wagons or SUVs can do that?
The National Highway Safety Transportation Association (NHSTA) has done extensive rollover testing of most new vehicles currently for sale in the US. According to the NHSTA’s ratings, most minivans score demonstrably better in rollover testing than SUVs, and come close to matching the low rollover ratings for regular passenger cars.
Convenience matters
If you’re a parent that has tried to maneuver packages and several small children into the back seat of a compact car, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the convenience of several key minivan features. Most minivans have sliding doors on each side, making entry and exit from the vehicle much easier than maneuvering around a door or stepping down from the elevated seating position in a truck or SUV. Several minivan models also feature power doors and lift gates which can be opened remotely at the touch of a button – a welcome aid if you’re a young parent carrying a small child in one hand and pushing a cart full of groceries with the other. Minivans generally also offer interior seating and cargo capacity that SUVs and traditional vehicles can’t match. Chrysler’s innovative Stow ‘n Go seats – available in Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan models – fold flush with the floor, opening up vast amounts of interior space for large and bulky cargo. Compare the average interior cargo volume of a minivan versus any wagon , small- or mid-size SUV, and the minivan comes out ahead on volume.
Low insurance costs
Another benefit to minivan ownership is the comparatively low insurance costs compared to other vehicles. Insurance rates are obviously impacted by a variety of factors, but – on average – a minivan will cost you less to insure than a comparably-priced SUV. According to a March 2006 report by insure.com, two of the top three vehicles that were the least expensive to insure where the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Caravan. Conversely, the Ford Explorer was listed as one of the most expensive vehicles to insure.
Fuel efficiency
While many of the fuel-saving engine and fuel options found in passenger cars – including diesel engines and hybrid technology – are strangely absent as options for most minivans, your average minivan will generally get better gas mileage than a comparatively-sized SUV. It’s not a huge difference, but those fuel costs can add up quickly.
What about crossovers?
A recent trend with automakers is the development of so-called “crossover” vehicles that incorporate elements of SUVs, minivans and traditional passenger vehicles into their design. Depending on your needs and budget, these vehicles should possibly be considered as an alternative to minivans as well. Most also feature sleeker styling and more car-like handling, but almost universally at the expense of interior volume and carrying capacity.
The last word
I’ve always been a big fan of sports cars, muscle cars and SUVs – mention the new Dodge Challenger concept car and my ears will perk up as much as most other guys. I also would be the first to recommend an SUV for someone who drives on rough roads, lives out in the country or has a need to tow heavy loads. That said, I appreciate the no-nonsense practicality and unassuming design that most minivans offer today. Safe, practical, efficient and affordable, the minivan is the ideal vehicle for those who have a need for impressive cargo space, flexible seating options and good (if not outstanding) fuel economy.