Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
Every 2026 minivan compared head-to-head. Toyota Sienna, Kia Carnival, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica specs, pricing, fuel economy, and our verdict.
Read moreA flooring contractor with 30 years in the trade calls the ProMaster “by far the best vehicle I’ve had for work.” A mobile mechanic who has run every type of van over four decades says nothing matches it for cargo access. A plumber at 6’3″ walks the center aisle without ducking. These aren’t marketing claims. They come from owners who load these vans heavy, six days a week. The ProMaster’s advantage is structural: front-wheel drive eliminates the driveshaft tunnel, so the cargo floor is flat from wall to wall. The 21-inch load floor sits seven inches lower than the Ford Transit’s. The 75-inch interior width fits standard pallet racking. These dimensions shape every upfit decision, from shelf depth to partition
Read moreThree vans dominate the North American full-size cargo market, and each one reflects a different engineering philosophy. The RAM ProMaster prioritizes cargo width and low loading height. The Ford Transit has the broadest powertrain range. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bets on diesel efficiency and longevity. I spent a week with the 2025 RAM ProMaster 2500 High Roof, loading paddle boards and a steel workbench. The cargo versatility and parking-lot agility impressed me. But the Transit and Sprinter answer questions the ProMaster can’t, and whether that matters depends on your routes, your cargo, and your budget. This comparison covers 2025 models, all in High Roof configurations. Prices and specifications reflect base models before options and destination. Key Takeaways At a Glance: Three
Read moreThe ProMaster 2500 is the middle child in RAM’s commercial lineup, between the lighter-duty 1500 and the heavy-hauling 3500. The one I’m reviewing: High Roof, 159-inch wheelbase. That’s the configuration most buyers choose for its balance of standing room and cargo length without the extended-wheelbase overhang. Base price is $50,860. This one hit $63,225. The SLT Plus Package ($6,995) adds LED headlamps, a 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen with navigation, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, power-folding heated mirrors, remote start, and a 220-amp alternator. The Advanced Safety Group ($1,795) brought surround-view cameras, automated parking, lane centering, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. RAM also fitted the optional wood cargo floor ($495), upper and lower side-wall paneling ($590), and a Class IV receiver hitch
Read moreThe 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige marks a significant evolution in the minivan segment, seamlessly blending practicality with luxury and improved fuel efficiency. The vehicle’s interior exudes an upscale ambiance that rivals European luxury vehicles, departing from the utilitarian design typically associated with family haulers. The SX Prestige trim elevates the Carnival’s interior with premium materials and meticulous attention to detail. Soft-touch surfaces adorn the dashboard and door panels, while genuine leather upholstery covers the seats. The cabin features ambient lighting with customizable color options, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. I opted for teal, which looks great alongside the rest of the trim. Brushed aluminum accents and wood-grain trim pieces further enhance the luxurious feel, strategically placed throughout the interior.
Read moreIt seems like a sports car should be named after a city in Italy, not a minivan. But Toyota‘s adult-aged family hauler has grown into being worthy of its namesake, the medieval city in Tuscany. Siena is known for its sturdy, gothic brick buildings and historic districts. The 23-year-old Sienna is ancient by minivan standards and is holding up well despite declining sales and the dominance of lights truck and sport utility vehicles. The 2020 Toyota Sienna is a comfortable people hauler. It’s quick for its size, comfortable and versatile with several seat configuration options. The Sienna is also the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. A few refinements advance this year’s model from the 2019 offering, but the Sienna
Read moreThe 2014 Ford Transit Connect is more than just a compact utilitarian van-wagon ideally suite for small businesses, florists and taxi cab companies. The recently unveiled new model has seven seats and achieves an estimated 30 mpg in freeway driving. A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine or 2.5-liter, four cylinder, both six-speed automatic transmissions, is offered in the still commercially-oriented Transit Connect. It has more more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space. Transit Connect 2014 models are available in several sizes, with two wheelbase lengths, five-and seven-passenger interior layouts, and in XL, XLT and Titanium series levels. Options include a full glass panoramic roof, rear-view camera, 6.5-inch touchscreen display with navigation, and Ford’s SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system. Leather, cloth
Read moreNow in its fourth year, the Ford Flex has undergone substantial changes for 2013. While its long, flat roofline remains, the front and rear grille, tailgate and insignias have all been changed. The interior of the Flex has also been substantially amended. The new Ford signature SYNC/MyFord Touch electronic dashboard and driver interface, already in siblings Focus, Edge and Explorer, has been added. Additionally, horsepower has been increased from a base of 262 to 285. Manual-shifting capabilities for the six-speed automatic have been added and there’s a more modern three-spoke steering wheel. There’s also the EcoBoost edition with 365 horsepower and all-wheel drive. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I first drove the Ford Flex for a week four years ago
Read moreThe 2013 Ford Flex looks distinctive, but its boxy styling clearly signifies this is mainly a conservative family vehicle. But owners can stare when others try stuffing lots of people and cargo into a less-roomy vehicle. The Flex, which has front- or all-wheel drive, features three seating rows and can handle seven people when all seats are in an upright position. The Flex has a long 117.9-inch wheelbase, which helps the ride, and weighs from 4,471 to 4,839 pounds, which takes away some of its nimbleness. Still, it feels like a typical carlike crossover vehicle. Rivals include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia,Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. With the third-row seats in their upright position, there’s enough room for, say, a
Read moreThe Honda Odyssey is now 20 years old and for 2013, the hugely popular family van is in the third year of its fourth generation. The current style, unveiled at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, features a sleek modern exterior design. It’s decidedly non-minivan. The 2013 Honda Odyssey features a 24-valve, 248-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating in three rows and for seven adults. There are a few minor changes, but mostly adding features of the more expensive trims as standard on lower-level trims. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As I did with the 2012 model, my weekly driver in the 2013 edition was also the five-door Touring
Read moreThe mid-size Honda Pilot hits all the sweet spots when it comes to three-row family minivans—plenty of space, good power, decent handling, comfort and even optional all-wheel drive. The Pilot is generally called an SUV, but lines between vehicle categories are blurring. Car and Driver magazine says the Pilot has "minivan-based underpinnings" and thus it is essentially a minivan with an SUV-style body. It could be called an SUV/minivan. Or just a minivan. The 2012 Pilot has sleeker front styling, a redesigned instrument panel, upgraded audio systems and more sound-deadening. Never mind the boxy old-school general styling—it allows plenty of room for passengers with the third-row seat in its normal position. Honda claims the four-door hatchback Pilot seats eight, but
Read morePurchasing a minivan may not inspire a lot of enthusiasm — until you're a parent. But then the beauty of the minivan concept — the heft, girth, length and uninspired steering, acceleration and cornering — no longer add up to a yawn. Minivans' interior space is handy for families. Factor in the convenience of the power doors and lift gate when your hands are full of groceries and your children are full of energy and things change. It's why I was excited to test drive the 2012 Nissan Quest. Driving Impressions Zero to 60 mph? The Quest’s 3.5 liter V6 pumps out 240 lb.-ft. of torque and 260 horespower making it among the most powerful minivans. There were no issues
Read moreFord is recalling nearly 500,000 minivans and sport utility vehicles manufactured in the past decade, including the Escape, Freestar and Mercury Monterey for mechanical concerns potentially resulting in crashes and engine fires. The Dearborn, Mich., automaker is recalling 205,896 Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans (2004-2005 models) because their torque converter output shaft may fail resulting in a loss of sudden loss of power. Ford is also recalling 244,530 Escape SUVs (2001-2002 models) because their brake master cylinder reservoir cap could leak brake fluid, prompting potential corrosion and a subsequent fire. Ford detailed said it will inform owners of the affected cars and that dealers will replace the parts for free. Ford said it will first begin notifying Escape owners the
Read moreThe Toyota Sienna, which in 2011 debuted in its third generation with more versatility and a four-cylinder engine option, has added in 2012 in its XLE grade a standard power passenger seat and auto on/off headlights. The 2012 Sienna is available with a 3.5-liter V6 or 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Both DOHC engines offer Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), roller rocker arms and an Acoustically Controlled Induction System (ACIS) that changes the intake tract length to optimize torque. The 3.5-liter V6 generates 266 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, with EPA-estimated mileage ratings of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). It also has a 3,500-pound towing capacity. With 187 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, the
Read moreHas it really been nearly two decades since the Honda Odyssey debuted? In fact, it was 1994 and the 2011 version is newly designed as the fourth generation of the increasingly popular family van. Unlike some minor changes throughout its tenure, Odyssey’s redesign is drastic. Unveiled as a concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, the public debut was later in the year. It showcased a larger, wider body, lower roofline, and a more sleek and modern appearance. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The five-door Touring Elite, one of five available trim levels, has the most “bells and whistles” and, of course, is the most expensive. It’s the model I had for a week. With the Touring model it offers
Read moreThe small-but-versatile Mazda5 minivan is popular in congested European and Japanese cities, which makes one wonder why it’s overlooked in America, which has plenty of congestion. Styling sells, and the revised styling of the Mazda5 — still the only such vehicle in its class — looks sleek. The upgraded interior has a redesigned instrument panel with large climate controls, plenty of cupholders and a decent amount of interior storage areas. However, the glovebox is small and the rear sliding side doors lack storage pockets. Annoying flaw: The driver-door power window controls are too far forward, making it easy to accidentally open the a rear window instead of a front one. Also, gauges are hard to read in some daylight conditions.
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