Vans/Mini-Vans Archives - Page 2 of 2

Dodge Grand Caravan 2011: Quick, overhauled, carlike

Some thought Sport Utility Vehicles and the newer car-based crossovers would eliminate minivans, but they remain too handy to die. While the minivan market isn’t as big as it once was, Dodge’s redone 2011 Grand Caravan minivan and redesigned minivans from Toyota, Honda and Nissan show automakers have confidence folks will continue to be drawn to minivans that provide much-needed room and a carlike driving experience. Dodge’s entries long led minivan sales, and this automaker has made major improvements to its 2011 front-drive Grand Caravan model to stay competitive with large Japanese rivals. List prices for the roomy Grand Caravan range from $24,995 to $30,995. It comes as the Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T models. I tested the well-equipped $28,695

Vans/Mini-Vans

Toyota Sienna 2011 car review

The minivan is now sexy, hip and cool — at least that’s manufacturers want you to believe. It started with a new advertising campaign for the 2011 Toyota Sienna. Instead of screaming kids and exploding yogurt cartoons the new minivan is all about rapping parents and their posse of cool kids in their “swagger wagon.” So does the new Sienna live up to the cool, rock style its “swagger wagon” reputation? No. It’s still a front-wheel drive minivan with seating for an entire Cub Scout troop. But Toyota, like the rest of the automotive industry, has made the minivan more burly, more manly. It starts with the look and styling of the new generation of minivans. Toyota and Honda have

Vans/Mini-Vans

Honda Odyssey, 2011: Innovative redesign for best-selling minivan

“The all-new Odyssey is set to once again redefine the minivan segment as the ultimate family vehicle,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda. “Never before has so much space, functionality and comfort been combined with this much style, technology and fuel economy.” Significant enhancements to the interior include a new “3-mode” second-row seat design to enhance center passengers’ comfort (Odyssey EX and above). The 2011 Odyssey is equipped with a total of five LATCH attachment points (four in the Odyssey LX), the most of any vehicle currently available on the market. The one-motion, 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat®, one of the Odyssey’s original concepts and most versatile features, is positioned for more legroom

Vans/Mini-Vans

Toyota Sienna, 2011: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The new Sienna is available in five models: Sienna, LE, SE, XLE and Unlimited, and it remains the only mini-van in its class to offer all-wheel drive. The option is available on the V6 engine choice and in LE, XLE and Limited models. The 2011 Sienna has a standard 2.7-liter 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine on the base and LE models, with a 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 optional on those models and the same as the standard engine on all other models. Both engines have six-speed automatic transmissions. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars With a detachable second-row jump seat, the Sienna seats seven or eight passengers, and the second-row captain’s chairs can slide

Vans/Mini-Vans

Dodge Caravan, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is one of the most useful and roomy minivans available, but is it also fun to drive? Let’s face it: fun and utility are usually on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Roman Mica, contributing editor at The Weekly Driver.com, spent a week assessing the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. Here’s his first-impression video review: James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business,

Vans/Mini-Vans

Ford Transit Connect, 2010: The Weekly Driver Review

Named “North American Truck of the Year 2010” at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 2010 Ford Transit Connect can seat five, but can also be configured to seat two. Ford‘s official web site features several examples of small businesses customizing the Transit Connect with various signage and with several interior modifications. The examples all provide ideal reasons why 600,000 Transits have sold in 58 countries and on four continents since the “leisure activity vehicle” debuted in 2003. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It didn’t take more than a few minutes on my first drive in the Transit Connect to generate comments. One relative (my wife) and one acquaintance (the woman in the local drive-thru coffee kiosk) suggested

Vans/Mini-Vans

Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans with corrosion problem

Toyota is recalling about 600,000 certain Sienna minivans from 1998 to 2010 models years sold in the United States to address potential corrosion on spare tire cables. The Japanese manufacturer reported “prolonged exposure” to road salts may lead to corrosion of the carrier cable in these vehicles. As a result, the spare tire to fall from the car. “In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash,” Toyota said. Toyota, plagued by several recalls in the past year, said it is “working to develop” a solution to the problem. Until a fix is found, customers will receive

Vans/Mini-Vans

Chrysler will replace potentially faulty airbag sensor in Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler’s “safety improvement campaign,” which will begin in June, included 259,437 vehicles in the United States and 72,035 in Canada. The move comes after Chrysler found one of the front airbag crash sensors could crack under some environmental conditions and allow water to enter the sensor, potentially causing the sensor to become inoperative. The company, which is controlled by Fiat SpA, said it is not aware of any complaints, injuries or property damage related the sensor issue. Chrysler said the campaign is different from a recall because should problems occur, the vehicles would still meet crash standards outlined by U.S. safety regulators. “If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning

Vans/Mini-Vans

Honda Odyssey, 2011: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (video)

Power for the new Odyssey will come from Honda’s 3.5 liter V6 and expect 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Take a look at the video below to see if you agree that Honda has built a (dare we say it) sleek and sexy minivan. To view more of Roman Mica’s new car reviews and videos, visit: www.tflcar.com. Facts & Figures: 2011 Honda Odyssey Specification Details Engine 6-cylinder, 3.5L Transmission Automatic 5-spd Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 18 city / 27 hwy / 21 combined mpg Fuel Type Regular Gasoline James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The

Sports Cars, Vans/Mini-Vans

Chrysler Town & Country, 2009: Roman Mica’s Rambling Review

“How the heck do I turn on the heater on this bloody car?” I almost screamed at my 11-year-old son while seriously editing my language and shivering while driving him to school in a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country. 49 — That’s how many buttons, knobs and dual-function controls the Chrysler’s center stack has, and that’s not counting the dozen or more touch screen functions associated with the multimedia entertainment screen. 7 — That’s how many functions you’ll find on the key for the minivan, including a remote start button. 3 — That’s how many video screens, kids television stations, and electric doors the minivan comes with from the factory. 2 — That’s how many wireless headsets, DVD players and

Automotive Reviews, Vans/Mini-Vans

Honda Odyssey, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Since its 1999 debut, the Honda Odyssey has been at the front of the minivan ranks. It combines superior styling, functionality and versatility. And it performs like a sedan masquerading as an eight-passenger van. The 2006 edition only further solidifies the vehicle’s pedigree. Much of the Odyssey’s current styling and improvements were added in 2005. And there was no reason to mess with a good thing. In short, the Odyssey’s cavernous interior space, its well-designed seat configuration and overall comfort are hard to beat. My test vehicle for the week was the Touring Edition, one of seven available Odysseys, and the most expensive. The minivan has a huge price range, with the LX model offered at $25,195 and the Touring

Automotive Reviews, Vans/Mini-Vans

Honda Odyssey, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Honda Odyssey and its minivan competitors – Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna – are often touted as family vehicles. The Odyssey is showcased with a mother or father transporting the neighborhood youth soccer team to practice or with a family packing up for a summer camping trip.But what if a large family isn’t part of the equation? Is a minivan still a prudent choice? With the 2004 Honda Odyssey, a strong case can be made in favor of a minivan for a two-person family or even an individual who needs a healthy amount of space for cargo or who enjoys traveling with friends. For my weekly drive, the Odyssey was the 240-horsepower, 24-value V6, EX