The family is in many ways a typical one. Mum, dad, baby, dog, stroller, gear, bicycles, two jobs, one compact SUV, lots of driving, and lots of juggling of schedules.
Unexpectedly, however, their compact SUV which used to suit them just fine now seems a little cramped.
"What with the new baby and the dog, and all the things we need to take when we go out, we're surprised to find that the Kia has become a bit small," says friend-of-the-author and Ontario resident Dave Jameson (pseudonyms used).
It didn't take long for me to suggest (half in jest, because I know these guys…) to Dave and wife, Carolyn, that what they probably need is a minivan.
"Look at it this way," I suggested sensibly, "Minivans are designed precisely for your needs. They have lots of room, storage containers where you need them, conversation mirrors for the baby and rear-seat passengers, handy power doors, and they cost less to buy and operate than a big SUV."
But for Dave and Carolyn there was one issue of minivan ownership that I hadn't addressed, which simply was, "We're not minivan people!"
Of course, I knew that. It's why they live in a small village, rather than the suburbs; why they support local boutique wineries instead of the big companies; why they prefer vintage arts-and-crafts furniture to Ikea; and enjoy classic films rather than current blockbusters.
Like most people, they don't think of themselves as most people. They don't follow the crowd (and in many ways they truly don't) - which for them also means they don't drive a minivan.
I get it, but driving home after a recent visit, I wondered, is there a minivan that could change their minds? After all, I've driven the latest minivans and they're quite impressive. True, minivan ownership in Canada and the U.S. is in decline, with Ford and GM abandoning the segment. But Canadians have embraced minivans for their practicality, and the minivans that are currently available range from the very affordable to the very luxurious. In my experience, people who like them swear by them.
And let's face it: Dave and Carolyn represent the very people who are now eschewing minivans in favour of arguably less practical, more expensive but also more glamorous Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUVs) and SUVs.
So here's the challenge. Put Dave and Carolyn (and baby Anna, Laila the Boxer, and all their gear) into each of the six minivans currently on the market, one month at a time. We'll report on their life with a minivan at the beginning, during and at the conclusion of their experience. Readers can have their say on CarTalkCanada.com. Conditions? The minivan price is capped at $40,000, which is about in the middle of the price range for available minivans, and a price Dave and Carolyn would be unlikely to exceed should they, you know, become converted.
2007 Kia Sedona; photo courtesy Kia Canada. Click image to enlarge
Who knows what the outcome will be? We don't. But the manufacturers are all confident that their products are up to the task. And this challenge gives us a chance to discuss each vehicle in a real-life context through to the end of the year. Stay tuned!
Scheduled vehicles include (in the following order):
2007 Hyundai Entourage; photo: Paul Williams. Click image to enlarge
Available in four trim levels, the Entourage is powered exclusively by a 242-hp, 3.8-litre V6 mated to a five-speed automatic with Shiftronic manual mode. All models include seven-passenger seating, 60/40 split fold-into-the-floor third-row seat, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), anti-whiplash active head restraints and six airbags, including curtain airbags for all three rows. The Entourage is a sister minivan to the Kia Sedona. Both are also the only minivans to earn top ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS in crash tests. The Entourage is built in Sohari, South Korea. Prices range from $29,995-$37,195.
2007 Toyota Sienna; photo courtesy Toyota Canada. Click image to enlarge
For 2007, the Toyota Sienna receives a more powerful engine: all models now use a 3.5-litre V6 that replaces the 3.3-litre of 2006, and makes 266 hp to the 2006's 215 hp. The Sienna is available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations; all trim lines are available in front- or all-wheel drive, a full-time system which distributes torque evenly among all four wheels. The Sienna is a very large minivan, and the extra horsepower in the new engine makes its performance that much better. It's smooth and quiet, and very well finished inside. The Sienna is built in Princeton, Indiana. Prices range from $31,200-$51,375.
The Odyssey is available as the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring; all use a 244-hp 3.5-litre V6, but the EX-L and Touring receive Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivates the three rear cylinders under light load for improved fuel economy. The Honda is powerful, it handles well, and its upper lines have luxury interiors that rival some high-end sedans. It's a big vehicle and passengers in all three rows of seats have a great deal of room. The Odyssey is built in Lincoln, Alabama. Prices range from $33,300-$48,100.
2006 Mazda5; photo Peter Bleakney. Click image to enlarge
While the Mazda5 is not technically a minivan, it bears certain similarities. Mazda calls it an MAV – a Multi Activity Vehicle. Interestingly, although it seems small compared with today’s full-size family vans, it compares closely to the early generation vans from Dodge and Chrysler. A quick check of the 1991 Dodge Caravan specifications against the Mazda5 reveals the following information:
1991 Dodge Caravan
2007 Mazda5
Length (mm)
4521
4610
Width (mm)
1828
1755
Height (mm)
1676
1630
Wheelbase (mm)
2844
2750
As you can see, the Mazda5 is actually longer than the early, and most popular, short wheelbase family van. Inside, the Mazda5 differs in that it has three rows of seats, compared with the Caravan’s two, but it does have two sliding doors. In fact, the Mazda5 is the only vehicle of this type on the market with a sliding doors. Mazda5s arrive in GS and GT trim, with a comparatively low starting price of $19,995 for the GS. The engine is an economical four-cylinder making 153 horsepower. If you’re looking for family van practicality in a smaller package, will the Mazda5 suffice? Follow our test family’s comments to see.
For 2007, the Nissan Quest minivan receives a makeover inside and out. Changes include a new grille and front bumper fascia, new lights, revised roof rack design with chrome finish, and new wheels and wheel covers. The 235-hp 3.5-litre engine remains the same, but a new five-speed automatic is now used in all models. This is a smooth-riding and comfortable van, with sliding doors that Nissan says are the widest-opening among the competition, and standard features that include heated seats, curtain airbags and traction control. The third row of seats disappears completely, and the second row folds flat to provide a huge cargo area. The Quest is built in Canton, Mississippi. Prices range from $32,498-$46,998.
The Pontiac Montana SV6 is described by GM as a "mid-van," as its exterior features take cues from both an SUV and a minivan. All models use a 3.9-litre V6 that makes 240 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque. This Canada-only vehicle is a comparatively inexpensive minivan, with 2007 prices starting at $24,550 for the base Montana with regular wheelbase (RWB), to $31,970 for the Uplevel 2 version with extended wheelbase (EWB). For 2008, it will be the only minivan available on the market with a choice of regular and extended wheelbase. New features and options for 2008 are standard StabiliTrak (electronic stability control) and traction control for RWB Montanas, an auxiliary input jack for the single and six-CD radios and a new exterior colour: Dark Slate Metallic.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring - Photo Gallery
2008 Chrysler Town & Country; Photo: Jil McIntosh. Click image to enlarge
The Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are all new for 2008 (and are the only all new minivans on the market this year). The base price drops by more than $5,500 over the 2007 models. Engines include a choice of 4.0L V6 (240 hp and 253 lb.-ft.), 3.8L V6 and 3.3L FlexFuel V6, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Interior options include Stow 'n Go, Swivel ’n Go and second-row bench seat with fold-flat third-row seat. Standard safety equipment includes vehicle stability control, side curtain airbags, integrated child booster seat and proximity sensors. The Town and Country, and Grand Caravan are built in Fenton, Missouri and Windsor, Ontario. Pricing ranges from $35,995 - $42,895.
