
Every minivan on sale in America was revamped for the 2011 model year, and this year new safety scores are in.
The Grand Caravan tops the safety charts as does its slightly ritzier cousin, the Chrysler Town & Country, which really is just a Grand Caravan with more luxury features.
The Honda Odyssey is new, and now offers a class-leading wide-screen entertainment system and class-leading fuel economy--provided you pay top dollar for the top version's six-speed automatic.
The latest Toyota Sienna is new, too, and feels bigger, but it's also so refined, it may as well have a Lexus badge.
The Nissan Quest was new last year, and while it handles and steers well, its smaller cabin and door openings means it's a relative bust, especially for folks who carry lots of cargo along with people.
The Kia Sedona is due for a major change, but as it stands, has a decent portfolio of space and features; unfortunately its roof-crush ratings keep it from being a Top Safety Pick.
For an alterna-take on minivans, the Ford Flex has great features and styling, but no sliding side doors to match its huge interior.
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Quick Specs | |||||
With its worst penalty-box trim neatly excised, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is a high-functioning box on wheels. |
The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country isn't substantially different from the Dodge Grand Caravan, but it's fully equipped and a significant bargain compared to well-equipped minivans from Japan. |
One of our top-rated vehicles, the 2012 Ford Flex has real distinction, along with top-shelf turbo power, great seats and great features. |
The 2012 Honda Odyssey is the priciest of the minivans, but innovative seating and excellent handling set it apart from all the rest. |
It's less spacious and less flexible than before, but the 2012 Nissan Quest drives better than other minivans. |
It's not as flexible as some minivans, but the 2012 Toyota Sienna is large, safe, and still has options for four-cylinder power and all-wheel drive. |
MSRP From | |||||
$20,995 | $29,995 | $29,465 | $28,375 | $25,990 | $25,060 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Gas/Ethanol V6 | Gas/Ethanol V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas I4 |
EPA Class | |||||
2WD Minivan | 2WD Minivan | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 2WD Minivan | 2WD Minivans | 2WD Minivan |
Style Name | |||||
4-Door Wagon American Value Pkg | 4-Door Wagon Touring | 4-Door SE FWD | 5-Door LX | 4-Door S | 5-Door 7-Pass Van I4 FWD (GS) |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Passenger Van | 4 Door | 4 Door | 4 Door | 4 Door Minivan | 5 Door Reg WB |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Continuously variable ratio | Automatic |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. 2012 Chrysler Town & Country | 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. 2012 Ford Flex | 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. 2012 Honda Odyssey | 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. 2012 Nissan Quest | 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. 2012 Toyota Sienna |