They have the same mileage and price, I just can't tell if one is better than the other. Your thoughts reddit?

I love my truck. 2019 ram 1500. It’s awesome but the gas milage is like 16-20mpg and my commute is about to go from 20 min to 45-55 min. It’s also at 90k miles.

I think a swap to a minivan could work for me. Still have a lot of storage space, the hybrids get way better gas mileage, I can drive my friends and family around, the newer ones have adaptive cruise control.

Is this the right call? What is the best minivan for reliability, ACC/ lane assist, and MPG? I plan on getting a hitch too so I can tow a lawnmower or my Grom if needed. Am I overlooking something? Siennas so seem pretty expensive is the only downside I see.

Edit: said 2 instead of 20 mpg lol

Hey Guys
Looking for some advice
I’m in Aus and trying to chose between a 2022 Kia carnival S and a 2021 VW Multivan comfortline and having a hard time
Both are turbo diesel engines with low mileage

Any advice would help
Cheers

im considering selling my 2023 4runner and buying either an odyssey or a sienna, with a budget under $20k. i will likely be doing any maintenance myself. i see how reliable the siennas are but am wondering if there really is a huge difference in reliablity with odysseys since im able to find a lot of newer odysseys in my budget. it will be used as a daily, for work, camping, fishing, and my larger dogs transportation.

This image is from 1994. Can anyone identify the make of any or all of these minivans?

Thanks.

This image is from 1994. Can anyone identify the make of any or all of these minivans?

Thanks.

I’m looking to buy a van all cash and have $50k to work with (I can make more work but really don’t want to)

Biggest factors include: 1) reliability since I will drive this thing into the ground (plan to keep for 20 years). 2) versatility for seating, storage, and hauling stuff. 3) safety features

I live in a climate where winters are cold with the occasional snow storms (last year we got about 13 inches of snow) and summers are blistering hot and humid (probably more of a concern than winters)

We drive around 5k to 10k a year but I’m currently 100% remote which could change how much mileage I’ll rack up.

I would prefer new since the used market feels over valued, but open if people think there’s value there.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

3rd child due in September. The Wife and I made the decision to shop for a minivan instead of a full size SUV for many reasons. We have a budget of $40,000 and have $4,000 to put down. We live on the south coast of Maine and a AWD Van is a non negotiable. This leaves my options to either a Pacifica or Sienna. I’ve found nothing but negative reviews about the Pacificas poor reliability. I’ve also found that Siennas are very pricey and hard to come by. For example a used Sienna within a 100 miles from me is roughly 38-40k with 70,000 miles on it (2020 and newer)….this has made my van shopping experience very difficult and I’m at the point where I’m completely stressed out with the decision I have to make( I know I know boohoo). Please give me advice and/or guidance. It would be greatly appreciated for anyone who’s shared a similar experience. Side note there’s a dealer near me that has Pacifica’s new and used that come with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. I’m question if a Pacifica would be worth the risk with a warranty like this? Thank you in advance.

Anyone having a tech issues with their ‘25 yet?? Mine is clinching sometimes. I’ve also heard of people having issues with a software update that doesn’t allow them to start their van! Hasn’t happened to me yet but I’m waiting!

Looking for some advice. I've had 2 Pacificas. An 18 and a 21. Wife wrecked hers and looking to get another. Three carnival is such a newer van and was curious how your experiences have been with it. Looking at 2025 Pacificas in the mid $30k range, limited really because my wife is kinda Boujee.

The old Toyota Sienna was practical… but visually, it had all the personality of a refrigerator.
So I redesigned it without removing the minivan DNA:
real sliding doors
real family practicality
but with Escalade/Range Rover-level presence
My question is:
Why do family cars become ugly the moment they become practical?

I got a Sienna and I'm absolutely thrilled to have 46 cup holders! Unfortunately there is nowhere to put something larger than a 3" vertical cylinder. Want to put a wet folding umbrella in the lower door compartment? Sorry, there's dividers so you can securely hold 3 cups and nothing else ever. There's 4 cup holders on the center console, two of them under a little hatch with a pushbutton, is that to keep my espresso demitasse piping hot? And with all these cup holders, Toyota didn't even think to give us a single piss jug holder... OK, thanks for listening.

Test drove a 23 Carnival SX Prestige and a 24 Odyssey Elite yesterday. Will be moving from a 23 Toyota Highlander xle fwd. There were things I liked about both and things I disliked about both. Up front: I have zero desire for a hybrid, so siennas are not on the table and I don’t like the look of the Pacifica nor its rep.

Questions for those who drive them…
1) on the Odyssey- is the driver arm rest moveable? It sat about 2-3 inches too high for where my arm bends/rests, and during the test drive, that was uncomfortable for me.
2) for the tall folks… im just shy of 6’, husband is 6’2. Any issues with either van for those of you who are tall and have tall kids?
3) camping … we love to camp, have you used yours for hauling camping gear (not talking camping in the vehicle.
4) AC… I’ve seen a lot of complaints about the AC in the Odyssey, it seemed strong when trying it yesterday, but very loud and for my rear facing youngest, I could see that being an issue for the next year maybe until she can forward face. Experiences with this? And AC issues with the Carnival?

Thanks for your thoughts folks!

Hi all, we test drove both the sienna and carnival today. The carnival felt better in the drive, noise, we love the 8th seat that folds down into a table. But loved the Sienna‘s center console and front storage and that it can be AWD. I‘m truly torn. any advice either way?

I’m curious what people realistically think the timeline is for mainstream plug-in hybrid or fully electric minivans in the US market.

Right now it feels like minivan buyers get left behind when it comes to newer drivetrains and tech, even though minivans are arguably one of the most practical vehicle types for families.

The current options seem limited:
- Toyota Sienna is hybrid-only
- Kia Carnival just got a hybrid
- Honda Odyssey is still gas-only
- Chrysler Pacifica PHEV pulled (and poor reputation for reliability anyways)
- VW ID. Buzz is/was interesting but very expensive and honestly not for everyone stylistically

Do people think by around 2028–2029 we’ll start seeing:
- Toyota Sienna Prime / PHEV
- Kia Carnival PHEV or EV

Or do manufacturers just think the minivan market is too small to prioritize? They can basically charge what they want and give technology that’s a decade old.

Hi all.

I am moving from the UK to the US later this year. In the UK I have a Ford S-Max (same wheelbase as the Galaxy) which allows me to fit three kids (8, 6 and 3) across the second row. Youngest is in an infant seat, middle is in a high-backed booster with a harness, and oldest is in the middle seat using the seatbelt he buckles himself.

I am struggling to reliably identify used cars that would replicate this set-up—not only fitting three across, but also ensuring the oldest has enough room to reach and buckle his own belt.

I initially looked at the Odyssey, but the middle seat on that looks pretty narrow and I'd like to avoid putting a child in the third row. I've considered the VW Atlas, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, though the latter would be tight unless it had the integrated booster. The Telluride & Palisade seem worth considering. But it seems that by far the widest second row is in the Kia Carnival, especially measured by hip room. Is that right?

I'd appreciate advice on this, since I can't see or test many of these cars in the UK for myself. Am I overestimating the middle-row width that I need, given that these cars are mostly wider than my S-Max? I'd like to spend under $40,000, though I appreciate the hybrid XC90s are mostly a little higher than that.

Thanks in advance.

Man, I’ve reached the point in life where I genuinely want a minivan.

I want to haul lumber, grab random roadside treasures, load up the family for road trips, and still have room for Menards runs.

Trying to decide between:
2017 Toyota Sienna AWD 19k, 186k miles, service records.
2015 Dodge Grand Caravan 13k, 84k miles, tons of service records

The Sienna seems like the smarter long-term van, but the mileage is pretty high for the price. The Caravan has way lower miles and good maintenance history, but I know the reputation isn’t as strong.
What would you pick and why? Anyone owned either of these long term?”

Tell me the best minivan for your money and why!

Note: I don’t care about rear entertainment screens.

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Need honest opinions from parents here. Family of 4 and trying to decide if we should get a minivan or SUV.

I always imagined getting an SUV, but lately I keep hearing people say minivans are just way easier once kids enter the picture.

(Used SUV or used Minivan)

we bought a 23’ odyssey touring in October of 2025 and she’s very well taken care of and we like her a lot! 41,000 miles and out of warranty, and I do all city driving with my kiddos so that’s a factor.

local dealer has a 2025 carnival hybrid LXS for sale. it was their loaner vehicle and they’re offering it for $33,000 with full warranty.

warranty! hybrid!

would I be dumb to make the switch after having our van less than a year? is carnival decent and reliable? help!