For people with larger families, finding a good vehicle that can be used to transport everyone from one place to another is very important. When you are looking for a new vehicle, one great option to consider is a minivan. The 2018 class of minivans provide drivers with great safety and entertainment features, seating for up to eight people, and amazing cargo space.
When you are looking for a new minivan, there are five 2018 model year options that stand out against the competition.
1. 2018 Honda Odyssey
One of the top minivans of 2018 is the Honda Odyssey, which has been one of the best-selling minivans ever since it was introduced with the 1995 model year.
The Odyssey comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces more than 275 horsepower, which is more than sufficient for most drivers. This engine will also come matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission that can be upgraded to a 10-speed with the higher trim levels. The Odyssey also gets above-average fuel efficiency of 28 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.
One of the main selling points of the 2018 Odyssey continues to be the strong safety and reliability ratings. The NHTSA has continued to provide the Odyssey with very good overall ratings. The minivan comes with a wide variety of safety features including seven airbags, electronic stability control, brake assist, rearview camera, and child safety locks.
The Odyssey is also well known for all its interior features. It is very well built and is considered very spacious compared to the competition. The minivan comes standard with spill-resistant cloth upholstery, power seats, LATCH child seat anchors that receive a great rating from IIHS, and great entertainment features including a touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, satellite and HD radio, navigation, and an 11-speaker sound system.
Overall, the Odyssey stacks up very well against the competition. The safety and reliability ratings are best in the class and the interior is considered to be a strong selling point compared to other minivans. The Odyssey also gets great cargo space of up to 158 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded down.
2. 2018 Toyota Sienna
Another minivan that has been very popular with consumers for nearly 20 years is the Toyota Sienna. For the 2018 model year, the Sienna is predicted to continue its ways as a leading seller.
The Sienna comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces nearly 300 horsepower, which is stronger than some of the leading competition. It is also matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is standard with all trim levels. The overall fuel economy is good compared to the competition as it gets around 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The 2018 Sienna has received above average ratings from both the IIHS and the NHTSA. The Sienna comes with a variety of standard features that make it very safe to drive, which include up to seven different airbags, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, electronic stability control, and brake assist.
The interior features of the Sienna include standard seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to eight, adjustable power seats, leatherette upholstery, and LATCH child seat anchors. While the Sienna may not feel as comfortable with the standard upholstery, it can be upgraded to leather. Drivers will also enjoy the Sienna’s seven-inch display, which is used to control the infotainment system, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, and HD radio.
Overall, the Sienna rates well compared to the competition in terms of cargo space, comfort, and interior features. While the safety ratings are adequate, there are other minivans that have received higher scores.
3. 2018 Kia Sedona
For those that are looking for all of the features of a top minivan but have a lower budget, the Kia Sedona is a great option. The Kia Sedona comes standard with a 3.3-liter, V6 engine that produces around 275 horsepower and gets around 24 mpg when driving on the highway and 18 mpg when driving in the city.
The Sedona has received very positive reviews and ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. These ratings include positive ratings for crash resistance, rollover prevention, and overall strength tests. There are also a variety of safety features that make it safer to drive, including a rearview camera, brake assist, and lane departure warning.
The Sedona comes stand with seating for seven, which can be upgraded to eight. Buyers can choose to get either the standard stain-resistant cloth upholstery or upgrade to leather. Overall, consumers seem to find that the Sedona is comfortable and has plenty of space. The Sedona comes standard with a five-inch touchscreen display, four-speaker audio system, and satellite radio for entertainment purposes.
Overall, the Sedona does not have quite as many safety and interior features as the competition, but it still provides a comfortable ride. Ultimately, buyers are attracted to the minivan by the strong safety ratings and lower starting price.
4. 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
Another highly-rated minivan for the 2018 model year is the Chrysler Pacifica, which has a variety of features that allows is to match up well against the competition. The Pacifica’s base engine option is a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces about 287 horsepower, and yields 28 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city, all of which is comparable to the rest of the class.
The Pacifica comes standard with a variety of common safety features including seven airbags, daytime running lights, a rearview camera, brake assist, and lane departure warning. The overall safety ratings have been very positive from both the IIHS and NHTSA.
One of the biggest selling points of the Pacifica is the range of features. The minivan comes standard with seating for seven, which can be upgraded to eight. There are also a variety of comfort features available for upgrade including heated and ventilated seats, a heated steer wheel, and window shades. Drivers and passengers will also enjoy the great seven-inch touch display that can be connected to Apple CarPlay and other entertainment features. There are also a wide variety of enhanced tech upgrades including a 20-speak Harman Kardon audio system, 10-inch rear touchscreens, and a 115-volt power outlet.
Overall, the Pacifica has engine performance and safety features that are comparable to other minivans in the class. One of the biggest selling points are the upgradeable tech and luxury features, which are unmatched by the competition.
5. 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be a popular minivan with consumers. The only engine option is the 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 283 horsepower. While engine performance is slightly above average for the class, the blended fuel efficiency of 21 mpg is slightly below the competition.
Safety ratings for the Grand Caravan are good overall but are lower than some of the competition in terms of crash and rollover resistance. However, the Grand Caravan has all the standard safety features that make it very safe to drive and operate include brake assist, airbags, and traction control.
The interior features that come standard with the Caravan are better than some of the competition. The base features include a seven-inch display, infotainment system, rearview camera, and six-speaker audio system. It also gets up to 140 cubic feet of cargo space, which is higher than some of the competition.
Overall, the Grand Caravan has comparable engine performance to the competition but lacks in terms of safety ratings. Many buyers are attracted to the lower starting price and good amount of base entertainment features.