At the end of the day, the 2016 Honda Odyssey model is indeed one of the best choices. However, it was not a slam dunk for the company’s venerable family hauler. Whereas no Odyssey customer will be unhappy with their entire selection, they would do themselves a big harm if they did not check out Odyssey’s major competitors. The 2016 Kia Sedona, for instance, is simply one of the best looking minivan in the class, both inside and out. Then there is the Toyota Sienna that remains the only available minivan with all-wheel drive.
10. 2016 Kia Sedona
Familiarity with our Kia Sedona 2015 model long-term evaluation van has earned the minivan a unique place in our minds. The interior isn’t just quiet and comfortable, but functional and stylish. The infotainment unit, for instance, offers a wide blend of hard buttons and touchscreen functions that doesn’t depend heavily on either of them. Kia is offering its highly advanced technology in its 8-passenger SX version, including both active cruise control as well as an around-view camera unit that makes minivan parking in small quarters a snap.
Plus, this van is amazing to drive; with a comfortable suspension and a good steering wheel that is stiff enough to make sure it behaves itself well in corners, as it is mentioned in our Kia Sedona 2016 model full review. A downside for some customers is size. The Sedona model is notably much smaller inside than the Honda and Toyota models, particularly in the last row. It also does not offer the goods flexibility of the other models, and it is still playing catch up when it comes to the five-year cost tally to own analysis.
9. 2016 Toyota Sienna
Toyota seems intention on offering the Sienna flavor for buyers. The basic LE version – the best-selling van by margin — offers all comforts of home. The XLE adds extra luxury, while the SE Premium and Sienna SE add a bit more of sport features to the van with special styling cues in and out. Plus, there is the major fact that the Toyota Sienna model is the only van on the current market to design all-wheel drive feature, albeit only in the 7-passenger models.
Those looking long term will be glad to know that Sienna not only betters the Sedona and Odyssey in 5-year total cost-to-own calculations, it is the latest Best Resale Value Award victor in the minivan class. Unfortunately, the Sienna also is the loudest minivan driven, whether at full speed or simply cruising on the major highway. Additionally, its interior offers none of the flexibility by the Odyssey or the Sedona comfort, despite a last year refresh that included new dash panels and various other upgraded trims.
8. Kia Forte EX 5-Door
Solid fuel economy and value pricing put the Forte among the best minivans for teenagers. More than just basic transportation, the minivan is economical and also fun to drive. In addition, it sports some decent exterior design lines. As a result, teenagers will not feel like putting paper bags over its head when driving this minivan.
Under the hood, there is a 156-horsepower 2-liters 4-cylinder engine that normally sends its production to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. It also has more minivan cargo space behind the second-row seats. Among the list of standard features in this minivan are Bluetooth connectivity, trip computer, keyless entry and the 6-speaker audio system that has iPod interface.
7. Kia Soul
This boxy minivan has earned a very huge following thanks to its flexibility and style. This tall urban minivan will offer teenagers with plenty of options, from the bigger wheels to the 8-inch navigation screen. In addition, you can drive off with this reasonably well-equipped model at a relatively low price. The minivan is also ideal for the budget-conscious teenager as it features a better fuel economy and greater performance on all terrains.
6. Ford Focus SE Sedan
It may not be a Mustang but the Ford Focus SE is certainly among the best minivans to be considered by teens. Redesigned last year, the minivan’s styling is updated. Also earning it bonus points as one of the top minivans for teens is the healthy amount of technology and a cabin that’s both comfortable and well-made.
The 2-liters 4-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower to its front wheels by way of the 6-speed automatic transmission. A lot of features also come packed into this minivan such as the keyless entry, automatic headlamps, trip computer, Bluetooth connectivity, Ford Sync audio controls with a voice-activated cellphone, and the 6-speaker audio system with satellite radio and iPod interface.
5. Honda Fit
Slightly smaller as compared to the familiar Honda Civic, Honda Automotive Company has come up with a great minivan that is both practical and fun to own and drive, all thanks to its versatile features. Teenagers can pack in their friends. The minivan has enough space that can pack most of your friends as you head off to college. The base price is relatively cheap considering the wide range of features that it comes with. The fuel economy rating is 29 mpg in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. This makes the minivan cost effective for teenagers.
4. Mazda3
The small Japanese Automaker has long been widely-known for adding more fun to all its products, whether large or small. The zoom-zoom factor will enhance the overall appeal more so if you opt for the forward collision warnings that boost the minivan’s rating to the Top Safety Pick. The Mazda 3 will offer teenagers with a perfect minivan with a wide range of infotainment features including Bluetooth connectivity, trip computer, keyless entry and the 6-speaker audio system that has iPod interface. The minivan will also have a better fuel economy which is rated at 30 miles per gallon city and 41 mpg highway with an automatic transmission.
3. Volkswagen Golf 2.5
Available either as a 2-door or 4-door hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf 2.5 is a great minivan with Volkswagen’s convenience packages. Arguably, this is the most fun to drive minivan on this list. The minivan’s German engineering will be evident after only very few minutes behind the steering wheel.
The minivan comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission as well as the convenience package that includes heated front seats and Bluetooth connectivity. The minivan is powered by 2.5-liters 5-cylinder engine that generates 170-horsepower.
2. Chevrolet Malibu LS
One of the mid-sized minivans on the list, the Chevrolet Malibu sacrifices a bit of the fuel economy for enough horsepower and some mass so as to move around effectively.
The LS is the base version of Chevrolet Malibu yet it still has a fair amount of technology features that teens want like Bluetooth connectivity and the touch-screen interface. Other standard features includes keyless entry, satellite radio and auto headlights.
1. Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium
Despite being among the largest minivans with that extra weight of an all-wheel drive, the Subaru Legacy 2.5i falls rightly into the middle the pack for better fuel economy.
The minivan is not only helpful in the snow areas but it also works well on muddy roads and rain-soaked. The all-wheel drive is a must-have for the teenagers in snow belt regions and this minivan has just been designed to offer a memorable driving experience.
A continually variable automatic transmission ushers the production from a 173-horsepower 2.5-liters 4-cylinder engine to all the wheels.
