Minivans could be tremendous journey autos and nice platforms for all times on the street. Sure, you learn that proper — minivans.
Whereas ignored by many, a minivan’s inherent practicality, versatility, affordability, and luxury rank among the many high for any automobile. Should you’re keen to let go of your preconceived stereotypes and discover choices for a smaller journey van, you may discover some uncommonly good choices on the market.
So, that are the most effective? Listed here are our high 5 picks for the most effective minivans that may be nice journey autos and are excellent for all times on the street.
5 Mini Van Life Prime Picks
Toyota Sienna — A lot Extra Than Your Typical Household-Hauler
The Toyota Sienna might be not what you consider once you hear “life on the street.” Nonetheless, these vans have a repute for longevity, reliability, and dependability.
Whether or not it’s an early mannequin from the late Nineteen Nineties or the top-of-the-line AWD hybrid variants offered new at present, the Sienna is gaining traction amongst van lifers and journey vacationers.
Actually, Toyota has taken notice of this and now affords the Woodland variant for 2022. The Sienna Woodland turns this minivan into extra of an SUV because of elevated floor clearance and digital on-demand AWD. Granted, it’s solely a further 0.6 inches of elevate, however extra is extra.
You additionally get roof rails with crossbars, a 1,200W JBL stereo, and an AC energy outlet for many home items. Toyota can even donate $250 to the Nationwide Environmental Schooling Fund (NEEF) for each Woodland version it sells.
The Sienna additionally is available in a Hybrid trim with AWD and affords 35 mixed mph. The van’s rear seats fold into the ground for further area and flexibility. Plus, the inside is lavish and ultra-comfortable.
4WD vs. AWD: Tips on how to Select the Proper Journey Automobile for You
Say you’re not seeking to spend $50,000 on a brand new AWD Sienna. There are a great deal of older variations obtainable at a lot decrease costs. This entry price can permit you to focus extra on constructing the van’s inside to fit your wants.
A Sienna isn’t as succesful as an SUV, however that doesn’t imply you’re relegated to the tarmac. Aftermarket producers promote small elevate kits for these vans, permitting them to suit larger all-terrain tires, so that you don’t simply have to stay to the highways. This further peak can even allow entry to extra trailheads, kayaking spots, or distant campsites beforehand out of attain.
With its longstanding repute for reliability, its spacious, versatile inside, and with loads of creature comforts, the Sienna is a unbelievable selection for a street tripper.
Ford Transit Join — Limitless Conversion Choices
Now on its second technology in North America, the Ford Transit Join is a minivan that may double as a brilliant journey setup. If any of the vans on this listing are “sporty,” the Transit Join can be the driving fanatic’s selection.
They deal with higher than anticipated, and whereas they’re not precisely a sports activities automobile, they are often enjoyable to drive. And, since you should buy these autos just about any means you need from the manufacturing unit — together with with or with out rear seats or home windows — they provide up a clean canvas for the vagabond van life.
These autos first appeared within the U.S. as a 2009 mannequin (earlier variations offered in Europe first). And so they’re simple to seek out used and comparatively cheap. Nonetheless, Ford solely affords them in front-wheel-drive, so that they’re greatest for on-road or delicate forest-road journey solely.
However for those who’re sticking to highways and byways, it may be an excellent journey platform. The 2014-2023 second-gen Transit Join is available in two lengths. Hunt down the long-wheelbase model for a extra comfy minivan life on the street.
There are a number of corporations constructing these into campers, together with Ursa Minor, a Portland, Oregon-based clothes shop that makes a pop-top model for long-wheelbase variations of the 2014+ Transit Connects.
Transit Connects are all powered by fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, with older variations getting a 2.5L non-turbo powerplant. The newer ones have a 2.5L or 2.0L mill for extra energy.
A 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbo was obtainable for a short interval however solely produced in low numbers. Definitely not rocketships by anybody’s definition, however journeys to the fuel pump are significantly much less painful than in most vans.
The mix of utility, driving dynamics, and availability make these minivans an excellent platform for life on the street. Plus, the in depth community of Ford sellers means components and repair are easy-peasy.
Not too long ago, Ford introduced that it will cease importing the Transit Join within the U.S. on the finish of 2023 however will proceed transport to Europe and different nations.
Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon & Area Gear — All-Star Mini Van Life Character
The Mitsubishi Delica launched within the Sixties. The identify is a portmanteau of “supply” and “automobile.” Nonetheless, it didn’t develop into an iconic van till the 1986 Delica Star Wagon got here alongside.
That van, which by no means offered in North America, paired a unibody automobile chassis with a rugged 4WD system — full with a low-range four-wheel-drive system that enabled it to go anyplace.
There have been a dizzying array of variations: low roof, excessive roof, glass tops, winter-themed Chamonix variations, fashions with bull bars, bench seats, captain’s chairs, and even 12V coolers.
In 1994, the Delica Area Gear got here out. It received a extra rounded-off minivan form however didn’t lose its versatility, functionality, or capability to develop into an excellent camper or journey automobile. These vans additionally provided a couple of totally different gasoline or turbodiesel engines.
The Star Wagons had been pokey however can nonetheless cruise at 65 mph — it simply takes some time to get there. Area Gear 1994 and later fashions provided up extra highly effective 3.0L V6 engines or 2.8L turbodiesels which can be way more comfy cruisers.
Whereas the Mitsubishi Delica was by no means formally offered in North America, they are often imported into the U.S. — so long as they’re 25 years outdated or extra — and simply registered in most states — Maine and Rhode Island are at the moment the exceptions.
The mix of versatile inside dimensions, obtainable overbuilt driveline elements, and being offered globally make the Delica a wonderful selection for all times on the street. Maybe the most effective van life configuration can be a 1994+ Delica Area Gear with the two.8L turbodiesel, a high-roof setup, with a protracted wheelbase.
Nonetheless, foreign-market autos aren’t with out some challenges. Components availability is scarcer than your run-of-the-mill minivans. Nonetheless, Canada has various nice outlets that always have components available. Canada has a 15-year import rule, so these vans have been there longer than the U.S.
Some components, akin to brake pads and rear brake rotors, are the identical as Mitsubishi’s Montero SUV, which was offered in the USA. For a lot of, nevertheless, the Delica’s professionals outweigh the cons, and these quirky minivans stay a darling of the overland journey set globally.
Actually, I personal the 1994 Delica Area Gear pictured right here and used to personal the white 1989 Delica Star Wagon, additionally pictured right here.
Volkswagen Vanagon — Minivan Life G.O.A.T.
This virtually goes with out saying, however the VW Vanagon is a traditional. Out there in 2WD and 4WD variations (referred to as Syncros), the Vanagon is one iconic minivan. These vans have their roots tied to the unique Microbus, which is the granddaddy of minivans. Individuals had been utilizing these for van life effectively earlier than van life was a factor.
Vanagons have been the darling of vacationers worldwide for many years. Custom-made 4WD Syncro variations command a premium — typically effectively into the $70,000 vary — resulting from their go-everywhere functionality and high-end camperized interiors. When geared up with a pop-top camper, akin to a Westfalia, they command much more cash.
Scads of those have been become adventuremobiles over time, with the best-known customs being performed by Westfalia. Even 2WD variations could be costly, however it’s a confirmed platform with numerous aftermarket assist.
The Vanagons aren’t recognized to be fairly as dependable as a number of the Japanese vans, however they’ve their very own rugged character and functionality. Of all of the vans on this listing, that is the mannequin with probably the most expertise with campers residing out of them.
Relying on the place you reside, these vans have over 20 mannequin years to select from, with myriad engine decisions. None are going to be notably fast, however there’s an ultra-loyal group of Vanagon homeowners globally — lots of that are greater than keen to assist if wanted.
For these searching for extra thrust, some homeowners even swap out the outdated VW engines for extra trendy and highly effective Subaru powerplants to wake these German vans up from a efficiency perspective.
The Vanagon is a timeless traditional; a minivan earlier than minivans had been, effectively, minivans. If one automobile on this listing personified minivan life on the street, the Vanagon can be it.
Chrysler Pacifica — Trendy, Gasoline Environment friendly, AWD
I not too long ago spent every week with a brand new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and I’ve to say, I used to be completely stunned and impressed by this automobile. I grew up with a mid-’80s Dodge Voyager and rode in a Nineteen Nineties Chrysler City & Nation from Minnesota to Mexico Metropolis in 1994. This isn’t the Chrysler van of yore with faux woodgrain and tacky hubcaps. Pacificas are roadtrip machines!
The newest 2017-to-present Pacifica affords extraordinary ranges of consolation and livability. Just like the Sienna, the rear seat tumbles into the ground. Take away the center row captain’s chairs to open up the Pacifica’s inside right into a gargantuan place. Now there’s room to camp, hang around, or do no matter mini van lifers do.
I used to be capable of take away these seats, lay out a double-wide sleeping bag, and nonetheless had scads of room for gear. I might even watch TV or play video games on the screens situated within the entrance seats’ headrests! Plus, my Hybrid mannequin had a panoramic glass roof, which might be wonderful for stargazing.
Let’s not neglect that the entrance seats had been heated, air-cooled, and ultra-comfortable. Consider a world-class infotainment system, and also you’ve received one heck of a automobile that simply occurs to be a minivan.
The extra time I spent within the van, the extra I considered the way it may very well be an excellent full-time journey automobile with the best buildout inside. Even for those who went barebones with an inside construct, this factor was so good on the freeway — and cozy, too! The miles simply handed by with out fatigue or something.
The actual fact the Hybrid mannequin will get as much as 82 MPGe or 30 mpg on gasoline isn’t unhealthy, both. If you need to have AWD, there’s a Pacifica for you, too. It’s powered by a 3.6L V6 making 287 horsepower.
Gasoline financial system isn’t hybrid-like, however it does provide up that AWD functionality. And sure, yow will discover small lifts for extra floor clearance and bigger tires.
Chrysler was the originator of the fashionable minivan as we all know it. And after driving the brand new Pacifica, I’d say they’ve nonetheless received it.
