2011 Best Minivans
Minivans represent one of the best vehicle and practicality-per-dollar purchases one can make. Most can tow 1,588 kg (comparable to many crossovers), they can seat 7 or 8 passengers or swallow standard-sized sheets of building materials with ease (and keep them dry in the process), and they often come standard with 240-plus horsepower V6 engines for less than what a similarly equipped (and far less versatile) 5-passenger sedan would cost. Since minivans are so important to Canadian consumers (we buy far more of them, proportionally, than our U.S. counterparts), AJAC decided to make an exception, and allow a head-to-head, two-vehicle Best New Minivan category for 2011.
1. Toyota
I favoured the more driver-oriented Odyssey myself, but this newest Sienna wasn’t far behind.
The as-tested price difference between the Sienna LE (whose sole option was the upgrade to V6 power) and the top-of-the-line Touring version of the Odyssey was unquestionably a factor in its win.Toyota’s 3.5 litres “2GR-FE” V6 may be one of best V6 engines in the industry right now. Paired with the standard-equipment six-speed automatic, it works great in the Sienna.Even in base form the Sienna is well-equipped, with four powered windows, three-zone climate control, and 17” alloy wheels among its standard features. It also has a larger opening to the third row seats by virtue of its collapsing and forward-sliding second row, and the greater cargo capacity of these two challengers. 2. Honda Odyssey Touring, $46,990
The more expensively-optioned Odysseys made a good showing of themselves, with lower levels of road and engine noise, and superior chassis tuning for well-sorted steering, ride, and braking qualities.The Honda has a more spacious third row than the Toyota (headroom in particular) — a consideration if your regular complement of passengers includes more than four full-grown adult-sized people.While it lost to the Sienna in this forum, if you’re shopping in this segment, do yourself a favour and try out both.
