The minivan's reign as the prime family mover is being attacked on several fronts - by SUV crossovers that can offer a bit of attitude with their large interior spaces, and by new-generation station wagons, which have learned, like skyscrapers, that there is free real estate to be had, up there in tallsville. But minivan technology and design has not stood still either - and the van is still king for getting the most interior volume for the money and/or in relation to its external footprint.
Hyundai Entourage GL, GL Comfort, GLS, GLS Premium

Imagine the chagrin at Hyundai dealers these past few years. Head office in Korea buys up the troubled Kia company, starts to develop vehicles for both companies off common platforms, and next thing ... – more »

Buick Terraza CX, CXL

Terraza loses its AWD option for 2007, but gains a new standard engine -- a torque-rich, 240-hp, 3.9-litre V6. Alone among GM's mid-van family, the Terraza has independent rear suspension, in a new "ride-and-handling" tune with ... – more »

Chevrolet Express LS, LT

Sure there are far more exciting vehicles to drive out there, but the Chevy Express and all of its full-size van ilk are pretty much the ultimate in people and package hauling. It would take quite a few pages of this year's ... – more »

Chevrolet Uplander Short Wheelbase: LS, LT / Extended Wheelbase: LS, LT

A torque-rich 3.9-litre, 240-hp V6 that was optional last year now replaces the old 3.5-litre, 201-hp unit as Uplander's standard engine. This should help the GM van close the gap ... – more »

Chrysler Town & Country Touring, Limited

2007 will be the last model year of this current-generation minivan, as Chrysler has already shown us its all-new 2008 models. The 2007 Town & Country is available in Canada only as a long-wheelbase van, ... – more »

Dodge Caravan Base, SXT

The Caravan and long-wheelbase Grand Caravan (see separate profile) are available in base and SXT trim levels. The company's novel Stow 'n Go system isn't available on the SWB Caravan, but the second- and third-row benches have ... – more »

Dodge Grand Caravan Base, SXT

Like Caravan, the long-wheelbase Grand Caravan is available in base and SXT trim levels. The company's novel Stow 'n Go system, which can fold the second- and third-row seats flat into the floor, is optional on the base ... – more »

Dodge Sprinter 8-passenger, 10-passenger

Believe it or not, this is one of the coolest vehicles to ever roll through World of Wheels central command. Not because its sporty, but because it's so damn unique. This van is sold in Europe and elsewhere by ... – more »

Ford Freestar S, Se, Sport

Ford ceased production of Freestar to help free up more plant time to build the Edge and MKX crossovers. You still might find some this year, as they weren't exactly flying off the lots. At any rate, the only ones they were ... – more »

Ford E-Series XL, XLT, Chateau

Like the other full-size Detroit vans, Ford's E-Series is available in a huge number of models, from your Plain-Jane chassis cab, to a huge 15-passenger model. We're concentrating on the more traditional people movers ... – more »

GMC Savana 1500 SL, SLE

If a minivan or even a full-size SUV won't cut it, consider the traditional full-size, rear-drive van. All three of the Motown automakers offer them. The GMC Savana shares its platform and basic structure with Chevrolet's Express. ... – more »

Honda Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L, Touring

Available only as a somewhat upscale LWB model, the Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 worthy of a luxury sedan. Available Variable Cylinder Management seamlessly shuts down three cylinders under light loads, for ... – more »

Kia Sedona LX, EX, EX Power, EX Luxury

Sedona's 2006 redesign was an advance of quantum-leap proportions, so it's no surprise that little changes this year -- though the already-impressive 3.8-litre V6 does get a small power hike from 244 to 250 hp. ... – more »

Nissan Quest 3.5S, 3.5SL, 3.5SE

Quest originally set out to be the style icon among minivans -- but in the case of the ergonomically flawed dashboard, it went too far. For its fourth model year, that has been fixed, along with upgraded trim quality, ... – more »

Saturn Relay 1, 2, 3

Like its GM mid-van siblings, Relay loses its AWD model for 2007, but last year's optional 3.9-litre, 240-hp V6 is now standard, replacing the previous base 3.5-litre, 201-hp unit. The torque-rich 3.9 should help put the GM vans ... – more »

Pontiac Montana SV6 Short Wheelbase / Extended Wheelbase

Offered last year as an option, a 3.9-litre, 240-hp V6 now replaces the old 3.5-litre, 201-hp unit as Montana's standard engine. This should help the GM van close the gap on various 240ish-hp ... – more »

Toyota Sienna CE, LE, XLE

There's only one alteration worth mentioning on the '07 Sienna, but it's a biggie: a powerful and fuel-efficient new 266-hp, 3.5-litre V6 replaces last year's 215-hp 3.3. Unlike in Camry, however, the 3.5 doesn't get a 6-speed ... – more »

Honda Odyssey LX, EX, EX-L, Touring The third-generation Odyssey reset the benchmark for the minivan segment last year, and despite new and improved competition, we see no reason to change that view. – more »
Kia Sedona LX, EX Kia's original minivan offering in Canada was an overweight under-achiever that had little to commend it beyond a boatload of bells and whistles for the money. – more »
Buick Terraza CX, CXL For its second model year, front-wheel drive versions of Buick's first minivan receive GM's efficient new 3.9-litre, 235-hp V6 with variable valve timing on CLX models; Terrazas with the reactive Versatrak AWD system retain the original ... – more »
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