Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: MinivanBy Editors of Truck Trend
Winner: Honda Odyssey
Runner-Up: Toyota Sienna
You can almost hear the yelling over the loudspeaker: "Ding, ding, ding--the winner and still champion..." Yes, the Honda is still the winner of this humdrum people-mover category, mostly because of interior quality, quick throttle response, and (believe it or not) fairly good ride and handling characteristics. Although there are several other aggressively priced also-rans here, the only real competitor from a quality and comfort point of view is the Toyota Sienna. But neither of these two have the coolest piece of technology in the segment--disappearing or swiveling second-row seats, only offered in the Dodge or Chrysler minivans.   | Minivan | | Vehicle | Chevrolet Uplander | Chrysler Town & Country | Dodge Grand Caravan | | Base price | $22,925/$24,595 | $23,190 | $22,470 | | Wheelbase, in | 113.0/121.0 | 121.2 | 121.2 | | Engine | 3.9L OHV V-6 | 3.3L OHV V-6 | 3.3L OHV V-6 | | Opt engines | | 3.8L V-6 $4500, | 3.8L V-6 $5000, | | Opt engines | | 4.0L V-6 $13,000 | 4.0L V-6 $5630 | | Horsepower, SAE | 240 | 175 (197,240) | 175 (197, 240) | | Torque, SAE | 240 | 205 (230,253) | 205 (230, 253) | | Airbags | Dual front | Dual front | Dual front, head | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | | Tires | 225/60R17 | 225/65R16 | 225/65R16 | | Fuel cap (gal) | 20/25 | 20.5 | 20.5 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 16/23 | 17/24 (16/23, 16/23) | 17/24 (16/23, 16/23) | | Max pass | 7 | 7 | 7 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4104/4233 | 4335 | 4321 | | AWD option | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Max payload, lb | 1700 | 1500 | 1500 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 120.7/136.5 | 144.3 | 147.4 | | Fold-flat third row (second) | Yes | Yes (yes) | Yes (yes) | | Vehicle | Honda Odyssey | Hyundai Entourage | Kia Sedona | | Base price | $26,495 | $24,595 | $21,420 | | Wheelbase, in | 118.1 | 118.9 | 113.8 | | Engine | 3.5L SOHC V-6 | 3.8L DOHC V-6 | 3.8L DOHC V-6 | | Horsepower, SAE | 244 | 250 | 250 | | Torque, SAE | 242 | 253 | 253 | | Airbags | Dual front, side | Dual front, head, side | Dual front, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 235/65R16 | 225/70R16 | 225/70R16 | | Fuel cap (gal) | 21 | 21.1 | 21.1 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 16/23 | 16/23 | 16/23 | | Max pass | 7 | 7 | 7 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4385 | 4400 | 4365 | | AWD option | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Max payload, lb | 1500 | 1200 | 1157 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 146.1 | 141.5 | 121.3 | | Fold-flat third row (second) | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Vehicle | Mazda5 | Nissan Quest | Toyota Sienna | | Base price | $18,630 | $25,375 | $25,025 | | Wheelbase, in | 108.3 | 124 | 119.3 | | Engine | 2.3L DOHC I-4 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | | Horsepower, SAE | 153 | 235 | 266 | | Torque, SAE | 148 | 240 | 245 | | Airbags | Dual front, head, side | Dual front, head, side | Dual front, head, side | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 205/50VR17 | 225/65R16 | 215/65R16 | | Fuel cap (gal) | 15.9 | 20.1 | 20 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 22/28 | 16/24 | 17/23 | | Max pass | 7 | 7 | 8 | | Base curb weight, lb | 3417 | 4293 | 4177 | | AWD option | N/A | N/A | $4,450 | | Max payload, lb | 1200 | 1400 | 1570 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 70.9 | 148.1 | 148.9 | | Fold-flat third row (second) | Yes | Yes (almost) | Yes |
(Related Articles) Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008
It's that time of year again. We've collected the vital information on every pickup, sport/utility vehicle, crossover, and minivan and put all the data into charts for you to sift through. Every Full-Size, Compact, Pickup, SUV, Minivan, and More! |
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