With so many companies competing on quality these days, its no wonder the used car market is booming. Many excellent vehicles can be had for thousands less than new. Here are our top picks in the people mover category: the van.
Year after year, the Toyota Sienna wins accolades for its combination of spaciousness, power, handling and reliability. This winning people mover is available with either four or six cylinders and comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and automatic air conditioning. Parents can drive worry-free knowing the Sienna is a top safety pick in its class. It comes with added side seat mounted airbags; first-, second- and third-row overhead airbags; and an airbag occupancy sensor.
Honda's Odyssey is surprisingly nimble and comes standard with a V6 powerful enough for easy freeway passing. With a whopping 148.5 cubic feet of cargo space, near the top of its class, the Odyssey can comfortably seat up to eight adults in three rows. Responsive brakes and light steering keep the fun factor high, and Bluetooth, a USB port, and available rear-seat entertainment system keep the passengers happy.
The Town & Country is the perfect van for those wanting a bit more luxury. Standard features include leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a rear-seat DVD system. Known mostly for the high-quality feel of its plush interior, the Chrysler can also be had with a powerful 4-liter V6, making it the perfect choose for long road trips. Increasing versatility, seats swivel or go flat, creating different configurations for added passenger capacity or cargo room.
Kia has a reputation for building quality cars at a great price, and the Sedona lives up to that reputation. Often costing thousands less than its competitors, the Kia minivan has a great safety reputation and comes standard with front, side and overhead airbags. Power comes from a 244-horsepower V6 in earlier models, while a 271-horsepower unit with increased gas mileage was available from 2011 on. Plenty of comforts are on hand as well, including steering wheel mounted audio controls and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as available power sliding doors, power tailgate and power adjustable pedals.
As to be expected from a Mazda, the 5 is very reliable and fun to drive. The mini-minivan is the smallest in its class, and accommodates only four adults in the front two rows, and two children in the back. Folding down the seats will unleash a mere 44.4 cubic feet of cargo space. However, those without capacious cargo needs will appreciate the 5's practical and well-sorted interior layout, with standard six-speaker stereo and automatic climate control. The 5 handles more like a car than a van, with great maneuverability, responsive steering and strong grip. It is an excellent choice for those with smaller hauling needs.
Start shopping for used vans now >>
