2009 Volkswagen Routan
Volkswagen's Routan minivan is new for 2009.

After years of popularity among families as the quintessential people and stuff hauler, the minivan class is in a definite decline. The minivan first became a significant part of the American automotive marketplace in the mid-1980s with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan. For years it reigned as the king of family movers, and for good reason. Most minivans can carry at least seven passengers, and if space for stuff is needed, seats can be folded flat, folded into the floor, or even removed all together to open up a cargo hold of 100 cubic feet or more.

In subsequent years, however, these people and cargo movers began to fall out of favor as a negative icon of suburban life that helped define the "soccer mom." The minivan segment has been steadily dwindling, making room for the ever-popular crossover SUVs that are sliding in to take its place.

There are eight minivans in this segment. One van got the axe after model-year 2008--Chevrolet's Uplander won't continue into the 2009 model year. Crossovers like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook have moved in to fill the void left by GM's minivans. Rumor has it that 2009 is Nissan Quest's final year.

While the minivan might seem like an endangered species, there are still a handful of model-year 2009 vans that haven't yet succumbed to extinction. A few even got fresh features for the new model year.

New For 2009

The biggest (and practically the only) news in the minivan class for 2009 is the addition of the Volkswagen Routan.  It was co-developed with Chrysler and shares its basic design and powertrains with the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

Other notable minivan news includes Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan's new blind-spot alert system and a feature Chrysler calls "Rear Cross Path." It activates when the transmission is in reverse and detects any traffic moving towards the vehicle. The 2009 Grand Caravan is also available in a cargo van configuration.

People and Cargo in Many Combinations

Though the players in this class look different, are priced differently, and offer varying levels of equipment, all share several common traits. All are powered by V6 engines and automatic transmissions. Access to the second and third rows is through sliding doors on one or both sides of the vehicle. Power operation for these doors, as well as the tailgate, is commonly available.

Standard seating is for seven passengers on all minivans. This means bucket seats for the first two seating rows and a third-row, three-passenger bench. Some models, such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, are available with eight-passenger seating via a three-person second row.

Many also offer a third-row bench seat that splits, folds, and tumbles into a well in the cargo floor, creating a flat surface. The Nissan Quest has a third-row bench that folds in one piece, using a one-hand operation. Many, like the Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Routan, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country offer a power-folding third-row bench. The Chrysler vans' bench can even somersault to become rear-facing tailgate-style seating at the push of a button.

In terms of seating options, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country take the cake. These vans up the ante by offering a seating system dubbed Stow 'n Go and Swivel 'n Go. In addition to third-row seats that fold into the cargo floor, the second-row buckets also have this capability. The floor wells double as covered storage bins when the seats are upright. Swivel 'n Go (an option instead of Stow 'n Go) includes second-row seats that rotate to face rearward and a removable table that fits between the second and third rows for an instant snack area or game room.

Safety is No Accident

Since people are the most precious cargo a minivan can carry, these vehicles place a high priority on offering lots of safety features. Antilock brakes are available across the board, and often standard. Traction control is available on all entrants, as is stability control, also known as an antiskid system. Toyota's Sienna is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive to help improve traction on slick surfaces.

Airbags are plentiful. In addition to the standard ones for the front passengers, those traveling in the rear rows benefit from curtain side airbags. These are standard on all vehicles in this class.

People not even riding in a minivan can receive protection. Most models are available with a rear-obstacle-detection system that sounds an alert when the vehicle is close to an object the driver might not see. Many, like the Routan, Odyssey, Quest, Sienna, and the Chrysler vans can be outfitted with a rearview camera that shows what's behind the vehicle while it's in reverse. The images appear on the navigation system's screen.

Chrysler's new Rear Cross Path works to alert drivers to traffic crossing behind the vehicle while the vehicle is in reverse. It uses both a visual icon in the sideview mirror and an audible chime to alert drivers to crossing traffic.
 
Are We There Yet?

Few things aggravate parents more than their kids screaming at each other or shouting out the legendary question, "are we there yet?" Most minivans are equipped to help occupy antsy kids.

Nearly all vehicles in this class feature a rear DVD entertainment system. A small Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen pops out of the ceiling. The DVDs play through a mount that's also in the ceiling or in the van's center console. So as not to annoy front-seat passengers, most minivans allow audio to pipe through included sets of wireless headphones. Most of these entertainment systems have composite audio and video connections to allow youngsters to hook up their favorite video game consoles for viewing.

Helping to ease backseat rivalries and front seat headaches no matter how long the trip or how many people are in the van is Chrysler's optional dual-DVD multimedia entertainment system; available on both Town & Country and Grand Caravan. The vans' two video screens have the capability to play independent of one another. The first row can pull down a pair of headphones from the overhead bin and watch a DVD, while the second row digs out another set of headphones from the map pockets to watch one of three Sirius satellite TV stations: Disney Channel, Nickelodeon Mobile, and Cartoon Network Mobile.

Chrysler's vans also offer uconnect (previously branded MyGig). Uconnect brings Chrysler's suite of infotainment systems together under one name. These systems include a wireless cell phone link, a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital media files, a navigation system with real-time traffic updates, satellite radio and TV, an MP3 player interface, and wireless Internet connectivity.

CG Award Winners

While all the choices in this segment are competent in the minivan mission, the Consumer Guide Best Buy picks are the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Honda Odyssey. The Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, and Toyota Sienna share our Recommended award. That seems like a lot of selections, but remember that the Chrysler/Dodge and Hyundai/Kia vans are mechanically similar.

Minivans don't have the rugged looks or off-road capability of an SUV. They don't have the athletic performance and handling of a sporty sedan. Enthusiasts may be loathe to drive them, but a minivan's combination of people and cargo hauling ability, safety features, and generally reasonable pricing are tough to beat for those in need of a veritable family room on wheels. And where else can you find a vehicle with 13 cup holders?