The Consumer Guide to 2009 Minivans
by Jennifer Geiger
2009 Minivan Lineup
 Base Price Range: $26,340-$36,780 EPA MPG Range: 16-25 The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country receives new safety features and other minor updates after its redesign for 2008. Newly available on Touring and Limited are a blind-spot alert system and a feature Chrysler calls "Rear Cross Path." This system activates when the transmission is in reverse, and detects any traffic moving towards the vehicle. The Town & Country boasts all the space, functionality, and available power a minivan shopper could want. Along with the Grand Caravan from sister division Dodge, these vans may not be as sporty as the Honda Odyssey or as well-appointed as the Toyota Sienna, but neither of those matches the T&C's and Caravan's blend of family-friendly attributes and dollar value, making them easy Best Buy choices. |
 Base Price Range: $23,890-$28,660 EPA MPG Range: 16-25 The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan lineup gains some new available features. Newly available are a blind-spot alert system and a feature Chrysler calls "Rear Cross Path." This system activates when the transmission is in reverse, and it detects any traffic moving towards the vehicle. Grand Caravan is tailor-made for families with a need for space and a desire for comfort. Along with Town & Country from sister division Chrysler, these vans hit the bull's eye and are easy Best Buy picks. While the Honda Odyssey may be sportier, and the interior of the Toyota Sienna more refined, neither matches the T&C's and Grand Caravan's blend of room, functionality, and dollar value. |
 Base Price Range: $26,355-$41,105 EPA MPG Range: 16-23 The 2009 Honda Odyssey is largely unchanged. Some mainstream minivan buyers might be put off by Odyssey's taut ride and by the daunting array of buttons and switches on top-line versions. Still, this minivan is a Best Buy for its blend of power, road manners, and versatility. |
 Base Price Range: $23,795-$28,795 EPA MPG Range: 16-23 The 2009 Hyundai Entourage is largely unchanged. Entourage and the similar Kia Sedona earn our Recommended nod for their size, utility, and standard safety features. Warranty coverage is impressive, and they beat every comparably equipped rival on price. |
 Base Price Range: $21,245-$27,745 EPA MPG Range: 16-23 The 2009 Kia Sedona is largely unchanged. Sedona and the similar Hyundai Entourage earn Recommended status for matching the class leaders in size, utility, and standard safety features. Warranty coverage is impressive, and they beat every comparably equipped rival on price. |
 Base Price Range: $25,950-$35,650 EPA MPG Range: 16-24 The 2009 Nissan Quest is largely unchanged for what might be its final model year. For better or worse, Quest is not as mainstream of a design as its more popular rivals from Dodge, Honda, and Toyota. It's pleasant to drive and boasts several family-friendly features, such as dual-screen DVD entertainment. Slow sales should mean big discounts. Bear in mind, though, an antiskid system, an important safety feature we highly recommend, is only available on the most-expensive model. |
 Base Price Range: $24,540-$37,865 EPA MPG Range: 17-23 The 2009 Toyota Sienna is largely unchanged. This Recommended minivan combines good ideas from rivals with its own appealing pluses, including first-rate refinement, build quality, and car-like road manners. Sienna prices are steep for lavishly equipped models, but they're offset somewhat by Toyota's reputation for strong resale value. |
|
Inside This Article
