There was a time that every family seemed to have a wood-paneled minivan, but those days are long behind us. The minivans that your parents or grandparents drove have been replaced with much more modern and popular vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica.

Minivans may have gone through a small slump, but they are regaining their appeal. According to a Cox Automotive Report, Minivans sold for an average of 8% over MSRP in the second quarter of 2021. Non-minivans only sold for an average of 99.9% of their MSRP. Needless to say, these vehicles are pretty hot right now.

The Four Biggest Players in Town

There are only four auto manufacturers that offer minivans right now in the United States: Toyota, Chrysler, Kia, and Dodge. Most of these vehicles went through major redesigns and upgrades in the last few years.

The Chrysler Pacifica, for example, was recently given a new face and an upgraded interior. For 2022, The Pacifica comes with an optional Amazon Fire TV system that will allow passengers to stream their favorite movies and shows into the rear-seat entertainment system. A new hybrid powertrain also helps turn this popular family ride into something a little more eco-friendly.

Toyota completely redesigned the Sienna that’s styled to complement the Supra sports car. Honda continues to update the Odyssey with new tech and safety features. Kia even released a brand-new vehicle called the Carnival that looks and feels like an SUV with the perks of being a minivan.

Extreme Practicality

Vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica offer practical perks that you can’t get on other vehicles. For example, the sliding side doors make it easy for passengers to get in and out. Ask any parent who has to load a toddler into a car seat while parking in a busy lot, and you’ll find just how incredible sliding doors can be.

Minivans also provide as much cargo space as you’ll find in any SUV. Just fold down the rear seats, and you can create a configuration for both your passengers and your stuff. The only area where minivans can’t match the performance of a larger SUV is with off-road capability. The Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica have all-wheel-drive options, but they aren’t really meant for the dirt road.

Don’t Count Out The Minivan

If you’re looking for the ultimate family vehicle, there are plenty of minivan options out there. You’ll enjoy plenty of tech features, competitive performance, and all of the safety options you can imagine.

Minivans are also being built to look tough, sporty, and stylish, something you rarely saw on the family wagons of old. Thankfully, the focus on SUVs helped weed out all of the weak minivan models. The ones that are left are the best of the best, which means you can’t go wrong.

Stop by your local auto dealer today and see how a new minivan will improve your life.