Buying a van can be a great way to move a lot of people around, but it can also be a great way to move a lot of stuff. The minivan market isn’t as dead as it once was, and car buyers have few options these days. Here’s a comparison between the cargo capacities of the four best minivans on the market right now.
2023 Kia Carnival: 40.2 cubic feet with a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet
At the moment, the Kia Carnival has the largest cargo capacity, no matter how it’s configured. Additionally, the Kia minivan starts at around $33,000, making it a very affordable option. As for its power, Kia gave the Carnival a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 hp. This engine also gets about 22 mpg combined.
In terms of technology, the Kia minivan has an 8-inch touchscreen. It also comes with plenty of safety features that families might want, including an alarm system for rear passengers. When the Carnival seats aren’t folded, they can also be very luxurious in top trim. Those seats are fully reclining, heated and ventilated and come with a footrest.
2023 Honda Odyssey: 32.8 cubic feet with a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet
When all its seats are folded down, the Honda Odyssey barely trails the Carnival in terms of seating capacity. However, it still has enough space to be better than other minibuses. The Honda minivan won’t come cheap, however, starting at around $37,000. Like the Kia, the Honda also comes with a 3.5-liter V6, but this engine gets 280 hp and 24 mpg combined. The Odyssey will also be slightly faster than the Carnival, but it won’t be fast.
Safety is a theme the Odyssey addresses with plenty of technology, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, parents can use Odyssey’s Cabin Watch system, which uses an interior rear-view camera to check in on children sitting in the back. Like the Carnival, the Odyssey starts with an 8-inch touchscreen, but there are options to make it bigger.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica: 32.3 cubic feet with a maximum of 140.5 cubic feet
Unlike the Carnival and Odyssey, the 2023 model year Chrysler Pacifica hasn’t arrived yet. Chrysler is estimated to begin production of the new Pacifica in the second half of 2022, with a release date much later in the year. In any case, the 2022 Pacifica still has plenty of cargo capacity, and the 2023 model year should be no different.
According to US News, the 2022 Pacifica starts at around $37,000. It has a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 hp and about 24 mpg combined. However, a more expensive Pacifica Hybrid model is available. Chrysler’s best features are inside, as it has an “attractive interior.” It starts with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and includes great optional features, such as an interior rearview camera and a built-in vacuum cleaner.
2022 Toyota Sienna: 33.5 cubic feet with a maximum of 101 cubic feet
Like the Pacifica, the 2023 Toyota Sienna won’t be available until the end of the year. It shouldn’t be too different from the 2022 model year, which boasts a standard hybrid engine. The Toyota minivan’s hybrid engine gets 245 hp and 36 mpg combined, which is the best in its class.
Unfortunately, its cargo capacity is worst in class. Inside, the Sienna has a 9-inch touchscreen, high-end materials and plenty of smart safety features. The Sienna starts at around $35,000, and when combined with its class-leading fuel economy, it makes the Sienna a very practical minivan.
CONNECTED: 4 Reasons to Buy a 2023 Toyota Sienna, Not a Honda Odyssey
