Hot Minivans and Vans for 2005 and 2006

At the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, Kia unveiled the redesigned 2006 Sedona minivan. The new Sedona features side curtain-type airbags for all three rows of seats, a third-row seat that folds into the floor and a 3.8-liter V-6 that produces approximately 240 horsepower.

DaimlerChrysler isn't likely to redesign its Chrysler and Dodge minivans until at least 2007. The same is true of Mazda with its MPV. Nissan and Toyota reworked their minivans — the Quest and Sienna — for the 2004 model year, so major revisions aren't expected soon. BMW is reportedly working on a minivan design, but whether such a vehicle would ever reach the U.S. market is uncertain.

GM has announced that a new turbo-diesel V-8 will be available in its full-size vans, the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, for 2006. The new V-8 produces 250 hp and 460 pounds-feet of torque.

Early in 2005, Automotive News reported that Ford Motor Co. might decide to abandon its Freestar minivan and the related Mercury Monterey. Ford has recently launched new models based on the Mazda Mazda6 midsize sedan platform. That platform may be used in the future for a vanlike wagon based on the Fairlane concept that's been shown at auto shows this year.

Volkswagen could have led the American-market minivan pack in innovation and appeal if the modern-day Microbus had been permitted to go into production. Seen in concept form at auto shows, the Microbus looked like it might become the minivan equivalent of the retro-styled New Beetle, which captured the hearts of many when it emerged for the 1998 model year.

Rather than pursue the idea to production, Volkswagen executives killed the Microbus, suggesting that the company develop a new offshoot of an existing European van instead. Before long, even that notion was scuttled. Volkswagen, which could be considered the pioneer of the minivan with its original Microbus, has been out of the market since the departure of the EuroVan after the 2003 model year.

Last year, Ford, Nissan and Toyota significantly updated their minivan offerings, and Mercury added a minivan to its lineup. For 2005, activity in the minivan segment is concentrated in the General Motors camp, as GM is the only manufacturer to introduce brand-new vans.

GM has launched a quartet of new, comparably sized vans. Rather than calling them minivans, however, GM refers to them as "crossover sport vans," stressing that they combine the styling of a sport utility vehicle with the interior functionality of a van. By doing so, GM appears to be trying to skirt the image problems minivans have faced in recent years. To an untold number of buyers, "minivan" translates to family-focused and mild-mannered at a time when customers are presumed to salivate at the thought of sporty machines. Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn dealerships market these new minivans. Because they have sliding side doors and a low step-in height, it's not hard to imagine customers referring to them as minivans despite GM's efforts.

Honda has given its Odyssey minivan a substantial redesign for 2005. DaimlerChrysler's minivans have also been redesigned for 2005, though they don't look much different than their predecessors. New Stow 'n Go seats on extended-wheelbase models fold directly into the floor.

Three key factors determine whether a minivan or van qualifies as notable:

• Technical advances: In the minivan and van segment, technical advances usually apply to performance and safety. Features that provide entertainment or extra comfort may be nearly as valuable. To be considered notable, a van must have at least one or two significant technical improvements.
  
  
• Innovative features: Unless a new model has features that help it stand above the crowd, it doesn't warrant inclusion in this list. Models that have been around for a while and haven't changed appreciably this year might qualify if a new feature is sufficiently significant.
  
  
• Overall excellence: Enticing features are fine, but the vehicle has to be appealing in a general way as well. Helpful convenience features aren't worth much if a van or minivan fails to do its basic job of hauling passengers and cargo properly.

Top Five Minivans for 2005

The Relay is Saturn's first-ever minivan; it comes standard with a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system.

Because the number of new and redesigned minivans and vans (and newly available features) is relatively small for 2005, choosing the most noteworthy models was simpler here than it's been for other segments. Basically, the four new GM vans, along with the redesigned Honda Odyssey, get the nod.

Buick Terraza: Buick joins the minivan arena for the first time in 2005 with its new Terraza, which is one of the four GM vans launched for 2005. Up front, the Terraza looks a bit like an SUV due to its relatively high hood. A familiar grille clearly identifies the Terraza as a Buick. Inside, the second- and third-row seatbacks fold flat. These seats can be removed, but they don't fold into the floor.

The Terraza feels solidly constructed — more so than some recent GM products. Performance is satisfying from the 200-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 and gently shifting four-speed-automatic transmission. Steering is light, and the interior has a moderately upscale look — though the glossy, faux woodgrain trim doesn't add much to the experience. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available.

Chevrolet Uplander: Chevrolet's version of GM's new van uses the same 3.5-liter V-6 and four-speed automatic found in the Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay. SUV-like styling touches are evident, including exposed rear pillars and a tall hood that shuns the traditional sloped-nose look. A DVD-based entertainment system is standard. A cargo van also is available.

Honda Odyssey: Honda needed a strong contender to keep pace with the minivans that had debuted since the Odyssey was last redesigned as a 1999 model. The developers came through, turning out a truly notable minivan in the 2005 Odyssey.

When equipped with Variable Cylinder Management technology, Honda's Odyssey has the highest EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating among minivans.

In addition to the foldaway third-row seat, the Odyssey gets a stowable Plus One seat in the second row. Back-row occupants get an additional 2 inches of legroom. Standard side curtain-type airbags protect all three rows of occupants, and the windows in the sliding doors can open partway. Under the hood, the Odyssey can be equipped with a V-6 that shuts off half its cylinders automatically when they're not needed in order to save fuel.

Honda's new navigation system leaped to the head of the pack by providing easy-to-use voice recognition. Not only can the system recognize spoken city and street names and street numbers, but it can also find requested destinations and plan a route accordingly. More than 600 commands can be recognized.

The Odyssey handles nearly as well as some European sedans. Easy to drive, quiet and civilized, the Odyssey is carlike and capable. Although the ride is a bit firmer than that offered by most minivans, the Odyssey's suspension recovers smartly. With the new Variable Cylinder Management engine installed, it's hard to tell whether it's running on three or six cylinders unless you look at the indicator light on the dashboard that illuminates when the engine is firing on three cylinders.

Pontiac Montana SV6: To market its version of GM's new van, Pontiac took the name of its outgoing minivan and added an SV6 suffix. Except for its two-tone paint treatment, the Montana SV6 is a close cousin to the other three GM vans sold by Buick, Chevrolet and Saturn. The Montana SV6 comes standard with a DVD entertainment system, and a remote starter and GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability system are optional.

Saturn Relay: Prior to the Relay, GM's Saturn division never offered a minivan. Saturn hasn't ever produced a seven-passenger vehicle of any kind, either. Easily recognizable as a Saturn product, the Relay has the same profile as the Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6, but ebony-colored lower-body cladding resembles the materials used on Saturn's Vue SUV.