3 Best New Minivans to Buy in 2023, According to Car and Driver
Are you on the hunt for a high-quality minivan for your family excursions? While SUVs have long surpassed minivans as the people-haulers of choice, there are still some good options. According to Car and Driver, the three best new minivans to buy in 2023 are the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, the 2023 Kia Carnival, and the 2023 Honda Odyssey.
2023 Chrysler Pacifica is the best new 2023 minivan, says Car and Driver
According to Car and Driver, the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica is the best new minivan in 2023. It tops the list despite having no major changes for the new model year. One of the highlights of the Pacifica is its available all-wheel drive system, which provides optimal traction in adverse weather conditions and on rough roads. The only other minivan that offers AWD is the Toyota Sienna.
Another highlight of the Pacifica is its roomy cabin. It can seat up to seven people — with a total passenger volume of 159 cu-ft. The Pacifica also offers plenty of cargo space. It has a rear cargo capacity of 32.3 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 140.5 cu-ft. Plus, there’s the ingenious Snow ‘n Go system, which stows the second-row seats into the floor for greater cargo capabilities.
Also, the Pacifica is the only minivan that offers a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. The PHEV can drive with electric-only power for up to an estimated 32 miles. And for efficiency, it gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 82 MPGe in electric-only mode and 30 combined mpg in hybrid mode.
2023 Kia Carnival is another great choice
The second-best new 2023 minivan on the Car and Driver list is the 2023 Kia Carnival. The Carnival is even roomier than the Pacifica. It seats up to eight people — with a total passenger volume of 168.2 cu-ft, a rear cargo capacity of 40.2 cu-ft, and a maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cu-ft.
Also, as Car and Driver states, the Carnival has an attractive design both “inside and out.” With its SUV-like styling, it’s a good choice for those who want the practicality of a minivan — but with a stylish design that differs from typical minivan models. Plus, the Carnival offers the most advanced driving assistance features in its class.
Another thing going for the Carnival is financial accessibility. It’s the most affordable minivan in the segment — with a starting price of only $33,100 MSRP. Further adding to the affordability is the generous warranty coverage. The Carnival is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2023 Honda Odyssey is a fun-to-drive minivan
Car and Driver’s third-best minivan to get in 2023 is the 2023 Honda Odyssey. The biggest strength of the Odyssey compared to other minivans is its superb driving dynamics. As detailed by Car and Driver, it has a “solid ride and refined handling.” Also, the Odyssey comes equipped with a potent V-6 engine, which delivers 280 horsepower. This results in a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.5 seconds — the quickest in the segment.
Like the Pacifica and Carnival, the Odyssey is spacious. It has an eight-passenger seating capacity and 163.6 cu-ft of total passenger space. And for storage, it offers a cargo capacity of 32.8 cu-ft behind the rear seats and 144.9 cu-ft in total. Additionally, the cabin is surprisingly upscale, with premium features and a liberal use of high-quality materials.
What about the Toyota Sienna?
The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica is the best new minivan to buy in 2023, according to Car and Driver, followed by the 2023 Kia Carnival and 2023 Honda Odyssey. However, a notable omission is the 2023 Toyota Sienna, which is the best-selling model in the segment. Car and Driver likes the Sienna’s efficient hybrid powertrain and “refined road manners.” However, it docked the Sienna for its weak acceleration and “buzzy-sounding engine.”
