Minivan Love

MSRP: $24,900 - $29,190
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City / 25 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $21,111

Research the Kia Sedona
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Kia Sedona Deals
Kia Sedona Local Dealer Price Quote

Kia Sedona is the value play in the minivan segment, and it doesn't try to be much else. The price starts at $24,900. And if a minivan on a budget is what you need, it's okay. But the Sedona is missing some of the most modern options that delight buyers.

Research the Kia Sedona
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MSRP: $19,345 - $24,025
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City / 28 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $17,971

Research the Mazda5
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The Mazda5 is what we call a micro minivan. It is smaller than a standard minivan, and appeals to people who maybe only have two kids, but want the flexibility of a minivan without driving something as boaty. It does have a sliding door, which is key for parking in grocery store lots with small kids who need to be helped in and out of car seats.

Research the Mazda5
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MSRP: $21,800 - $30,695
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City / 25 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $20,099

Research the Dodge Grand Caravan
Dodge Grand Caravan Photos & Information
Dodge Grand Caravan Best Deals
Dodge Grand Caravan Local Dealer Price Quote

The Caravan is what our writer had sideswiped and totaled. It's starting sticker price is actually less than the Kia Sedona, and you get the benefit of Chrysler's Stow 'n Go seating system before you start optioning up. Our favorite trim level for 2011 is the Caravan R/T, the "Man Van," which has a black interior, lowered height, tuned suspension, Viper brakes and red instrument lighting. Price for this version is a shade over $30K.

Research the Dodge Grand Caravan
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Dodge Grand Caravan Local Dealer Price Quote

MSRP: $30,260 - $39,160
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City / 25 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $28,849

Research the Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Town & Country Photos & Information
Chrysler Town & Country Best Deals
Chrysler Town & Country Local Dealer Price Quote

Trimmed further up-market than its cousin, Grand Caravan, starting price is $29,995 before incentives.

The T&C, along with Caravan, got many upgrades and improvements for the 2011 model year: The new V6 Pentastar engine, steering wheel mounted controls, soft-touch door trim, blind spot monitoring and more.

Research the Chrysler Town & Country
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Chrysler Town & Country Local Dealer Price Quote

MSRP: $15,995 - $19,495
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg City / 31 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $15,184

Research the Hyundai Elantra Touring
Hyundai Elantra Touring Photos & Information
Hyundai Elantra Touring Best Deals
Hyundai Elantra Touring Local Dealer Price Quote

The Elantra Touring is actually based on the last generation Elantra, but it is still a very nice driver and one of those cars we like to recommend people check out as an alternative to a minivan.

Touring is double-speak for wagon or hatchback. You may not like the sound of either one, but this is a seriously handy package for a small family that starts at only $15,995 before incentives.

We priced a loaded version at $19,800 but we also priced a version we liked with manual transmission for less than $17,000.

Research the Hyundai Elantra Touring
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Hyundai Elantra Touring Local Dealer Price Quote

MSRP: $16,500 - $22,700
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg City / 36 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $16,195

Research the Ford Focus
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MSRP: $16,500 - $22,700
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg City / 36 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $16,195

Research the Ford Focus
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MSRP: $26,930 - $43,240
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City / 25 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $25,336

Research the Volkswagen Routan
Volkswagen Routan Photos & Information
Volkswagen Routan Best Deals
Volkswagen Routan Local Dealer Price Quote

We like a lot of Volkswagen products, but this isn't one of them. It is a Chrysler Town & Country minivan that has been tinkered with. Yes, Chrysler literally builds the Routan for VW. We like the Chrysler T&C, but we would rather recommend the real thing rather than spending up for a VW version that doesn't offer some of the same features. A loaded Routan with navigation will cost you around $38,000.

Research the Volkswagen Routan
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Volkswagen Routan Local Dealer Price Quote

MSRP: $27,750 - $41,350
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City / 24 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $25,444

Research the Nissan Quest
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Nissan Quest Local Dealer Price Quote

The Quest is somewhat the orphan of the category. The styling inside and outside is a bit unconventional. And the rear storage area has neither the fold away third seat or anything like Chrysler's Stow 'N Go.

We just can't get there with the Quest given the superior products offered by its rivals.

Research the Nissan Quest
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MSRP: $25,060 - $40,570
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City / 24 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $23,159

Research the Toyota Sienna
Toyota Sienna Photos & Information
Toyota Sienna Best Deals
Toyota Sienna Local Dealer Price Quote

The Sienna, and Honda Odyssey, represent two-thirds of the Big Three in minivans, with Chrysler being the market leader when you add up the sales of both Chrysler T&C and Dodge Caravan.

All the modern options, available all-wheel-drive and a pretty smooth engine. The Sienna is a very worthy choice for minivan shoppers who prefer Asian makes and like Toyota's rep for quality.

Research the Toyota Sienna
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MSRP: $28,075 - $43,525
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City / 27 mpg Hwy

Average Base AOL Autos Best Deal Price: $27,634

Research the Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey Photos & Information
Honda Odyssey Best Deals
Honda Odyssey Local Dealer Price Quote

The Odyssey is the number-one choice for many auto reviewers, including our minivan loving writer.

Though a previous generation Odyssey had transmission problems that caused major repairs on some model years at around 70,000 miles, it looks like the company has sorted them out. Honda engines are the best in the business, and it's not uncommon to find owners logging more than 200K miles on their Odysseys with only scheduled maintenance.

A loaded version, though, with rear seat entertainment and navigation will have you over $40K.

Research the Honda Odyssey
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Honda Odyssey Local Dealer Price Quote