Newest Features On The Most Popular Minivans

A minivan might not be the sexiest car you can drive -- although, let's face it, what says procreation better than a minivan? -- so when you're searching for a new model, it's all about the features--the seats, the cupholders, the cubby holes and the entertainment features to keep the little monsters quiet on a trip.

Here are the top minivans on the market, and what's coming for 2013.

MSRP: $24,900 - $29,190
Invoice: $24,165 - $27,275
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

Well, the least popular minivan on our list is going away for 2013. Kia is retiring the Sedona, not even bothering to give it a mild refresh. A new Kia minivan will be on sale for the 2014 model year.

If you like the Kia Sedona, you'll have to buy one used or one that's hanging around on a dealer lot. Might be a good time to try to strike a deal. Because it's going away, the residual value won't be great, but if you are the type to drive a minivan into the ground and the milk spills begin to eat their way through the floor, you may get a good deal on a leftover Sedona.

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MSRP: $25,990 - $42,640
Invoice: $24,222 - $39,039
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

The quirky Nissan Quest sometimes seems like it's trying too hard to impress. Because of the dominance of Chrysler, Toyota and Honda in this category, it comes in seventh on the list of most searched minivans on AOL Autos.

Nissan seems to recognize that it is driving uphill, and has lowered the base price for the Quest, slashing $2,200 off its sticker price compared with 2012. It also gets a smidge better fuel economy, gaining 1 mpg on the highway.

Customers who opt for the decked-out Quest will now get a fish-eye rear view camera standard on the LE models. And Nissan is now making DVD systems available on all but its base model.

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MSRP: $27,020 - $44,280
Invoice: $25,912 - $42,465
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

The VW Routan is essentially a re-badged, slightly tinkered Chrysler Town and Country. Given the popularity of those minivans, you'd think the Routan would be faring better in the marketplace. But the car just hasn't caught on. VW doesn't market it much either, so awareness of the VW is low.

The Routan doesn't offer some of Chrysler's cooler features, like in-car wireless. But it does have fold-flat seats and power liftgates, just like its Chrysler bretheren.

For some people, that, and the German branding, is enough to justify the slightly higher cost compared with Chryslers vans.

For 2013, don't expect many changes to the Routan. It's largely a carryover from 2012.

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MSRP: $19,625 - $24,025
Invoice: $18,771 - $22,975
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 28 mpg Highway

The Mazda5 is technically not a minivan, but consumers on AOL Autos research it like it is one, so we put it on the list. Mazda would like it to be called a "multi-activity vehicle" -- because they know that many people abhor the word "minivan" -- but it is what it is.

The car seats six, has sliding minivan-esque doors, and many of its customers have families.

Mazda hasn't yet released details of its 2013 Mazda5. The car might get Mazda's SkyActive technologies, which helps increase fuel economy and increase engine output. AOL Autos Editors, all of whom have tested it, agree it is a terrific alternative to a traditional minivan, though we all have our affections for different minivans as well.

But since the car was mostly redesigned for 2012, we don't expect many changes.

The Mazda5 is a good option for customers who need room for families, dogs, or maybe even bikes, but want to get better fuel economy.

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MSRP: $28,575 - $43,925
Invoice: $26,138 - $40,139
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 27 mpg Highway

The biggest change for the new Honda Odyssey is that rear backup cameras will now become standard across the lineup. That is a big deal, though, because they have become incredibly popular with drivers and we editors, as well as shoppers, miss them when they aren't available. Otherwise, no major changes are expected.

But that's OK, but the Odyssey is an excellent choice in our book. What's not to like? It's the class leader in fuel economy, won a top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and holds its resale value well.

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MSRP: $29,995 - $39,995
Invoice: $28,735 - $37,935
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

Don't expect any earth-shattering changes to this already successful model. A new version is coming out in 2014, so for now, the changes are minor.

Mostly the changes will be in the entertainment package. Chrysler is offering a Blu-Ray DVD system for rear passengers, which features two screens and a HDMI port so kids can plug in their high-definition video games and play while on the road.

And anyone purchasing an in-car DVD system will get a higher definition screen compared with last year's models.

We still love the stow-n-go second row seats that fold away into the floor for maximum versatility. This makes the Chrysler a superlative choice not only for families but for empty nesters who buy minivans (yes, there are many) to ferry grand-kids, and also to use for carrying stuff like bikes, Home Depot purchases, etc.

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MSRP: $26,435 - $41,325
Invoice: $24,453 - $38,020
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

The Sienna is a perennially popular minivan, and so the move Toyota is making with this car could end up setting a trend in the industry. Toyota is dumping its four-cylinder versions of the vehicle, because the company says the six-cylinder gets great fuel economy and is powerful enough to do everything you need to do with a minivan.

The move makes sense, since the four cylinder only got one mile per gallon better fuel economy than the six cylinder.

Other changes include: easier-to-clean fabrics on LE trim as well as an eight-way power adjustable seat. Buyers who opt for the Limited trim will get a standard Blind Spot Monitor, but you can also get that technology on cheaper models as an option.

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MSRP: $19,995 - $29,995
Invoice: $19,745 - $28,545
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway

The most-researched minivan on the AOL Autos site is the Dodge Grand Caravan, which is not entirely surprising given what a great minivan it is. And it probably helps that Chrysler has worked to make the Grand Caravan a more "manly" minivan, whatever that means.

Like the Town & Country, which is also made by Chrysler, there won't be many changes to the 2013 Grand Caravan, besides the enhanced entertainment features. Both models will also include a USB port, so people can plug their smartphones into the car to charge.

Expect big changes to the Grand Caravan and Town and Country in 2014, when the cars are due for a redesign.

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