As you probably know, there is somewhat of a stigma surrounding minivans. Namely, that they're not "cool" or "manly" enough. Then, of course, there's the whole soccer mom cliche. You pretty much know the drill. Even with the rise of crossovers and MPVs, which have strived to, in a way, rebrand minivans as more sleek-looking vehicles, some folks out there still give minivans a bad rap.
So, with that in mind, we're here to remind you that the term "minivan" shouldn't scare you away just because you're a dad looking to pack in your kids for that family vacation, or a bachelor in need of some extra storage for a much-needed road trip.
There are plenty of cool minivans out there. Don't believe us? Just take a look at these minivans that you definitely won't feel ashamed driving.
1. Chrysler Pacifica
Replacing the Chrysler Town and Country (which, by the way, is another solid minivan choice), the Chrysler Pacifica has two powertrains and a 3.5-liter v6 engine as well as a plug-in hybrid, marketed as the Pacifica Hybrid, which boasts an outstanding fuel economy.
It even got Jim Gaffigan's approval, which is just a special bonus.
2. Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey has been in production since 1994, but it wasn't until 2014 that the Japanese automaker gave the Odyssey a serious facelift complete with a long list of available features.
Hooking it up with a six-speed automatic transmission and a much more stylish exterior, Toyota also outfitted fourth-gen Odyssey models with smart-entry capabilities, LED rear taillight bars, and even gave the Touring Elite model a built-in vacuum cleaner.
The most recent, fifth-gen models are even more streamlined than previous iterations, making the Odyssey one seriously slick ride as well as a quality family hauler.
3. Kia Sedona/Carnival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ollKscMFV10
Known interchangeably as the Kia Sedona and the Kia Carnival, the 2019 model is known for its premium styling, fuel-efficient petrol engine, and top-notch cargo space and back-seat comfortability.
The spacious third row and rear-seat entertainment capabilities certainly don't hurt either.
4. Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna has undergone a number of impressive upgrades since first hitting the production line back in '97.
Currently offered in five trim levels, the Sienna has such badass features as an optional sliding second row with Lounge Seating recliner chairs, a Smart Key System with push-button start, and a back-up camera with 180-degree panoramic view.
Of course, your Sienna probably won't end up looking like the one pictured above (unless you plan on modding it), but it's good to know that the minivan has that sort of capacity to be tricked out.
This post was originally published on June 26, 2018.