8 of the Most Luxurious Minivans

2016 Chrysler Town & Country ・ Photo by Chrysler

Offering all the incredible versatility that’s standard in the segment, plus a surprising array of premium equipment, the most luxurious minivans on the market today are an impressive lot. After all, they boast heated seats, home-theater-style entertainment systems, helpful safety technologies and more, without sacrificing the interior space no other vehicles can match. A few entries even feature the expressive exterior details needed for customer-satisfying, outside-of-the-box design.

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan

Although the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan often gets considered as the value choice when compared to its corporate cousin—the former Chrysler Town & Country (now Pacifica)—the Dodge’s upper-trim entries are both competitive with the most luxurious minivans. For example, the Grand Caravan SXT Plus provides standard “Black Torino” leather seats, complemented with premium suede inserts, silver accent stitching and, for the driver, 10-way power-adjustability. Owners also will love the vehicle’s leather-wrapped steering wheel, and with the Driver Convenience Group, that wheel and the front-row seats are heated, too. The Grand Caravan R/T takes things in a more athletic direction, even showing off a sport-tuned suspension, but also includes a Black Torino cabin and offers the same comforts as the SXT Plus. Both additionally offer lux levels of technology, from a dual-screen DVD/Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment center to blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection.

Photo by FCA Media

2016 Chrysler Town & Country

The 2016 Chrysler Town & Country is the real deal when it comes to the most luxurious minivans, particularly when configured in its lineup-topping Limited Platinum trim. That model makes the most of Chrysler’s extensive content opportunities and makes just about everything standard. That means premium cues like seating trimmed in supple Nappa leather, a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heating for the vehicle’s first two rows, and a power-folding third row. The top Town & Country even supplies details like adjustable pedals and a memory system for the power-adjustable driver’s seat. Then, all Chrysler’s tech goodies come standard, so rear-seat passengers can enjoy a dual-screen entertainment system that’s compatible with DVDs, Blu-ray and HDMI-enabled gaming systems. The brand’s blind-spot system and a 506-watt audio setup are standard as well, while the sophisticated exterior serves up touches like 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with painted accents.

Photo by Chrysler

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica isn’t just one of the industry’s most luxurious minivans, it’s also one of the most luxurious mainstream vehicles of any kind. The seating in the Limited model, for instance, starts with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat—with four-way, power-adjustable lumbar support—and includes both heating and ventilating functionality. Overhead, a tri-pane sunroof is standard to deliver an open-air experience for the first and second rows, and there’s a fixed glass pane above the third row to let the sunshine in on everybody. Naturally, the Pacifica also scores some advanced lux technologies, like a comprehensive Uconnect Theater rear-seat multimedia system, the minivan segment’s first Harman Kardon audio system, hands-free power sliding door, and some of today’s most popular driver-assistance measures. Among them: forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning and automatic emergency braking. As for the Pacifica’s premium powertrains, they offer first-in-class features like a nine-speed automatic transmission and plug-in hybrid propulsion.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2016 Toyota Sienna

The 2016 Toyota Sienna does deliver many of the premium amenities found on the most luxurious minivans, such as leather-trimmed seats with a front row that features multi-stage heating and eight-way power-adjustability for the driver. Entune Multimedia, complete with integrated navigation and Toyota’s App Suite for connectivity, comes with a 10-speaker JBL audio system. But the Sienna sets itself apart from the competition, too. Consider the leather-trimmed second-row captain’s chairs that are standard on Limited grade models: although Toyota touts them as “lounge” chairs, “loungers” is a more accurate description, since each one has two comfy arm cushions and a fold-out ottoman for leg support. Supporting the need for luxurious rear-seat entertainment resources is an available “dual-view” setup that relies on a 16.4-inch screen for either a single, wide-angle display or two side-by-side video outputs.

Photo by Toyota

2016 Honda Odyssey

Most luxurious minivans welcome significant cabin upgrades to better cater to their customers, and the 2016 Honda Odyssey is no different. Thus, in the highest level Honda minivan, the Touring Elite, the standard accoutrements include leather trim for the front row and outboard second-row positions, with front-seat occupants also provided with heating; the driver is kept especially comfy thanks to a 10-way power-adjustable seat. Lane-departure, forward-collision and blind-spot warnings boost the Odyssey’s premium passenger-protection offerings, all matched by a wealth of infotainment possibilities. From the audio department, there’s up to 650 watts of power and 12 speakers, while a 5.1 Surround Sound theater mode helps enhance the vehicle’s “UltraWide” rear-seat entertainment setup, which furnishes a high-resolution WVGA display and HDMI inputs for gamers. The Odyssey also is one of just two minivans to earn a 2016 Top Safety Pick recognition from the IIHS.

Photo by Honda

2016 Nissan Quest

Folks shopping for the most luxurious minivans will find an under-the-radar choice in the 2016 Nissan Quest. It’s relatively stylish on the outside, and supplies lux-style leather appointments on the inside, yet also goes beyond the usual premium touches with innovations such as an Advance Climate Control System. It can protect the interior from foul odors by automatically closing the intake vents and switching to recirculating functionality when bad smells are detected, then go ahead and re-open the intakes when the smells are gone. That nifty premium feature also can be paired with Quick Comfort heated front seats, designed to first rush warmth to body parts most sensitive to the cold. Needless to say, the Quest also answers the call for up-scale technologies, touting an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, navigation, Bose audio, and Moving Object Detection and other driver-assistance measures.

Photo by Nissan USA

2016 Kia Sedona

Backed by last year’s long-awaited redesign, the 2016 Kia Sedona continues to satisfy with a selection of advantages that are missing from some of the other most luxurious minivans. A case in point is the Sedona’s available Nappa leather trim. Not only does it create a refined, high-comfort ambiance in the Kia cabin, but it’s made using a chromium-free process that’s better for the environment than typical hide-tanning methods. Kia engineers also made some notable contributions to Sedona’s premium positioning, as they deployed amplitude selective dampers for “an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling” and a hands-free rear liftgate for customer convenience. Though the front row of the vehicle is very well equipped, of course, the brand didn’t skimp on second-row luxuries. Indeed, the available “First Class” lounge seating provides upper-class comfort to the middle row through its retractable leg rests, airplane-style winged headrests and optional heated cushions.

Photo by Kia Media

Kia engineers also made some notable contributions to Sedona’s premium positioning, as they deployed amplitude selective dampers for “an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling” and a hands-free rear liftgate for customer convenience. Though the front row of the vehicle is very well equipped, of course, the brand didn’t skimp on second-row luxuries. Indeed, the available “First Class” lounge seating provides upper-class comfort to the middle row through its retractable leg rests, airplane-style winged headrests and optional heated cushions.

Photo by Kia Media