The Best Minivans in 2024
The team at The Car Guide has analyzed all the various minivans available in Canada and identified the best buys for 2024.
When it comes to family haulers, none offer more space and versatility than minivans. Which ones are our top picks this year? Read on.
- Also: Chrysler Soldiers On as Minivan-Only Brand, Grand Caravan Now Above $50K
- Also: Rear-Seat Passengers at Risk in Today's Minivans, IIHS Warns
1. Toyota Sienna
Another year, another Sienna at the top of our ranking. Toyota’s minivan continues to offer the best combination of what large families look for and need.
Mainly, you can have it with a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive at the same time, something no rival can brag about. The system is built around a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and delivers 245 total horsepower.
Fuel economy is seriously impressive at a combined 6.6 L/100 km for FWD models—almost half the consumption of a V6-powered minivan. With AWD, the Sienna is virtually just as efficient, averaging 6.7 L/100 km.
On top of that, customers enjoy a practical interior, decent performance and excellent reliability. Add it all up, and you get the best minivan for the money in 2024.
2. Kia Carnival
Once again landing in second place, the Kia Carnival lacks a hybrid variant and AWD option. But that will partly change soon. For the 2025 model year, a Carnival Hybrid will join the lineup and might vault into the No. 1 spot in our minivan ranking.
In the meantime, the 2024 Carnival is a well-designed vehicle with a functional and accommodating interior, an attractive price, plus the best warranty in the segment (5 years of 100,000 km).
The 3.5-litre V6 under the hood delivers 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, out-muscling Toyota’s hybrid system with stronger acceleration. On the flip side, the engine burns much more fuel at 10.7 L/100 km.
On the road, the spacious Carnival keeps families happy with comfortable seats and a smooth ride. Now you understand why we view it as the second-best buy in the segment for 2024.
3. Chrysler Pacifica
Just like last year, the Chrysler Pacifica rounds out the podium. Similar to the Toyota Sienna, this American minivan is available with hybrid technology and all-wheel drive. The problem is that you can’t have both at the same time.
Said hybrid technology comes with a larger 16kWh battery that enables 51 km of zero-emission driving, enough for many daily commutes. That’s right, we’re talking about a PHEV, here.
With 260 combined horsepower on tap, the Pacifica proves a healthy performer. On the other hand, the battery pack limits interior space and actually makes it impossible to have Stow n’ Go seats in the second row.
While the Pacifica Hybrid comes with FWD only, the V6-powered variant can be specified with AWD. Fuel consumption increases to 12 L/100 km, however, which is 1.4 L/100 km worse than with FWD.
High prices and reliability concerns with the hybrid model mean that Pacifica customers need to proceed with caution. That’s why we’ve put Chrysler’s minivan in third place for 2024.
