Other minivans

Chrysler Pacifica

MSRP: $30,090 The Pacifica arrives to reclaim Chrysler’s minivan throne — and a 2017 10Best award. As a family hauler, safety is key: there are more than 100 standard and available features including a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision alert. Stow ’n Go seats are standard; the top model has a built-in vacuum. There’s a 287-hp V-6 with a nine-speed automatic — we saw 31 mpg in our highway testing — and a plug-in hybrid (a minivan exclusive) with an EPA-rated 84 MPGe combined.

Kia Sedona

MSRP: $27,850 Snazzy, sporty, and striking aren’t words you associate with minivans — but the ambitious folks at Kia have managed to bake a little of each into the Sedona. With room for eight, storage for family necessities, and a long list of standard and optional safety features, the Sedona is a compelling choice for value-minded shoppers. Powered by a 276-hp V-6 with a six-speed transmission and boasting a smooth ride, the Sedona also injects a little fun into daily kid-ferrying duties.

Dodge Grand Caravan

MSRP: $27,090 If a no-nonsense family hauler is what you’re after, there are few options better than the Grand Caravan. It skips most of the luxuries of the just-launched Chrysler Pacifica, with which it shares a showroom, in favor of a simpler, budget-minded approach. A 283-hp 3.6-liter V-6 powers the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. The roomy cabin seats seven and has Chrysler’s clever Stow ’n Go folding second row of seats; well-weighted steering inspires confidence and even adds a little fun.

Mercedes-Benz Metris

MSRP: $26,990 Slotted between its full-size sibling, the Sprinter, and smaller vans like the Ford Transit Connect, the Metris offers relatively nimble dimensions with the cargo-carrying ability of larger vans. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 208 hp with a sevenspeed automatic and rear-wheel drive; the interior can be configured to carry cargo or passengers (seven standard or eight optionally). There’s plenty of tech, too, including Crosswind Assist and load-adaptive stability control.