Top Minivan Models for 2009
For decades minivans have been the vehicle of choice for medium to large sized families around the world. While today fewer minivans are sold than years past many parents find nothing stands up to the room and comfort of a minivan when taking their children to ball practice or dance school. The SUV and the large sedan are also popular among this crowd, but when it comes down to it the minivan is still one of the most popular forms of family transportation on the road today.
Is a Minivan Right for You?
It is hard to say whether a minivan will be the perfect choice of transport for your family or not. Depending on the size of your family and the reasons you travel a minivan has positive and negative aspects. For the most part a minivan is more suitable for a large family than a smaller one. They are great for traveling long distances to games and vacation but for the everyday running they might be too much for your family. Of course, if you are a busy mom who participates in the carpool the minivan will be the right choice.
It is not just parents who make use of minivans these days. Businesses of all types use minivans to haul equipment. You will often see florists and caterers using minivans because of the added cargo room you do not get with an SUV. Rather than automatically going for that new, prestine SUV consider any of these new minivans for your next purchase.
Top Models for 2009
2009 Dodge® Grand Caravan
The Grand Caravan is no doubt the most popular of all minivan models. Its long history as one of the leading vans when it comes to safety and comfort coupled with a low base price make this vehicle best in class. The 2009 model Grand Caravan has not changed much since it first entered the marketplace aside from a few design changes but this newest model does offer blind spot monitoring to keep you safe while driving and backing. The 2009 Dodge® Grand Caravan is priced from $24,300.
2009 Hyundai® Entourage
Introduced in 2007 the Entourage is one of the newer minivans on the market. Similar to the Kia® Sedona, the Entourage offers seven passenger seating. This minivan is great for parents on the go and the low price will not break you at the bank. New for 2009 is the addition of XM radio as a standard featured. The 2009 Hyundai® Entourage is priced from $25,000 and comes in many different colors.
2009 Kia® Rondo
While the Sedona may be the more popular of the Kia minivans the Rondo is still popular, especially among budget conscious consumers. The base price is only a little over $18,000 but that does not mean you will get a substandard vehicle. The Rondo fist appeared on the roadways in 2007 and since then Kia® has made some major improvements including the addition of the SX model for 2009. The 2009 Kia® Rondo is perfect for medium sized families that occasionally need to hauls a few extra people.
2009 Chrysler® Town & Country
For all intensive purposes the 2009 Chrysler® Town & Country is the same as the 2009 Dodge® Grand Caravan. The only differences are a few added standard options on the Chrysler® that cannot be found on the Dodge® model. The Town & Country offers blind spot monitoring new for 2009 and an sport tuned suspension on some models.
2009 Honda® Odyssey
Another popular minivan for 2009 is the Honda® Odyssey. The newest version of this larger than average minivan comes with a power lift gate. The Honda® Odyssey also has Bluetooth technologies. Designed with comfort and dependability in mind the 2009 Honda® Odyssey has a base price of $27,000.
New For 2009
The only brand new minivan introduced for the 2009 model year is the Volkswagen® Routan. The Routan is similar to the Town & Country offered by Chrysler® because they had a hand in crafting this van. Priced at just over $25,000 for the most basic model the Routan has many great options that can be added for additional cost. The Routan has a six speed automatic transmission and an estimated 18 miles per gallon combined on the highway and in the city. Based on early reports from drivers this van has the potential to become one of the most popular minivans on the road in upcoming years.
Where to Find More Info
Purchasing new minivans is not a venture that should be taken lightly. In many cases vans that look good on paper fail to meet expectations. This is why it is vitally important to conduct your own research before heading to the dealership. You may want to test a few different brands and models before you make your final decision just to see how each model feels once you are behind the wheel. Additional information on the vans profiled can be found by visiting the following sites.
www.caranddriver.com – Car and Driver provides extensive reviews of all vehicles including the new minivans for 2009.
www.iihs.org – The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety conducts crash tests and highway safety tests on all vehicles. When it comes to a family vehicle like new minivans this site is invaluable.
www.fueleconomy.gov – If you are looking for information regarding the mpg rating for any automobile the EPA’s fuel economy site can help you. Vehicles are broken down by class.
Regardless of the make and model of the minivan families should always consider a number of factors. Families pick the minivan that best suits their lifestyle. While some families prioritize cargo space and towing capacity others may find that fuel economy and lower emissions to be their preference. The minivan might not be the most glamorous ride on the market but it is often the most practical, especially for medium to large families. The new minivans for 2009 offer higher fuel economy, better features, higher safety rating than minivans of the past, and many of the same luxuries you will find in a large sedan or an SUV.
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