Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Photo credit: KSL Cars
All-wheel drive
You no longer need to cram everyone into a truck or buy a Jeep to take the family camping. Finding a minivan with all-wheel drive this year shouldn’t be that hard. For the past couple of years the Toyota Sienna has proudly dominated the market of minivans with AWD, but this year other big names like Honda and Chrysler will look to take a slice of the minivan AWD pie as they develop newer models. This is actually good for the market as competition among car companies means better prices for customers. See local Toyota Sienna listings here.
AC Power Outlets
Many of us are young enough to remember the days of adapters that connected your cigarette lighter to a power adapter allowing TVs to be plugged in on the road or, better yet, video games to be played. Times have changes and kids today can plug their technological device of choice (which today may very well be a cell phone but even those need chargers) into an AC power outlet found in select automobiles like the. See local Chrysler Town & Country listings here.
Photo credit: KSL Cars
Integrated vacuum cleaner
The person who is exiled to the back seat of the minivan is also most likely the messiest person. Cleaning up their messes just got a lot easier. In the rear of the Honda Odyssey is an integrated vacuum cleaner to help clean up any mess that is made. No more digging around for quarters to use a vacuum at a gas station or lugging out a large indoor vacuum cleaner to awkwardly use in your car. Just park the minivan and use the vacuum that is already in the car. See local Honda Odyssey listings here.
Microphone system
Sitcoms and movies make us laugh with parents looking in the rearview mirror to check on rambunctious kids. The admonition “Don’t make me come back there” is probably something we all heard from our parents when we got too rowdy in the car. However, a microphone system also found in the 2015 Toyota Sienna makes it more convenient for the driver to talk to passengers in the second and third rows. It also provides a lot of fun for parents who want to practice their beat boxing skills or belt out a song to embarrass their kids during carpool.
Photo credit: KSL Cars
Gas mileage
When talking about any car, gas mileage is always a concern. Big, bulky minivans are expected to be gas guzzlers because of their size, but many companies are making an effort to get minivans up to 25 miles per gallon. Say what you want about other features that you think may be unnecessary or useless in a minivan, but saving money on gas is always cool.
Built-in Cooler
If you want to assure that you drive the coolest ride in town (no pun intended), you may want to invest in the 2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L or above which features a cooled storage box. The "cool box" can hold up to six 12-ounce cans or up to four 20-ounce bottles, assuring that road trips beverages or healthy snacks stay cool no matter how long your ride.
Photo credit: KSL Cars
Keyless entry and ignition
When you’re running errands with the kids, sometimes getting the keys to the car out of your pocket or purse can be a hassle. Imagine going from one destination to the next without turning the key. With both hands free, you can make sure everyone is buckled in, load things into the trunk, turn on your favorite tunes and then start driving.
These features are sure to make any soccer mom's carpool a more pleasant experience but, for the first time ever, your minivan may also make you the envy of others on the road.
