Intellichoice wrote an excellent article on what is a crossover. The article moves on and discussed the quintessential feature of modern minivans: third-row seating. Both organizations narrowed minivan alternatives via third-row spacing (eliminating, for example, the Ford Escape SUV); fuel economy; cargo space offered; and their power versus the vehicle's weight. (The most powerful engine is useless if the vehicle is too heavy.)
Still, there are more than 40 vehicles that made the cut according to Intellichoice. Both teams then broke them down depending on consumer's wants such as least expensive (e.g., Kia Rondo, Mitsubishi Outlander, etc.) to the editors’ top ten (e.g., Suzuki XL-7, which is pictured; Mercedes-Benz GL320).
Our take? While we understand the reason most people are switching to SUVs and crossovers (i.e., vanity), we still feel there's a place for minivans. We won't be surprised that, in a few years, people will finally wake up from the current 'anti-soccer mom/dad' mania and realize that sliding doors are cool (and very, very, practical).