Minivan/Van

The 2011 model year MSRPs for the Dodge Grand Caravan began at $25,830, including an $835 destination charge. At this point, both the Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna rang in around $400 cheaper, though there would be content and package differences between the minivans. Now Dodge has decided to fuel ...    Read more

Like many others, I had my initial doubts and concerns about the Fiat/Chrysler marriage. If I had to make an analogy, I saw Chrysler like a middle-aged cougar divorcee. Attractive and slim, but but a little battle-bruised. With leathery tanned skin, and a raspy voice from many years of smoking ...    Read more

Hydraulic hybrids use the internal combustion serves as a hydraulic pump, which pressurizes hydraulic fluid into a hydraulic motor, which is then coupled to the drive wheels through a two-speed transmission (we’re told it doesn’t actively shift; think of it only as a means of selecting drive or low-range). This ...    Read more

When its first minivans hit the market in 1983, Chrysler caught its competitors by surprise. Chrysler and Fia CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to do that again with the company's next generation of minivans. “We’re not going to give one inch of territory in terms of our domination of segment,” ...    Read more

Kia continues to be true to its "Power to Surprise" tagline when it unveiled the KV7 Concept yesterday. The KV7 is, according to Kia, is a reinterpretation of the van; specifically, the van of the 1980's when, according to Kia, the van was the center of many a teen ...    Read more

Chrysler is recalling approximately 367,350 vehicles of its MY 2008 Town & Country minivan. According to the automaker, a faulty grommet at the heating and air conditioner drain could cause a water leak. As a result, this leak could trigger a short in the airbag circuit, causing the airbag telltale ...    Read more

Nissan released published pricing information on its 2012 NV vans which are expected to reach dealerships early in 2011. The full-sized cargo haulers will be priced from a reasonable $25,570. Note that prices include $980 in destination fees. The $25,570 price puts buyers into a base NV 1500 S. Customers ...    Read more

Toyota has announced that it plans to recall certain 2011 Sienna minivans. According to the automaker, the stop lamp switch bracket, which illuminates the brake lights after the brake pedal has been depressed -- is too close to the parking brake pedal. When the parking brake pedal is fully applied, ...    Read more

Mazda has released details on its Mazda5 crossover including pricing information. The entry-level Sport model starts at $19,990 (including destination), roughly $595 more than the previous 2010 Mazda5. No option packages are available, but even base 5s receive the larger 2.5-liter I-4, ABS, stability and traction control, 16-inch aluminum wheels, ...    Read more

Toyota made the announcement this week on its Twitter feed that the Swagger Wagon-rapping Dad will make an appearance at the SEMA show. The, uh, "celebrity" will be on hand to debut the Swagger Wagon Supreme. The original video helped draw attention to the 2011 Sienna SE sport van and ...    Read more

SUVs and minivans are derided as gas-guzzling and uncool. But their drivers do seem to avoid traffic tickets. ...    Read more

Happy 50th birthday, E-Series!In celebration of this milestone, Ford has announced a 50th anniversary edition van that's replete with embroidered seats, unique badging, and a series-specific blue metallic paintjob. Like countless ambulance operators, social groups, outdoorsmen/women, we quickly took a liking to Ford's biggest van - it won our ...    Read more

Pricing of the minivan has also been released as well. Across the model line, Odyssey models share the same engine, the familiar 3.5-liter V-6 that now displaces 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. All trim levels except for the Touring and Touring Elite are paired with a five-speed automatic; ...    Read more

In reaction to customer desires for more fuel efficient, yet environmentally-friendly options, General Motors has released details on its CNG system for the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana commercial vehicles. "CNG" stands for compressed natural gas. Both Chevrolet and GMC offer the alternative fuel option as well as the standard ...    Read more

Move over, Volkswagen. Well-known electronics and home entertainment retailer Best Buy recently purchased nearly 300 Ford Transit crossover vans and 738 E-Series commercial vans. These vehicles join the the company's Geek Squad fleet, which are well-known for its popular VW Beetle lineup. ...    Read more

Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it was investigating complaints of broken rear axles on the MY1999-2003 Ford Windstars. The federal agency is now focusing attention on possible corrosion on the front subframe in addition to the rear axles breaks. Nearly a million ...    Read more

Automaker Toyota has just issued a temporary fix for its 1998 through 2010 Sienna minivan. Earlier this year, the trouble-plaged automaker issued a recall due to the vehicle's spare tire harness. Apparently road salt, used during the winter season, could erode the harness to the point where it would break ...    Read more

The Nissan NV is Nissan’s first commercial vehicle here in the ‘states. According, the automaker is making some major changes in production to accommodate the large vehicle which is scheduled to hit the streets in 2012. The large size of the commercial vans led to $118 million in ...    Read more

So, what do you think of the all-new, 2011 Nissan Quest minivan? Hard to make out much from the images above? That's what we thought, too. What we can see from the images is a vehicle that apes the squared-off Nissan Forum concept car of 2008. The exterior is ...    Read more

In 2008, General Motors joined Ford and left the minivan segment in the U.S. to concentrate on the more popular SUVs and crossovers. Based on some recent GM executives' comments, it has not abandoned the market worldwide. GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens, during daylong conference calls with the press and ...    Read more

Minivans seem to be in the news. First, Dodge's discussing the creation of a man van. Now Volkswegen is considering dropping its Chrysler Town & Country-based Routan from its lineup “No decisions have been made regarding the Routan,” VW spokesperson Jill Bratina told Dow Jones Newswire. She ...    Read more

Minivans, no matter how you look at them, will never match the machismo that's almost inherent in pickups, some SUVs, or the late, lamented HUMMER. So we were more than a bit surprised when Dodge recently announced it was attempting to beef up the traditional "soccer mom-mobile" for the rougher ...    Read more

WASHINGTON — Volkswagen AG is recalling nearly 16,000 Routan minivans to address fire concerns involving latches on the sliding doors. Read full article at Associated Press courtesy of Google

It’s pouring over at Toyota headquarters as the latest recall to hit the news outlets involves 600,000 Sienna minivans from model years 1998 to 2010. ...    Read more

Nothing lasts forever. Case in point: Daimler and Tata Motors. Daimler, the owner of Mercedes-Benz, had purchased the stake in Tata in 1954 for the purpose of manufacturing commercial vehicles. When Daimler started manufacturing activity for Mercedes-Benz in India in 1994 the companies had a 51-49 joint venture.Well, Daimler has ...    Read more