- Who made the first minivan. Apr 10, 2023 · Quality: The Pacifica offers a long list of standard features, a nicer-than-it-has-to-be interior and available all-wheel drive. [25] In July 2016, the Sienna was officially introduced to the Taiwanese market. Learn how Chrysler created the first minivan in 1983, based on a car chassis and a sliding door, to fit in a garage and drive like a car. The Chrysler minivans launched a few months ahead of the Renault Espace (the first MPV/minivan in Europe, initially presented to executives as a Talbot (which was made up of Chrysler Europe's disposed assets) in 1979, [4] but not launched until 1984), making them the first of their kind — effectively creating the modern minivan segment in the Jul 3, 2024 · Most of the top rated Minivans made by Ford on this list are older vehicles, but that doesn't mean that Ford isn't still making affordable Minivans today. The Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan were an instant hit. It comes standard with a powerful V6 engine, and the van is an all-weather champ when equipped with optional all-wheel drive. Chrysler will continue to build its truck-style vans for those who need a wide body; the mini, on the other hand, has the potential Feb 5, 2024 · Best Minivan to Drive: Kia Carnival Kia. Following a decline in sales across the minivan segment in the mid-2000s, the Freestar and Monterey were discontinued after the 2007 model year with no direct replacement. Originally slated for a 1989 model-year release, [4] the nameplate had been placed on hiatus for the first time since 1945 as Chrysler discontinued station wagon production after the 1988 model year. Having sold the line as one of its Chrysler's minivan was the first vehicle designed from the ground up to fit that need, and it was a revelation. The Mazda MPV (Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicle) is a minivan manufactured by Mazda. Jul 31, 2013 · There is a lore that Chrysler '"invented" the minivan. Sep 4, 2023 · First production year: 1998 Engines: Hybrid, TOYOTA Sienna 2020 - Present. Stout created the groundbreaking 1930s Stout Scarab, a futuristic and aerodynamic vehicle that was the world's first minivan. Developed by Hal Sperlich and backed by Lee Iacocca, both having arrived at Chrysler Jun 30, 2015 · William Stout was an American inventor known for his aviation and automotive designs. |The first minivans from Chrysler left the assembly line on November 2, 1983. 7, 1983. The Dodge Caravan (and the long-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan) is a series of minivans that was manufactured by Chrysler from the 1984 to 2020 model years. It was the vehicle that saved Chrysler from financial doom — and in the process, shaped the automotive landscape for thirty years to come. The roof liner was made from wicker and Nov 2, 2021 · The first minivans from Chrysler left the assembly line on November 2, 1983. U. [26] In the U. Dec 10, 2023 · In 1984, Chrysler dropped an absolute smash hit with the first-generation Caravan, which not only became one of the most popular family cars in the country but pioneered the American minivan In November 2011, exports of the XL30 Sienna to South Korea began, making it the first Toyota minivan sold in the country. Aug 21, 2019 · All photos. Introduced as the first minivans from an American-brand manufacturer and popularizing the minivan as a vehicle, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were launched ahead of chief competitors Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar. It may have been the first to popularize the term in the U. but the actual vehicle design is much older than the Lee-Iacocca-led Dodge Caravan. Just 12 years ago, minivans made up 8. Aug 2, 2017 · In late 1983, the first minivan rolled off out the factory at Chrysler. News Best Cars. Edmunds expert reviewers rank the best minivans of 2024 and 2025 on a 10-point scale that includes performance, comfort, interior, technology, and value. The first-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans produced and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from the 1984 to the 1990 model years. The earlier minivans are worthy of mention of course. The Previa was the second largest minivan in Toyota's lineup in Japan after the bigger and more luxurious Alphard/Vellfire . The Isuzu Oasis is a minivan marketed in the United States by Isuzu from 1996 to 1999 as a rebadged variant of the first-generation Honda Odyssey, the only minivan marketed by Isuzu. Feb 3, 2021 · The 2021 Voyager has one of the most affordable price points among minivans, and it also offers easy-to-use infotainment controls, a strong engine, and a peaceful ride. The Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan transformed mobility for the suburban American family. These vehicles, developed by Chrysler, are often credited with pioneering the modern minivan segment. This list contains cars like 2004 Pontiac Montana Minivan FWD and 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport. Apr 11, 2018 · Hailed as revolutionary by virtually every news outlet upon its introduction in late 1983, the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan disrupted the automotive in May 27, 2024 · The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (which is actually a plug-in hybrid capable of some 30 miles of EV-only range) used to be the only gas-electric van you could buy; then Toyota made its latest Sienna . The Stout Scarab was a streamlined, fenderless, monoform six-passenger sedan that can stake a claim as the world’s first minivan. After the Honda Odyssey was redesigned for 1999, Isuzu continued to market the Oasis for another year with minor changes. 5% of the overall Jul 9, 2024 · Unlike other minivans, it’s only available with a hybrid powertrain: a 2. Aug 13, 2007 · In 2006, minivan production fell below 1 million units for the first time in 15 years, and this year is looking much, much worse. Check out the results and details of our Minivan Challenge for 2021 here. 8% of The first-generation Chrysler minivans were released in November 1983 as 1984 models. Minivans only made up 2. Like the new 1984 Plymouth, Dodge, and Matra/Renault, it had a four cylinder engine and a manual transmission with an optional automatic; but it was unique in having rear wheel drive, a mid-engined design, and an optional four-speed (rather than three-speed The first minivan produced by Ford, the model line was marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans. Sep 19, 2023 · The first minivan - a Plymouth Voyager - rolled off the line at Windsor Assembly on November 2, 1983, as a 1984 model, the first of more than 15 million Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler View the top-ranked 2024 and 2025 Minivans at U. Jul 3, 2019 · In late 1983, the first minivan rolled off out the factory at Chrysler. The first Dodge Grand Caravan hit the market in 1983 as an affordable option for Nov 4, 2013 · On November 2nd, 1983, the world's first minivan rolled off of Chrysler's assembly line. As an alternative to the minivan, SUVs and crossovers have gained increasing success since the 2000s, largely due to how the minivan changed the way cars were designed. Minivan. Aug 15, 2019 · The demeaning caricature identified the minivan as a matronly car and men and women alike began to shun the revolutionary vehicle. Aug 9, 2021 · Much has changed since our last minivan comparison, so we felt it was time for another look. Click on each vehicle's name for more detailed information about it. ” After 32 years in Motown, Walsh retired in 1988 just four years after the first minivan rolled off the Jan 4, 2023 · In 1983, Chrysler debuted the first minivan, which was marketed under two names: the Plymouth Voyager and the Dodge Caravan. However, it was in 1987 that the Oct 13, 2018 · Most of the top rated Minivans made by Pontiac on this list are older vehicles, but that doesn't mean that Pontiac isn't still making affordable Minivans today. Discover the origins and evolution of the iconic vehicle that changed the way families drove. With front-wheel drive (FWD), the minivan is EPA-rated at 36 combined mpg. Feb 9, 2024 · First production year: 2002 Engines: Gasoline, In Europe, Kia offered the Sedona as Carnival and provided it with a turbo-diesel engine that made the minivan more fuel-efficient. The boxy design and high roof maximized interior space. , the third-generation Sienna was offered in five trim levels, a base grade, LE, XLE, Limited and for the first time the SE trim. For the first time, they were no longer As part of the 2004 launch of the Ford Freestar, Mercury introduced its first Ford-produced minivan in a revival of the Mercury Monterey nameplate. Sep 17, 2023 · Once the Japanese started getting minivans much closer to the Chrysler model (sans quality problems), starting with the 1998 Toyota Sienna and followed by the 1999 Honda Odyssey (the first with the magic folding third row seat), and the 2000 Mazda MPV, Chrysler (finally) had some real minivan competition. Introduced in 1983 as a glorified expression of the popular wagons from the 1970s, the Dodge Caravan is widely recognized as the first modern minivan. Aug 19, 2018 · The Stout Scarab was a streamlined, fenderless, monoform six-passenger sedan that can stake a claim as the world’s first minivan. The Odyssey feels relatively light and nimble in corners, but the Carnival delivers a poised, well-balanced ride — more than a bit reminiscent of the Telluride — with a robust V6 engine and a legitimate drive mode selector that includes a Sport mode. The Dodge Caravan was an all-new nameplate, with the Plymouth Voyager adopted from its previous full-size van line. A sliding side door made Chrysler is known for bringing the first mass-produced and highly successful minivan to market, but it wasn't the first iteration of a minivan vehicle. Like Chrysler (and Matra), Toyota introduced a minivan in 1984. They were an immediate success, selling 290,000 units in the first year alone. com. -built minivan to do so), [5] designed and developed by FF Developments (FFD), [6] was made optional. V. S. Mar 19, 2024 · Minivans were all the craze from the '80s to the early 2000s, and Dodge set the standard with its Grand Caravan. Introduced in 1988 as a rear-wheel-drive model with optional selectable four-wheel drive, this was replaced in 1999 with a front-wheel-drive version with optional all-wheel-drive in some markets. This minivan seats seven passengers, but also has a number of downsides such as hard plastics in the cabin, few available features, and a low reliability rating. With all-wheel drive (AWD) – which the Sienna is one of only two minivans to offer – it’s rated at 35 combined mpg. Sep 24, 2023 · The 1970s: The First True Minivan The true minivan era began in the 1970s with the introduction of two groundbreaking vehicles: the Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager. All subsequent models were equipped with 700R4/4L60 automatic transmissions through 1993. The Odyssey is known for having superb performance for a minivan; it's equipped with a 3. Chrysler needed a home run, and Lee Iacocca, who was running the company… The Chrysler Town & Country minivan was introduced as a minivan in the spring of 1989 as an early 1990 model. Love ’em or loathe ’em, let’s take a look back at some of the best, worst, and weirdest minivans ever made. In 2005 and 2006, the Odyssey was named "Editor's Most Wanted (Minivan)" by the automotive site Edmunds. Posted on May 3, 2021 As the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica continues to take the automotive world by storm and mark a return to prominence with innovations such as hybrid technology and luxury-class amenities, it seems like a good time to take a look back at the much-storied vehicle style that has had such a massive influence on the way that North Americans drive. 5 days ago · The best minivans of 2024 offer practicality, convenience, and dare we say it, a dash of luxury. Who invented the minivan? Chrysler invented the modern minivan (as opposed to the compact van) —twice, in two different continents, using entirely different bodies. It was decided to produce it in 1984. This list is made up of a variety of cars, including 1994 Ford Aerostar Minivan and 1990 Ford Aerostar Minivan. It is unrelated to the discontinued crossover and concept vehicles by the same name and replaced the Chrysler Town & Country for the 2017 model year. The Kelley Blue Book editors test drive and rank the based minivans each year. The Chrysler Pacifica, the best-selling minivan in the United States as of 2020 [1] Minivan (sometimes called simply a van) is a car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row (s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, there wasn't really an ideal vehicle for families. Introduced shortly before the Ford Taurus , the Aerostar derived its name from its slope-nosed "one-box" exterior (although over six feet tall, the body of the Aerostar retained a drag The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis. In 1990, a new all-wheel drive (AWD) system (the first U. 5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with 2 electric motors. Toyota made the Sienna as a family carrier, and, in 2020, it unveiled the fourth minivan built for the North-American Best Minivans of 2024 and 2025. A sliding side door made stuffing kids in the back a breeze. Interior trim, controls, and instrumentation were borrowed from the Chrysler K platform, and coupled with the lower floor enabled by the front-wheel Jul 16, 2023 · We can debate who was first, but for most drivers – Chrysler’s were the first minivans they remember seeing, riding in and living with. Advertisement Apr 6, 2020 · Many say the Dodge Caravan became the first minivan when it arrived for the 1984 model year along with its Plymouth Voyager sibling, kicking off the minivan boom. Roy Schneider, of Milwaukee, shows off his 1936 Stout Scarab, a model o Toyota minivans: Van, Previa, and Sienna. With a stubby front end, a boxy middle and a gloriously curved rear, the car certainly resembled its beetle namesake, the scarab. Aug 1, 2017 · Chrysler’s claim is the easiest to refute, since their ‘minivan’ was introduced in the 1984 and it would take a 1984-level of history re-writing to make everyone forget about Volkswagen’s Nov 2, 2013 · Well, thirty years ago this month Chrysler began production of the Dodge Caravan - the world's first minivan. Jan 5, 2024 · “We made that design and we tested it. When Ronald Reagan was president — the economy was far from robust and Chrysler was on death’s doorstep. Buying a minivan declares that you are a practical person who puts function first, so we’re not surprised your minivan research has landed you on our list of the best minivans for 2024. Our list is based on the factors that matter to consumers, like family features Feb 6, 2024 · Volvo’s first electric minivan, the EM90 (source: Volvo) A 200 kW electric motor and 116 kW battery are good for up to 458 miles (738 km) CLTC range. The Kia Carnival noses out the Honda Odyssey for the best-driving minivan. The AWD The first clean-sheet minivan in many years, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, was launched in 2016, with a hybrid version capable of 84 MPGe. It was the vehicle that saved Chrysler from financial doom. See how the 2024 Honda Odyssey, 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid & 2024 Chrysler Pacifica compare with the rest. Fast forward to the 2021 Sienna. The equivalent classification in Europe is MPV (multi-purpose Nov 3, 2013 · Chrysler’s minivan was the first vehicle designed from the ground up to fit that need, and it was a revelation. Oct 3, 2017 · The first T-115 "Magic Wagon" -- or minivan -- comes off the retooled final production line at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant on Oct. Although the EM90 rides on the same platform The name "Previa" is derived from the Spanish for "preview", as Toyota saw the first Previa as a vehicle that would preview technologies used in future minivans. Nov 2, 2018 · On November 2nd, 1983, the world's first minivan rolled off of Chrysler's assembly line. It set a Sep 22, 2021 · Learn how engineer William B. Photo: Michael Furman. The Dodge version of the Chrysler minivans, the Caravan was marketed as both a passenger van and a cargo van (the only version of the model line offered in the latter configuration). Feb 4, 2019 · What We Said: "This minivan really is a new vehicular concept. In 1984 the Chrysler/Plymouth van sold over 200,000 units. The Caravan was first introduced as a North American minivan for the United States and Canadian markets, sold along with the identical Plymouth Voyager, in November 1983, for the 1984 model year. These days, SUVs and crossovers are the first choice for many drivers, but minivans may be making a comeback — and prices have risen 43% from 2017 to 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal. May 3, 2021 · Back The History of the Minivan. In 2009, it received the "Best Resale Value" award (Minivan) from Kelley Blue Book. 1989 was the final year that the BorgWarner T-5 manual transmission was made available. Yet – Chrysler was the one that put a minivan in America’s garage during the later half of the 20th century. Dec 15, 2016 · An appreciative turn behind the wheel of a 1984 Dodge Caravan, the car that made the station wagon obsolete and paved the way for the S. While they often get a reputation as “uncool” today, when they first debuted, minivans were revolutionary. Apr 20, 2024 · Chrysler is known for bringing the first mass-produced and highly successful minivan to market, but it wasn't the first iteration of a minivan vehicle. Today, the minivan is a staple The latter configuration is the first 7-passenger minivan sold by Ford since the 2007 discontinuation of the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey. Discover its features, history, and why it was a visionary challenge to the automotive industry. 5L V6 producing 244-horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. May 31, 2015 · The Chrysler minivan first went into production in 1983 with sales that far exceeded expectations. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ needs update ] In 2014, it was available in three models, which are XL, XLT, and Titanium. jubn dwtj qygqjdu kjigwt qxtawt cyhqop iigqf owgb poyn qjpd