Cars by price -- minivans

Minivans under $25,000
Despite all the snide jokes about soccer moms, the minivan market still accounts for as many as 2 million sales a year. In terms of seating configurations, cargo room and easy in-and-out, minivans are hard to beat. But finding one at under $25,000 is a challenge.

Kia Sedona
Leading the economy end of the market is Kia's Sedona, which has all the standard minivan features in the familiar minivan shape. Its standard V6 provides adequate performance, and it's possible to bargain one out the door for about $20,000 -- a huge plus.

Price: $20,260-$22,475
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 195
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 15-20 mpg
Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles

Dodge Caravan
Dodge created the minivan more than 25 years ago, so it's hard to overlook their offering. Although we don't recommend a minivan with a four-cylinder engine (you need a V6 to motivate such a big vehicle), it's possible to get a Dodge Caravan with a V6 for about $25,000.

Price: $21,795-$24,850
Engines: 2.4-liter inline four cylinder; 3.3-liter V6
Horsepower: 150 (2.4-liter); 180 (3.3-liter)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 19-24 mpg (2.4-liter); 18-24 mpg (3.3-liter)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Mazda's MPV
This is a stylish alternative to the standard minivan configuration, and Mazda dealers are hungry enough to cut a deal that should get an MPV out the door for less than $25,000.

Price: $23,780-$28,750
Engine: 3-liter V6
Horsepower: 200
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 18-25 mpg
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles

Minivans $25,000-$35,000
In this price range, the minivans come fully equipped with a wide range of convenience features, ranging from disappearing third-row seats to full video entertainment systems. Seating ranges from six to eight, and the seats usually can be configured any number of ways.

Toyota Sienna
The new Sienna has nudged ahead of the Honda Odyssey in the race to provide the latest comforts and conveniences in a minivan. Its styling puts some edge into the standard box-on-wheels minivan theme, and its 3.3-liter V6 delivers effortless power. On the downside, it's also easy to load up a Sienna with options that will push its price to $35,000 and above.

Price: $23,495-$37,470
Engine: 3.3-liter V6
Horsepower: 230
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 19-27 mpg
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey offers almost as many features and has been the leader before this year.

Honda Odyssey Click image for larger view

Honda reliability is on board and the 240-horsepower V6 is the most powerful in the field.

Price: $24,980-$30,980
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 240
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 18-25 mpg
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Ford Freestar
The new Freestar replaces the Windstar for 2004, and it incorporates many needed updates. Its available engines are not as powerful as those in the Honda and Toyota, but it's priced in the middle of the market. Price: $22,070-$33,630

Engines: 3.9-liter V6; 4.2-liter V6
Horsepower: 193 (3.9-liter); 201 (4.2-liter)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 17-23 mpg (3.9-liter); 16-23 (4.2-liter)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

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Cars by price -- sedans

Cars by price -- coupes and hatchbacks

Cars by price -- convertibles

Cars by price -- station wagons

Cars by price -- SUVs

Cars by price -- pickup trucks

Cars by price -- when money's no object

-- Posted: Nov. 10, 2003