Price: $30,695
Gas mileage: 17 city and 25 highway mpg

Macho factor: Accommodates a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood with the rear hatch closed.

Chrysler created the minivan segment with the 1984 Dodge Caravan, and it still sells more minivans than any other carmaker.

Some mechanical, styling and interior upgrades for 2011 have elevated the Grand Caravan to a level truly competitive with the imports. Its new 3.6-liter V-6 generates 283 horsepower -- the most of any vehicle on our list. A six-speed, driver-shiftable, automatic transmission ushers power to the front wheels.

Three rows of seats can carry up to seven, yet when more cargo space is needed, the Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats can be folded flat with the cargo floor for 143.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.

In addition to standard amenities that include power accessories, power-adjustable pedals, tri-zone climate control and a trip computer, the R/T comes with a sport-tuned suspension, leather seating and an upgraded nine-speaker Infinity audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack.