Safest Used Minivans on the Market Today

May 26th, 2023 by

If you’re in the market for a used minivan, it’s important to know what to look for to get the best deal. In addition to reliability and performance, safety is a key factor. We at Performance Honda understand this, which is why we’ve put together this list of the safest used minivans that are currently available on the market. These are all recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the protection they provide to their occupants. Read on to find out what each minivan has to offer.

Chrysler Town and Country

The Chrysler Town and Country received a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS in 2013. This model year came with numerous standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a back-up camera. It was also J.D. Power’s third-best minivan of 2013, partly because of its luxurious interior and long list of standard and available features that set it apart from the competition. These include a Stow ‘n Go second-row bench, leather upholstery, a dual-screen rear entertainment system, and power-sliding doors.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Like the Chrysler Town and Country, the Dodge Grand Caravan was also a Top Safety Pick in 2013. Its safety features include cross-traffic and rear-parking sensors, a rearview camera, stability control, traction control, and anti-lock disc brakes. Its main selling points at the time of its release were its Super Stow ‘n Go seats, which you can fold quickly and easily, and its relative affordability compared to its 2012 model. The Grand Caravan also placed fourth in J.D. Power’s list of minivan rankings for 2013.

Kia Sedona

The Kia Sedona and Carnival are the same vehicle. The Carnival has been around since the late 1990s, but it was introduced to the North American market as the Kia Sedona. It continued under this name until 2021, when Kia relaunched it as the Carnival for the 2022 model year.

The Sedona was an IIHS Top Safety Pick from 2015 until 2018. This emphasized the automaker’s focus on safety for the Sedona’s third generation, which debuted in 2015. Its 2017 model was also a Top Safety Pick+ winner for 2016, which meant it earned the highest possible rating when tested for crash prevention and crashworthiness.

Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival was a Top Safety Pick for 2021 and 2022. However, this only applies to Carnival SX Prestige models built after March 2021, which featured headlights that provided good visibility without going over the existing glare limits. Other trims had headlights that performed poorly in IIHS tests.

The 2022 Carnival is a reimagined version of its predecessor, the 2021 Sedona. It features an updated, SUV-like exterior and an interior that’s equipped with an upgraded infotainment system. It also has plenty of desirable standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking and Safe Exit Assist. Some of its other noteworthy features are a dual-screen infotainment system, a rear entertainment system, in-cabin cameras, second-row seats with footrests, and proximity-activated sliding doors.

Chrysler Pacifica

Except for 2020, the Chrysler Pacifica was recognized as either a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ from 2017 until 2022. The top trim of its debut 2017 model received a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2016 from the IIHS. Like other minivans in the Stellantis automaker family, the Pacifica is known for its Stow ‘n Go seats, user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system, and impressive cargo capacity.

Among the used Chrysler Pacifica models, the 2021 and 2022 models may be the most attractive. These are both Top Safety Pick+ awardees and come equipped with the latest driver-assistance technologies. Their notable standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.

Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is consistently in the top five of J.D. Power’s best minivan lists from 2013 to 2022. It also received the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS six times within that same period. These achievements are a testament to its quality, reliability, and, most of all, safety.

The Toyota Sienna is popular because of its comfortable seats, smooth ride, and ample space for passengers and cargo. The 2021 and 2022 models are particularly appealing because of their updated, modern styling and hybrid powertrain. They also offer a range of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey has been J.D. Power’s best minivan for the last four years, which speaks to its reliability and performance. Its safety has also been recognized by the IIHS, which named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2013, 2014, and 2017, and from 2020 until 2023. It was also a Top Safety Pick in the years in between. All these point to the Odyssey’s durability and safety, which are two factors that make it an excellent choice for a used minivan.

While it may be difficult to choose a model year for a used Odyssey, there are several standout options. The 2018 Odyssey is a good choice because it underwent a redesign that year and may carry a lower price tag than later models. However, if you want the latest technology and design, you should opt for the 2021 instead of the 2022 model. This offers mostly the same features while being a more affordable used vehicle. Some of its key features include:

  • Magic Slide second-row seats.
  • In-cabin camera.
  • Display Audio infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an available 8-inch touch screen.
  • Rear entertainment system.
  • Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

There are numerous choices available if you want a safe and reliable used minivan. The Honda Odyssey stands out from the rest because of its advanced safety and technology features, as well as its responsive handling, fuel efficiency, quiet cabin, and comfortable second-row seats. Contact us at Performance Honda for more information, or check out our current inventory of used vehicles to find the minivan that meets your needs.

Posted in Pre-Owned Inventory