Big families often need more space than a sedan or compact SUV can provide, yet they might shy away from the heft of a full-size SUV. Enter the minivan; an ideal blend of roomy comfort and manageable proportions.

Launched into the spotlight by the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan in the 1980s, minivans went on to dominate family driveways before giving way to sleeker midsize crossovers in the 2000s. Now, they’re enjoying a renewed surge in popularity as families rediscover their practicality and versatility.

But not every minivan is a winner. Below, we’ll explore the qualities that define a standout minivan and reveal six of the best minivans in Canada for 2025.

What to Look for in the Best Minivan

Minivans largely took a back seat when crossovers and midsize SUVs began filling families’ driveways, but they’re enjoying a steady revival. 

Fresh faces like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Toyota Sienna have ushered in this comeback by introducing hybrid and electric powertrains, state-of-the-art safety systems, and sophisticated entertainment technology that cater to modern families’ needs. The result is a new generation of minivans that blend practicality with innovation, offering a surprisingly appealing alternative to bulkier SUV options.

If you’re searching for a spacious, family-focused vehicle, it’s crucial to consider elements like seating configurations, cargo versatility, and advanced driver-assist features. For a wide range of quality pre-owned models, visit Clutch’s used minivan inventory. With so many revamped minivan options on the market, there’s never been a better time to rediscover the advantages of these people haulers.

Here’s what to look for in a minivan.

Safety Tech and Ratings

When you’re ferrying your whole family in one vehicle, safety must be a top priority. Start by reviewing IIHS safety ratings and look for at least a Top Safety Pick designation. Ideally, the coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating. This ensures your minivan has excelled in stringent crash tests and offers top-tier protection.

Beyond basics like airbags and anti-lock brakes, look for models with modern driver-assistance systems that may help prevent accidents altogether. Top technologies to watch for include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rearview cameras, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane-keep assist.

Seating Capacity and Arrangements

Hauling a large family is a cornerstone of minivan ownership, so seating capacity and layout should be at the top of your checklist. 

While all minivans feature three rows, not every model’s interior is designed equally. Some offer plush second-row captain’s chairs, which boost individual comfort but typically reduce total capacity from eight passengers down to seven. A second-row bench seat provides room for one more passenger, ensuring everyone can come along for the journey.

Don’t forget to inspect the third row for adequate legroom. Some manufacturers claim to seat three in the back, but that’s not always possible in the real world. If possible, bring your entire crew for a test-fit to confirm everyone stays comfortable.

Entertainment Technology

While advanced safety features offer peace of mind, they won’t hush your back-seat riders during a long trip. That’s where entertainment tech steps in, making a minivan truly shine. 

Modern minivans often feature available personal screens, streaming and DVD capabilities, video game console connectivity, 120V outlets, and user-friendly infotainment with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Some of these features, like the personal screens, may be options, but a great infotainment system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay should always be standard.

These features can curtail the “Are we there yet?” chorus and transform your minivan into a rolling family lounge. This ensures every journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy has traditionally been the Achilles’ heel of minivans. Their V6 engines and heavier bodies often contribute to high fuel consumption numbers. However, the arrival of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV  minivans has ushered in a noticeable improvement, giving families a more efficient way to travel. 

Remember that even the most economical minivans will consume more fuel than a compact sedan. However, if passenger space and reduced stops at the pump top your list, opting for a hybrid powertrain, plug-in hybrid, or EV can be a smart compromise.

Cargo Room

Cargo space may not top every minivan shopper’s priority list, but it’s a key selling point for those who want maximum hauling capability. Those seeking the best cargo capacity may opt for models with folding or removable seats to unlock a cavernous storage area. 

However, the simplicity of tucking these seats away matters. Certain models feature user-friendly seats that tumble or collapse into the floor with minimal effort, while others require more elaborate steps or manually disconnecting and removing the seat. 

If you frequently haul gear, check out the seat-folding mechanism when researching potential minivans. Effortless seat stowage can make a world of difference in everyday convenience.

Towing Capacity

SUVs may dominate the towing game, but that doesn’t mean minivans are left behind. While they typically can’t match the capacity of a full-size SUV, many modern minivans can still handle small to medium trailers. 

If you plan to hitch up regularly, be sure to check each model’s specific tow rating to ensure it meets your needs.

Methodology

Before we unveil Canada’s top minivans, here’s how we determined our rankings. 

We assessed each model’s second- and third-row legroom, towing capability, cargo volume, and fuel efficiency and assigned a score from one to five. We awarded more points for stronger performance in each category. 

We then tallied up these points to generate an overall total and average score, which we used to rank each model on our list of the best minivans in Canada for 2025.

Now, let’s dive in!

6 Best Minivans in Canada

Looking for the best minivan in Canada? Here are some great options to consider for your next family vehicle.

1. 2025 Honda Odyssey

Topping our list is the 2025 Honda Odyssey, a staple in the minivan segment for its broad appeal. The 2025 Odyssey may lack the sharp exterior styling some of its rivals have but matches or exceeds them in nearly every other category.

The Odyssey excels in interior space, offering loads of room in every row while accommodating all your cargo needs. The 2025 Odyssey’s key interior specs are: 

• Second-row legroom: 1,038 mm
• Third-row legroom: 967 mm 
• Cargo room: 929 to 3,973 litres

Base models come well-equipped, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wide range of safety and driver-assist tech, such as automatic emergency braking, auto high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Some models also have a rear-seat entertainment system with an HDMI input, a USB-A input, and a 12.8-inch high-resolution screen.

Under the hood, a 280-horsepower 3.5-litre V-6 engine delivers smooth acceleration while the 10-speed automatic transmission shifts softly. One downside is the 2025 Odyssey remains FWD only, with no AWD version available.

Prices start from $49,920 for the base model, which may feel high, but you can often find a used Odyssey for much less.

2. 2025 Toyota Sienna

Toyota released an all-new Sienna minivan for the 2021 model year. This redesign included an all-new look inside and out and an advanced hybrid powertrain with available AWD.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna’s powertrain pairs a 189-hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a 180-hp electric motor for a combined 245 horsepower. This output places it just below the Pacifica Hybrid. The Sienna is available in FWD or AWD.

While it lacks any electric-only range, the Sienna delivers superior fuel economy at 6.6 L/100 km combined with FWD and 6.7 L/100 km combined with AWD. Both rank best among non-EV minivans on our list by a wide margin.

The Sienna LE and XLE come with eight-passenger seating, but the higher trims seat only seven. The 2025 Sienna has no shortage of advanced technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio compatibility, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. You can upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen by opting for an XLE or higher trim.

You can also opt for a rear-seat entertainment system that features an 11.6-inch high-definition display, a Blu-ray player, and HDMI ports.

The Sienna sits in the middle of the pack in terms of second-row room but near the top for third-row roominess. It comes up way short in cargo room due to its non-removable second-row seats. The 2025 Sienna’s interior dimensions are:

• Second-row legroom: 1,015 mm
• Second-row legroom: 983 mm 
• Cargo room: 949 to 2,860 litres

The 2025 Sienna also trails others on our list in towing capacity, which checks in at 1,585 kg.

Safety tech is plentiful in the 2025 Sienna. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, automatic high beams, and much more.

A new Sienna starts from $50,030, but you may save a few thousand by picking up a used model.

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3. 2025 Kia Carnival

Sitting in the middle of the pack is the 2025 Carnival — the Kia Sedona’s replacement in 2022. This newer minivan gives the Korean automaker an up-to-date contender in this resurging class.

The most notable part of the Carnival is how Kia focused on giving it sharper body lines and a more upright profile than most in its class, making it look more like an SUV. Kia even refuses to call it a minivan and instead calls it a multipurpose vehicle (MPV). As a Kia, it also has a competitive starting price of $40,495, making it even more enticing. Picking up a used Kia Carnival may help you save even more cash.

The Kia Carnival features a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 290 hp. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and out to the front wheels. It’s the least fuel-efficient of the bunch at about 10.7 L/100 km combined, but it has plenty of punch. Unfortunately, this punch doesn’t translate into a high towing capacity, as it’s rated up to 1,587 kg. That’s second worst on the list.

Inside, the Carnival can seat up to eight people and has great roominess numbers outside of its third row: 

• Second-row legroom: 1,029 mm
• Third-row legroom: 903 mm
• Cargo room: 1,139 to 4,110 litres

The Carnival also comes well-equipped with its standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, drive mode select, rear occupant alert, lane-keep assist, lane-follow assist, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, smart adaptive cruise control, and more. In higher-trim models, you get smart cruise control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and more advanced driver-assist features.

4. 2025 Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica arrived in 2017, though its name dates back to a crossover from the early 2000s. The Pacifica remains one of the most stylish minivans on the market and one of the more technologically advanced despite its age.

The 2025 Pacifica has a standard 10.1-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and more. You may even find upgraded models with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and Uconnect rear theatre system with two 10.1-inch touchscreens, HDMI inputs, a Blu-ray player, and other goodies to keep the kiddos occupied.

The base Pacifica has a 287-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 engine with FWD. You can opt for an AWD system for those slippery Canadian winter roads.

Want to save some cash at the pump? Opt for the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid instead. This plug-in hybrid minivan’s V6 engine and electric motor delivers 260 hp and up to 51 km of all-electric range. The fuel consumption equivalent checks in at 2.9 Le/100 km on electricity alone.

When the battery runs out of juice, the Pacifica Hybrid’s fuel economy remains respectable at 8 L/100 km combined. This is far superior to the standard Pacifica and second best on our list. 

The Pacifica’s measurements remain the same as the Grand Caravan, ranking below most rivals, but it gains an edge with upscale features, optional AWD, and a hybrid option. You may be able to find a used Pacifica and save a bunch over buying a new one.

5. 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan

The 2025 Grand Caravan remains a Canada-exclusive model that offers many of the same perks as the Chrysler Pacifica but at a lower price point. 

Unlike the Pacifica, the 2025 Grand Caravan doesn’t offer optional all-wheel drive (AWD) or a hybrid powertrain. Instead, it sticks with front-wheel drive (FWD) and a conventional V6 engine. You’ll also spot a few other cost-saving measures, such as painted wheels instead of optional polished, halogen lighting instead of LEDs, and a smaller (7-inch) infotainment touchscreen. It does, however, include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The Grand Caravan’s measurements mirror the Pacifica. It boasts a 1,633-kg towing capacity, which tops our list, but all other measurements are behind many competitors: 

• Second-row legroom 992 mm
• Third-row legroom 929 mm
• Cargo volume: 914.6 to 3,978 litres

The 3.6-litre V6 engine is a bright spot, though, delivering 287 horsepower (hp) through a smooth nine-speed automatic. This V6 power plant is thirstier than most at 10.7 L/100 km combined, making it one of the least efficient among its peers.

Though it has shortcomings, the Grand Caravan starts at over $2,400 less than the base Pacifica, making it an attractive option for families wanting Pacifica-like styling on a tighter budget. Those looking for even more savings can also explore the used market for extra value.

6. 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Few people have never heard of the Volkswagen Bus, which went under several official names during its iconic lifespan. In 2025, Volkswagen is reviving the Bus — sort of — with the release of the retro-inspired 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz 

The 2025 VW ID. Buzz, with its iconic Microbus design, brings an all-electric twist to the minivan market. From its retro styling to its modern EV platform, the ID. Buzz offers families a roomy interior and smooth performance without a drop of gasoline. 

Its estimated driving range is 372 to 377 km on a full charge, which should satisfy most daily needs and weekend getaways. And its available all-wheel drive will satisfy your need for grip in the snowy Canadian winters. And with 282 hp in its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) models and 335 hp in its all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants, the ID. Buzz is sure to satisfy your needs for straight-line acceleration, too. 

The van seats up to seven (six in the 1st Edition 4MOTION model), with flexible second- and third-row configurations that fold away or slide to open up a generous cargo area. The ID. Buzz leads the class in virtually every interior measurable: 

• Second-row legroom 1,013.5 mm
• Third-row legroom 1,077 mm
• Cargo volume: 914.6 to 3,978 litres

The ID. Buzz also comes well-equipped with standard heated front and outer rear seats, leatherette seating, a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with gesture control and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise, a 360-degree camera, a 13-speaker audio system, park assist, lane-keep assist, and much more. 

If it’s so great, why does the ID. Buzz land at No. 6 on our list of the best minivans in Canada for 2025? Because it carries an eye-watering $77,495 base price.

Get the Best Minivans in Canada at Clutch

Ready to upgrade to a family-friendly minivan? At Clutch, we offer a handpicked selection of pre-owned minivans in Canada—all accessible online. Every vehicle goes through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process, ensuring it’s ready for your driveway the moment it arrives.

When you order your minivan at Clutch, you can skip the old-school dealership shuffle. There’s no need to haggle; we always provide a competitive, transparent price. Plus, if you’re looking to trade your existing vehicle toward a newer model with more features, our online trade-in process is quick and straightforward. Once you’re happy with your offer, we’ll handle the pick-up and apply the trade-in value to your purchase.

Ready to simplify car buying? Browse our minivan inventory and experience our hassle-free approach today!