When children arrive and transform a couple into a family, a minivan starts to make all kinds of sense. These are typically large, heavy vehicles featuring the kind of protection you want for your screeching bundle(s) of joy. And because they are typically large vehicles, they offer more cargo space than other kinds of cars and SUVs, important when you’re lugging strollers, toting overflowing baby bags, and hitting up the local big-box warehouse store for diapers.
Here’s another minivan benefit that many people overlook: thanks to sliding side doors, it is very easy to lift children into and out of the family car – even in tight quarters. Yes, minivans are back savers.
Trouble is, the arrival of a child is accompanied by the arrival of extra household expenses. These added financial obligations range from higher living costs associated with a bigger domicile to medical bills associated with pregnancy and birth. Some parents also choose to become a single-income family at the same time, further stretching tight resources.
That’s why Autobytel’s list of affordable minivans for 2012 is a great resource for families. We’ll show you how much they cost, tell you what equipment they include, and share with you their fuel economy and crash-test ratings. Whether or not you determine these are the best affordable minivans for 2012 is up to your own personal requirements and standards.
The five most affordable minivans of 2012 are listed on the pages that follow, with the least expensive model on the last page. Good luck in your search for 2012’s most affordable minivan!