Autobytel 2012 Van/Minivan of the Year

by Michelle Naranjo

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January 1, 2012

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3 min. Reading Time

The contenders for the Autobytel Minivan of the Year are all great examples of form meeting function. Long from gone, the minivan transports people and goods like never before and these three finalists for Autobytel 2012 Minivan of the Year really show what a van can do.

The best vans and minivans of 2012 are all about maximizing interior space but now that space is maximized for comfort and the enjoyment of passenger and driver alike. Seating configurations seem limitless in many of these vans while accessibility and versatility are boosted.

Read on to see the winner of the Autobytel 2012 Wagon of the Year and the two finalists.

Autobytel 2012 Minivan of the Year Winner: 2012 Honda Odyssey

The winner of the Autobytel 2012 Van/Minivan of the Year is the 2012 Honda Odyssey. While the exterior design can be challenging to some, the progressive lines and angles lead the van to get up to 28 mph on the highway. On the inside, the Odyssey was designed for family use and abuse but still manages to have upscale textures and refinement.

As Autobytel's James Hamel explains, "The Honda Odyssey is like the superhero of minivans. How so? Well, it is able to avoid treacherous juice box spills in a single bound thanks to its built-in waste basket and can easily accommodate 8 weight loss reality TV show sized North Americans, all the while offering more driver enjoyment than most any other family SUV or minivan ever created."

Starting at $28,225.00, add-ons and bonus features can run the van up to $43,675.00 and is available in a versatile 7 trims.

Autobytel 2012 Minivan of the Year Finalist: 2012 Toyota Sienna

With 12 trims to chose from, the 2012 Toyoyta Sienna is a finalist for the Autobytel 2012 Van/Minivan of the Year. The only minivan in its class to offer all-wheel drive, the Sienna has class leading safety and seating.

Starting at a low $25,060.00, the 2012 Toyota Sienna is definitely one of the best options in the minivan scene. The trims can be priced up to $40,000.00 but even at that price, a busy, full family won't be breaking the bank to carry their kids and cargo in style.

Autobytel 2012 Minivan of the Year Finalist: 2012 Nissan NV

The 2012 Nissan NV is a finalist for the Autobytel 2012 Van/Minivan of the Year, not for the family-style versatility alone but also the small business owner applications.

Endlessly configurable, the 2012 Nissan NV has the ability to carry painters' ladders, tool chests or even a full dozen passengers. Primarily targeting the tradesmen of North America, the NV has two rooflines from which to chose: the raised cargo and a more standard height. Stoarge, comfort and workspace are abound on the inside of these vans. Autobytel's Jeffrey N. Ross says about the 2012 Nissan NV: "It also has the modern, squared off and clean-lined look of its cousins in the Nissan utility and truck lineups – chrome-framed triple-section grille, wraparound headlamps and a windshield that’s as wide as Tom Cruise’s Wayfarers in Risky Business."

Autobytel Would Like To Hear from You

The editorial staff of Autobytel has chosen the previous three vans as the best of what we have seen for 2012, and while there are many others in this class that probably deserve some kudos as well, we'd love to hear which one of the previous three you would choose for yourself.

See the Autobytel 2012 Car of the Year and the Autobytel 2012 Truck of the Year.