Toyota Sienna V6 (2017-2020): 296 hpToyota bet it all on a hybrid powertrain with the current-gen Sienna. Packing the company's ubiquitous 2.5-liter hybrid with e-CVT, the Sienna is an efficiency champ, offering an excellent 36-mpg combined rating for the FWD model, and 35-mpg combined for the AWD. Still, with 245 hp, it's not particularly quick, especially when compared to its V6 rivals.The previous-gen Sienna was exclusively available with a 3.5-liter V6, which was more powerful than its modern counterpart. With 296 hp on tap, an eight-speed automatic, and the optional AWD, it reached 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Not bad considering its age. However, as expected, the Sienna V6 is a thirsty car, good for only 20 mpg combined. No wonder Toyota is fully committed to a hybrid powertrain in the current generation.Interestingly, a lot of what makes the current crop of minivans unique was also available in the previous generation Sienna. For instance, its third-row seats folded flat, and the minivan was also available with reclining captain chairs for the second row. Furthermore, the older Sienna also had the Driver Easy Speak, which picked up the driver's voice via a microphone and amplified it through the speakers. No more "didn't hear you mom/dad"! Speaking of which, kids in the second row can also enjoy two different views via the split-screen entertainment system.Lexus LM 500h (2024-present): 366 hpThis minivan isn't sold in the U.S., but you'll probably wish it was. The Lexus LM is available in Europe and Asia, and unlike every minivan in the U.S. today, it's taking the luxury route — big time. Six or seven super-spacious and comfy seat's, plush materials reminiscent of the company's luxury sedans, and Lexus' excellent build quality set the LM apart from other minivans. There is even a four-seat model, which provides world-class knee room in the two rear seats, along with a huge 48-inch display to entertain the passengers. It's the Rolls-Royce of minivans.As you might expect from a chauffeur-driven vehicle, the LM is also very refined on the road. Smooth over bumps and incredibly quiet, Lexus' minivan rivals the best luxury sedans on the market. At first it was offered only with a 2.5-liter hybrid setup, the same one found in the NX 350h and RX 350h. With 250 hp, it's a fine powertrain, but its e-CVT hampers the luxury experience by keeping the engine at higher rpm during hard acceleration.Fortunately, Lexus launched the more powerful LM 500h in 2024. This model uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder aided by a 64 kW electric motor, and pairs exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. If it looks familiar, it's the same system found in the RX 500h. It reaches 62 mph in solid 6.9 seconds and comes standard with Direct4 AWD for increased traction.Dongfeng Motor Voyah Dream (2024-present): 429 hpThe VW ID. Buzz is a sprightly minivan, but it can't come close to what the Chinese have to offer. Minivans are quite popular in China, and so are EVs, so merging the two was just natural. And one of the sleekest minivans to come out of China is the Dongfeng Voyah Dream.Luxurious and tech-forward, this is the total opposite of the dull minivans sold in America. Inside, it has a minimalist dashboard with three big displays, powered by Qualcomm's 8155 SOC, and it even offers heating, ventilation, and massage functionality for the second-row passengers. Crucially, it features Huawei's driver's assistance tech, similar to Tesla's Autopilot.The Voyah Dream rides on an air suspension with 100 lifting adjustment, and its chassis is made from ultra-high strength steel for increased rigidity. However, the star of the show is the dual-motor electric drivetrain, which pumps out 429 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. As a result, it accelerates to 62 mph in brisk 5.8 seconds.Meanwhile, thanks to the relatively large 108.7-kWh battery, the all-electric Voyah Dream has a range of 466 miles. That figure is based on the more lenient CLTC standard, though; expect the EPA range to be around 327 miles. That is still impressive for an AWD electric minivan, and better than the ID. Buzz.Zeekr 009 (2022-present): 536 hpYet another impressive Chinese offering, the Zeekr 009 has a bit of a quirkier design, and a way more impressive drivetrain. It is one of the most impressive minivans on sale worldwide.Perhaps the car's biggest differentiating factor is its huge 140-kWh CTP 3.0 Kirin battery, which provides an astonishing range of 511 miles on the CLTC cycle, or around 360 miles EPA. That's mightily impressive for an imposing electric minivan, especially when you consider that it packs a dual-motor drivetrain producing 536 hp. As a result, this thing reaches 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, quicker than most sports cars!Although it's as quick as a performance vehicle, the Zeekr 009 is designed for luxury and refinement. According to Zeekr, the noise inside the cabin at 75 mph is only 64.5 dB, allowing passengers to enjoy the 20-speaker Yamaha sound system. The interior also measures almost 80 square feet, with a panoramic sunroof and multicolor ambient lighting brightening up the space. Zeekr also opted for Nappa full-grain leather for that true touch of luxury.Like most Chinese EVs, the Zeekr 009 is packed with tech. Up front, there is a huge Tesla-like center touchscreen in the middle, while rear passengers can watch movies on a 17-inch OLED screen. An AI digital assistant is also onboard, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 SOC.Li Auto Mega (2024-present): 536 hpIf we had to give an award for the most handsome minivan, the Li Auto Mega would surely win the prize. It looks like the minivan from Elon Musk's "Cybertruck" dreams, but more tasteful. The sleek minimalist body is positively sci-fi, yet it doesn't look imposing or offensive; it's just cool. Hardly surprising, as it was conceived by ex-Porsche designer Ben Baum.The smooth body doesn't just look attractive — it also serves a purpose. The Li Auto Mega has an outstandingly low drag coefficient of just 0.215 Cd, lower than a Tesla Model Y, for example. It gets even crazier, because under that futuristic body, Li Auto installed one of the most advanced electric powertrains around. The battery, for instance, can be charged at up to 520 kW, which would add 310 miles of range in just 12 minutes! Moreover, with a capacity of 102.7 kWh, the battery provides a range of 441 miles (CLTC), or around 310 miles EPA. The Li Auto Mega is also available with a dual-motor powertrain producing 536 hp, enough for a 0-60 sprint in 5.5 seconds.Inside, the Li Auto Mega is as luxurious as you can get in a minivan, with plush materials and advanced tech. It's super spacious too, thanks in no small part to the 210.6-inch overall length. Various seat configurations are possible, too, like Living Room, Movie Room, Bedroom, Reading Room, and Activity Room.
