Do You Need an AWD Minivan?

Minivans are easily the most useful and spacious vehicles for hauling families, but they’re just as easily one of the most divisive and least-loved vehicle types on the roads today. But today’s minivans are quicker, more capable, and less annoyingly styled than before. In fact, today you can even buy an all-wheel drive (AWD) minivan.

Two automakers offer vans that also bring weather-conquering all-wheel drive: Chrysler and Toyota. The Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna can be optioned with the capability, and it helps them tackle snow, ice and loose terrain just like a beefier-looking SUV. 

The best AWD minivans

In this case, the best all-wheel drive minivans are the only all-wheel drive minivans. That said, limited choice doesn’t mean you’ll be selecting from the bottom of the barrel. The two vans offering all-wheel drive bring some of the best tech, safety features, and upscale interior finishes anywhere on the market. 

2023 Toyota Sienna

• Price with AWD: $38,720, includes a $1,335 destination charge
• Gas mileage: 35/36/35 mpg city/highway/combined
• Available powertrains: 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with CVT and AWD

Pros

The Sienna is a perennial bestseller for a reason, including:

• A redesigned, more attractive exterior since 2020
• Excellent fuel economy
• Standard hybrid powertrain
• High tech, feature-packed interior

Cons

No carmaker is perfect, and the Sienna falls short in a few areas:

• Underpowered engine: Passing on the highway takes more effort than it should
• The third-row seats reduce cargo space, impacting the Sienna’s utility

Best for

The Toyota Sienna blends strong predicted reliability with the automaker’s no-nonsense attitude toward equipment and features. Trim lines and options are easy to understand, and most configurations offer features that make family life on the road much easier. Buyers wanting longevity and simplicity will be happy with the Sienna.

2023 Chrysler Pacifica

• Price with AWD: $45,688, includes a $1,595 destination charge
• Gas mileage: 17/25/20 mpg city/highway/combined
• Available powertrains: 3.6-liter V6 with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, 9-speed automatic transmission and AWD

Pros

The Chrysler Pacifica brings a load of solid standard features, including:

• Energetic V6 engine
• Smooth ride
• In top trims, the van is downright luxurious, with quilted leather and upscale interior color themes

Cons

The Pacifica falls short of the Sienna in a few key areas:

• Chrysler includes plenty of features for the money, but the initial purchase price is noticeably more expensive
• Lower reliability ratings. The Pacifica is not an unsafe or damage-prone vehicle by any means, but few carmakers can approach Toyota’s track record of reliability

Best for

Buyers wanting an American brand with upscale finishes and features will love the Pacifica. It’s one of the best riding and most anonymously styled vans, and Chrysler’s tech is among the most intuitive today. Though there were stumbles with reliability, the Pacifica is a compelling option in the segment that can’t be ignored. Chrysler also offers a hybrid model for people needing better fuel economy, but it’s available in front-wheel drive only.

What to look for in an AWD minivan

Beyond the number of driven wheels, there are plenty of other considerations when shopping for a minivan, AWD or otherwise. 

Safety features

Most people buy minivans to haul kids and family, so it’s important to understand the safety features and how they impact the driving experience. Check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for crash test data and information.

Fuel Economy

The Toyota Sienna comes standard as a hybrid and Chrysler offers a front-wheel drive hybrid version of the Pacifica. If roadtrips and gas mileage are important to you, take a look at fueleconomy.gov for full ratings.

Interior space

Minivans are larger than sedans by design, but the interior space can be limited by seating configurations and other interior features. Be sure you understand the limitations when buying.

Number of seats

Some vans have seating for eight, while others limit seating to seven with captain’s chairs in the second row. Take a moment to make sure your van seats the number of people you need it to.

Features

A nice touch screen and heated seats are great, but front seat passengers are not the only people seeking entertainment and comfort. Be sure the van has adequate tech to keep everyone happy.

How we chose the best AWD minivans

In this case, there are only two such vehicles on the market. However, we wouldn’t recommend them if they didn’t meet our standards in the following areas.

Safety

Given that minivans are often used to ferry families and other precious cargo, safety is a top concern for many buyers. Both minivans received “Top Safety Pick+” designations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Fuel economy

Fuel efficiency is important, not just because fossil fuel use is killing our planet, but because gas is expensive. The hybrid Sienna is the most fuel-efficient minivan on the market. The Pacifica, despite not having a hybrid option, is still among the 10 most fuel efficient minivans. 

Reliability

Reliability is important for a daily family driver, which is why we ranked the Toyota Sienna above the Chrysler Pacifica. Toyota consistently scores near the top in reliability ratings, while the Pacifica is not considered quite as reliable. 

Value

Yet another reason we rated the Sienna ahead of the Pacifica. Toyota delivers superior fuel economy and reliability for nearly $5,000 less than the Chrysler’s MSRP.

The bottom line

AWD minivans today offer a compelling blend of versatility, capability, and improved styling. The Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna stand out as the top choices to buy in this category, offering advanced technology, safety features, and luxurious interiors.

When considering an AWD minivan to purchase, it is important to prioritize factors such as safety, fuel economy, interior space, seating capacity, and features that cater to the needs of you and your family. To make an informed decision before buying, use Bumper’s VIN Lookup and License Plate Lookup to gather more information about the AWD minivan’re interested in. 

Whether you prioritize safety, fuel economy, reliability, or value, Bumper’s resources can provide you with valuable insights before making your final choice.