0Miniven(1)
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What is a minivan and its features

To interest the buyer, automakers produce vehicles with various types of bodies. Most often these are passenger modifications, for example, roadster, liftback or station wagon.

For motorists with a large family or entrepreneurs, cars are not practical, therefore, a special type of bodywork has been developed for them - a minivan. Consider what its distinguishing features are, how to distinguish it from a minibus, and also what are the advantages and disadvantages of such cars.

What is a minivan?

According to the literal translation from English, a minivan is a mini van. However, this value is not enough to correctly characterize this type of body, as some confuse it with a minibus.

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The main parameters of the minivan:

  • One-volume (without a hood) or one-and-a-volume (half-hood modification) body; two-volume options (with a full-fledged hood) have recently been encountered;
  • Three rows of seats, the cabin is designed for a maximum of 9 people with the driver;
  • The body is higher than that of the station wagon, but you cannot stand in the cabin like in a minibus;
  • To drive such a car, enough rights with an open category "B";
  •  Rear doors are hinged or sliding.

In the classic version, the minivan has a hoodless form. It is explained by the fact that the engine compartment in the car is located as close to the cabin as possible. Thanks to this, the manufacturer compensates for the decent dimensions of the vehicle.

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Driving such a car is no more difficult than a regular passenger car, therefore this car is considered a passenger car, and it does not need to open a separate category. In most mini-vans, the hood is almost vertical and visually is a continuation of the windshield. This design is liked by many beginners, as the driver can better see the road than in analogues with a full hood.

Another feature of minivans is their superior transformational characteristics. In many models, the rear rows can be moved closer to the front row to increase the luggage compartment.

3Miniven Transformation (1)

Compared with sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons and other similar body types, the minivan is the most comfortable. Passenger seats can be combined in one row, and can have a separate design with individual armrests.

This type of transport is popular among family people, as well as among taxi drivers. With such a machine, you can organize a small business (here eight business ideas for car owners). Often, large companies buy similar cars for corporate trips. For tourist trips and outings on nature with an overnight stay, such cars are also ideal.

Minivan story

At the dawn of the creation of minivans, such vehicles had a bizarre shape, so they were not very popular. The development of this type of body was thought to create the most spacious passenger car.

The world's first monocab is the Alfa 40-60 HP Aerodinamica, an Italian car based on the ALFA 40/60 HP, a sports car produced between 1913 and 1922 (today this manufacturer is known as Alfa Romeo).

4Alpha 40-60 HP Aerodynamics (1)

The prototype of the first minivan developed a top speed of 139 km / h. The development of the car stopped due to the First World War. After the war, prototype development was “frozen” due to the active development of motor sports. The single-volume was never received in the series due to many flaws (the side windows were made in the form of portholes, which significantly increased the blind area for the driver).

The first full-fledged minivan is the American Stout Scarab. It was developed from 1932 to 1935. On the side of the car a bit like a miniature bus. Unlike cars of that era, this car was rear-engine. Thanks to this, the front part was significantly shortened, and six people could easily fit in the cabin.

5Stout Scarab (1)

The reason for creating such a design was an increased interest in improving the aerodynamic characteristics of cars. The creator of the car, William B. Stout, called his brainchild "office on wheels."

A removable table and seats were installed inside the vehicle, which could be rotated 180 degrees. This facilitated conducting business conversations directly in the car.

6Stout Indoor Scarab (1)

Another prototype of a modern minivan is a car of a domestic manufacturer - NAMI-013. The model had a carriage layout (the motor was not in the front of the car, but at the rear - according to the Stout Scarab principle, and only the front bulkhead separated the driver’s road). The vehicle was used solely as a prototype, and in 1954 it was disassembled.

7Nami-013 (1)

The next "progenitor" of modern monocabs is the Fiat 600 Multipla. The wagon layout allowed to increase the capacity of the minicar by 50 percent without lengthening the body. The salon has three rows of two seats. Development of the car continued from 1956 to the 1960s. The project was closed due to stricter safety requirements (in the carriage version, the driver and front passenger are not protected by anything in an emergency).

8 Fiat 600 Multipla (1)

The most successful car-wagon model was Volkswagen Transporter (manufactured from 1950 to the present day) - the most popular car of the hippie era. Until now, this model is in demand among lovers of volumetric machines.

According to the documentation, a car is considered to be a passenger car (the category “B” is sufficient in rights), however, it looks similar to a minibus, which is why some people attribute it to this category.

Another successful European minivan model is the Renault Espace, which rolled off the assembly line in 1984. According to most, the model is considered the world's first family minivan.

9 Renault Espace 1984 (1)

In parallel, the development of this modification of passenger cars was carried out in America. In 1983 appeared:

  • Dodge Caravan;10Dodge Caravan (1)
  • Plymouth Voyager;11Plymouth Voyager (1)
  • Chrysler Town&Country.12Chrysler Town-country (1)

The idea was picked up by competitors - General Motors and Ford. In 1984 appeared:

  • Chevy Astro;13 Chevrolet Astro (1)
  • GMC Safari;14GMC Safari (1)
  • Ford Aerostar.15Ford Aerostar (1)

Initially, minivans were rear-wheel drive. Gradually, the transmission received four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. In the early stages of production, some companies were saved from bankruptcy precisely due to the introduction of minivans into the production line. One of these companies was the representative of the Big Three - Chrysler.

At first, American production models looked like small vans. But at the beginning of the 90s there were options with the original body shape, which made them significantly different from analogues similar to commercial vehicles (a sharp “nose” and a teardrop shape).

Types and sizes

Unlike the sedan, hatchback, liftback, etc. minivan does not have a strict classification. Among these modifications are distinguished:

  • Full and medium sized;
  • Compact;
  • Mini and micro.

Full and Medium

This category includes the most dimensional representatives. In length, they reach from 4 millimeters to five meters or more. Most often these are American models, however, among European analogues there are worthy options. Among the representatives of this class:

  • Chrysler Grand Voyager - 5175 мм .;16Chrysler Grand Voyager (1)
  • Toyota Sienna - 5085 mm;17Toyota Sienna (1)
  • Renault Grand Espace - 4856 мм .;18Renault Grand Espace (1)
  • Honda Odyssey - 4840 mm.;19Honda Odyssey (1)
  • Peugeot 807 - 4727 mm.20 Peugeot 807 (1)

The impressive size and spacious interior allows you to use the car for long trips with a large family.

Compact

The length of such a body varies from 4 to 200 millimeters. Often such machines are based on the platform of the representatives of the golf class. Family cars of this type are very popular in Europe and the East. They are much less common among American models.

Representatives of this class are:

  • Mazda 5 - 4585 mm.;21Mazda 5 (1)
  • Volkswagen Touran - 4527 mm;22 Volkswagen Touran (1)
  • Renault Scenic - 4406 mm.23Renault Scenic (1)

Mini and micro

The minivan category includes representatives whose body length reaches 4 mm. The micro van class includes models with a body length of up to 100 3 mm. Such models are very popular due to their economy and small size.

The micro category is more common in Japan, China and India, since oversized cars are valued in densely populated areas, but in the cabin they are still quite spacious. Among the representatives of the class stand out:

  • Chery Riich - 4040 mm .;24Chery Rich (1)
  • Daihatsu Attracts Wagon – 3395 mm.;25Daihatsu Attracts Wagon (1)
  • Honda Acty 660 Town - 3255 mm.26Honda Acty 660 Town (1)

Sometimes a van is created on the basis of a minivan, which complicates the more accurate classification of this type of body.

Unusual options

When it comes to minivans, many will say that the most important difference between such cars is their original appearance. A capless or semi-hood form looks unusual (when compared with classic two- or three-volume cars).

However, as can be seen in the picture below, sometimes a body with increased aerodynamics can have a rather bizarre shape. Toyota Previa MK1 has a mid-engine layout (the engine is located under the passenger compartment floor).

27 Toyota Previa MK1 (1)

Compact truck from the Italian manufacturer Fiat looks a little ridiculous. Multipla model 2001-2004 model years had an original landing formula - two rows of three seats.

28 Fiat Multipla 2001-2004 (1)

The central chair is more like a children's chair than a full-fledged adult. By the way, this placement of seats was positioned as an option for increased comfort for parents and a child in front of the cabin.

29Fiat Multiple Interior (1)

Another extraordinary model is the Chevrolet Uplander, which was produced from 2005 to 2009. A model with a pronounced two-volume body shape is more like a crossover than a minivan.

30Chevrolet Uplander (1)

Volkswagen has created an unusual minivan. Rather, it is a hybrid of a minivan and a pickup truck. The Tristar model is similar to the usual Transporter, only with a body instead of half the interior.

31Volkswagen Tristar (1)

The original solution for the car's interior was a swivel driver's seat and a reclining passenger seat. Between them is a small table.

32Volkswagen Tristar Interior (1)

Since the luggage compartment was significantly reduced, it was decided to make a double floor where oversized items could be placed.

Another unusual option is the Renault Espace F1 - a show car from a French manufacturer, created in honor of the 10th anniversary of the model's production and dedicated to the company's participation in royal races. In the engine compartment of the model, a 10-cylinder V-shaped engine from Williams was installed.

33Renault Espace F1 (1)

Accelerated modernized minivan to 100 km / h. in 6 seconds, the maximum speed is 270 kilometers / hour, and only 600 meters were enough for him to stop completely.

At the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017, Toyota introduced the original two-volume compact van - TJ Cruiser. As the manufacturer explained, the TJ symbolism accurately describes the appearance - Toolbox Joy “tool box” and “joy, pleasure”. The car really looks like a box, but, as the manufacturer assured, the car was created to give excitement from the trip.

34TJ Cruiser (1)

Not to be confused with a minibus

Some motorists call a minivan a minibus. In fact, these are different types of cars, although outwardly they may have a similar design. Both among minibuses and among minivans, there are one- and two-volume types of bodies (the bonnet part and the roof or the passenger part are visually distinguished).

To draw the line between these types of bodies, you need to remember:

  1. A minivan has a maximum number of seats 9, and a minibus has a minimum of 10, a maximum of 19;
  2. In a minibus, you can stand upright, and in a minivan, you can only sit;
  3. The minibus is more suitable for commercial purposes, for example, as a shuttle taxi or as a cargo taxi. The minivan is more suitable for transporting a small number of passengers, for example, as a transfer airport-hotel-airport;
  4. A minibus is classified as a commercial vehicle (to drive it, you need a D1 license), and a minivan is a passenger car category (a B license is enough for it).

Basically, the minivan has a single-volume body structure with a half-hood layout and 4-5 doors. This design resembles an enlarged version of a station wagon. It combines practicality with a high level of comfort and safety for all passengers.

Pros and cons of a minivan

If you consider that a minivan is more of a compromise between a passenger car and a commercial vehicle than a separate category of body, then it has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Advantages include advantages over classic passenger cars. Cons become apparent when comparing a minivan with a minibus or a van.

Minivans are valued for:

  • Spacious lounge. Even a long trip is not so tiring due to the increased comfort, for which this type of body was developed.35Prostornyj Salon (1)
  • Roomy trunk. The minivan is great for travel. In addition to all family members in the car will fit all the things that are useful for living in a tent city or in the lap of nature.
  • Due to the ability to fold the back row, the trunk increases by two, or even three times (depending on the design of the seats), which allows you to use a car for freight transportation.
  • The car is practical due to the perfect combination of large capacity and relatively small sizes. It is popular among many entrepreneurs, since there is no need to open a cargo category in order to manage transport.
  • Classic minivans (drop-shaped) have excellent aerodynamic characteristics, making fuel consumption less than other types of cars.
  • Even tall people will feel comfortable in the cabin during the trip, regardless of which row they are sitting on.36Minives (1)
  • Most minivans are convenient for transporting the elderly and the disabled, since the step in the transport is often not high.
  • From the technical side, the car is serviced like a regular passenger car.

Along with station wagons, this body type is associated with a family car. Often, young people choose such cars, since they can install a huge audio and video system.

However, despite such a number of advantages, the “compromise” between the station wagon and a full-fledged bus has its drawbacks. Among them:

  • Driving in a minivan is worse than a station wagon or sedan. Since the car is often high, the crosswind forces the driver to reduce speed.
  • Compared to a full-fledged bus or minibus, passengers in this cabin are not so comfortable. For example, to get into the car you need to bend a little.
  • Most often, this transport is equipped with a low-power engine. Because of this, the car is not as dynamic as most passenger cars with a different body type. Since manufacturers focus on practicality, the maximum speed in the car is not very high.
  • In the winter, the cabin warms up for a long time, since the trunk is not separated from the main part of the interior.37Minives (1)
  • Most minivans are equipped with reinforced suspension, so that they have a load capacity sufficient for such dimensions. When driving on bumps, an empty car is unstable and uncomfortable in it.
  • Due to the fact that the minivan is designed as an alternative to a minibus or a van, it is not suitable for everyday use as a main car.
  • Full-size and medium-sized options are not so convenient to manage, especially in cities with heavy traffic.

As you can see, the minivan is an ideal solution for long family trips, fun youth walks, corporate trips and other events in which you could use a van or a minibus. This body type is a budget option for commercial vehicles.

Popular Models

Minivans are popular among motorists with a large family. Thanks to its practicality, this type of body is confidently conquering the market, like crossovers.

The rating of the best family minivans includes the following models:

  • Vauxhall Zafira Life;
  • Toyota Alphard;
  • Toyota Venza;
  • Mercedes-Benz Vito (V-Class);
  • Volkswagen Multivan T6;
  • Volkswagen Touran;
  • SsangYong Korando Tourism;
  • Peugeot Traveler;
  • Citroën C4 Grand Picasso;
  • Renault Scenic.

Related videos

Finally, watch a short video about beautiful and stylish minivans:

The Best Minivans in the World

Questions and answers:

What cars belong to the minivan category? A minivan usually has a one-volume or two-volume body type (the hood stands out clearly from the roof or visually it is part of the structure).

How many seats are there in the minivan? The capacity of a car of this class is up to nine people together with the driver. If there are more than 8 passenger seats in the car, then this is already a minibus.

Why is the minivan called? Literally from English (Minivan) translates as a mini van. Often these cars are one-volume or one and a half-volume (a small hood, and the engine is recessed into the cabin).

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