Best Hybrid Minivans + Other Fuel Economy Options (2023)

For many years, minivans were the most popular vehicles for families and individuals who wanted a lot of cargo and passenger capacity in their vehicles. With enough room for almost any amount of gear or luggage, but lighter frames and more nimble steering than full-size vans, minivans were a perfect middle ground between utility and drivability.

However, SUVs have since become the more stylish choice, which has resulted in many automakers discontinuing their minivan options in favor of more modern vehicles.

That said, there are still some manufacturers that make premium minivans, and they're starting to make a comeback with people who want a little more space and a lot more stability with their family haulers.

Many of the newer minivan offerings also have better fuel economy and more safety features than the SUV competition. By understanding which new hybrid and economy minivans are on the market, you can make the right choice for you and your family.

Toyota Sienna 2023

Toyota is one of the automakers that hasn't given up on the potential for greatness when it comes to minivans. Their 2023 offering, the Sienna, is a minivan hybrid with plenty of style and substance. Available only as a hybrid, the Sienna is entering its 25th year of production, and Toyota is celebrating by offering a 25th Anniversary Edition based on its XSE trim.

This version will come with 20-inch wheels and will be available in either Celestial Silver or Wind Chill Pearl exterior paint. Additionally, the Sienna is also available in the traditional LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland, Limited and Platinum trim levels. However, the one constant across all these versions is the economical hybrid powertrain.

Powering the Sienna across all trim levels is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine that works in conjunction with two electric motors to produce 245 horsepower. You can also choose to go with an all-wheel-drive configuration, which adds a third motor that powers the rear wheels.

If you're going to get the front-wheel drive version of the 2023 Sienna, you can expect to get an EPA-estimated 36 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. For the AWD version, this will drop by just 1 mpg, which is more or less negligible in terms of real-world performance.

The 2023 Sienna's interior is where its family-friendly nature begins to shine. The front seats feature a long center console that separates the cockpit and offers plenty of storage space. If you choose the second-row captain's chairs, you can create even more legroom for the rear passenger.

On the more luxurious trim levels, Limited and Platinum, the dashboards feature stitched faux leather, and the XSE version features two-tone faux leather seats with red stitching for a sporty feel.

The 2023 Sienna features Toyota's 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as compatibility with Amazon's Alexa interface for ultimate control. You also get seven USB ports throughout the cabin, plus Sirius XM connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot, all as standard equipment.

Base models have a six-speaker stereo system, while XLE models have eight speakers and Limited and Platinum trims have a 12-speaker JBL stereo system. Every trim level apart from the base model is also available with rear seat entertainment, which is a must for family trips and long hauls with the kits.

Toyota also includes a wide range of standard safety features to protect you and your family. This includes driver assistance functions such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and lane departure warning. Every 2023 Sienna also features adaptive cruise control for comfortable highway driving for long periods of time.

Browse 2023 Toyota Sienna listings here.

2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Chrysler has long been one of the most prominent minivan manufacturers in the United States, and their models have always had a reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and classic family van styling. The new Chrysler Pacifica is no exception, and for the 2022 model year, they've taken their signature city-country touring style and brought it into the 2020s.

The 2022 Pacifica has new features that make it even more ideal for people movers and family haulers. These include a new cabin filtration system, Amazon Fire TV compatibility for the optional rear entertainment system, and a Max Regeneration meter so you can monitor the Pacifica's regenerative braking.

While you can get the Pacifica with a standard gas engine, the real fuel economy and savings come from their plug-in hybrid model. This version of the 2022 Pacifica comes with a 3.6-liter v6 engine that produces 260 horsepower with the help of two electric motors that use a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery.

This powertrain has a zero-to-60 time of 7.8 seconds, which is more than you'd expect from a family minivan. The real performance, however, is in the fuel economy at 84 MPGe combined with the PHEV and a range of 33 miles on electric power alone.

The interior of the 2022 Pacifica is where you really start to see the high-quality design and luxurious materials. The Limited and Pinnacle hybrid trim levels feature a large center console that combines to create a separate space for the driver and front passenger.

If you prefer the Pinnacle version, you can also get second-row captain's chairs with lumbar support, which opens up even more legroom for the third row. If you need even more cargo space, all seats have a Stow 'N Go design that allows them to be fully folded flat.

The entertainment options in the Pacifica also make it a great choice for long summer road trips and commuting to work and school. With a large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Chrysler's Uconnect 5 software, you can customize the home screen to suit your needs, as well as include Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

If you choose to include the rear-seat entertainment suite, you can also integrate Amazon Fire TV via the Wi-Fi hotspot for streaming and other entertainment options.

The safety features that come standard on the Pacifica are enough to ensure you stay safe when you're out on the road. These include blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. The NHTSA has also given the Pacifica a five-star safety rating, so you can rest assured that everyone can rest easy when they drive it.

Browse 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid listings here.

Kia Carnival 2023

If you're looking for a new car that's unlike almost any other vehicle on the road, the Kia Carnival is sure to catch your eye. At first glance, it looks more like an SUV, but it's all minivan and has the comfort, safety and convenience you'd expect from one of the newest models on the market.

Since Kia introduced the Carnival in 2022, it has easily become one of the most interesting minivans made today. For the 2023 model, they introduced a larger infotainment screen for the higher trim levels, and a bench replaced the second-row captain's chairs as the standard seating configuration.

While the Carnival doesn't yet have a hybrid option, its 3.5-liter V6 makes 290 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful minivans on the market today. That extra power also translates to better on-road ability and agility you won't find elsewhere.

The Carnival has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is more than enough for towing camping trailers and recreational vehicles. With front-wheel drive delivered through a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, the Carnival is responsive and fun to drive in a way that other minivans can't match. Plus, its 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway ratings are comparable to most SUVs of its size.

The interior of Carnival 2023 is just as unique and impressive as the exterior. With a lower floor to improve cargo capacity, it has plenty of room for all your gear, luggage and passengers. If you decide to go with the top SX Prestige trim level, you can get reclining second-row seats with integrated pop-up footrests that offer a much higher level of comfort.

However, if you have these seats, it's important to keep in mind that they cannot be removed or folded, which can limit the functionality of the van's interior. Other optional features include a sunroof and larger dual screens.

Tech features on the 2023 Carnival include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, you can also opt for dual 12.3-inch screens found across most of the dash if you want a bit more in terms of connectivity and convenience. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard, as are nine USB ports. Like other minivans, it also has an optional rear-seat entertainment system for the kids in the back if you have the SX trim or higher.

In terms of safety, the Carnival has automatic high beam headlights, blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist so you can focus on the road no matter the weather or driving conditions. It also comes standard with automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control is available as an option if you want to improve driving comfort and convenience.

Browse the 2023 Kia Carnival listings here.

Honda Odyssey 2023

For years, Honda has been known as an automaker that builds reliable vehicles that are meant to be as practical as possible without a lot of flash or style. However, their minivan offering, the Odyssey, has always been a little different and focused on unique, futuristic styling and a smooth ride.

The 2023 Odyssey is no different, and Honda has increased the comfort and utility it offers with its signature minivan (though no hybrid version is offered). For 2023, they introduced a new Sport model with red stitching, red ambient lighting and 19-inch wheels. They've also included a free maintenance program on all their new Odyssey vans, which includes oil changes for the first two years or 24,000 miles of the vehicle's life.

The Odyssey's 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque for plenty of power, especially if you're just running errands around town. However, it's the responsive and snappy ride feel that makes it so unique.

Although it's a relatively large three-row minivan, it looks more car-like than you might think and drives like a much smaller vehicle. While the Odyssey isn't available in a hybrid model, it gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, which is acceptable for a larger minivan and isn't as thirsty as it could be.

Inside, the Odyssey is spacious and well-built with some of the most comfortable seats and the largest cargo areas in its class. Plus, it comes with Honda's Magic Slide seats, which slide back and forth for great flexibility when trying to load people or gear. The seats are incredibly comfortable and have excellent build quality, making them ideal for children and families going on long journeys.

The 2023 Odyssey comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Honda's Display Audio software, which allows for full customization and smartphone connectivity. If you use the higher Touring or Elite trim levels, you also get a rear-seat entertainment system that works on built-in apps to stream all your kids' favorites.

While all the tech is a great touch, the safety features in the Odyssey are where it really shines. With a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a large suite of safety features, it's a perfect choice if you and your family drive a lot. This suite includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and more.

Browse 2023 Honda Odyssey listings here.

Final thoughts

While minivans may not be as popular as they once were, there are still plenty of fantastic options if you're looking for a premium family hauler. Plus, with the hybrid and high-performance models being produced, you can save money at the pump while still getting your family where they need to be. By understanding which minivans are still being made and which automakers to watch out for as they return to the market, you can make the right choice for your commute or vacation.