A Quick Guide to Hybrid and Electric Minivans

The minivan has long been a staple of family driveways and school drop-off areas. Known for sporting a car seat (or two), crumb-covered interiors and cargo spaces stuffed with athletic equipment, it’s the practicality and safety of this perfect-for-carpooling vehicle that makes it stand out.

As electric vehicles start to gain more traction, car brands are beginning to offer more EV and hybrid styles to choose from – including minivans – providing families with energy efficient options, while maintaining the functionality they’ve come to know and love.

Learn about some of the newest and most reliable hybrid and electric minivans on the market today and how they perform.

Why Choose a Minivan?

Minivans are designed to carry extra passengers, usually up to eight or nine people. They often have modular seats that can add an extra row for reconfiguration, increasing seating capacity up to three rows, and large sliding or hinged rear side doors for easy access.

Key attributes of a minivan include:

• Large rear doors
• Additional rows of seating
• More space and legroom
• Higher roof
• Large trunk space

Minivans can be useful alternatives to an SUV or pickup truck, ideal for larger families or storing large items such as work or sports equipment. However, sedans or compact SUVs might be more suitable for those who do most of their driving in the city.

Electric Minivan History

The first electric minivan was released in the U.S. market by Chrysler in 1993. The TEVan model was based on the already successful Dodge Caravan and became a huge hit with consumers.

Decades later, the Nissan e-NV200 became the first electric seven-passenger minivan in 2015, following the introduction a smaller compact EV van in the same range a few years prior.

3 Hybrid and Electric Minivans to Consider

If you think an electric minivan might be the best option for your family, you’ll need to consider the features that work best for your lifestyle. Do you value passenger and cargo space or fuel economy? Does the make and model matter?

These three options are a good place to start.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Based on the iconic VW Bus, the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is set to be released in fall 2024.

Here’s what it has to offer:

• Seven seats
• 91 kWh battery
• 201 horsepower
• Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
• Estimated range of around 260 miles per charge

If you’re looking for a reliable car brand with iconic style, it is a great choice.

Toyota Sienna Hybrid

The Toyota Sienna is a reliable hybrid minivan with great fuel economy and a comfortable interior. The hybrid powertrain helps to deliver excellent gas mileage up to 36 miles per gallon in the city.

Here’s what it has to offer:

• Seats up to eight passengers
• 245 horsepower hybrid powertrain
• Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
• Towing capacity of 3,500 pounds

Boasting a premium interior and smooth handling, the Toyota Sienna is a great option for families. It’s available in six trims which vary in price and extra features. The base trim is built with a nine-inch touch screen, driver assistance features and power sliding doors.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica is a spacious and fuel-efficient hybrid minivan with plenty of tech and safety features. As a plug-in hybrid with all-electric driving, fuel economy is one of its best advantages.

Here’s what is has to offer:

• Seats up to seven passengers
• V6 engine with two electric motors (84kW and 63kW)
• 260 horsepower powertrain
• Front-wheel drive only

Delivering fantastic gas mileage, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid returns the equivalent of 82 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. Gas mileage returns 30 miles per gallon. You can also expect an all-electric driving range of 32 miles – ideal for local commuting.

Renting an EV With Hertz

If you prefer a greener way to travel, Hertz offers a selection of EVs and hybrids. For those new to driving an EV, Hertz makes the process easy by providing information and resources on driving and charging, so you can hit the road with confidence.

If you are on the fence about purchasing an EV, renting an EV for an extended test drive could be also a good way to “try before you buy.”

AAA members get exclusive Hertz discounts, including up to 20% on Hertz rentals.