Minivans have long lost their popularity with buyers as the majority turns to SUVs, yet not all automakers have given up on them.
In fact, minivans are now better than ever as manufacturers try to lure customers. And with quite a few people who need the space and practicality but are not entirely sold on the idea of SUVs and crossovers, they could very well be the answer.
That’s not to say that the sales reflect that, but the Toyota Sienna, for one, has been receiving good press thanks to its economical hybrid drivetrains, ample space, and great comfort.
See Also: Why Buy An SUV When You Can Have A Toyota Sienna?
But one of the things people like is nostalgic quirkiness. And the Toyota Previa has that in spades.
With rad design, oddball features like swiveling seats, and quirky engineering that places the engine on its side in the middle of the vehicle, plus (for at least some people) the rose-tinted memories of spending time in the back seat as a child, the Previa puts up a good fight.
It leans pretty heavily on the nostalgia here, though, because in no measurable way is it better than the Sienna. Toyota’s current minivan can pack more stuff in, is almost twice as powerful, gets nearly 20 mpg better fuel economy, isn’t “sketchy” in a maneuver, and doesn’t use your knees as a part of the crumple zone.
And yet the Previa comes out on top here. It has more quirks and is more interesting. But if a minivan’s job is to be boring and practical, what could be better than being less quirky and objectively better than your predecessor?