With their roomy cabins and flexible seating arrangements, minivans are great vehicles for families. However, most minivans don’t have an all-wheel drive system (AWD). An AWD system provides enhanced traction in adverse weather conditions. This makes it desirable for drivers that live in a location with a harsh winter where there’s often snow or ice on the road. However, there are a couple of notable exceptions. Only two new minivans offer an all-wheel drive system for extra traction: the 2023 Toyota Sienna and the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. AWD is also available for new 2022 model year versions of these two minivans. 

2023 Toyota Sienna offers available AWD 

The new 2023 Toyota Sienna minivan offers an optional all-wheel drive system, while a front-wheel drive system comes standard. Another unique aspect of the 2023 Sienna (starting price with AWD: $37,385 MSRP) is it’s offered exclusively as a hybrid model. With its efficient hybrid powertrain, the Sienna AWD gets an estimated gas mileage of 35 combined mpg.

Also, the Sienna celebrates 25 years of success with a limited-availability 25th Anniversary Edition model. Notable features in the Sienna 25th Anniversary Edition include bolder-looking front and rear bumpers, dark 20-inch split-5-spoke wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and special badging.

2023 Chrysler Pacifica offers available all-wheel drive

Like the 2023 Sienna, the new 2023 Chrysler Pacifica offers an available traction-enhancing AWD system, as well as a standard front-wheel drive system. Also, like the Sienna, the Pacifica (starting price with AWD: $43,630 MSRP) offers a hybrid powertrain. Unlike the Sienna, though, the Pacifica also has a fully gas-powered model. Additionally, the Pacifica Hybrid has a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV), which enables the minivan to drive with electric-only power for an estimated range of 32 miles. 

The Pacifica AWD gets an estimated gas mileage of 20 combined mpg for the fully gas-powered model. Also, the Pacifica Hybrid AWD has an estimated gas mileage of 82 combined MPGe when in electric-only mode and 30 combined mpg in hybrid mode. 

Along with its available all-wheel drive system and plug-in hybrid model, other highlights of the Pacifica include its generous cargo space, a flexible interior, and the luxurious quality of its higher trim levels.

Used minivans with AWD

The 2023 and 2022 Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica are the only new minivans that offer an all-wheel drive system for extra traction. However, there are many used minivans with AWD, as detailed by CARFAX. This is especially the case for used models from the 1990s and 2000s — when minivans were more popular. 

Here are used minivans that have an all-wheel drive system (in addition to used Sienna and Pacifica models):

• Chevrolet Astro (1990-2005)
• GMC Safari (1990-2005)
• Toyota Previa (1991-1997)
• Chrysler Town & Country (2001-2004)
• Dodge Grand Caravan (2001-2004)
• Chevrolet Uplander (2005-2006)
• Saturn Relay (2005-2006)
• Buick Terraza (2005-2006) 
• Pontiac Montana (2005-2006)

Something to keep in mind about these used minivans from the 1990s and 2000s, though, is they might be hard to find due to their old age. If you want a minivan with a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system for driving in the snow or other adverse road conditions, then your best bet is to get a new 2023 or 2022 Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica — or a used version of these models.