When Dodge introduced the Caravan in 1983, families quickly embraced the idea of a car-like vehicle that could comfortably seat up to eight passengers. It was still fairly easy to drive, had cool wood panelling, and wasn’t incredibly expensive.

Buyers flocked to minivans because they could remove the seats to haul cargo, choose models with surprisingly powerful engines, and even opt for versions with four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Before long, nearly all automakers were making them. Including Nissan, Mazda, Ford, and Chevy.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, people turned on minivans. After decades of being incredible people movers, families started to prefer the sleek looks of SUVs. People wanted more space from SUVs (shocker), so three-row SUVs topped the charts for years.

Sales for minivans dropped so low, only four true minivans remain: the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Pacifica.

However, 2025 is proving to be the Year of the Minivan, as sales for all four models are on the rise—and quite dramatically.

Kia’s Carnival is quite the ride—and the public thinks so, too

Kia deliberately designed the Carnival to look and drive like an SUV—and that strategy is paying off. According to a recent analysis by Autoblog, Carnival sales have jumped 60% compared to last year, and in April alone, sales soared over 87% compared to the same month last year.

For 2025, Kia refreshed the exterior styling and added a hybrid option—the same hybrid platform in the Santa Fe Hybrid—making it more appealing for a wider range of buyers. Kia packed it with technology and family-friendly features like Passenger View, comfortable seats, and a sunroof that boosts visibility and helps ease carsickness for third-row passengers.

Kia prices it competitively, starting at $38,283 and topping out at $52,335 for the SX Prestige Hybrid—making it more affordable than many rivals compared to what you get (for a hybrid—the gas-powered version is the most affordable option).

The Toyota Sienna’s sales were always strong, but now they’re stronger

Toyota reported sales for the Sienna were up by 54% in April, having sold over 10,000 units that month. In January, the company sold 6,400 units, showing a very strong interest in the trusty, reliable, but very large minivan.

Unlike the Carnival, the Sienna can be both all-wheel drive and a hybrid, and comes with a beverage cooler for the second row passengers. Some trims can even have wood paneling. It’s the Toyota everyone knows and loves, but it is the most expensive of the foursome.

The base price is $39,185, and can go up to $69,145 for the Platinum AWD hybrid. Quite pricey for a family hauler. But, at least you know it would last forever.

The Honda Odyssey has the second-weakest uptick, but an uptick nonetheless

Like the Toyota Sienna, the Honda Odyssey has been around for a long time. The Honda doesn’t come in AWD and doesn’t have a hybrid variant (at least not yet). It’s front-wheel drive only. That was the Carnival’s weakest point for a while, and while it’s still front-wheel drive only, at least it can be bought as a hybrid.

Despite this, Honda still reported a 29% increase in sales for April, or 32,000 units sold.

Like the Kia, the Honda Odyssey is quite affordable. It starts at $42,220 and goes up to $51,180 for the Elite. So, it’s more cost-effective than the Kia, but again, the hybridization is what makes the Kia more expensive.

When the Pilot gets a hybrid engine, the Pacifica, Ridgeline, and Passport will likely be hybridized, too.

The Chrysler Pacifica’s numbers aren’t in yet—but they’re promising

Chrysler reports sales quarterly, so we’ll have to wait to see how Pacifica sales are trending (or not). Sales dropped by 2% in the first quarter compared to last year, but the company sold 32,000 units during that time. That’s the same figure as Honda, showing the Pacifica—which can also be bought as an AWD hybrid—is quite popular.

It’s priced similarly to its competitors, too. The Pacifica minivan starts at $44,445 and goes up to $61,780 for the AWD hybrid.

Obviously, three-row SUVs are still a top choice for families—but this data does prove that buyers are finally starting to realize that minivans are superior when it comes to passenger comfort, cargo space, and overall functionality. You don’t look sexy driving them, but you sure do look smart.