Ford offers the Ranger, F150, F250 and f350 trucks and SUVs and crossover: Escape, Expedition, Freestyle, Explorer and all new Edge. Ford launched the Freestar to replace the Windstar. Mercury Monterey is also a Ford minivan. Honda offers the popular Odyssey with a major redesign.

The problem with the minivans is their seats; how many they are, how they are arranged, the seat posture. It is also important to have appropriate headroom for people and also the possibility to have good views. The vans have two front seats, a few middle row seats and third row seats to accommodate 15 people. Another important advantage is the room for cargo. The fist mini vans required to remove the seats from the vehicle for storage space. Honda’s Odyssey becomes the first van to provide the flat storage space; the next generation of Honda’s Odyseey has a third row bench that can be removed into a deep well built into the rearmost floor of the van.

Freestar and Monterey added stow able third row seats; the Chrysler minivans feature second and third row seats that can fold down into the floor individually. The safety is the most important factor for vans because they often carry the youngsters and must be safer than ever. The vans have head curtain airbags, providing head protection in a side crash, tire pressure monitors to alert the driver of a deflating tire, all wheel drive to aid and improve traction in rainy or snowy road situations.

Toyota’s sienna offers a rearview camera to display images on a dash mounted screen to see obstacles behind the vehicle. Some new models feature a knee blocker airbag for the driver; in some types of crashes the airbag helps the driver to stay behind the steering wheel mounted airbag; it also provide leg protection. DVD based systems allow rear seated passengers to play video games or view movies during the trip. The travelers can also listen to music playing on an audio system up front.

Some new models have optional sky view roof which features four glass ceiling panels. Another option is a navigation system with a screen and a bird’s eye setting for a map display. It provides views of what is coming up: a green field, an airport, a forest or a park. Chrysler Town and Country is the most luxurious minivan on the market the now. It has leather seats, climate control, power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, power sliding side doors, remote keyless entry and power window and doors lock.