Does Volvo make a minivan?

Volvo does not officially make a minivan, but they do make a 7-seater SUV. They also used to make a station wagon, which is similar to a minivan.

The SUV category in Volvo serves the purpose a minivan would. Minivans usually are used as comfortable family cars, so Volvo took this into consideration when making the XC90 SUV. It’s comfortable like a minivan, yet powerful like an SUV.

Volvo’s SUV- Almost like a minivan

The Volvo XC90 is technically an SUV, but it is very similar to a minivan. It can hold 7 passengers at a time with plenty of space for cargo. It has an excellent interior. It is also hybrid, so it can save fuel money like a minivan. It has a heavy 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 318 horsepower.

For the cargo, this car is again like a minivan. The seats are foldable which gives ample space for luggage. The car has all the best safety features. Volvo especially puts a strong focus on safety features.

Volvo used to make a station wagon

Although Volvo never made an official minivan, they used to sell a station wagon, which was discontinued in 2012. The Volvo V50 station wagon was launched by Volvo in 2003 and it shared the Ford C1 platform. The Volvo V50 T8 model had a 2.5-liter gas engine with all-wheel drive.

The V50 focused highly on comfort and stability. The safety features were up to the mark just like any other Volvo. It did, however, face some problems like faulty brake and faulty cooling fans.

Will Volvo ever make a minivan?

With its strong focus on going electric, it’s possible that Volvo might make a minivan. For now, they will probably stick with an SUV over a minivan, as SUVs are increasingly popular. Volvo is not like its competitors that produce and sell so many cars. They produce fewer cars and put strong focus on safety and reliability options.

What are minivans?

Minivans are normally 7-seater cars. They tend to have 2 or 3 rows of seats and are designed for the comfort of a family. Compared to the regular vans, they are more compact. They also have a lower body than a van. They are also known as MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). The main purpose of this type of car is to house a family with top comfort.

The engine is often is in front and they use front wheel drive. Although, some models also offer all-wheel drive options. Minivans use two-box body design or one-box body design, but nowadays, minivans frequently use one-box design.

The body of minivans are made on a car-based platform. Some minivans are also termed as “Large MPVs”. The seats in the car are also similar to sedans. The exterior has 5 doors, including the tail gate. The rear two doors are often sliding doors that give easy access to the third row of seats.

Similar vehicles

Minivans are similar to other types of vehicles like SUVs and station wagons. SUVs are more sporty and tougher, while station wagons serve almost the same purpose of carrying more people and luggage.

The difference between minivans and SUVs

Minivans and SUVs often serve the same purpose. They are big vehicles aimed to accommodate more people. However, they have some differences.

1. Minivans are more of a family car. However, SUVs are more of a tough vehicle.
2. Minivans have 3 rows of seats, while SUVs usually don’t.
3. SUVs have a high ground clearance compared to minivans.
4. Minivans provide better fuel economy.
5. SUVs have higher-performance engines than minivans.
6. SUVs often look sportier than minivans.
7. Due to high ground clearance, SUVs perform better in off roading.
8. Minivans often provide better safety features than SUVs.

The difference between minivans and station wagons

Minivans are often much bigger than station wagons. There are also some other differences as well:

1. The body of a station wagon is basically a sedan with more cargo space, unlike a minivan, which is much bigger.
2. The space in minivans is much bigger, providing the family with better space and roof height.
3. Station wagons are more luxurious to drive due to their smaller size than minivans.
4. Minivans have sliding doors, but station wagons don’t.

FAQ

Are minivans safe?

Minivans often have a lower center of gravity, which makes them pretty safe. Minivans nowadays offer the best quality safety features. Minivans also have great crash safety scores all over the world. Having said that, according to some tests performed by IIHS, minivans have had some issues with Small Front Overlap crash tests. 

What are the best minivans?

There are many great minivans available in the market. However, one of the best and most reliable is Chrysler Pacifica. There are also some other good minivans like:

1. Honda Odyssey
2. Dodge Grand Caravan
3. Toyota Sienna
4. Kia Sedona

Are minivans expensive?

If we compare minivans with SUVs, then minivans are clearly cheaper than SUVs. But, if we compare them with other cars like sedans, they are much more expensive. They are also more expensive to maintain than a sedan.