Minivans Under $20,000

What To Expect In This Price Range:

• Four-cylinder engines standard
• Excellent fuel economy
• Room for six
• Not a lot of cargo space with a full complement of people
• The Mazda 5

At $17,995, the Mazda 5 sits alone in this price range as the least expensive passenger van in America. Some sites classify the car as a wagon or hatchback, but with three rows of seats, a pair of rear sliding doors and a large liftgate at the rear, it’s definitely a minivan. However, it is a bit different from its larger competitors. In addition to being smaller and seating only six, it achieves a very respectable 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined, that is significantly better than any of the larger vehicles. Of course, this is achieved when the Mazda 5 is equipped with a manual transmission, which is unique amongst minivans, and a four-cylinder motor. Still, it’s hard to argue with the most fuel-efficient three-row vehicle in America.

In this price range, you will also find the Chevrolet’s innovative cargo vehicle, the HHR Panel Van, which includes no back seats nor rear windows. Not only is the HHR Panel Van a low initial investment at $19,030, it also achieves a respectable 32 mpg according to the EPA.