The mini minivan

In my continued quest for cheaper transportation, I decided to look up compact minivans. My s-i-l has a Mazda5, and she really likes it. It fits all her kids and gets great gas mileage. She got the Mazda5 after having a Ford Expediton for a few years, so for her it was an immediate savings in gas. Anyway, she likes the way it handles and calls it "Zippy." Compared to the behemoth Expediton, I can see why!


Anyway, while Mazda is fine, I figured there had to be another small minivan out there that wasn't almost 20 years old! (I know, it really dates me, when I remember the first minivans that came out and how much smaller they were compared to the ones made now.)

So, after some research, I discovered, to my...annoyance, that there ARE small compact minivans being produced and sold ALREADY! They just aren't being sold in the USA. No, they are being sold in China, Europe, Japan...basically everywhere but here.

Nissan already makes one called the Nissan Note. Does it get sold in the USA? NO!


Honda just barely released a new compact minivan called the Honda Freed. They released it in Japan. Will they in the USA? Who knows. I would much rather have a Honda than a Mazda though!


Citroen is getting ready to release one in France.


This one is going to be released in China.


And finally...another compact minivan...the Kia Rondo is released in the USA. I found rumors that Toyota would be making a model of Corolla with a "minivan" option...hmm...

Here is the other thing I think it interesting though...if I got a compact minivan I would want one with sliding doors! Who wants to be climbing over seats! Oh well...