Do You Need an All-Wheel-Drive Minivan?
If shoppers can get over the minivan’s “uncool” stigma, it can be a smart choice as a spacious and convenient family hauler. They’re designed to comfortably seat up to eight occupants with ample cargo space and family-friendly features. But minivans face some stiff and popular competition. While there’s a slew of three-row SUVs on the market, there are only five traditional minivans left: the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna and Volkswagen ID. Buzz (unless you count the Voyager, too, which is just a more basic version of the Pacifica). And of those, only the Pacifica, Sienna and ID. Buzz offer all-wheel drive.
Related: Minivan Crash Tests: Front-Seat Safety Improves, Backseat Safety Declines
Drivers faced with inclement weather, such as snow and ice, often prioritize AWD as a must-have feature. But is it really necessary, or will a front-wheel-drive minivan suffice? We consider each side of the debate below and share some minivan alternatives for a wider range of options.
Why Go With an AWD Minivan?
Your Choices Have Increased
While the Sienna has offered AWD for years, the Pacifica’s 2020 Launch Edition briefly offered AWD before it became available across most gas-only trims in its 2021 refresh. The 2021 Pacifica performed well in a Cars.com minivan Challenge, earning second place behind the Carnival, and it’s proven to be a popular choice among shoppers (more on that below).
The Sienna was also redesigned for 2021 with a new hybrid-only powertrain, and an adventure-oriented Woodland Edition available exclusively with AWD followed for 2022. Although adding AWD can come with a notable fuel economy trade-off, that’s not the case for the Sienna: The minivan’s hybrid powertrain for 2024 got an EPA-rated 36 mpg combined for FWD models, while AWD variants still manage 35 mpg combined.
The newcomer ID. Buzz joins the group for the 2025 model year and offers AWD with an available second motor to drive the front wheels, but it comes only as an all-electric vehicle. Read about it here.
Minivans With Available AWD Are Popular
According to the company, Chrysler sold over 107,000 Pacificas in 2024. Meanwhile, Automotive News reports that Kia sold almost 50,000 Carnival vans in 2024; Toyota sold over 75,000 Sienna vans; and the FWD-only Honda Odyssey is popular, too, with more than 80,000 sold in 2024.
Automakers don’t break out drivetrains in their sales reports, but what these numbers suggest is that if you’re in the market, you might have an easier time finding a recent-vintage minivan both with AWD and the options you want.
You Live in a Snowy or Hilly Area
AWD can provide a confidence boost for shoppers who live in cold climates with poor snow removal or hillier areas of the country. While AWD can help in these conditions, other considerations like winter tires also improve traction on snow and ice.
“The reasons for buying an AWD minivan remain reasons you’d buy any other AWD body style: You have a steep driveway, live in a hilly location or in an area with poor snow removal,” said Joe Bruzek, Cars.com managing editor. “Also know that tires play an important part in traction on snow and ice, and a dedicated set of winter tires could make a big difference in snow performance for those looking for added security in a minivan that only offers FWD.”
Why Skip AWD?
It May Not Be Necessary
Before you nix the Odyssey or Carnival solely because they don’t offer AWD, consider whether you really need the feature in the first place. (It’s worth noting the FWD-only Carnival won our 2021 minivan comparison thanks to its overall value, capable powertrain and safety features; the AWD-equipped Sienna, meanwhile, placed last.) As mentioned, the utility of AWD is region-dependent; even areas that see regular snow may not require AWD if snow removal is adequate, meaning that a FWD minivan can be a safe and cost-effective choice.
“Minivans have inherent qualities that may make AWD more of a ‘nice-to-have’ than other body styles, at least for shoppers who live in flat areas with good snow removal,” notes Bruzek. “First, minivans are heavy, and weight is good for traction. Second, every minivan on the market starts with a front-drive layout, which positions the combined weight of the engine and transmission over the drive wheels for additional traction.”
AWD Might Pack on the Pounds
If you’re considering the Pacifica, going with an AWD variant adds hundreds of pounds to the minivan’s curb weight, which can impact performance. That extra weight was noticeable during our comparison as the Pacifica’s acceleration was sluggish compared to the FWD Odyssey and Carnival. The ID. Buzz also gains some 200 pounds in its base curb weight switching from rear-wheel drive to AWD. Alternatively, FWD and AWD variants of the Sienna have the same curb weights.
FWD Can Save You Money
A FWD minivan can save shoppers thousands of dollars compared to one with AWD. For example, the 2025 Pacifica’s base trim level starts at $44,145 with FWD, well below the base AWD version’s $47,140 price (all prices include destination). AWD also adds a premium to the 2025 Sienna: The base LE comes with standard FWD, which starts at $40,635; optional AWD adds $2,000.
Among FWD minivans, the 2025 Carnival carries the lowest price of admission at $38,235, while the 2025 Odyssey starts at $43,670. Topping the list is the ID. Buzz, which starts at $61,545 in the base trim with RWD; AWD can be had with the Pro S Plus trim for $70,540.
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- 2025 Toyota Sienna Gains New Vacuum, Fridge and Remote Rear-Seat Alert
- 2025 Chrysler Pacifica FAV Edition: Stickers and Asterisks
- 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid Review: Excellence in Efficiency
- 2025 Honda Odyssey: Family Hauler Gets Face-Lift, Tech Updates
- More Minivan News
The Alternative: A 3-Row SUV
Maybe the question you’re asking isn’t “Do I need an AWD minivan?,” but “Do I need a minivan?” If AWD is a non-negotiable feature, pivoting to a three-row SUV vastly expands the available options. Among the aforementioned minivans’ stablemates, the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander each offer AWD on many trims and seat up to eight occupants (or seven with optional captain’s chairs). In this class, the Hyundai Palisade won Cars.com’s 2024 3-Row SUV Challenge. In addition to these models, there are many more mid-size and full-size three-row SUVs that won’t force you to sacrifice AWD.
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