Summer break is already half over and school season is already on the horizon so it must be time for another Minivan MPG comparison for 2012. Before we get to the winners and losers this year, let's talk about the disqualified. Full size vans and utility vans were tossed out, so no Cargo vans or utility vans like the Transit Connect (which seats a max of five). The remaining minivans for sale where then stacked up from most to least fuel efficient minivan. The result is the list below.
Most Fuel Efficient Minivan
Minivan
Base Price
MPG
2012 Mazda Mazda5
2012 Honda Odyssey
2012 Toyota Sienna
2012 Nissan Quest
2012 Kia Sedona
2012 Chrysler Town & Country
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
2012 Volkswagen Routan
$19,625
$28,375
$25,060
$25,990
$24,900
$29,995
$20,995
$27,020
21 City / 28 HWY
19 City / 28 HWY
19 City / 24 HWY
19 City / 24 HWY
18 City / 25 HWY
17 City / 25 HWY
17 City / 25 HWY
17 City / 25 HWY
Surprised if the best gas mileage minivan is one you didn't recognize? The Mazda Mazda5 puts the 'mini' in minivan with its limited seating for six and 97 cubic feet of passenger volume compared to say the Honda Odyssey's max passenger capacity of seating for 8 with 172 cubic feet of passenger space.
But while the Odyssey is more efficient for its space, and is deserving of being one of the best 2012 minivans on the market, there is some trade offs in cost. The base MSRP Odyssey cost nearly $9,000 more then the base MSRP of the Mazda5 making the Mazda the lowest entry level cost with also the best mileage even if there are trade offs. Its also one of the rare minivans that comes in a manual.
MPG Comparison for the Rest
Outside of the Honda Odyssey and the Mazda5, the table really drops off and everyone plays at the same level. The Toyota Sienna and Nissan Quest do a little better then most with 19 MPG city, and the Kia Sedona is in the conversations with one of the better highway mileage at 25 MPG, but with all the vans within an MPG or two of each other you'll be better served to save your money at the dealership then at the pump.
Use car search sites to identify which minivans for sale have the features you need with the best price. Saving $2,000 off because of rebates or financing will go a lot farther than an extra mile to the gallon in the long run.