Minivans remain one of the best ways to carry an entire family, and remain a somewhat popular niche long after the crossover takeover. But let’s picture a world where the crossover couldn’t beat the minivan, and all of the world’s automakers raced each other to build the best minivan. Which car or SUV would make a great minivan?
This question popped into my mind shortly after Thomas informed the Autopian Slack about some sweet Porsche Cayenne event that he went to. I’m sure he’s going to write about that, but seeing all of those Cayennes made me think. What if Porsche had created a super minivan instead of a super SUV?
As I have written in the past, when Porsche charted a course in the 1990s to secure its future, it examined trends and, at the time, minivans were still sizzling hot. Porsche ended up whittling down possible future vehicles to a sport minivan or a super SUV. Of course, Porsche ended up going with the SUV. Hindsight vision being perfect, we know that the Cayenne was the correct choice as SUVs only became more popular as minivans lost ground.
But I still like to think “what if?” What would have happened if some of the cars or crossovers that have been built had been minivans instead?
I think it would have been interesting to see something like the original BMW X5 be a minivan. Imagine a minivan with a silky-smooth straight-six or a healthy V8, miles of leather, and parts robbed from the BMW E39. Of course, this was back when BMW really cared about driving feel, too, so like the X5, a BMW minivan could have had surprisingly good handling and competent rear-biased all-wheel-drive. The early BMW X5 was also available with a five- or six-speed manual, too, so I’m picturing this alternate reality minivan going the same way.
Now, let’s go a really crazy direction and talk about Ford Broncos. Now, the current Ford Bronco is an absolute tank. There’s video out there of me absolutely getting massive airtime in a stock Bronco in Michigan. It’s wildly capable for sure. But let’s think of a weird alternate reality here where minivans had become so popular that, when reviving the Bronco, Ford had to make it a minivan in order for it to sell.
As silly as it sounds, I love the thought of a minivan with lockers, high ground clearance, actual off-roading chops, and oh yes, a removable roof.
So, I think you have an idea of what I’m talking about here. An alternate reality where minivans reign supreme. What cars, trucks, or SUVs today would have actually made for great minivans?
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