Automotive

6+ Passenger AWD Hybrid minivan, will it ever happen?

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  • Feb 18th, 2019 12:04 pm
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6+ Passenger AWD Hybrid minivan, will it ever happen?

I would like to replace my current vehicle a 2011 RAV4 base with a 6+ seater AWD hybrid, I see that Toyota have the new 2019 Prius AWD-e, which is close and of course they also have a the Highlander Hybrid. The only minivan I have seen is the Chrysler Pacifica but that is a PHEV, maybe I am missing something here or somebody else knows of a new vehicle being released soon?
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wedge22 wrote: I would like to replace my current vehicle a 2011 RAV4 base with a 6+ seater AWD hybrid, I see that Toyota have the new 2019 Prius AWD-e, which is close and of course they also have a the Highlander Hybrid. The only minivan I have seen is the Chrysler Pacifica but that is a PHEV, maybe I am missing something here or somebody else knows of a new vehicle being released soon?
Unless you're offroading your minivan (or live in the boonies with unplowed roads), AWD is completely useless and wastes cargo space, which is why you don't see many of them. They've started offering AWD because people think they need AWD. Save the money and buy winter tires. My grandfather lives up north and drives as FWD Sienna year round with unplowed roads.
That said, I do like the idea of e-AWD, where the other wheels are independently driven electrically, mostly for performance reasons personally. It still takes up cargo space, but less without the transmission tunnel.
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If you really need AWD utility, then there's the Highlander Hybrid with seating for up to 8.

Highlander Hybrid
$36,870 starting msrp1
30/28 est. mpg2
The Highlander Hybrid fits 7 or 8 and offers an available Blu-ray DiscTM entertainment system for your rear-seat passengers.

https://www.toyota.com/highlanderhybrid/
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Aug 22, 2011
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There isn't a market for an AWD minivan.
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wedge22 wrote: I would like to replace my current vehicle a 2011 RAV4 base with a 6+ seater AWD hybrid, I see that Toyota have the new 2019 Prius AWD-e, which is close and of course they also have a the Highlander Hybrid. The only minivan I have seen is the Chrysler Pacifica but that is a PHEV, maybe I am missing something here or somebody else knows of a new vehicle being released soon?
Toyota is your (and my!) only hope in this regard. The Sienna is super old, there are fairly unsubstantiated rumours that they might be releasing a hybrid in the new generation later this year. But it's also entirely possible that they keep riding the old platform for a bit longer, or cut a minivan from their lineup.
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vkizzle wrote: There isn't a market for an AWD minivan.
You don't live in Western Canada
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vkizzle wrote: There isn't a market for an AWD minivan.
In Canada? I think there is. It's just a small one relative to the scale that most automakers make product decisions on.

Minivans are a bigger piece (compared to US) of a smaller (Canadian) market.
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Blubbs wrote: You don't live in Western Canada
Mike15 wrote: In Canada? I think there is. It's just a small one relative to the scale that most automakers make product decisions on.

Minivans are a bigger piece (compared to US) of a smaller (Canadian) market.
Toyota has an AWD Sienna, do you see that trim flying off the shelf?
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Mike15 wrote: In Canada? I think there is. It's just a small one relative to the scale that most automakers make product decisions on.

Minivans are a bigger piece (compared to US) of a smaller (Canadian) market.
Yea, but what do you get with an AWD Sienna Hybrid that don't get with the AWD Highlander Hybrid? More space for 4x8 plywood? Sliding doors? Then you don't get the looks of an SUV that shows you spent more money, and *could* take it offroad but never do. /s
FYI, I would take a minivan over an SUV any day.
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engineered wrote: Yea, but what do you get with an AWD Sienna Hybrid that don't get with the AWD Highlander Hybrid? More space for 4x8 plywood? Sliding doors? Then you don't get the looks of an SUV that shows you spent more money, and *could* take it offroad but never do. /s
FYI, I would take a minivan over an SUV any day.
I'd say the only distinguishing feature right now is the sliding doors, because otherwise all large crossovers (Highlander, Pilot, CX-9, Traverse, Flex, Atlas, etc.) are basically minivans.

The new Explorer will offer hybrid, AWD, a roomy 3rd row, space behind it, and room for 4x8 sheets, so the only thing missing is the doors.
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Mike15 wrote: I'd say the only distinguishing feature right now is the sliding doors, because otherwise all large crossovers (Highlander, Pilot, CX-9, Traverse, Flex, Atlas, etc.) are basically minivans.

The new Explorer will offer hybrid, AWD, a roomy 3rd row, space behind it, and room for 4x8 sheets, so the only thing missing is the doors.
You just need $$$

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UrbanPoet wrote: If they made suv’s with sliding doors (that actually look like suv’s) i think it would fly off the shelf.
It will cannibalize minivans?
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engineered wrote: Unless you're offroading your minivan (or live in the boonies with unplowed roads), AWD is completely useless and wastes cargo space, which is why you don't see many of them. They've started offering AWD because people think they need AWD. Save the money and buy winter tires. My grandfather lives up north and drives as FWD Sienna year round with unplowed roads.
That said, I do like the idea of e-AWD, where the other wheels are independently driven electrically, mostly for performance reasons personally. It still takes up cargo space, but less without the transmission tunnel.
Why would it have to be one or the other? Maybe they want to have AWD and winter tires.
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vkizzle wrote: Toyota has an AWD Sienna, do you see that trim flying off the shelf?
Yes. Toyota has a 10 year old model that sells way better than the competitors' brand new designs. AWD is a huge reason for that.
Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.04 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.58 PM.png


First is Jan 2019, second is Dec 2018.
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Blubbs wrote: Yes. Toyota has a 10 year old model that sells way better than the competitors' brand new designs. AWD is a huge reason for that.

Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.04 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.58 PM.png



First is Jan 2019, second is Dec 2018.
I don't see where is seperates the percentage which are AWD?
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Blubbs wrote: Yes. Toyota has a 10 year old model that sells way better than the competitors' brand new designs. AWD is a huge reason for that.

Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.04 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 2.30.58 PM.png



First is Jan 2019, second is Dec 2018.
Lol, I can assure you that those in the segment for minivans will not drop $50-$60K (AWD Limited being the highest trim) for one and will likely move on to an SUV.
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Gutty96 wrote:
Why would it have to be one or the other? Maybe they want to have AWD and winter tires.
There's always some know it all on here that knows exactly what others want and need. Yet in many cases live in a little bubble of their own downtown.
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Mike15 wrote: I'd say the only distinguishing feature right now is the sliding doors, because otherwise all large crossovers (Highlander, Pilot, CX-9, Traverse, Flex, Atlas, etc.) are basically minivans.

The new Explorer will offer hybrid, AWD, a roomy 3rd row, space behind it, and room for 4x8 sheets, so the only thing missing is the doors.
Oh, and people will pay much more to remove the sliding doors...
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Gutty96 wrote: Why would it have to be one or the other? Maybe they want to have AWD and winter tires.
As I mentioned, reduced cargo capacity with AWD, plus worse mpg and higher cost.
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