Best vans for Filipino family: Compact minivans or Full-sized minivans?

Minivans have become the staple of soccer moms and families that use this kind of car. Get to know if compact minivan or bigger minivan is a better choice for families.

1. Minivans - Best vans for Filipino family

Choosing the best ride for the family is a minivan which is tailor-made for this purpose. When a child comes into the picture; then a compact isn’t up to spec. Imaging loading up all the baby paraphernalia and the grandma, everything got smaller! Time to upgrade the family car into the family van.

Choosing the best ride for the family is a minivan which is tailor-made for this purpose

Why should a compact minivan or a bigger one, be the go-to family mover? This the best option that can seat seven to eight people better than a compact car. Compared to compact sedans that can barely fit five big adults with almost no elbow room. You’ve got sliding doors or doors and seating positions that are much better than inside a car. The rear loading bay with adaptable seating makes more room with the higher headroom to load taller items inside it. It’s a fact that the uni-body design is optimized to protect the passengers along with other safety features. Hope this clarifies everything that makes a minivan the best go-to solution for a family over cars anytime.

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2. Best vans for Filipino family: Compact minivan or Full-sized minivan?

Minivans come in several options; they are compact or full-sized options that are hot items now. More automakers are into selling minivans because they are better for the Filipino family, whether compact or full-size. The entry of new players like BAIC and other Chinese brands have taken the bar higher, with better power-plants and safety options that are priced less than Japanese brands like Toyota or Suzuki.

Best vans for Filipino family: Compact minivan or Full-sized minivan?

This is significant because you’re getting more safety features found in full-sized options in a compact minivan. Emphasizing value for money in Chinese options drives competition harder to win the hearts and pockets of Filipino families.

2.1. A full-size minivan is a mid-engine at 2200 to 2500 cc displacements for a more powerful engine, but some options can go as high as 2800 cc. to 3000 cc. rating for more pulling power. The Grand Carnival and Odyssey are minivans that have high horsepower and torque numbers to easily haul both cargo and people with ease. Most minivan both compact and full-sized have a third row that collapses when not in use.

Safety is what minivans are about, and they have a chockful of safety features just like SUVs. Seating seven to eight people is easy-peasy, and that comes with more than adequate elbow room. So squeezing in a skinny person or two can be done!

2.2. Compact minivans are a bit smaller and have displacements of more than 1000 to 1500 cc. engines. Compare this to a subcompact with an 800-liter engine that can fit only four people not seven to eight people. Compact minivans have a third-row seat but not like the more expensive full-sized minivans. They have horsepower and torque from 100 to 150, depending on the option. Cheaper compact minivans still have a good complement of safety features like ABS, EBD, Assisted Brakes that are missing on some compact cars.

Between compact minivans and full-sized minivans, the former are better vans for the Filipino family with main differences in size, features, and how much. Even an affordable compact minivan will be better than a compact car with the same price.

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3. Top 5 best minivans for Filipino family

Now, if you're pursuaded into minivans, here Philkotse.com will suggest to you top 5 best minivans for Filipino family.

3.1. Chevrolet Spin 1.5 AT LTZ

Choose this compact minivan for its 1.5 engine, good horse power and torque, 6-spd auto, and an outstanding number of safety features for a good price. Seats about seven passengers with ease and moves it smoothly with a dependable powerplant. The Chevrolet Spin is a good starter minivan for a small family or for road trips out of town.

A good starter minivan for a small family or for road trips out of town

3.2. Suzuki APV GA 1.6L MT MC

If you want a basic compact minivan that has a no-frills approach but is good at loading more people than a compact car, get this Suzuki APV. With a 1.6 engine that can pull the car forward with a full load, compared to an asphyxiating compact car. Useful and everything needed to get the family moving about, with enough room and not like a bunch of sardines in a small car.

If you want a basic compact minivan that has a no-frills approach but is good at loading more people than a compact car, get this

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3.3. Suzuki Ertiga 2017

This is an upgrade over the APV but with better features but at 1.4 L displacement, no significant increase in power and torque. An improved number of the interior feature over the APV. Buy this Suzuki Ertiga if more is wanted over the APV’s no-fuss approach.  A bonus automatic transmission for easier driving in traffic is better over the MT APV.

An improved number of the interior feature over the APV

3.4. BAIC M20 2018

If you want value-for-money, then get this compact-minivan BAIC M20 with a 1.5 L power plant with better power and torque than more expensive options. This Chinese brand compact-minivan offers EBD that is not standard equipment on the Suzuki APV. Add up a great looking interior that is in an option priced at less than P600k.

The BAIC M20 is among great vans for Filipino family in 2018

3.5. Kia Grand Carnival 2.2 VGT CRDi 7-seater 2018

What is there to say about this full-sized minivan, if the pockets are deep! Everything is all here, and it’s a sweet package just like a Hotel Waldorf on wheels. Need I say more; when this is so A-1 great and the Kia Grand Carnival should be the go-to for any family minivan. It’s a go-go straight to the dealer because this is what money can get and with no regrets!

Everything is all here, and it’s a sweet package just like a Hotel Waldorf on wheels

4. What is the best minivan for Filipino family?

For argument's sake and all these minivans will be better for the Filipino family because they are people movers. They are needed to fill a specific niche, unlike other cars like compacts and sub-compacts which are made for affordability and nothing else. If your wallet can afford it, then get it! Despite some budget concerns; less expensive compact-minivans does it those less moneyed. Apart from these five models we have suggested, you can also have a look at another list of top minivans for Filipino family this year.

At the last moment, hope that you will be able to find our dream van soon and do not forget to visit Philkotse.com for more useful car tips and advice on car buying and selling, maintenace and safe driving.