Minivan Demographics: 67 Trends, Facts & Numbers [2023]

By / Cars / Last Updated: October 19, 2023

Who exactly is buying minivans these days?

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the demographics of minivan owners and explore what factors are driving their purchase decisions.

Whether you’re a parent considering a minivan for your family or simply curious about this enduringly popular vehicle type, read on to learn more.

Quick Demographic Facts About Minivan Buyers

  • 37% of minivan owners have a lower-than-average annual household income.
  • Minivans accounted for around 6% of the worldwide market revenue in 2021.
  • The minivan market segment in North America is projected to grow by 2% from 2023 to 2027.
  • Revenue in the United States minivans market segment is projected to reach $14B during 2023.
  • Over its 21-year production run, Toyota has sold 2,487,799 Sienna minivans, with an average annual number of 118,467 units sold since 1998.

Now we’re warmed up to dive into the numbers!

Age Demographics Minivan Buyers

Age Range Percentage of Minivan Owners
18-34 12%
35-49 42%
50-64 34%
65+ 12%
  • Minivan purchasing peaks around the age of 50, with a significant increase in ownership among this age group, likely attributed to family and cargo transportation needs.
  • The average age of a new car buyer is around 53 years old, while minivan owners tend to be younger.
  • Toyota Sienna, a popular minivan model, has a buyer demographic with a median age of 48 years, slightly older than the average minivan buyer (38 years).
  • Female Sienna buyers make up 39% of the total, a number slightly higher than the overall average of 37% for minivan segment.

This data highlights the age demographics of minivan buyers, showing a key market sector at around 30-48 years of age and an overall younger buyer profile compared to other vehicle types.

Gender Demographics Minivan Buyers

Gender Percentage of Minivan Owners
Male 35%
Female 65%
  • Over 60% of new car buyers in the United States between September 2020 and August 2021 were men, while women represented 40% of the market.
  • New vehicle ownership by gender varies significantly across vehicle types, with men comprising the majority of new truck buyers at 86%, while SUV buyers are more evenly distributed.
  • In the minivan segment, gender demographics skew towards a larger female buyer percentage, as minivans often cater to families and practical needs, which tend to be primary concerns for female buyers.

The data suggests that women play a significant role in the minivan market, highlighting the importance of understanding and catering to the needs of female buyers in the automotive industry.

Ethnicity Demographics

Ethnic Grouping Percentage of Minivan Owners
White 70%
Black 10%
Asian 12%
Hispanic 8%

From the data, we can see that the majority of minivan owners are female and in the 35-64 age range. The largest ethnic group of minivan owners is White. This information can help automakers better understand their target audience and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly to appeal to these demographics.

Education Level Demographics

Education Level Percentage of Minivan Owners
High school diploma or less 22%
Some college or trade school 36%
Bachelor’s degree 28%
Graduate degree 14%

From the data, we can see that the typical minivan owner is a female between the ages of 35-64, with a college education or higher. The majority of minivan owners are White, and a significant percentage of them have children.

Average Income Level

Income Level Percentage of Minivan Owners
Less than $25,000 6%
$25,000 – $49,999 22%
$50,000 – $99,999 45%
$100,000 or more 27%

From the income data, we see that the majority of minivan owners have a household income of $50,000 to $99,999, and a significant proportion have a household income of $100,000 or more.

This indicates that the typical minivan owner has a moderate to high income level, which automakers can consider when designing and pricing their minivan models.

Other Interesting Facts About Minivan Buyers

  1. The Toyota Sienna is the only minivan in the U.S. that offers all-wheel drive.
  2. The Honda Odyssey is the best-selling minivan in the U.S. as of 2021.
  3. The Chrysler Pacifica is the first hybrid minivan on the market, released in 2017.
  4. Minivans were first introduced in the U.S. in 1983 with the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.
  5. The Dodge Grand Caravan was the best-selling minivan in the U.S. for over 30 years.
  6. The Chrysler Town & Country was the first minivan to offer a power-operated sliding door and liftgate in 1996.
  7. The Toyota Sienna is the longest-lasting minivan, with an average lifespan of 345,000 miles.
  8. Minivans typically have a turning radius of around 37 feet, making them relatively maneuverable for their size.
  9. The average cost of a new minivan in the U.S. is around $34,000.
  10. The Honda Odyssey has won the “Best Minivan” award from Kelley Blue Book for six consecutive years (2015-2020).
  11. Minivans often have high safety ratings due to their sturdy construction and the availability of advanced safety features.
  12. The Chrysler Pacifica has an electric-only range of up to 32 miles.
  13. The Kia Sedona is the cheapest minivan on the market in the U.S. as of 2021.
  14. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey both offer a built-in vacuum cleaner to help keep the interior clean.
  15. Here are the most common problems with Toyota Sienna minivans.
  16. The Ford Transit Connect is a small minivan designed for commercial use, often used by delivery companies and contractors.
  17. The Volkswagen Routan was a rebadged version of the Chrysler Town & Country sold from 2009-2013.
  18. The Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country were both discontinued in 2016, leaving the Pacifica as Chrysler’s sole minivan offering.
  19. Minivans are often used as family vehicles due to their spacious interiors and versatile seating arrangements.
  20. The Kia Carnival (Sedona) is the first minivan to offer a “VIP Lounge” second-row seating option, which includes power-adjustable reclining seats, leg rests, and a table.
  21. The Mercedes-Benz Metris is a luxury minivan designed for commercial and shuttle use.
  22. The Toyota Sienna has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
  23. The Honda Odyssey has an in-car PA system called “CabinTalk” that allows the driver to communicate with passengers in the rear seats.
  24. The Chrysler Pacifica has an optional built-in vacuum cleaner and a Stow ‘n Go seating system that allows the second and third-row seats to fold into the floor for additional cargo space.
  25. The Dodge Grand Caravan was the first minivan to offer a built-in child seat in 1992.
  26. The Volkswagen Type 2 (Microbus) is considered the predecessor to the modern minivan, with its van-like shape and versatile seating arrangements.
  27. The Nissan Quest was discontinued in 2017, leaving Nissan without a minivan offering in the U.S.
  28. The Toyota Sienna has a hybrid powertrain option, offering up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway.
  29. The Honda Odyssey has a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display screen and a built-in streaming app.
  30. The Chrysler Pacifica has a 360-degree surround-view camera system to help with parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.
  31. The Dodge Grand Caravan was the first minivan to offer a driver’s side sliding doors
  32. The Mazda5 was a compact minivan that was discontinued in 2015.
  1. The Kia Sedona offers a “Slide-N-Stow” second-row seat that slides forward and folds down for easy access to the third-row seats.
  2. The Chrysler Pacifica offers a hands-free power-operated liftgate that opens by waving your foot under the rear bumper.
  3. The Ford Windstar was the first minivan to offer a power-operated driver’s side sliding door in 1995.
  4. The Honda Odyssey has a built-in vacuum cleaner called “HondaVAC” that was developed in partnership with Shop-Vac.
  5. The Toyota Sienna has a “Driver Easy Speak” system that amplifies the driver’s voice through the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with passengers in the back.
  6. The Dodge Grand Caravan was the first minivan to offer an optional rear-seat entertainment system in 1985.
  7. The Chrysler Pacifica has a hybrid powertrain that offers up to 82 MPGe in electric-only mode.
  8. The Honda Odyssey has a “Magic Slide” second-row seat that can be configured in multiple ways to accommodate passengers and cargo.
  9. The Toyota Sienna is the only minivan in the U.S. that is available with all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain option.

The numbers presented here showcase various aspects of minivans, including their size, weight, fuel efficiency, and seating arrangements. Such details have significant implications for the minivan’s target demographic and their buying preferences.

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