Awesome Minivans

Kia brought two adventurous concept vehicles to the 2024 SEMA Show. The EV9 ADVNTR is a rugged take on the awesome EV9, with all-terrain tires, a 3″ lift, reinforced rocker panels, and a custom roof rack. The PV5 WKNDR is a nifty electric camper van. It’s ready for overlanding on rough terrain and offers a modular live-work space, a popup roof tent, and solar panels.

Lexus vehicles are known for their luxury and performance, but there’s a deluxe Lexus you won’t find here in the U.S. The Lexus LM is an opulent minivan with a truly first-class cabin. Passengers enjoy reclining seats with heat, cooling, and massage, a 48-inch ultrawide monitor, privacy shades, tray tables, a refrigerator, and a Mark Levinson surround audio system.

Ford Performance is headed to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the coolest minivan ever. This tricked-out E-Transit van is powered by three STARD electric motors, which produce a total of 1400 horsepower. Massive spoilers and other aerodynamic upgrades will keep it glued to the tarmac as driver Romain Dumas races to the summit on 6.25.23.

After more than two decades, the VW Bus is back. The long wheelbase ID.Buzz is headed for North America and Europe, transporting up to seven passengers with pure electric power. It has an 85 kWh battery, with the RWD model making 286 hp, and the AWD GTX producing 339 hp. A large glass roof brings light into the cabin and can be electronically tinted.

Turning around on a one-lane road is difficult enough, but when it’s a mountain road with a steep drop-off, it can be downright deadly. That didn’t stop this driver from pulling a U-turn with the rear of his vehicle dangling precariously off the road. We can only assume the minivan has most of its weight over its front wheels.

Located in the Carpathian mountains in Romania, this narrow gauge track is host to a truly unusual traincar, an old Ford minivan which has been converted to run on rails. While it can run in reverse, the whole thing can be lifted and spun around for longer journeys.

You’ll believe a van can fly, as this custom Toyota Sienna tears up the track to win its class in the 2016 One Lap of America. The minivan finished 21 out of 69 overall, beating out Vipers and Corvettes. We caught up with the team for a couple of laps at Autobahn Country Club.