Mini-vans, while never long in appearance or pizazz, remain among the most versatile vehicles on the road.
And that utility and convenience are what keep mini-vans popular, according to Brian Zvibleman, manager of mini-van public relations for Chrysler.
A recent query to the Chrysler Corp.’s mini-van product team in Auburn Hills, Mich., elicited a list that contained no fewer than 47 interior seat combinations if the coverings such as premium cloth or leather are included in the count.
The list offered everything from the standard five- and seven-seat bench configurations to removing the rear or third seat or deleting the middle row of seats.
Ordering bucket seats creates even more options because one or more of the four buckets can be removed to make room for packages, luggage or other cargo, Chrysler officials note.
In addition, the Chrysler’s mini-vans also can be ordered with two built-in child seats, increasing interior designs. Chrysler officials say the seven seat coinfiguration–with either bench or quad seats–remains the most popular.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers have been making it easier for mini-van owners to move or remove the seats in their vans, and more and more consumers appreciate the added flexibility built into today’s mini-vans. The basic layout of bucket seats upfront and short bench or bucket seats in the second or middle position, which allows access to the rear or third seat, is found in virtually all the popular vans.
“Many families who purchase mini-vans do so because they need versatility,” Dan Keller, brand manager for the Chevrolet Venture. “They need a vehicle that is flexible enough to chauffeur kids around easily and carry all their gear.
Andy Boyd, a spokesman for Honda, says the new Odyssey mini-van was basically designed around the idea that a 4-by-8-foot sheet of plywood should be able fit in the rear compartment behind the seats for the driver and front-seat passenger position. The plywood requirement left ample room for two buckets seat in he middle position and a bench seat in the third position.
Each bucket seat and the third bench seat are removable if the van needs to be used for bulk cargo or the seats can be left and their backs folded down to create another storage area.
The seating in the Toyota Sienna van follows a similar pattern for maximum flexibility, Toyota officials said. Ford Windstar can be ordered with bench or bucket seats in the second row. And, the third seat, which can accommodate three passengers, which can be moved into the second position when the buckets seats in the second row are removed.
The Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette can accommodate up to 32 seating configurations, according to officials from General Motors’ Chevrolet Division.
The 1999 Venture also will be able to hold up to eight passengers if it is ordered with the light-weight, modular bench seats in the second and third row.
In addition all the seats can be folded to create a temporary cargo surface or a couple of the split seats can be folded to create a pass-through space for skis or other long objects, GM officials note.
In addition, the Venture also can be ordered with bucket seats or child seats.
