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We have 3 kids, a labrador retriever and an aging Chrysler T&C minivan. I'd like to replace it, but even my less-attentive-hypermiling wife gets 21-22mpg cold city (it's capable of 25mpg around town summer) during her errands and we get 28-29 on highway trips at fairly normal 60mph highway speeds. It's biggish and meets the need perfectly. But, efficient replacement options are nil.

On paper the Mazda5 minivan looks like the right physical configuration, except it gets 22/28 mpg. Not worth it. (Yes, we could hypermile it into the 30s, but that really isn't very good and not enough to draw me off the T&C at all.)

And, that's the best 3-rower out there. Seems like a good segment for a diesel or hybrid on a light 3 row chassis.

I'm right there with you. Where are the efficient people-haulers?

Couldn't Honda or Toyota or Ford transplant a hybrid system into a minivan? Or how about a diesel? We'd be talking about a minivan EPA rated into the 30's.

Why does a vehicle in this class need 250 horsepower? My Odyssey is STUPID fast if you stomp on the gas. Swap that 3.5 V6 for a 3.0 or 2.5 and you've got an extra 5 mpg.

It is so unfortunate that the diesel market is squashed in this country. In Canada, there are many vehicles available with diesel engines (saw a snowbird's 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesel a few weeks ago). There is no reason a diesel minivan is not possible, as far as I know, except that diesel simply gets a bad rap.

Well, all MPVs have diesel base motors in europe. The diesel Mazda5's (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/231852/mazda_5_20d_sport.html)gets around 33mpgUS, estimated on the euro values (46mpg UK).

This is the one I'd like to see made here most: Ford S-Max (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ford-s-max/)

http://www.1resimler.com/data/media/1073/Ford-S-Max.jpg

That's a sharp looking van!

We drive an 04 Oddy and I will totally concur with Palemelanesian's assertion that the thing will book when you tromp on it. Way, Way more power than anyone needs in a minivan. Here is the funny thing though. We still average better combined mileage in our Oddy (23mpg this winter, despite the cold) than our friends who have an 08 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. they are routinely pulling 21 and 22 mpg this winter. My perfect minivan would have a diesel coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission. now what is so difficult about making something like that available to the masses?

We drive an 04 Oddy and I will totally concur with Palemelanesian's assertion that the thing will book when you tromp on it. Way, Way more power than anyone needs in a minivan. Here is the funny thing though. We still average better combined mileage in our Oddy (23mpg this winter, despite the cold) than our friends who have an 08 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. they are routinely pulling 21 and 22 mpg this winter. My perfect minivan would have a diesel coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission. now what is so difficult about making something like that available to the masses?

The masses are lazy.

I'm also looking for a fuel efficient minivan (or similar) and am equally disappointed.
A few years ago, everybody was working on "light duty diesel" and planned to start with diesel half-ton trucks and SUV's, then move into things like vans. One by one, they've all bit the dust.

I think hybrid might be possible, but have you looked under a modern minivan lately? They've got every cubic inch accounted for under the hood and under the floor to make room for storage and fold-flat seats. I think some don't even have a spare tire!

I think the best we can hope for in the next couple years is for some tweaks to a conventional powertrain, like:
1) more gears
2) automatic stop/start
3) turbos
4) direct injection
5) cylinder deactivation

I know honda uses 5) today if you get the nice trim packages ($). Ford's going to start using 3) and 4) with their ecoboost engines - coming to the Flex next year. Anybody else know what's out there today, or what's coming?

I'm heartily in favor of turbos IF they're paired with a smaller engine. When (if?) you need it, you have the power of a V6 available. The rest of the time, it's a smaller 4-cylinder economy engine.

A few cars almost do it. If you could squeeze into a Toyota Matrix or Honda Fit, for example. But the kids have to fit in 2nd row, and the dog has to be in cargo section with all your stuff.

Once the kiddo's are driving age, you need more, smaller cars all of a sudden. I didn't fully appreciate that. You meet at events, rather than go together. So keep that in mind if they are tweens...

I'm heartily in favor of turbos IF they're paired with a smaller engine. When (if?) you need it, you have the power of a V6 available. The rest of the time, it's a smaller 4-cylinder economy engine.

Sounds like my 1990 Caravan. With it's 2.5L 4 cylinder turbo and 5 speed i was able to squeeze low 30's in mixed driving, and high 30's on the highway. I miss that van.

Toyota's RAV-4 comes in a 4-cylinder 7 passenger format. I don't know if that third row offers much room.

One person here is getting outstanding mpg's with his RAV: http://www.cleanmpg.com/index.php?page=garage&displayunits=MPG(US)&viewcar=1928

Might be worth a look.