4 Amazing Minivan Conversions for Van Life

Considering a minivan conversion for van life?

Minivans are affordable, versatile, and provide good gas mileage.

But how do models like the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, & Honda Odyssey stack up against each other?

In this post, we’ll discuss just that.

4 Amazing Minivan Camper Conversions to Consider

With stow-n-go seats, pass throughs, & tons of no-build kits available, minivans provide a great platform for vanlife… but which model is the best?

Here are 4 of the best minivans to consider:

The Dodge Caravan

• Overview: The Dodge Caravan (1984 to 2020) is a great inexpensive option for vanlife. Its stow-’n’-go seats make it perfect for low-build or no-build options. Plus, there are a several companies that make no-build kits like for the Caravan that are super easy to install.
• Price Range: $3,000-$12,000
• Fuel Mileage: 20 MPG
• Dimensions: 39 inches (interior height), 62 inches (interior length), 50 inches (exterior width), 203 inches (exterior length)

Related: 6 Best Dodge Caravan Conversions

*If you’re interested in completing a no-build conversion, checkout Roadloft.com. Roadloft is a Canadian manufacturing company that specializes in minivan conversion kits for vehicles like the Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, and Toyota Sienna. – Coupon code overland100 will get you $100 off your order.

The Honda Odyssey

• Overview: The Honda Odyssey (1994–present) is probably the most reliable minivan on the market. It has a lot of interior space, which is great whether you want to do a full build-out or a non-permanent build. These vans are all over the roads and it’s relatively easy to get your hands on one that doesn’t have too many miles on it.
• Price Range: $13,000-$39,000
• Fuel Mileage: 22 MPG
• Dimensions: 38 inches (interior height), 65 inches (interior length), 48 inches (exterior width), 203 inches (exterior length)

Related: 5 Best Honda Odyssey Conversions

The Kia Sedona

• Overview: The Kia Sedona (1998–present) is a bit of a smaller van–owners say it’s about the size of an SUV, but with all the benefits of a minivan. It’s much more affordable than the Odyssey and Sedona, and it’s an excellent van for simple DIY builds.
• Price Range: $9,000-$30,000
• Fuel Mileage: 21 MPG
• Dimensions: 39 inches (interior height), 62 inches (interior length), 52 inches (exterior width), 203 inches (exterior length)

Related: 2 Best Kia Sedona Conversions

The Toyota Sienna

• Overview: The Toyota Sienna (1997–present) gets killer gas mileage (especially the Hybrid model). It also has a great amount of interior room and the newer models come with come with advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency brakes, and lane departure warnings. Toyota’s are also known for their reliabilities so you can expect a Sienna to last you for years.
• Price Range: $19,000-$56,000
• Fuel Mileage: 36 MPG
• Dimensions: 38 inches (interior height), 61 inches (interior length), 51 inches (exterior width), 204 inches (exterior length)

Related: 10 Best Toyota Sienna Conversions

10 Reasons Why Vanlifers Like Minivan Conversions

Minivans are easy to drive, widely available, & inexpensive used – but are they the best option for vanlife?

Here are 10 reasons why vanlifers like using Minivans for vanlife:

1. Good Gas Mileage: Compared to a gas-guzzling Econoline, or a huge Sprinter van, minivans are much more fuel-efficient.
2. Fits in Any Parking Spot: Minivans are designed to have a lot of interior space, but to still fit in any parking spot. You won’t need to worry about finding the “RV Parking” section.
3. Versatile: Many minivan van-lifers use their minivans both as a passenger vehicle and a van-life van. Most minivans have seats that are easy to remove and replace.
4. Easy to Drive Anywhere: Unlike larger vans, minivans are small and low-profile. They’re easy to drive on freeways, backroads, and in cities.
5. Widely Available: Because of their practicality, minivans are all over the market. It’ll be super easy to get your hands on one for a decent price.
6. Inexpensive Used: Many older minivans are selling on the used car market for under 10 grand. That’s a huge bargain compared to a $70,000 Sprinter van.
7. Fits in a Garage: Any minivan you purchase will be able to fit in any garage. That means you can park it in your garage at home, or in a parking garage while out and about.
8. Blends in: One of the best things about minivans is that no one will ever suspect you’re camping in them. They are really the stealthiest of all van-life options.
9. Great for DIY Builds: Many minivan van-lifers opt for simple DIY builds that require little to no prior building experience. All you really have to do to get a minivan ready for vanlife is remove the seats and put down a mattress. Jennifer Allen of Wonders Within Reach discusses how she converted her family minivan for under $400!”
10. Low Maintenance: Although this varies by make and model, minivans tend to be reliable vehicles. The maintenance you’ll have to do on them is comparable to any other car.

6 Reasons Why Vanlifers Dislike Converted Minivan Campers

As with every vehicle, there are downsides to a Minivan.

Here are 6 reasons why vanlifers dislike Minivans for vanlife:

1. Not Enough Room for an Indoor Kitchen: The biggest downside of a minivan is the lack of interior space compared to larger vans. There simply isn’t enough room for a full indoor kitchen.
2. Can’t Stand up Inside: The interior height of minivans is nowhere near tall enough to stand up inside, and there are few pop-top options.
3. No Room for a Bathroom: There isn’t really a way to fit a bathroom inside a minivan, so you’ll have to opt for a portable toilet, or just use public restrooms.
4. Not as Popular for Vanlife: Because of their size, minivans aren’t as popular for vanlife as Sprinters or Transits. That means there’s fewer resources online for people who choose to vanlife in a minivan.
5. Not Very Stylish: Minivans are built for practicality more so than style. So if you want your van-life van to be visually appealing, a minivan might not be for you.
6. Fewer Conversion Companies Work on Them: Compared to more popular van conversion platforms like Sprinter cargo vans or Ford Transits, very few companies will convert your minivan, though, they are out there!

Cost, Dimensions, & Fuel Economy

Now that you know a little more each minivan, let’s see how they compare (Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, & Honda Odyssey).

Minivan Cost

Cost: Toyota Sienna vs Dodge Caravan vs Kia Sedona vs Honda Odyssey

Minivan Dimensions

Dimensions: Toyota Sienna vs Dodge Caravan vs Kia Sedona vs Honda Odyssey

Minivan Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy: Toyota Sienna vs Dodge Caravan vs Kia Sedona vs Honda Odyssey

Conclusion: Is a Minivan Conversion Right for you?

There are a lot of reasons to choose a Minivan: They are low maintenance, easy to drive, & great for simple DIY builds – but they may not be right for you.

Biggest factors:

• Practical
• Multi-Use
• Good Gas Mileage
• Easy to Drive
• Small Interior Space

So should you get one?

Maybe! We’d recommend a Minivan over a traditional vanlife option (like a Sprinter/VW etc.) for vanlifers who want to get into a vehicle without spending a fortune or dealing with complicated build-outs.