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Best Car Deals for April 2025Best Used Family Vehicles Under $15,000
From current greats like the Odyssey to discontinued models like the Flex, this list of the best used family vehicles under $15,000 has something for everyone.
The Best Family Vehicles Under $15,000
When you have kids, certain vehicles are simply better than others. Features like sliding doors and plenty of space are usually a priority in this space. But with popular models like the Toyota Sienna and Ford Explorer approaching $40,000 for a 2023 model – to start – you may be wondering if there are cheaper options. With this list of the best used family vehicles for $10,000 or less, we’re here to assure you – there is. Ranked by model year, these rides offer everything modern tech to old-school cool with a few forgotten gems thrown in for good measure.
2015 Honda Odyssey
Part of the fourth-generation lineup, a 2015 Honda Odyssey should be on the radar of anyone shopping for the best used minivans. It’s one of the top safety picks given the 5-star overall crash rating from the NHTSA. Second-row seats can spread sideways for more shoulder room or backward for more legroom. A long-running 3.5L V6, renowned for reliability, powehonrs these Odysseys with 248 hp, enough for 3,500 pounds of towing. And available features like an integrated vacuum and drop-down rear entertainment system make the 2016 Odyssey a homerun for families. You can read more about these older Odysseys here.
2016 Nissan Quest
Though discontinued, the fourth and final generation Nissan Quest earns a spot on any list of best used minivans by offering a 2nd and 3rd row that folds flat for easy loading, a 260-horse V6 powertrain, and the ability to tow 3,500 pounds. The Quest was ahead of its time by offering a surround-view monitor and though it comes in on the small size by today’s measure with 108 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, the 26 cubes behind the third row are solid. Look for Platinum models that brought goodies like a dual-panel sunroof and an 11-inch dropdown rear entertainment system.
2015 Toyota Sienna
With these older Sienna minivans, you get Toyota reliability, huge cargo space at 150 cubes maximum or 39 with all seats upright, a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, and the relatively rare option for AWD. Available triple-zone automatic climate control is perfect for keeping all occupants happy and the center second-row seat slides forward for easy access to little ones by front-row parents. As well, the 2015 Sienna offers a wide array of advanced driver aids including forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Given how well Toyotas retain value, be sure to hone your negotiation skills with our guide before going shopping.
2015 Kia Sedona
Marking the beginning of third-gen production, a 2015 Kia Sedona is a handsome minivan that may get mistaken for an SUV, as Kia no doubt intended. Predecessor to the current Carnival, these final Sedonas are powered by a strong 276-horse V6 and are well-liked for flexible seating configurations. Most models feature second-row seats that can collapse upright against the front row. This decreases overall cargo space but is far less physically taxing than removing them. There is still 142 cubic feet of room on tap with this setup, not to mention available amenities sure to keep the kids happy like a heated second row, power-sliding doors, and a refrigerated glovebox.
2015 Ford Flex
For those not interested in the sliding door stigma of minivans, the Ford Flex should be high on your list. Longer than the period Explorer with three rows of seats and distinctive boxy lines, the 6- or 7-passenger Flex gets the family job done. Base motors made 287 hp, but the optional twin-turbo variant was rated for 365 ponies, making it more than capable of moving around a full load of occupants and cargo with ease. The big square windows are a boon for rear passengers prone to car sickness thanks to excellent visibility. And though there are no sliding doors, a relatively huge rear cargo well and options like adaptive cruise control and a refrigerated second-row console help make up for it.
2016 Chrysler Town & Country / Dodge Grand Caravan
This badge-engineered duo offers something for everyone. Luxury-minded buyers will appreciate the standard leather upholstery and power sliding side doors on the Town & Country. Like all of these minivans, the Grand Caravan is powered by a hearty 283-horse 3.6L V6 and comes with more value-oriented features, but the same cavernous cargo hold of up to 144 cubic feet.
2015 Ford Transit Connect
Notably smaller than the larger minivans above (the oxymoron is unavoidable), Ford’s Transit Connect trades on thoughtful cabin packaging with loads of headroom and tight handling thanks to its smaller footprint. Cargo space tops out at just 104 cubic feet but the 2nd and 3rd row seats fold in all manner of configurations and there’s no denying these little vans have a smart Euro-vibe design. Titanium trim adds niceties like leather upholstery and a panoramic moonroof to an otherwise utilitarian minivan. You can dig deeper into Ford’s minivan history here and don’t miss this retro-comparison of the Aerostar and Chevy Astro.
2012 Mazda 5
Another option for those that want sliding doors and plenty of space, but don’t quite need the larger likes of an Odyssey or Sienna, is the late Mazda 5. The second-gen models ran from 2012 to 2018, but the earlier 2005 to 2010 variants offered better looks thanks to crisp sheet metal. Known for applying Mazda’s handling prowess to the minivan segment, the 5 can only seat 6, but the available heated seats, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery make up for it. And did we mention it was offered with a manual transmission?
2003 Volkswagen EuroVan
Though never much of a hit outside the camping community, the VW EuroVan is still an excellent 7-passenger minivan with a huge interior capable of swallowing 150 cubic feet of stuff and powered by a strong 201-horse 2.8L VR6 motor. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, and heated seats were all offered but to really embarrass your kids, look for MV models that were available with a pop-up roof tent, convertible seat-bed, and swiveling captain’s chairs. Although you’ll want to consult our used car checklist for any of the older models listed here, it’s particularly important if you decide to venture into this 20-year-old territory.
