Minivans size and value go a long way
Power sliding doors are also a nice touch. A few times when I had my two kids in tow, it was nice to hit the key fob button so the doors would automatically open as I approached. This made it easy to launch the kidlets into their respective baby seats.The third row of seating is like that found in minivans from days of yore.This means there’s enough room for an adult. However, I spent most of the week with the Entourage with the third row folded flat into the floor, a process that’s simple but still not as idiot-proof as Chrysler’s hide-a-seat system. With the seats folded down, I was able to fit a monster 13-horsepower snow blower back there with some room to spare. A family of four would have no problem on a road trip with all the cargo room. You can even fit a good-sized cooler back there with your luggage.One issue I had with the automatic side doors was the motion of the handle.To open a door, you pull the handle outward, parallel with the ground. This is an extremely uncomfortable motion, especially since the handle is easy to pull at first, but abruptly stops.If you’re in the market for a value-priced premium minivan, the Entourage is worth checking out. Kia’s Sedona is almost identical.© The Calgary Herald 2008
Tags: Auto, Chrysler, Kia, launch, MINI
