Sliding doors are a feature not a lot of vehicle owners need, but that are really useful for the vehicle owners who do need them.
Doors that slide open provide greater accessibility to the interior of a vehicle, making it easier for people with mobility issues to get help getting in and out and providing more maneuvering room for passengers and cargo.
In the U.S., sliding doors on passenger vehicles are exclusively found on minivans and transit vans.
In fact, sliding doors are one of those features that tend to separate minivans from SUVs.
Unfortunately, passenger vans have fallen out of favor on the U.S. market (again, not a lot of drivers need those sliding doors), so there aren’t a ton of them.
Most car manufacturers make only a single model of minivan or transit van, if they make any van at all.
However, helping matters some, most van models are available in more than one trim, providing a little more variety in features.
If you need a car with a sliding door, you do have a few quality choices from trusted and reliable manufacturers.
Here’s a list of minivans and passenger vans, along with their passenger capacities and base prices to help you find the one that’s right for you.
Kia Carnival
- Number of Passengers: 7
- Base Price: $33,200
Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon
- Number of Passengers: 7
- Base Price: $35,600
Toyota Sienna
- Number of Passengers: 7-8 (configurable)
- Base Price: $36,885
Chrysler Pacifica
- Number of Passengers: 7
- Base Price: $37,270
Honda Odyssey
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Base Price: $37,490
Mercedes Metris Passenger Van
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Base Price: $43,600
Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van
- Number of Passengers: 5
- Base Price: $46,700
Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van
- Number of Passengers: 12
- Base Price: $48,700
Vans With Sliding Doors On Their Way
While it’s not here yet, Volkswagen also has a passenger van with a sliding door on the way – the Volkswagen ID. Buzz – and it’s just steeped in plain retro awesomeness.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is designed as a throwback to the “Love Wagon,” its popular passenger van sold in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
But it’s also gotten an entirely electric upgrade, giving it that modern edge.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in 2024.
So, if you can hold out a year for those sliding doors, you can add this option to your list.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Number of Passengers: 7
- Expected Base Price: $40-45,000