17353
In-car comfort and convenience features never stop evolving and you can find everything from rear-seat entertainment screens to water bottle nooks to endless USB ports. Enter the most family-friendly in-car feature since the 360-degree camera: the built-in vacuum.
The built-in vacuum simplifies life on the road, whether on short drives or long trips. And some of us would be willing to pay a premium for life’s necessities that make driving around with young kids and your four-leg fur babies a little easier. And if you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ve spent a fair amount of time with hungry and furry little backseat passengers. It’s enough to make any car owner with clean-freak tendencies crazy.
We’ll tell you what vehicles boast built-in vacuums and why we wish more cars offered them today.
What are Built-in Vacuums?
A car with a built-in vacuum offers a suction hose and various attachments made explicitly to clean your car’s interior on the fly. Manufacturers conceal these parts in a side panel in the vehicle’s cargo area, where they won’t be an eyesore. Honda installed the HondaVAC first in the 2014 Honda Odyssey, and thecompetitive minivan segment has since adopted the feature.
Why Do I Need a Built-in Car Vacuum?
Whether you have little crumb-makers or big trash-leavers, all parents have experienced the frustration of their car looking like a tornado hit it after just a few days of toting kids around town. And most people don’t want to keep a clunky handheld vacuum in the trunk or head to the car wash or gas station frequently to clean out their cars. The built-in vacuum offers an incredibly efficient solution.
Which Cars Offer Built-in Vacuums?
The question is, actually, “Which new or used minivans offer built-in vacuums?” No other category of cars in the USA offers this feature. Further research will help you pinpoint the trim level of individual models, including the vacuum, so do your homework before buying.
1. Chrysler Pacifica Stow’ n Vac® in 2017 – 2022 Models
The only current-year vehicle with a built-in vacuum is the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica minivan (on Limited trim and higher). Chrysler has offered the Stow’ n Vac since 2017. We love the Pacifica with its class-leading tech, innovative seating configurations, and safety features galore. Kids and parents will love it equally, and the interior feels more upscale than your average minivan. Chrysler’s integrated Stow’ n’Vac system works beautifully on dried dirt from muddy cleats.
2. Honda Odyssey HondaVAC® in 2014 – 2020 Models
Being the first to offer built-in minivan vacuums in 2014, the Honda Odyssey set the trend, but unfortunately, Honda’s supplier went out of business in late 2020. That means you won’t be able to get the newest Odyssey equipped with HondaVAC. However, you’ll most certainly be able to find some used options with the HondaVAC from 2014 to early 2020. Specifically, check out the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite and the 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey Touring and Elite trims. We lived with the 2018 Honda Odyssey for a year here at Autotrader, so if you’re in the market for a minivan, it may be helpful to read about our in-depth experience with this award-winning family van.
3. Toyota Sienna SV100 Vac® in 2016 – 2020 Models
Sadly, due to supplier shortages, the redesigned 2021 Toyota Sienna did not get its planned SV100 vacuum. Although, in past years, you could (and may still) find the SV100 vacuum in used Siennas from the 2016-2020 model year. We’ll be interested to see if the automaker finds a new supplier for future models.
In-car vacuums are not becoming an automotive industry standard. But we’re glad they’re still out there for parents who place a premium on quick cleanups. And when children are involved, it’s the little wins that count the most.
