NEW YORK (Money Magazine) - The miniskirt is back. The Mini Cooper is all the rage. Why not the minivan? Once the darling of the American family, the minivan has been upstaged by SUVs that carry the kids and the gear -- but not the symbolic baggage. Minivans, alas, have become an emblem of suburban surrender, the automotive equivalent of dishpan hands.

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That's a shame because if people could look past the image, they'd admit that minivans cover the family bases better than most SUVs or crossovers: huge capacity for people and cargo, modest thirst for fuel, ingratiating ride and handling, easy step-up to the seats and unblocked access to the third row.

Toyota Sienna

Now automakers have recruited a fresh corps of minivans -- including the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest and Ford Freestar -- to keep loyal minivanistas from switching to SUVs. They're doing it by mimicking the successful formula of the class-leading Dodge Grand Caravan and Honda Odyssey, adding size, amenities and power. Especially power. The industry's horsepower race has extended to minivans. Many new models boast 230 horses or more, which may seem unnecessary but isn't. Owners know that a loaded minivan needs oomph for passing and merging.

The upshot: For the more than 1 million consumers who buy minivans each year, comparison shopping just got more complicated, if also more rewarding. "We're going to see lots of new product fighting for the same number of buyers," says Jim Hall, vice president of auto analysis firm AutoPacific. Even South Korea's Kia is making waves with its Sedona, earning respect and sales at its low base price of $19,370 for the LX model. And automakers that find these uppity newcomers encroaching on their turf may be forced to offer big discounts.

Here's what's coming in the next few months.

It's now clear that Americans like their minivans not so mini, and Toyota finally got the message with its redesigned Sienna. Interior space is up 45 cubic feet over the previous version -- enough extra room to fill the trunks of three Honda Accords. Toyota has made a clear bid for benchmark status with this impeccably designed hauler. The automaker says the 2004 Sienna is the quickest yet most fuel-efficient minivan on the market -- a claim generally borne out by my test drives. And for minivan buyers obsessed with slick third-row seats, the Sienna trumps even Honda's Odyssey. Its back row folds flat without removing the headrests, and its split folding seat compares favorably with the Honda's heavier, less versatile bench.

A new 3.3-liter V-6 pumps out 230 horsepower. Fuel economy is slightly improved from the outgoing model, to 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway. All-wheel drive is available, as are dual power sliding doors, a power liftgate, a navigation system and rear DVD entertainment. And despite lots of new content, including three-row side-curtain air bags, Toyota managed to scale back prices ruthlessly. The popular Sienna LE starts at $24,260, nearly 6 percent less than last year. The full line ranges from $22,955 for the base CE model to $36,930 for an all-wheel-drive XLE Limited.

Nissan Quest

Nissan nearly bankrupted itself in the 1990s by trying to out-Toyota Toyota. Now it has engineered a remarkable comeback with cars and trucks that go their own way. That philosophy guided the new Quest, which arrives in July, starting at roughly $22,500. Its unorthodox styling is about as adventurous as Nissan could manage, given a van's basic boxy shape. "They're trying to bring some style, character and attitude that's been sorely missing in minivans," says auto analyst Wes Brown of NexTrend. The new Quest has also ballooned in size. It's longer than even the big Dodge Grand Caravan, with more interior space than any other minivan. And while rivals require removing the second-row seats to max out cargo room, the Nissan's second and third rows fold flat.

The Quest's 3.5-liter V-6 matches the Sienna's 230 horsepower. Three-row curtain air bags are standard.

September brings the Ford Freestar and its sibling, the Mercury Monterey. Neither looks dramatically new on the outside. But step inside and there's no overlooking the import-worthy interiors that are part of Ford's huge investment in cabin design. And the Freestar's optional 4.2-liter V-6 will be the largest, highest-torque engine ever in a minivan.

VW Microbus

Honda, meanwhile, will fire back next year with a freshened Odyssey. New Chevrolet and Pontiac crossover minivans are expected in 2005, followed by spin-offs from Buick and Saturn.

That same year may bring the biggest minivan revolution since 1983, when Chrysler invented the minivan. That's because Volkswagen will release its Microbus, a rebirth of the hippie favorite. So hang on to your cupholders -- the Microbus might make minivans hip again. Just like miniskirts and Mini Coopers.

Lawrence Ulrich writes about cars for Money Magazine. You can contact him at autos@money.com.