In their first-ever Ultimate Minivan Shootout, Cars.com, an online resource for new and used car buyers, recently assessed six redesigned 2011 minivans priced at under $45,000. Together with USA Today, Motorweek, and an Atlanta-area family of five, Cars.com put all of the contending minivans head to head in a series of rigorous challenges. The evaluation lasted a total of three days.

The first day comprised of a 175-mile stretch of highway driving…