Minivan (Dodge Grand Caravan) = best vehicle I've ever had. I don't know what you're talking about with the acceleration - it accelerates quite well, easily passing vehicles when the need arises; without much effort it hits 75mph by the end of any on-ramp in my area. More acceleration than that is unnecessary, (except, quite possibly, to those who need to "compensate.")
As far as needing a minivan? Hell yeah! The thing is a workhorse for us. About every 2 weeks, I haul up to 1000 pounds of animal feed in it. In the fall/winter, I use it to haul coal (anywhere from 1000 to 1200 pounds of coal per trip). We've hauled quite a few farm animals with it - goats, alpacas, llamas, pig (once). It's got plenty of power for hauling our boat (18.5 foot 190hp glastron). We've had dirt bikes in it, 50 landscape timbers once; plywood and wallboard easily fits inside. Sometime in the next week or so, I have to pick up a stove and a dishwasher... they'll both easily fit inside.
So, why a minivan and not a truck? A) It hauls just as much as the average truck. B) 2 kids, plus their friends who we're constantly hauling around C) the load is inside, not outside (like a truck) - if a truck has a cap on it, most usually have less cargo space. D) closer to the ground for loading than a pickup truck.
Disadvantages: can't go off-road to pick up firewood in the woods. Can't simply hose out the bed to wash it. Can't haul things that are tall (freezer/fridge)