A mini-van is a versatile vehicle that is designed for families or individuals who desire a more comfortable and spacious ride than a regular car. But there are various synonyms for the term mini-van that describe it more specifically. One such term is a people carrier, which is widely used in the UK and Europe. Another possible synonym for a mini-van is a minibus. This phrase describes a vehicle that can carry more than seven passengers and is commonly used for commercial purposes such as airport shuttle services. Lastly, a micro-bus is yet another synonym for a mini-van, which is often used for smaller vehicles designed for groups of fewer than seven passengers.