Dodge Grand Caravan Review

The Dodge Grand Caravan is an elongated version of the now-defunct Caravan, America's original minivan and one of Dodge's biggest success stories in recent decades. Like its sibling, the Chrysler Town & Country, the Grand Caravan has long offered roominess, versatility and value -- especially for growing families with lots of kids and cargo to haul around.

Over the years, Dodge's hauler has faced increased competition from import-brand minivans. In some ways, it has risen to the challenge, offering groundbreaking features like driver-side sliding doors and Stow 'n Go seating. The latter enables owners to fold both the second- and third-row seats into the floor, or flip the third-row split bench completely rearward to provide tailgate seating.

In other respects, though, the Dodge Grand Caravan's performance has been less impressive. It was one of the last minivans to offer essential safety features like stability control and a rearview camera. The driving experience falls short of the competition, thanks in part to its unrefined and often underpowered engines. Older Grand Caravans have been tarnished by unrefined and often underpowered engines as well, and less than stellar reliability records. In short, there are typically better choices if you need a minivan.

Current Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Caravan minivan can seat up to seven passengers and is offered in five trim levels: C/V, Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T. The C/V is intended for commercial use and is sparsely appointed. The Express represents the entry-level passenger model and feature highlights include a touring suspension, tri-zone air-conditioning, a removable floor-mounted center console and second-row Stow 'n' Go bucket seats. The Mainstreet trim adds alloy wheels and power second row and rear windows.

The Crew trim level gets you 17-inch wheels, power sliding doors, automatic climate control, added interior storage, a power driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, a touchscreen display and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio and digital music storage. The sporty R/T adds a performance-tuned suspension, first- and second-row leather seats and a premium Infinity sound system.

Notable options on select models include a power liftgate, running boards, a trailer tow package, rear parking and cross-traffic sensors, blind-spot monitoring, second- and third-row sunshades, a rearview camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, iPod integration, a rear-seat entertainment system and heated second-row seats.

Moving all of this about is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces a class-leading 283 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite the horsepower advantage, the Dodge Grand Caravan is still a half-second slower to 60 mph than the top-ranked Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. The Grand Caravan also trails the competition in terms of refinement, with a coarse-sounding engine, rough gearshifts and a stiff-legged ride quality.

Passenger comfort comes in with mixed results, too. Taller drivers may run out of legroom, second-row passenger seats are tilted rearward in an effort to accommodate longer legs, and the third row -- with its limited headroom -- is suitable for smaller folks only. On the plus side, though, the Stow 'n Go seats are a cinch to transform the Grand Caravan from people carrier to cargo hauler. Potential shoppers should be wary of Dodge's questionable long-term reliability and lack of an eight-passenger option. Despite numerous recent improvements, the Grand Caravan still leaves much to be desired.

Used Dodge Grand Caravan Models
The current van represents the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan that debuted for 2008. Two main trim levels were available: SE and SXT. For 2009 Dodge added standard Stow 'n Go seating and SXT options like a dedicated iPod interface, a blind-spot monitoring system and the Rear Cross Path system. Three V6 engine choices were also available: a 175-hp 3.3-liter, a midrange 3.8-liter that made 197 hp and a 4.0-liter unit that topped out at 251 hp.

The 2011 model year brought the most notable changes in the current generation's history. Besides more aggressive styling, the Grand Caravan also received a new Pentastar V6 that is both more powerful and efficient than its predecessors. The interior also received some much-needed sprucing up, with a new cabin design and better interior materials. New suspension tuning also improved the ride quality and road-holding abilities. Swivel 'n Go seats, however, were discontinued.

The Grand Caravan is also available in four previous generations. The first spans 1987-'90; the second, 1991-'95; the third, 1996-2000; and the fourth, 2001-'07.

The fourth-generation Grand Caravan's engine lineup included a 180-hp 3.3-liter V6 and a more powerful 215-hp 3.8-liter V6. The top-of-the-line trim level offered Stow 'n Go fold-flat seating, dual power-sliding doors, a separate rear heating and air-conditioning system, a power driver seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and powered accessories. As you consider trim levels, keep in mind that the naming system for the van's trims changed a few times during this generation.

A variety of stand-alone options were available, including automatic climate control, leather trim, an Infinity sound system, rear DVD entertainment and a navigation system. Early fourth-gen Grand Caravans were available with all-wheel drive, but AWD capability was discontinued in 2005 to make room for the versatile, under-floor Stow 'n Go fold-flat seating system in premium models.

In reviews, we noted that alongside top import-brand competitors, the fourth-gen Dodge Grand Caravan came up lacking. Its engines weren't as powerful or refined, its ride wasn't as smooth or quiet and its handling wasn't as tidy or sure-footed. Inside, the van's controls and displays were dated, and features like stability control, built-in sunshades or a back-up camera simply weren't available. Still, for used-car shoppers who demand maximum flexibility from their minivans, Stow 'n Go might be reason enough to consider a Grand Caravan from this era.

The third-generation Grand Caravan featured a then-rare driver-side sliding door and unique "Easy Out" rollers on the center and rear seats to aid removal. Dodge offered several Grand Caravan trim levels to suit different budgets and desires, and dual front airbags and antilock brakes were standard. For power, the van had a 3.0-liter 150-hp V6 as standard, with a 180-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine available -- the larger V6 now coupled with a more efficient and recommended four-speed automatic transmission. After a one-year hiatus, all-wheel-drive availability returned to the lineup in 1997 on certain models, and in 1999, top-level Grand Caravans received a more driver-oriented Autostick transmission, 17-inch wheels and steering-wheel-mounted radio controls.

Introduced in 1987 as a long-wheelbase complement to the original Caravan, the Dodge Grand Caravan received its first major overhaul in 1991. The second generation (which ran through 1995) included a restyled exterior, freshened interior and the addition of optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability. Its dimensions were unchanged, but the corners were rounded off on its breadbox-like silhouette and more glass was added. Safety was enhanced with the availability of antilock brakes and a driver-side airbag in 1991 and integrated child safety seats in 1992. The Grand Caravan's four earliest generations have all exhibited reliability problems, but the first and second generations were especially troublesome, due to issues related to the automatic transmission. For this reason, we'd advise used-car buyers to steer clear of these oldest Dodge minivans.