Overview & Reviews
The Dodge Grand Caravan traces its roots back to 1984, when Chrysler introduced American families to a new, extremely space-efficient vehicle: the minivan. The larger, "Grand" version of the Caravan debuted a few years later. It was a huge hit that has remained a strong seller through the years, even as newer rivals outdid it in various ways. Despite innovations like driver-side sliding doors and Stow 'n Go seats, a poor reputation for reliability, a lack of refinement and disappointing execution made it difficult to recommend.
In recent years, however, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been improved significantly. With a strong engine and improved cabin quality highlighting this renaissance, the Grand Caravan is the most competitive that it's been in years. While Toyota and Honda still offer more well-rounded minivans, this Dodge provides several attributes that could make it a good pick for consumers.
Current Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Caravan minivan can seat up to seven passengers and is offered in four trim levels: American Value Package (AVP), SE, SXT and R/T. All of them are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that produces a very strong 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 AVP represents the entry-level model and feature highlights include full power accessories, dual-zone climate control and an auxiliary audio jack. However, it's the only trim that features a two-person second-row bench seat -- a minivan rarity nowadays -- in place of the upper trims' excellent Stow 'n Go seats that fold into the floor with one tug of a lever.
As you move up through the trim levels, you'll find more standard features like rear air-conditioning, a power-operated liftgate, power sliding doors, leather upholstery, a rearview camera and a blind-spot warning system. Electronic features are plentiful as well, including a navigation system, Bluetooth and a rear seat entertainment system that includes rare features like a Blu-Ray player, an HDMI port and two screens. Like other loaded minivans these days, a fully equipped Grand Caravan can seem like a full-fledged luxury car in terms of features.
As far as passenger comfort, the Grand Caravan comes up a bit short relative to its rivals. Taller drivers may run out of legroom, the second-row Stow 'n Go passenger seats are a little less comfortable than the fixed captain's chairs of other vans and the third row's seat cushion is tilted down in an effort to increase rear legroom. There also isn't an option for an eighth passenger. On the plus side, though, those Stow 'n' Go seats are a cinch to transform the Grand Caravan from people carrier to cargo hauler. The second-row seats of most other vans must be physically removed or you end up with less maximum cargo capacity. In this way, at least, the Grand Caravan is hard to beat.
Used Dodge Grand Caravan Models
The current van represents the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan that debuted for 2008. However, it was substantially upgraded for 2011. Originally, there were two main trim levels available (SE and SXT) and three V6 engine choices. A 3.3-liter produced 175 hp, a midrange 3.8-liter made 197 hp and a 4.0-liter unit topped out at 251 hp. None were particularly appealing. The Grand Caravan from 2008-'10 was very disappointing for other reasons as well. The cabin featured subpar materials, uninspired design and haphazard construction. Handling was worse, especially in the first model year, and the ride was generally unsophisticated. Even the styling was less appealing.
Though we don't recommend the Grand Caravan from 2008-'10, potential buyers should nevertheless note that it featured different second-row seating configurations. The second-row bench was standard on the SE for '08, but it gave way to standard Stow 'n Go the following year. There was, however, an optional Swivel 'n Go system that included more comfortable second-row captain's chairs that rotated 180 degrees to face the third row. A removable table essentially created a tiny living room on wheels.
Since it was overhauled and much improved for 2011, changes to the Grand Caravan since have been minimal and mostly limited to trim level and equipment shuffling. Still, 2013 brought easier operation of the Stow 'n Go second-row seating system, as well as the Blu-Ray and HDMI port features for the DVD entertainment system.
Prior to all of this were four older generations of the Dodge Grand Caravan. 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.
User Reviews:
Showing 101 through 110 of 1,244.00-
GET A HONDA MINIVAN - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
By dENNY - June 28 - 10:00 amI will never buy a dodge, chrysler, or jeep,again. The caravans are no good I cant see why everone has one.I had many problem with the grand caravan, I had to get the brake replaced 3 times and 2 times replacing transmission.YOU CAN TELL HOW CHEAP ITs MADE BECAUSE THE DODGE SIGN FELL OFF THE HOOD. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE TRADING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR FOR A GRAND CARAVAN.
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Bad! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
By Phil - June 23 - 10:00 amFleet car with about 43,000 miles now. Very scary brakes, a lot of vibrations. No power. Fuel economy fair. This is my first and last Dodge, next time a Ford or Chevy, a Japanese if available for fleet.
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BUYER BEWARE! - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
By dissatisfied - June 11 - 2:00 amThis has proved to be the WORST vehichle I have ever owned. I have had to rebuild the transmission, replace the fuel pump, water pump,and battery. That was all within two months of buying the van, when it was 4 years old and only had 54,000 miles. Now I am faced with a bad A/C, a squaling powersteering pump, and a leaking gas tank. What ever you do, protect yourself and do not let someone inflict one of these vehicles on you or your family!
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Good, Bad, Ugly - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
By nydriver202 - June 8 - 2:33 amDrove this vehicle for over a week. 2006 Odyssey was in the body shop. Observations: The Good: Decent acceleration, quiet ride on highway, easy parking maneuverability. The Bad: Severe oversteer on highway, unstable above 50 mph. Heating controls hard to use, knobs very small. Fit and finish of body and interior poor. Rear wiper too small. Steering wheel controls for radio on back of steering wheel. The Ugly: From the rear the van looks like a box truck. Too much black plastic on exterior. Latches flimsy. Interior styling-dash ugly, seat material feels like vinyl. Plastic, plastic everywhere. Grey interior many different shades, front pillar covering white! Was glad to get my Odyssey back.
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Not so sure yet - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
By not sure yet - May 26 - 11:40 amWe have two sets of twins and the stow and go and power doors have been wonderful for us. However it is a necessity in our lives for reliability. Recently the van has been making noises and we decided to use our $3,000 extendend warranty and found that it has a $100.00 deductible each time you use it. It would have been nice to know that beforehand, and with all the noices it is making I am a little worried that the steering is going out. My friend has a Kia Sedona and loves it and it has lasted a long time with no repair needed, probably a better fit than the Dodge. I guess the old saying you get what you pay for rings true here.
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Which I hadnt bought - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
By quick6 - May 18 - 4:20 pmBreaks down way too ofter, and Im a mechanic, so I take good care of my vehicles.
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Lemon. - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
By navywife06 - March 6 - 4:11 pmWe purchased our Dodge Grand Caravan Crew on May 22 (the day before my husband left for Iraq). We have barely had it 2 months and for the last 7 days it has been in the shop (second time since we purchased it). *Check engine light came on at aprx 1500/2000 miles *Traction control light comes on for no reason, even when just starting the vehicle *The ignition gets "stuck" when you stop turning the key, it keeps trying to start *The gas pedal quit responding to me while driving with my 3 children on the interstate- very DANGEROUS *My son got stuck in the rear seat belt and it wouldnt unlock- had to cut him out *Not important but if you have kids (minivan usually = kids) interior color is bad
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Transmissions and A/C are expensive! - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
By IWantAHonda - February 18 - 10:00 amI love the ride...but WOW the Transmissions and A/C and random electrical gremlins are killing my bank account. Dodge cant be making money on the Transimissions because they cant seem to make them last through the 2nd and 3rd transmission warranty unless the Dealer tries to say you "abused" the car...
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LOOK OUT!!!! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
By i hate this car - February 3 - 2:00 amThis vehicle is a disaster on wheels! Ive had the transmission re-done twice, the air-conditioning unit re- charged countless times (I gave up trying to fix it), of course the phantom wiper issue, the rear power windows broke, speakers blown, and this vehicle was not abused. Consider anything else before looking at a Dodge. I also had a 1999 Chrysler Sebring which was also a mechanical nightmare. Steer clear of Daimler- Chrysler products!
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Never Again!!! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
By sarahnichole975 - February 2 - 5:40 amWe purchased this van used in 2005 as a demo. The first year was fine, downhill quickly from there. AC compressor is out and before it went out we replaced the switch 3 times, both tail light covers fell off, power locks and windows work when they want to, pieces on inside break easily, not enough power to push this tank. Passenger sliding door hard to open. Back liftgate is testy. Mine doesnt have stow and go and moving those seats around and/or out is tough!!! 100 other little issues with it. But all the little things add up to one big piece of junk!!! You could not pay me to own another one. Upgrading to a Sienna!
