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:

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  Amazing Vehicle - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jake - March 25 - 6:53 pm

  My brand new 2010 dodge grand caravan se is very comfortable and fuel efficient. The small 3.3 V6 engine does a good job.

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  Best bang for your buck - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mightyquinn889 - March 25 - 12:09 pm

  Wanted a reliable vehicle with 3rd row seating, nobody money wise can compare to the Caravan. Ford and Chevy stopped making mini vans and there comparable SUVs (traverese and Explorer) are way more.. Honda and Toyota Mini Vans are way more also. Caravan was majorly overhauled, nice comfortable seating, DVD entertainment system, stow and go storage, smooth ride (never feel any bumps), good warranty 5yr/100,000 miles, strong engine also has an economy fuel button where you get better gas mileage if you dont need all the HP in your engine at the time.

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  This is our 5th Chrysler minivan - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Deborah Solko - March 20 - 9:20 pm

  We have only had our 2010 Dodge Caravan for a week and we love it. It is beautiful, comfortable and we are sure of its reliability because this is the 5th Chrysler minivan we have owned. We shopped around in an effort to find something we liked better and came right back to the Dodge Caravan. Nothing else even came close, especially for the price.

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  4.0 WITH 6 SPEED - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ETP - March 6 - 8:43 pm

  My minivan looks great inside and out, and has a rock solid build. The van seems to be rock solid on the road also. Dodge has been doing this for 26 years folks and they got it right again. As a former mechanic I check a vehicle out before I buy and this was far superior to the 3.3 and 3.8 vehicles on the lot. 12 months from now I can update this for you folks with long haul driving. I was reluctant to buy during this crisis but strongly feel we should support our manuafacturing base and most likely the worst that will happen is a reorganization of the industry.

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  The Worlds Greatest Minivan - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DodgeFan - February 24 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle looks and drives as great as a sports car. The stereo is awesome, and the power- operated sliding doors and liftgate are useful and fun to use. If theres one thing that could be improved, its the flexibility of options. First of all, the base SE model has a very limited set of options. I would have gone for that, if rear air and power locks/windows/cruise control could be combined. Its good that this is possible for 2003. The Sport has many options, but the value is poor, and my wife wanted the power doors and liftgate, so we decided on the eX. Still, this van outclasses the Honda Odyssey in EVERY area but safety, only by a small margin.

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  The Worlds Greatest Minivan - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodgefan - February 24 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle looks and drives as great as a sports car. The stereo is awesome, and the power- operated sliding doors and liftgate are useful and fun to use. If theres one thing that could be improved, its the flexibility of options. First of all, the base SE model has a very limited set of options. I would have gone for that, if rear air and power locks/windows/cruise control could be combined. Its good that this is possible for 2003. The Sport has many options, but the value is poor, and my wife wanted the power doors and liftgate, so we decided on the eX. Still, this van outclasses the Honda Odyssey in EVERY area but safety, only by a small margin.

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  Happy owner - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lovecoty - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Being in my early thirties and mother of twins I was not keen on purchasing a minivan, even though the need was there. When I went to the dealership, I could not believe the look, reliability and comfort of the 2004 Minivan that the purchase was made. Today Im glad I did and the so do the kids. With the drop down dvd and 6disc changer they love their time in the car and so does mom.

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  96 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.0 liter - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By skinnyshizz - January 13 - 1:13 pm

  No problems at 135000 miles, only replaced brakes one time and spark plugs at 90000 miles, runs good doesnt consume any oil, shifts nice, good quality and ride.

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  Surprised - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By R Nathan - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought Dodge Grand Caravan Sport model. It is loaded with power sliding doors, liftgate, DVD player, rear 50/50 split seats. I as initially hesitant in terms of reliability and quality. I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED! The vehicle is extremely quiet inside and very comfortable. It rides and handles extremely well. It gives me a good gas mileage.The power lift gate is a boon, extremely handy when your hands are full. The rear split seats are easy to manouvre and move around. Overall, I love this minivan. IT CAME WITH A GREAT DISCOUNTED PRICE TOO!!!

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  First minivan - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By 6979 - December 20 - 11:13 am

  First minivan and love it have owned suvs and cars. This is the best vehicle so far. Great with backseat TV for the kids