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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  2004 Grand Caravan STX - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jim99779 - March 5 - 5:30 am

  Bought our 2004 with about 80,000 miles on it as our 2nd car. We use it more as our primary car now because its so nice to drive and simple to use. The most user-friendly vehicle you could buy with kids. Handles good, good seats and delivers decent mileage, if you run it reasonably. Best interstate cruiser I ever had. Note that I owned 10 cars before and have driven many more. Had to replace the tranny approx one month after purchase, for $1600.00, but Dodge is known for that. Good, cheap, used buy. I thought the power sliding doors were a joke until I used them. I would buy one again.

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  Very good for the price. - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dssmith - March 4 - 9:40 am

  Weve had the vehicle since January. Got it home, opened the sunroof and it wouldnt close, wiring was kinked, but they fixed it very quickly and Weve had no problems since. We get about 23- 25 mpg on the highway, but only 12 to 12.5 in town, (Im not a lead foot either.) This is the SXT with the Special Edition package, which was nice since it had everything we wanted, nicely discounted. Only complaint is that the spare tire is under the passenger seat, so the seat cant be lowered. Im 61" and my wife is 510" and neither of us can sit in the passenger seat without reclining it. (Im not a big fan of sunroofs, it was part of the package.) Imports were $6 to $10k more for similar van.

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  2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Utah - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By F. Tempel Riekhof - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Ovarall a very good vehicle. For a good sized minivan, it is rather nimble on the road and rolls easily (better than my 1998. Good interior and comfortable seats. Power sides doors and tailgate work flawlessly. Vehicle is somewhat underpowered and would be better served by a 5-speed automatic transmission rather than the 4-speed. Transmission braking is useless. Uses a bit of oil.

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  Not Happy!!! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Wills - February 26 - 9:46 pm

  Bought this minivan only two months ago. Already a/c went out, pass. side door trim (exterior) fell off. But gas mileage is decent for a seven year old vehicle. Wish it had center console, dealer didnt know where it was and it was over $400.00 from Dodge! Also no owners manual.

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  If safety is what matters - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dawn and Joe - February 23 - 10:00 am

  We owned a van just like this one, and my husband was hit in the passenger side door sending the van spinning 360 degrees. All of the tires popped and the van hit another car. Needless to say, it was totaled. HE WALKED AWAY with nothing bit a case of jitters. If he were in our Honda I dont think he would have been as lucky. The CHP couldnt believe he was walking. We have 4 kids and no matter if we have to repai it (which we havent had to) we will ALWAYS drive a Dodge Grand Caravan SE. Of Course until the kids are older then its a 2 seater:)

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  Good Buy - No Hassles - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By StL Convert - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Just recently purchased this van. FIrst time van owner. Good product, excellent value and dealership. Would suggest all you looking at vans to consider the features available in this van compared to the others, dollar for dollar.

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  I will never buy a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE StowNGo Flex Fuel - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kandyce - February 22 - 3:17 pm

  This is the worst Minivan I have ever owned. I have owned 4 in total (different years) It seems that the newer year you get, the more issues you have. I currently have 3 recalls on it but there should be more. My issues are as followed: *you have to giggle the shifter to get it to go into park to turn it off *stalls *bad on gas even with Flex Fuel *turns off while driving *over heats *wipers turn on, on there own *will repeataly start (turn over) over and over again while trying to start it and have to turn it off and try again to start it. *always replacing breaks, struts, shocks, ball joints, rooters (never before this bad)

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  Great car - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave - February 13 - 5:16 pm

  We looked at this after testing out all sorts of other vehicles. Its a lot more fun to drive than the Sienna, though its slightly slower in acceleration, because it handles turns much better and feels more connected and in control. We were going to get a crossover but this had better mileage and a lot more space and better features - and better, more nimble cornering than most.

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  Comfortable cruiser - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By peter - February 12 - 9:36 pm

  Ive had my LE for 10 years. Very comfortable on long trips, decent mileage and good power with the 3.8 engine. Seats are actually more comfortable than the stow+go seats on the new models, also interior much nicer on the 96LE. The new ones have an overall cheaper feel. Reliablity is only fair although the engine and tranny have not given me any problems. If you can find one thats been well maintained, especially with a 3.8, it might be worth buying.

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  This van stood up to a lot of abuse - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jane - February 10 - 7:00 am

  So, the junkyard comes to pick up my Grand Caravan tomorrow, and Im very sad to see it go. I bought it with 30k miles on in 3 years ago, and it now has 190k on it. It has been my bands tour van and the main vehicle for my cleaning company. As well as heavy daily driving. its gone across the country 6 times (plus a tour of Mexico) loaded with about 1600 lbs of band equipment. It also survived getting stolen by some teenagers. It showed wear with age, but it was amazingly reliable and had a very low cost of ownership especially for the way I treated it!