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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  First-time minivan owner - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tonja - May 25 - 2:00 am

  We looked for months at other vans and SUVs to buy for our growing family. The anniversary edition was a plus and sold us on this wonderful minivan. I love driving my minivan and the sliding power doors are a big help with two small children. My only complaint is that Ive mysteriously locked myself out of the van while getting gas and again while running in to drop off something. The doors automatically unlock when you open them, but somehow re-lock themselves when they shut?!? Anyone else have this problem?

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  good car - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kingfisher57 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  My Dodge has been an excellent vehicle. I have 132000 on the car now and have had only 1 scary experience with itas the fuel rail broke with 5000 miles on the vehicle. Other wise there has been no problems with it.The car is still all original except for brakes and 1 battery

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  Engineering and Quality control joke - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Waste of Money - May 22 - 5:43 pm

  My wife felt she needed a van to haul the kids in, she now can not wait to get rid of the thing. It has to have tires replaced too often, brakes are poor design and undersized, causing often replacement. Both power slide doors had to have motors replaced under warranty, passenger side motor has failed again and I am not paying to replace. The transmission shifts vary hard. Front suspension joints had to be replaced at 45,000 miles. ABS control module fried at 47,000 miles. The heat is always on unless you turn the fans off, good thing it is winter now. Fuel economy is less than impressive, and if anyone is wondering, neither one of us drive fast or push the vehicle hard.

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  Bad doors & whine will drive you crazy! - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By PML1950 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Okay so the whine when Im driving is what drives me the most crazy and it never seems to stop. The fact that every dodge caravan Ive owned after about 80,000 miles the air conditioning stops working. The elec doors where to start, first one of the locks wont work with the key so you have to lock manually, then the other door the button on the inside wont open or close so if you remember which side works which way youre lucky. This is the second Dodge caravan and I wont purchase another. Id rather a Honda or Toyota van, they have better reports from owners.

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  Best of mini vans as good as Chevy subs - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By quapaw - May 20 - 8:33 pm

  Replacing a 92 Caravan. Only a few hundred miles and cannot truly say about reliability. My two previous Dodge minivans were excellent. This one is as close to the Chevy Surburbans that I owned in the70s and 80s with much better mpg. Stow and go is very handy. Wife says the seats are a bit hard bit I disagree. The interior lighting is not what I would want, too dim. Handling is excellent. Fit and finish is excellent. My dealership is one of the best. I bought it off the lot and if I had speced it out I would have left off some of the features and maybe added a few. Price was better than the imports and quality better too. Not sure I like the keyless switch but time will tell.

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  Which I hadnt bought - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By quick6 - May 18 - 4:20 pm

  Breaks down way too ofter, and Im a mechanic, so I take good care of my vehicles.

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  My 2004 DGC - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Vicki1250 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Smooth riding and sits high enough up to see, plently of room for storage and great gas milageSwap 2nd and thrid row seats

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  Doge Caravan is still tops in my book! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JKWinters - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Best Price and features, I have owned several Caravans and they have all been reliable and Very comfortable to drive. After lookin at Odyssey and Sienna the Caravan is still tops. When then come out with the In floor seating, WOW that will really be nice for the 2005 model.

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  Great Van - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jerry - May 12 - 9:30 pm

  I wouldnt own another American made van. It has served our family well, has taken some abuse and keeps right on going.

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  A Keeper...For Now - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Space Junkie - May 8 - 7:46 pm

  When I needed another vehicle I immediately looked for a good deal on a Caravan; I drive a 2003 model at work every day. For a large vehicle I like the way it handles similar to a smaller car and the smooth ride. I only drive seven miles round trip to work each day and I take very few long trips; so fuel economy wasnt a big concern. When I DO make an occasional extended trip from home Im glad to have the roominess and the AM/FM, cassette/CD combo--more options for entertainment. Also like it because it IS a nice looking vehicle. I feel good driving it. Gas mileage on an extended trip for me has been about 23 mpg. Around town, mpg is about 8-10 (estimated).