Dodge Caravan Review

Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm

What's new for the 2008 Dodge Caravan: Redesigned; new model.

It ain't easy being a minivan these days. Sales are down, the players are stronger, and the passing of time has given everyone a chance to copy each other's best features. Things have gotten so harsh that Ford and GM have dropped out entirely, but Dodge has chosen to stay the course with an all-new Caravan.

Yes, America's original minivan is back, and it's better. To start, all Caravans are "Grand" now that the shorter-length model has been cast aside. The two V6 engines (a 175-horsepower 3.3-liter and a 197-horsepower 3.8-liter) have been joined by a new 251-horsepower 4.0-liter SOHC V6 and a 6-speed automatic transmission, giving the Grand Caravan quick acceleration and competitive performance for the first time. The suspensions have been upgraded for better ride quality, and more care has been given to interior design (i.e. the middle-row windows now go all the way down).

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The Grand Caravan also takes another step in seating innovation. You might remember how three years ago, Dodge came out with Stow-N-Go, the option that allows the second-row seats to fold into the floor. This year, Stow-N-Go gets joined by Swivel-N-Go, a separate, non-compatible option that allows the second-row seats to be flipped backward so kids can face one another and play games. Another [optional] enhancement is the power folding third-row seat that flips backwards to face out the rear. Think tailgate party.

With so many engines, transmissions, and seating configurations (not to mention two style choices, if you count the near-identical Chrysler Town & Country), what we have here is the minivan with the most choice. However, even the best of those choices don't necessarily add up to the best minivan. Even the Caravan's highest engine gets criticized for lacking refinement, and worse, Dodge only lets you buy it after you load up the Caravan past $32,000 (it starts around $23,000). The Stow-N-Go seats are known to compromise comfort. Some also think the Caravan still lags in ride and handling.

The Swivel-N-Go seats are probably the best thing the Caravan's got going for it, since the easy social interaction can make long trips much more bearable for kids. If that's not important, though, there are other vans you might find more grand than the Caravan.

By: Brian Sy

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One Comment

Waste Hogs says:

July 13, 2009 at 2:20 pm

I’ve got to say, that looks more like a camper van or motorhome than a caravan. I do quite like it though whatever it is.