When all seats were removed the Caravan was large to say the least, 20 percent larger than the rival 1996 Ford Windstar. Even in my short wheelbase (SWB) model, at 2,880 mm (113.3 in), there was ample room behind the rear seats, improved by 40 percent over the old van. Long wheelbase (LWB) vans, featuring wheelbases of 3,030 mm (119.3 in), improved rear cargo capacity by 33 percent. Altogether LWB vans grew by 25 percent over the outgoing '95 vans compared to 27 percent in SWB guise.
 |
| When all seats were removed the Caravan was large to say the least, 20 percent larger than the rival 1996 Ford Windstar. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
While there were four alternative engine choices, I opted for the smallest V6. The 3.0-L SOHC Mitsubishi sourced engine made 150-hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, good enough for relatively quick acceleration in the lighter short wheelbase configuration. As important it offered decent fuel economy and trouble free driving.
 |
| Base model Caravans came equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, while the top of the line received a 180-hp 3.8-L V6 with 240 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
What other engines were available? Base models came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder mated to a 3-speed automatic. While small in displacement compared to the V6 engine, its identical 150 horsepower made for fairly decent get-up-and-go, only down 9 lb-ft of torque over the smallest V6 and a giant leap forward for those moving up from 1995 2.5-L 4-cylinder van's that featured 50 percent less power.
Higher on the desirability scale than my 3.0-L V6 was Chrysler's 158-hp 3.3-L with 203 lb-ft of torque, as well as the 180-hp 3.8-L with 240 lb-ft of torque, both featuring a 4-speed automatic transmission - the 3.0-L V6 made do with a 3-speed auto gearbox. For the most part, all V6's carried over from the 1995 vans. Also, in 1997 an AWD model became optional on LWB models, a unique feature in the minivan market.