The One
There’s always one whom everyone wants to be like; envied for doing everything right, gazed upon with lust and desire to be the same, The One isn’t always perfect, but to everyone else they’re damn near close.
Of the four minivans currently available on the Canadian market (not counting the Town & Country twin), the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan is The One; emulated by many, envied by most, and never beaten in the sales race.
As a new mother, and generally one who is rather judgemental of minivans, I was curious to see how I’d fair after a week with The One.
What is the Dodge Grand Caravan?
The Caravan is a Chrysler nameplate that’s been around for three decades and they truly have held the market for the minivan. From the beginning, the Dodge Caravan, and longer-wheelbase Grand Caravan, were designed with a purpose: to move people and things at an affordable price.
While not free of problems over the years (low IIHS ratings for a few generations), with innovations like Swivel ‘N Go and Stow ‘N Go, plus a plethora of other amenities van owners want/need, the Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be the No. 1 bestselling van in Canada, with over 50,000 units sold in 2012 alone.
Technicalities
All 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan models share the same engine, a 3.6L Pentastar V6 that’s good for 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Power is managed via a capable, albeit sometimes confused, 6-speed automatic transmission (but I’ll get to that I a bit). The much-loved second-row Stow ‘N Go is only available as standard starting at the SXT trim level (starting at $23,345).
Starting at $27,995 (before massive discounts), the SE is well-equipped with power windows and doors, Uconnect, Bluetooth, steering-wheel mounted controls and dual climate controls. At the very top of the model range sits the Dodge Grand Caravan R/T at $39,995 pumping up style (with 17” alloy wheels, leather seats and steering wheel), technology (rearview camera, HDD radio) and practicality (second-row Stow ‘N Go). However, most of that can be had at the midrange point in the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT PLUS Stow ‘N Go starting at $33,345.
The possibilities seem endless.
Driving the Dodge Grand Caravan
Piloting the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew PLUS isn’t entirely horrible. I quite enjoyed the pep of the Pentastar, and while the programming was a bit strange at times (struggling to find the right gears when pushed), the 6-speed is pleasant in general.
As a day-to-day driver, the Dodge Grand Caravan makes sense. Where I did get a bit annoyed was in the turning radius and size. Manoeuvring parking lots was a task, and I was thankful for the back-up camera on more than one occasion. I’ve been in minvans with tighter turning radiuses (read: Toyota Sienna), and wished for that in the Caravan.
I expected better gas mileage from the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, but managed to average approximately 12L/100km throughout the week (both highway and city driving combined).
Inside and Out the Dodge Grand Caravan
Alright, here’s where the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan falls a bit flat for me. If you look at the history of Dodge Caravans since the ‘80s I think it’s pretty safe to say this has always been a less than attractive minivan. Style is not a priority to Chrysler, and that’s fine, because they put their focus elsewhere and it shows.
When lined up alongside its Japanese counterparts, the exterior look of the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan looks so outdated and boxy it’s almost shocking.
Inside, the amenities are almost endless: seats that store in the floor, dual drop-down entertainment screens, tri-climate controls, Uconnect, heated seats (up front) and steering wheel, power doors and windows, but the build quality is so poor it was hard for me to look past that.
Due to the need for storage thinness, the second and third row seats are uncomfortable to a fault. Panel seams are visible, as are wires, and various edgings. It’s a bit like a large LEGO minivan.
Comparing the Dodge Grand Caravan
You’ll want to take a closer look at our Minivan Comparison Drive Test to see the full results, but we did compare the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan with its closest competitors the 2013 Honda Odyssey and the 2013 Toyota Sienna.
There’s a reason the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan sells as well as it does; there is no substitute for a minivan, and if you’re in need of space for seven or more passengers plus cargo room, and you’re on a budget then there’s no substitute for a Dodge Grand Caravan.
There’s always one whom everyone wants to be like; envied for doing everything right, gazed upon with lust and desire to be the same, The One isn’t always perfect, but to everyone else they’re damn near close.
Of the four minivans currently available on the Canadian market (not counting the Town & Country twin), the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan is The One; emulated by many, envied by most, and never beaten in the sales race.
As a new mother, and generally one who is rather judgemental of minivans, I was curious to see how I’d fair after a week with The One.
What is the Dodge Grand Caravan?
The Caravan is a Chrysler nameplate that’s been around for three decades and they truly have held the market for the minivan. From the beginning, the Dodge Caravan, and longer-wheelbase Grand Caravan, were designed with a purpose: to move people and things at an affordable price.
While not free of problems over the years (low IIHS ratings for a few generations), with innovations like Swivel ‘N Go and Stow ‘N Go, plus a plethora of other amenities van owners want/need, the Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be the No. 1 bestselling van in Canada, with over 50,000 units sold in 2012 alone.
Technicalities
All 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan models share the same engine, a 3.6L Pentastar V6 that’s good for 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Power is managed via a capable, albeit sometimes confused, 6-speed automatic transmission (but I’ll get to that I a bit). The much-loved second-row Stow ‘N Go is only available as standard starting at the SXT trim level (starting at $23,345).
Starting at $27,995 (before massive discounts), the SE is well-equipped with power windows and doors, Uconnect, Bluetooth, steering-wheel mounted controls and dual climate controls. At the very top of the model range sits the Dodge Grand Caravan R/T at $39,995 pumping up style (with 17” alloy wheels, leather seats and steering wheel), technology (rearview camera, HDD radio) and practicality (second-row Stow ‘N Go). However, most of that can be had at the midrange point in the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT PLUS Stow ‘N Go starting at $33,345.
The possibilities seem endless.
Driving the Dodge Grand Caravan
Piloting the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew PLUS isn’t entirely horrible. I quite enjoyed the pep of the Pentastar, and while the programming was a bit strange at times (struggling to find the right gears when pushed), the 6-speed is pleasant in general.
As a day-to-day driver, the Dodge Grand Caravan makes sense. Where I did get a bit annoyed was in the turning radius and size. Manoeuvring parking lots was a task, and I was thankful for the back-up camera on more than one occasion. I’ve been in minvans with tighter turning radiuses (read: Toyota Sienna), and wished for that in the Caravan.
I expected better gas mileage from the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, but managed to average approximately 12L/100km throughout the week (both highway and city driving combined).
Inside and Out the Dodge Grand Caravan
Alright, here’s where the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan falls a bit flat for me. If you look at the history of Dodge Caravans since the ‘80s I think it’s pretty safe to say this has always been a less than attractive minivan. Style is not a priority to Chrysler, and that’s fine, because they put their focus elsewhere and it shows.
When lined up alongside its Japanese counterparts, the exterior look of the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan looks so outdated and boxy it’s almost shocking.
Inside, the amenities are almost endless: seats that store in the floor, dual drop-down entertainment screens, tri-climate controls, Uconnect, heated seats (up front) and steering wheel, power doors and windows, but the build quality is so poor it was hard for me to look past that.
Due to the need for storage thinness, the second and third row seats are uncomfortable to a fault. Panel seams are visible, as are wires, and various edgings. It’s a bit like a large LEGO minivan.
Comparing the Dodge Grand Caravan
You’ll want to take a closer look at our Minivan Comparison Drive Test to see the full results, but we did compare the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan with its closest competitors the 2013 Honda Odyssey and the 2013 Toyota Sienna.
There’s a reason the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan sells as well as it does; there is no substitute for a minivan, and if you’re in need of space for seven or more passengers plus cargo room, and you’re on a budget then there’s no substitute for a Dodge Grand Caravan.
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