Returning to the Swiss-army knife concept, the Power Remote and Entry Group takes the Grand Caravan to a whole other level. Unfortunately, the power tailgate and sliding side doors package is only offered on the top-of-the-line SXT as a $1,325 option. If you do spring for it, you'll wonder what you ever did without it...
A pair of unequal V6s
Available across the Grand Caravan range is the old, very old, 3.3L OHV V6. Putting out 175 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque, this engine exists only to lower the vehicle's entry pricing. Mated to a 4-speed autobox, the minivan will get around thanks to its low-end torque but do not expect great fuel economy.
If you want to do better, once again, you have to select the SXT. Offered as an option, the SOHC 4.0L V6 is by far a better powerplant. Not only does it generate real power (251 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque), it is coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Factor in better miles per gallon and the extra $1,600 for the duo is a great deal.
Comfy-cozy
The Grand Cozyvan is not meant for spirited driving, nor for street-light racing. And even if you were so inclined as to slap 22” alloys and a lowered suspension to it, it still would not carve corners as though it was on rails. It's not supposed to. The Grand Caravan is a sedate carry-it-all vehicle that is very comfortable tackling city streets or cruising our highways and byways. And that's the way it should be. If you want more driving involvement at the wheel of a minivan, get an Odyssey or perhaps the new Sienna.
The 4.0L has plenty of gusto where it counts, in the lower end of the rev range, perfect for heavier loads. The 6-speed is actually quite good at what it does so long as you don't push it too hard. Upshifts are crisp and its gearing permit some very decent fuel numbers. My test, often loaded with a few hundred pounds of stuff and in mostly city driving returned an average of 11.5L per 100 km; quite commendable.
For most if not all that will purchase this vehicle, all mechanical components and systems will live up to expectations performance-wise. Brakes respond very well and are easy to modulate. Steering is light in most instances and reasonably precise. Stability is good at highway speeds even when equipped with winter tires as was my press example.
A good choice
The Dodge Grand Caravan has been the best selling minivan in Canada for longer than I can remember. Although this is not the case in the US where the Odyssey has taken the top spot for the last two years, the Grand Caravan is without a doubt a “value leader”.
It is more than that in fact; it's a simple choice to make. Today, most reliability issues have been addressed and on top of very competitive pricing and an overall better ownership experience, the Grand Caravan makes sense. Clearly, if you take an Odyssey or a Sienna and go over them with a fine-tooth comb, you will realize that the Dodge is not equal. But, then again, a $3 burger from McDonald's will do the same job as a $15 designer one from a fancy bistro...
A pair of unequal V6s
Available across the Grand Caravan range is the old, very old, 3.3L OHV V6. Putting out 175 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque, this engine exists only to lower the vehicle's entry pricing. Mated to a 4-speed autobox, the minivan will get around thanks to its low-end torque but do not expect great fuel economy.
If you want to do better, once again, you have to select the SXT. Offered as an option, the SOHC 4.0L V6 is by far a better powerplant. Not only does it generate real power (251 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque), it is coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Factor in better miles per gallon and the extra $1,600 for the duo is a great deal.
Comfy-cozy
The Grand Cozyvan is not meant for spirited driving, nor for street-light racing. And even if you were so inclined as to slap 22” alloys and a lowered suspension to it, it still would not carve corners as though it was on rails. It's not supposed to. The Grand Caravan is a sedate carry-it-all vehicle that is very comfortable tackling city streets or cruising our highways and byways. And that's the way it should be. If you want more driving involvement at the wheel of a minivan, get an Odyssey or perhaps the new Sienna.
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| No other minivan can come close versatility-wise to the Grand Caravan. (Photo: Chrysler) |
The 4.0L has plenty of gusto where it counts, in the lower end of the rev range, perfect for heavier loads. The 6-speed is actually quite good at what it does so long as you don't push it too hard. Upshifts are crisp and its gearing permit some very decent fuel numbers. My test, often loaded with a few hundred pounds of stuff and in mostly city driving returned an average of 11.5L per 100 km; quite commendable.
For most if not all that will purchase this vehicle, all mechanical components and systems will live up to expectations performance-wise. Brakes respond very well and are easy to modulate. Steering is light in most instances and reasonably precise. Stability is good at highway speeds even when equipped with winter tires as was my press example.
A good choice
The Dodge Grand Caravan has been the best selling minivan in Canada for longer than I can remember. Although this is not the case in the US where the Odyssey has taken the top spot for the last two years, the Grand Caravan is without a doubt a “value leader”.
It is more than that in fact; it's a simple choice to make. Today, most reliability issues have been addressed and on top of very competitive pricing and an overall better ownership experience, the Grand Caravan makes sense. Clearly, if you take an Odyssey or a Sienna and go over them with a fine-tooth comb, you will realize that the Dodge is not equal. But, then again, a $3 burger from McDonald's will do the same job as a $15 designer one from a fancy bistro...
2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus
2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus
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