|
Chrysler’s minivans, the Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand
Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country are the best-selling minivans in the
United States. They offer the desirable combination of very low prices, a
roomy and comfortable interior, and second and third row seats that can be
folded completely flat into the floor. They don’t have high quality interiors
or particularly impressive power, fuel economy, or agility, but the loaded
Grand Caravan reviewed here is one of the least-expensive vans in this group
and can compete in other ways than its price, a combination that’s harder to
find than one might think.
The Grand Caravan has a soft, comfortable, and absorbent
ride that could use more control to quell high-speed float. Handling is also
soft; while it never feels unsafe, the Grand Caravan has much more body roll
and slower steering response than all but the GM vans. The 3.8-liter V6,
standard on the high-end Grand Caravan, is adequately but unexceptionally
quick but could use more high-speed passing power. The engine gets noisy under
moderate acceleration, and has an unpleasant growl, but is otherwise
unobtrusive. Wind and road noise are generally well-suppressed, but the Grand
Caravan never feels luxury-car quiet like some of the others here. Gas mileage
is unimpressive.
Inside, the Grand Caravan has rather lumpy, unsupportive front
seats that are at least mounted reasonably high (at the expense of headroom).
The second-row seats are much better-shaped, though the cushion is quite firm
and taller passengers will want more legroom. The third row needs more foot
space, and could use additional headroom, but is better-padded and better
shaped than most competitors’. As noted, these vans feature a class-exclusive
seating setup (this "Stow-N-Go" system is standard on all but the
least-equipped versions of the Grand Caravan) in which not only the third-row
bench folds into a cargo well behind it (in two pieces), but the second-row
captain's chairs fold into storage bins also, eliminating the need to remove
any seats from the vehicle to make the most of the vans' impressive maximum
cargo capacity. The seats fold very easily, though the front seats need to be
moved forward to easily fit the second-row seats into their storage
compartments. Interior quality does not impress, with
abundant use of cheap, ill-fitting trim and generally drab décor. The gauges
could use additional contrast, and some instruments can be difficult to see,
and many are too low along the tall, narrow center stack. The driver sits
comfortably enough, but visibility could be much better in all directions.
Entry/exit is fairly easy, even to the third row.
The Grand Caravan has done well in crash testing, earning
five stars for both the driver and the front passenger in the NHTSA frontal
crash test, as well as five for both the driver and the second-row passenger
in the NHTSA side crash test, even without the optional side airbags. NHTSA
also estimated that the vehicles had a 17% chance of rollover in a
single-vehicle accident, good for a four-star rating. A 2001-2004 van was
rated only Acceptable in the IIHS offset crash test, but an updated 2005/2006
version with a knee-protecting driver airbag and other improvements has not
been tested. Its side-impact protection was also Acceptable, when equipped
with the optional side airbags, but its head restraints were rated Poor.
The Grand Caravan reviewed here came in at a low $27,532,
though it was missing some key equipment. Notably, such safety features as
front-seat torso protecting side airbags and electronic stability control
aren’t offered, and a sunroof can be had only without side airbags. At the
price above, the Grand Caravan did at least include a UConnect hands-free cell
phone link, power-adjustable pedals, and a driver’s knee-protecting airbag.
Overall, the Grand
Caravan is inexpensive, roomy, comfortable, and practical. It isn’t as agile,
powerful, or generally luxurious as some of its superior and inferior
competitors, but if that is not as much of an issue as the Grand Caravan’s
strong points, it is a good choice among well-equipped minivans.
NEXT: 3rd Place
|
