Dodge Grand Caravan evaluation: The most effective used minivan for many households

Is the Dodge Grand Caravan automobile?

Appears that approach, if the gross sales volumes are any indication. The Dodge Grand Caravan has been round for many years—refined for every technology—and it’s the strongest-selling minivan by a substantial margin.

The principle attracts of this car are its measurement, area, options and versatile inside. Current-model Grand Caravans will include loads of options, too, together with Dodge’s confirmed Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine, distant begin, energy sliding doorways, a motorized tailgate, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, rear-seat leisure consoles, premium audio programs, multi-zone local weather management (on some fashions) and sufficient storage bins, compartments, cup holders, energy retailers and media hookups to maintain the entire household organized, related and charged up on the go. It’s exhausting to think about a extra family-friendly car. 

The Stow ’n Go seats can flip, fold away into the ground or exit the car altogether, turning it from a folks mover right into a cargo provider in a jiff. Other than household transportation, many homeowners use their Grand Caravan as a piece truck, a supply car, a pet hauler, tenting headquarters, a cellular workplace and extra. Even pack rats will discover a place to retailer all their stuff. 

How does it drive? The Grand Caravan’s lengthy wheelbase provides smoothness and stability, whereas stretching out the cabin to clear room for 3 rows of seats. Its suspension and journey are properly suited to long-distance driving, although journey consolation stands up nicely on rougher roads, too. Drivers can count on a commanding driving place with a beneficiant ahead view—a perch that conjures up confidence with out towering above the highway.

The minivan’s superior security gear consists of adaptive cruise management, a backup digital camera, stability management, computerized excessive beams and a pre-collision warning system. Rear Cross Path Detection, if geared up, alerts drivers to approaching automobiles as they reverse out of a parking area or right into a laneway. Options like these add confidence for fogeys, in addition to peace of thoughts when youthful drivers begin to borrow the household car. 

The Dodge Grand Caravan powertrain: What makes it tick?

The used Dodge Grand Caravan you’re contemplating has a tried-and-true powertrain configuration that’s helped promote numerous minivans. Underneath the hood is a V6 engine, related to the entrance wheels by an computerized transmission.

Newer used Grand Caravans will run the three.6-litre V6 engine. Dubbed the Pentastar, this award-winning engine offers the car a 283-horsepower punch. All fashions include computerized transmission, and all are front-wheel drive.

Lengthy story brief? Dodge has been constructing and tweaking this powertrain workforce for a few years. The identical engine can also be used within the automaker’s crossover SUVs and pickup vehicles as a result of it’s a time-tested workhorse.

For those who use ECO mode and drive light-footed, there’s not often a must get this engine working exhausting—it’s arrange properly for low-RPM efficiency and most gas effectivity. There’s beneficiant punch obtainable when wanted, although principally, the Grand Caravan’s drivetrain does its finest work when being pushed in no specific rush, as its fuel-saving tech works to attenuate your fuel invoice.

Some competitor minivans can be found with all-wheel drive (AWD), a function that the Grand Caravan lacks. For added security in colder months, you’ll want to use high quality winter tires—they’ll assist the Grand Caravan’s traction and stability options work higher, too.