Dodge Grand Caravan In a class of minivan designs that includes the Odyssey's new lightning-bolt sideview and the Sienna's tarted-up swagger—not to mention the Quest's overt Flex cues—the Grand Caravan suddenly seems more boxy than ever. Chrysler's hacked the list of available drivetrains down to one. Minivans are about utility—passengers and cargo—first and foremost, and the Grand Caravan is comfortable to the max. The fold-away second-row seats are a great idea. We've never heard a kid beef about the trade-off of skinny seat cushions, though admittedly the harder-to-remove business-class seats in the Sienna and Odyssey would be the preferred choice for touring adults.
Though not fully redesigned, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan receives numerous styling, powertrain, suspension and interior revisions.
The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is one such minivan. The Swivel 'n Go seating option is gone, but Stow 'n Go seats return with added strength and comfort. (Other minivans require the manual removal of their second-row seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity.)
If you regularly change your minivan's interior configuration from passenger transport to cargo hauler, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan beats the competition with Stow 'n Go seats.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Express model is the entry-level passenger model and features a touring suspension, carpeting, tri-zone air-conditioning, a removable floor-mounted center console, second-row Stow 'n' Go bucket seats, a conversation mirror and a six-speaker audio system. The Mainstreet trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels and power second-row and rear windows, and is eligible for more optional features as well.
The sporty R/T lies at the top of the DGC lineup with performance-tuned suspension, first- and second-row leather seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and a premium Infiniti sound system.
Available options on select models include a power liftgate, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, running boards, a trailer tow package, rear parking and cross-traffic sensors, blind-spot monitoring, second- and third-row sunshades, a rearview camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a nine-speaker sound system, iPod integration, a rear-seat entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
All 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan models are powered by a new 3.6-liter V6 that produces 283 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. Standard safety features for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan include active front head restraints, driver knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control.
Interior Design and Special Features
The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan's interior represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. Unlike other minivans that require the removal of the middle row of seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity, the Grand Caravan benefits from its Stow 'n Go second-row seats that fold flat into the floor. Luggage space behind the rear seats is a generous 33 cubic feet. Stowing all seats opens up 143.8 cubes, comparable to other minivans.
The multiple mechanical changes make the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan a contender.
The Honda Odyssey took the minivan sales crown in 2008 and 2009, while the Town & Country triumphed last year. Honda would contend that's only because its rival sells so many minivans to fleets, while Chrysler might point out that if you add sales of its nearly identical Grand Caravan to the numbers, it's the minivan leader by a Reagan-esque landslide.
Chrysler finally seems to have adjusted to this reality, making some major upgrades to its minivan lineup for 2011, including a complete overhaul of the engine, suspension and interior. The Grand Caravan's reasonable price only makes it more inviting. To further differentiate the Dodge and Chrysler models, Grand Caravan trim levels have been revamped for 2011, dumping the familiar and long-running SE and SXT models in favor of four new designations: Express ($24,995), Mainstreet ($25,995), Crew ($28,695), and a forthcoming R/T ($30,595).
Inside, the first thing you'll notice is that most of the old Grand Caravan's hard plastic interior parts have been almost entirely excised and replaced by much nicer, softer stuff. The new look is stylish, with a scheme seemingly inspired by the Volkswagen Routan, the minivan Chrysler builds for the German automaker. Chrysler made some changes in the Grand Caravan's seating as well, wrapping them in a new fabric and enlarging the second-row "Stow 'n Go" seats that fold into the floor. The one glaring weakness of the Grand Caravan's cabin is an unfortunate holdover from the old model: Chrysler's Uconnect Media Center, the infotainment system that bundles navigation and audio/video. Chrysler's extensive hardware upgrades start with a new engine, a 3.6-liter "Pentastar" V6. Chrysler should boast too, as this is a great engine. The Grand Caravan doesn't have this technology, but it does feature a new "econ" button on the dashboard to change the transmission shift schedule in an attempt to improve fuel economy. If there's anything untoward in the Grand Caravan's handling, it would be an occasional bout of torque steer, one of the downsides to routing all that power through the front wheels. The steering is taut and responsive, and the Grand Caravan feels firmly planted at all times.
Chrysler would like to see its revamped minivans planted firmly atop the sales charts, and the reworked 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is certainly worthy of that fight.