Some drivers seek comfort and reliability, while others crave a sporty suspension paired with a powerful engine. As a mom, I want all of the above. Call me demanding or even ridiculous, but I want a car that’s both fun to drive and family friendly, with space for all of our necessities. While the Dodge Caravan remains a standout with its features aimed at families, it misses the mark by a large margin in the fun category.
The Grand Caravan looks like a typical minivan, boxy and practical from every angle. It reminds me of a denim dress that’s shapeless but comfortable. While it’s a practical choice, no one-not a single soul – gets excited about stepping into it every morning. This is my beef with minivans: There’s a distinct lack of personality.
Even though the Grand Caravan comes with a V-6 engine, I was disappointed by it whenever my daily drive required some speediness. The SXT version that I tested came with a sports-tuned suspension, which aims to provide a real stuck-to-the-road feeling. While I didn’t find the added tuning to be all that sporty, those who have driven other minivans without this feature may enjoy the added control.
Turning into tight parking places or veering through traffic was difficult in the Grand Caravan, but most minivans aren’t designed with agility in mind. After all, this family carrier is meant to be driven with the extreme care and caution we reserve for only our most precious cargo.
Exterior
Think convenience. With a vehicle as family focused as the Grand Caravan, you have to remember its purpose is to help you easily load kiddos and cargo into it, even if your arms are filled with grocery bags and wiggly toddlers. A minivan isn’t going to be the most stylish piece of sheet metal on the road because it’s too busy accommodating the family to have time for its looks. Sound familiar?
I adored the key fob with buttons for opening and closing the second row’s power-sliding doors and the power liftgate; the fob even started the car from a distance. Remote start is fabulous for warming or cooling a car before loading in the troops, and it’s a great whine-reducer for both Mommy and the kids.
My test car had optional running boards that really helped the kids get in and out of the Grand Caravan. The running boards are covered in a nubby rubber that keeps them from being slippery when wet.
The rear cargo area was at the perfect height for loading items into it. We had several play dates involving bikes during our Caravan week, which allowed me to try the flat-folding third-row seats. With the third row down, our bikes fit in the cargo area with room to spare.
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Excellent
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): None
Interior
This is where the Grand Caravan stands out. When sitting in the driver’s seat, you’re in complete control of everything that happens in the cabin. From atop your comfy, well-adjusted perch, you can open and close all side doors, the rear-most windows and the liftgate via buttons in the overhead console. The climate controls for all three rows are also within reach.
The huge center console can store large and small objects. This console also slides back and forth as needed, but it maintains a good-sized space on the floor for even the largest purse.
In the second row, the rubber floormats are a mother’s dream. They’re easy to clean – just take the hose to them in the driveway. That’s it. On that note, I should also mention that the four cupholders in the front are removable and dishwasher safe, and all of the seat upholstery has been treated with a stain repellant that also blocks odors from being absorbed into the fabric. Apparently, this fabric is even static resistant. Fantastic!
Dodge’s in-floor storage bins in the second row can easily hold larger bags. There are cupholders everywhere, and my kids enjoyed being able to open and close the second-row vents to meet their needs. I really liked that I could disable the buttons that open and close the power-sliding doors. Also, these automatic doors will not move unless the car is in Park.
My test Caravan was equipped with an entertainment package ($2,200) that has three separate video screens, one for each row. I cannot tell you how much I love this feature for longer trips. I also liked that the front-row screen, which works only when the car is in Park, can keep the driver entertained while waiting for soccer practice to end or the school bell to ring. If I owned a Caravan, I would keep a stash of chick flicks in the generous center console.
I was also impressed by the optional sunshades on all four rear windows and the heated first- and second-row seats. Now we’re living in luxury. Child-safety seats would prevent younger kids from enjoying the added comfort, but the feature is perfect for a night out with other adults.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Galore
Safety
The Grand Caravan has three sets of Latch connectors, which are easy to see and use. Two sets are in the second row, and another set is in the third row. The third row’s set sits slightly off-center toward the driver’s side outboard position. There’s plenty of room for rear-facing child-safety seats, and optional integrated booster seats are offered with the Grand Caravan’s Swivel ‘n Go seats.
This minivan has standard antilock brakes, electronic stability system, traction control, front-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows. It also has a standard smart key that immobilizes the engine if someone tries to steal your ride.
FAMILY LIFESTAGE
In Diapers: Three sets of Latch connectors make life a lot easier for harried parents.
In School: There’s in-floor storage for your kids’ backpacks.
Teens: It might not be a teen driver’s first choice, but this minivan’s stability control and traction control will help keep them safe on the road.
