2013 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan is indisputably America's favorite minivan. Dodge sold 141,648 Grand Caravans in 2012, representing a 28 percent increase over 2011. Add in 111,744 sales for the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country, the Grand Caravan's mechanically similar but decidedly up-market cousin, and the resulting quarter-million minivans account for nearly half the entire U.S. minivan market. The Chrysler Group minivans have left Nissan, Toyota, Honda and some other bit players scrambling for the half that's left over, perhaps appropriate given Chrysler popularized the minivan. The Town & Country is reportedly being phased out, following the exit of other manufacturers from the minivan segment, and we expect Grand Caravan to attract some of their would-be buyers.
Dodge lowered the base price of the 2012 Grand Caravan to $20,995, and has lowered the price again, to a 15-year low of $19,995 MSRP for the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. According to Dodge, that makes the 2013 Grand Caravan the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle currently on sale in the U.S.
Yet despite its low price, the Grand Caravan keeps acquiring attractive new features. For example, integrated Trailer Sway Damping is now standard on all 2013 Grand Caravan models. A second-row bench seat is now standard on 2013 Grand Caravan base models, increasing versatility. And a new, industry-exclusive dual-screen Blu-Ray video system is now offered on 2013 Grand Caravan Crew and 2013 Grand Caravan R/T models.
Dodge Grand Caravan is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Industry for Highway Safety, the insurance industry's lobbying outfit.
The basic design of the current-generation Grand Caravan has been around since 2008, but it still looks fresh and crisp, especially next to some of the more forced and gimmicky styling we've seen on newer import-brand vans. Substantial interior and mechanical revisions back in the 2011 model year updated the Grand Caravan and have kept it more than competitive in its segment.
Grand Caravan rides lower and more firmly than minivans did a few years ago, making it more responsive to driver inputs. Long gone are the annoying wallow and float once characteristic of the breed. Yet ride quality is quite smooth. Like all modern minivans, the Grand Caravan is big, so it can be a beast to handle in tight quarters. The Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest and Honda Odyssey are all roughly the same size: extra large. We should call these vehicles midi-vans or, simply, vans because there is nothing mini about them.
Power is provided by the relatively new 3.6-liter V6 that is rapidly becoming ubiquitous in Chrysler Group products. Unfortunately, it's still mated to a mediocre 6-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a combination that delivers barely adequate response for most drivers.
We found the interior of the Grand Caravan attractive, though, as in most of its rivals, hard plastic dominates the dashboard. Still, the soft-touch door tops, boldly contemporary gauges and some nice bits of trim are welcome.
Grand Caravan is about usable space. Super Stow 'n Go is standard on all but …
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The Town & Country is reportedly being phased out, following the exit of other manufacturers from the minivan segment, and we expect Grand Caravan to attract some of their would-be buyers.
Dodge lowered the base price of the 2012 Grand Caravan to $20,995, and has lowered the price again, to a 15-year low of $19,995 MSRP for the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. According to Dodge, that makes the 2013 Grand Caravan the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle currently on sale in the U.S.
Yet despite its low price, the Grand Caravan keeps acquiring attractive new features. For example, integrated Trailer Sway Damping is now standard on all 2013 Grand Caravan models. A second-row bench seat is now standard on 2013 Grand Caravan base models, increasing versatility. And a new, industry-exclusive dual-screen Blu-Ray video system is now offered on 2013 Grand Caravan Crew and 2013 Grand Caravan R/T models.
Dodge Grand Caravan is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Industry for Highway Safety, the insurance industry's lobbying outfit.
The basic design of the current-generation Grand Caravan has been around since 2008, but it still looks fresh and crisp, especially next to some of the more forced and gimmicky styling we've seen on newer import-brand vans. Substantial interior and mechanical revisions back in the 2011 model year updated the Grand Caravan and have kept it more than competitive in its segment.
Grand Caravan rides lower and more firmly than minivans did a few years ago, making it more responsive to driver inputs. Long gone are the annoying wallow and float once characteristic of the breed. Yet ride quality is quite smooth. Like all modern minivans, the Grand Caravan is big, so it can be a beast to handle in tight quarters. The Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest and Honda Odyssey are all roughly the same size: extra large. We should call these vehicles midi-vans or, simply, vans because there is nothing mini about them.
Power is provided by the relatively new 3.6-liter V6 that is rapidly becoming ubiquitous in Chrysler Group products. Unfortunately, it's still mated to a mediocre 6-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a combination that delivers barely adequate response for most drivers.
We found the interior of the Grand Caravan attractive, though, as in most of its rivals, hard plastic dominates the dashboard. Still, the soft-touch door tops, boldly contemporary gauges and some nice bits of trim are welcome.
Grand Caravan is about usable space. Super Stow 'n Go is standard on all but …
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| Engine | 3.6L V-6 |
| MPG | Up to 17 city / 25 highway |
| Seating | 7 Passengers |
| Transmission | 6-spd w/OD |
| Power | 283 @ 6400 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
| Curb Weight | 4,321 - 4,483 lbs |
