2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
by Rebecca Antioco -03/2009

Not the Best in a Dying Breed

Chrysler coined the name “minivan” back in 1984 when it launched the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Both were built on the same platform as the front-wheel-drive “K-cars” Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant.

As we reach the 25th anniversary of the minivan’s introduction, few consumers seem interested in driving one. Both Ford and General Motors have quietly gone out of the minivan business, leaving Chrysler as the lone domestic brand.

For years Chrysler products remained at the top of the minivan heap, even as the Plymouth moniker went out of existence, and Chrysler stepped in with the Town & Country. That is, until Honda introduced the Odyssey in 1999, followed by Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage. All are superior products to the Chrysler group twins, which are no longer king of the hill.

We last reviewed the Dodge Grand Caravan for the 2007 model year. Back then it was available in both Caravan and longer-wheelbased Grand Caravan models. After a major re-do for 2008, only the Grand Caravan remains. And while that redesign launched a slew of family-friendly features, what didn’t change was the poor build quality and resale value.

Kelley Blue Book predicts that the Grand Caravan will retain only 32 percent of its original value after the first two years. Compare that to our Top Pick in this category, Toyota Sienna, which will retain 50 percent of its original value over that same time period, and will take twice as long to depreciate to 32 percent. Reliability from Consumer Reports has been rated as much worse than average in the category.

So, do we have anything good to say about the Grand Caravan? Surprisingly, yes.

For 2009, there are two available trim levels: SE and SXT. SE models are powered by a 3.3-liter 175-horsepower V-6 and four-speed automatic transmission. SXTs feature a standard 3.8-liter 197-horsepower V-6, or an optional 4.0-liter 251-horsepower V-6 ($630), both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment on the SE includes Dodge’s famous Stow ‘n’ Go seating, power windows and locks, keyless entry, tilt (but not telescoping) steering, stain-repellant cloth seating and air conditioning. Upgrade to the SXT and you’ll get power-adjustable driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power-sliding doors (part of a package on the SE), three-zone temperature controls (also part of an option package on the SE), satellite radio and additional storage bins.

There are a number of stand-alone and packaged options available, notably the Swivel ‘n’ Go seating configuration, a climate group, two entertainment groups (one for the SE and another for the SXT) and a popular equipment group for the SE. Premium, security, family value and trailer-tow groups are available as SXT option packages only.

Deciphering the option packages can be tricky, and choosing them can quickly drive the price into the stratosphere. We drove a top-line SXT with the larger V-6 engine, at a base price of $27,825. When tricked out with options, our tester topped out at $41,385. Yikes.

But, driving around in the fully-loaded Grand Caravan felt a lot like cruising in my living room. With the optional Swivel ‘n’ Go seating ($495), second-row occupants can face third row passengers, and with the stowable table, share a snack or a activities on long road trips. On the downside, with the seats swiveled around, there is limited room for adjusting the front seats. For my 5-foot-4 frame, this wasn’t a problem, but taller drivers won’t be comfortable with their seatback firmly set against the one behind. And while the table is a nifty feature, prying it out for stowage is no easy feat.

While we’re discussing driver comfort, there are a few more minor complaints here. The steering wheel tilts, but doesn’t telescope, and the brake pedal feels decidedly higher than the gas pedal, even with the adjustment feature. As a result, my driving position always felt awkward. Not helping matters is the gearshift mounted on the dash just right of the steering wheel. I always reached for the center console or behind the steering wheel to find it, before remembering this unconventional and annoying placement.

Our tester also included the optional ($2200) dual-screen DVD entertainment system with second- and third-row video screens, wireless headphones, remote control, and rear back-up camera. The nice thing about the system is that the DVD player and controls are located on the center console in the front seat, as opposed to in back like some other systems. Also included here was the uconnect Sirius Backseat TV ($495) with Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. See? Like driving in your living room.

The multitude of options also included GPS navigation package ($905); integrated booster seats for the second row ($225); the oddly-named Family Value Group with second and third row manual window shades, sliding floor console and remote start system; a Premium Group with iPod interface, auto-dim rearview mirror, upgraded audio system, three-zone automatic temperature control, folding third-row seat and rain-sensing wipers; a trailer tow prep group ($600); and power sunroof package ($895) that includes rear overhead consoles.

Interior build quality is average, with the look very basic. Nothing to rave about here. Materials seem a little cheap and plasticky, lagging behind more sophisticated offerings from the competition. On the upside, there are plenty of cupholders, storage areas, cubby holes and niches to hold cell phones, iPods, and kids’ gear.

Power from the optional, larger V-6 was excellent, with the Grand Caravan getting quickly up to speed. Dodge claims an impressive (for a minivan) zero to 60 time of just under 9 seconds. The turn radius is surprisingly tight for a vehicle this size, making parking a breeze. There are some squeaks and rattles, which can be attributed to shoddy build quality. I expect that this would only worsen after time. But the ride is compliant, responsive and generally free of road noise at highway speeds.

In terms of safety, the Grand Caravan performs well. Traction control, stability control, antilock brakes, and a full complement of airbags are standard. In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Grand Caravan received the highest possible five-star rating (four stars for rollovers). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it the highest rating “Good.”

In addition to the standard safety features, our tester included the optional Security Group ($1030) with cross-path detection, rear park assist, automatic headlamps, security alarm, and blind-spot detection system. The blind-spot mirrors, while inherently useful, were a little like the peripheral vision test you’d get at the optometrist’s office. When a vehicle enters your blind spot, a light appears in the respective side mirror. I felt like raising my left or right hand to indicate which side I saw the light on. I found the system to be a little more distracting than helpful.

The bottom line is, while there are many great things about the Grand Caravan, there are an equal number of annoying and downright bad ones that keep us from recommending it. Not least of which is the high price to pay for options, coupled with poor resale value and reliability estimates.