First Glance: The Dodge family vacation
When an automaker launches a new vehicle, they generally bring a bunch of us journalists to a nice hotel and turn us loose on some curvy roads. Since the all-new 2008 Grand Caravan is supposed to be the ultimate family vehicle, Chrysler invited us to bring our families along with us -- so that's what I did. Along with my wife and youngest son, we brought my sister-in-law Kristi and her young daughter. Kristi is something of an expert in Chrysler minivans, as she owns a previous-generation Chrysler Town & Country, which also happens to be my favorite minivan. In order to get us all into the proper mindset, we piled into her minivan for the 2.5 hour drive to the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan media launch in Carlsbad, California.As we pulled up to the hotel and got our first glimpse of the new Grand Caravan, we got an inkling of just how radical the chances were. Gone is the rolling-egg shape of the old Grand Caravan. The engineers widened the roof and emphasized the difference in angle between the hood and windshield, giving the new Grand Caravan a boxier profile reminiscent of the now-departed Chevy Venture. Though the new shape makes the Grand Caravan feel roomier, I actually miss the rounded styling of the old van.
For the first time in decades, Dodge is selling just a single length van: the long-wheelbase Grand Caravan. According to Chrysler, most of the private buyers who opted for the short-wheelbase Caravan did so because it was cheaper. Problem solved: At $22,470, the entry-level 2008 Grand Caravan SE is less expensive than last year's bottom-of-the-line Caravan.
In the Driver's Seat: The farther back you go, the better it gets
With Kristi sharing the driving, I got to experience the van from all three rows. There are three second-row seating options: A two-place bench; an improved version of Stow 'n Go, with seats that fold into the floor; and new Swivel 'n Go, with seats that spin 180 degrees to face the rear bench. All three get the underfloor compartments that Stow 'n Go uses for seat storage -- a great place to throw sandy towels or muddy boots.
One of my complaints about Stow 'n Go was that the seats were too small for adult behinds; the new ones feel much better. I thought the Swivel 'n Go seats were too close to the floor, but the kids didn't seem to mind. The seat belts are integrated into the seats so passengers can ride backwards in safety. I didn't try it because there's too little foot-space for second and third row occupants to share.
The real surprise was the third-row bench: It has decent thigh support and legroom for adults. The seat splits and folds into the floor, and an electric-folding option allows you to do so the touch of a button. Dodge offers both single- and dual-screen rear entertainment systems. The latter allows second and third row occupants to watch separate programming; along with the built-in DVD player there are two sets of audio/video input jacks plus optional SIRIUS satellite TV for the third row.
In the Driver's Seat: Soft ride belies responsive handling
Dodge offers up three engines for 2008: A 3.3 liter V6 with four-speed automatic for the Grand Caravan SE and 3.8 and 4.0 liter V6s for the Grand Caravan SXT, both with a new six-speed automatic. The 3.3 has flex-fuel capability, meaning it can run on E85, but that's the only nice thing I can say about it -- its 175 horsepower is nowhere near enough for the 4,321 lb. Grand Caravan. With the whole family on board, merging onto the freeway was a white-knuckle affair, and I wouldn’t even attempt passing a slower car on a two-lane road. (Of course, with the 3.3 liter engine, the chances of finding a slower car are pretty remote.) The 197 hp 3.8 liter engine is only a bit better -- something that really surprised both Kristi and me, as the same 3.8 liter engine in her 2003 Chrysler minivan, with its older 4-speed automatic, felt much stronger. The optional 251 hp 4.0 liter engine is the only one that maintains a safe margin of passing power with a load on board, but it's only available on the upper-level SXT.Ride and handling remind me of the outgoing Caravan. The ride was so soft that I expected the handling to be terrible, but when the straight roads turned curvy I was surprised at how well the Grand Caravan clung to the pavement. But neither Kristi nor I cared for the steering, which is less precise than the old van. Grand Caravans with the 4.0 liter engine get stiffer suspension and steering systems, and while the steering isn't much better, the ride is noticeably different -- firmer, more buttoned down and much more car-like.
Journey's End: A little less appealing, a lot more practical
When it comes to safety, the Grand Caravan doesn't fool around: Electronic stability control, antilock brakes, front-seat torso airbags, and three-row side curtain airbags are all standard, and integrated child seats and a rear-view backup camera are optional. And when it comes to functionality, the Dodge is hard to beat, what with its three second-row seating options and lots of interior storage space. Swivel 'n Go vans even include a small plastic table that sets up between the seats, perfect for games or meals on the go. (And speaking of which -- did I mention the optional stain-resistant seat cloth and floor mats? Wish I had that when my kids were little!)
Would I buy a Grand Caravan? Actually, I'd be more likely to buy a Chrysler Town and Country, which minivan guide Jeff James will be reviewing shortly. It offers the same features and amenities with nicer interior décor. I think the Nissan Quest and Honda Odyssey provide better second-row comfort for adults, but while those vans are great for long trips, the Dodge Caravan -- particularly when equipped with Swivel 'n Go seating -- is the superior choice for a busy family life. Driving the Grand Caravan made one thing clear: Chrysler's market leadership in the minivan field isn't going away any time soon.