Summary
The Dodge Caravan has a long history of affordability and easy maneuvering. While it continues to be a popular name in cost-friendly minivans, it passed the baton to the Dodge Grand Caravan in 2007, its final manufacturing year. Despite its size, the Dodge Caravan is a relatively smooth and easy ride, and with five back seats that deliver tons of extra space when stowed, this minivan doubles as a dependable transport vehicle. For both its versatility and thrifty price tag, the Dodge Caravan is a great vehicle.
Safety
The Dodge Caravan offers a limited range of safety features, largely because of its age. This minivan scores high on crash-test ratings, but some attributes aren't available or are optional on higher trims. For example, the last generation offers side-curtain airbags as an add-on, but traction and stability control isn't available. If you're looking for a second-hand Dodge Caravan, look out for these safety highlights:
- Optional 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS)
- Height-adjustable seatbelts
- 4-wheel ABS brakes – to allow you to brake and steer simultaneously
- Front-row airbags with optional rear airbags
Interior
The Dodge Caravan offers a spacious interior with generous legroom. A combination of bucket and bench seats are available in the two back rows. The middle seats can easily fold into the floor for more cargo space, but removing the back row does require some muscle. This no-frills vehicle offers basic interior features, such as front and back seat cupholders, cloth seats and air conditioning. After 2000, four passenger doors became the standard design instead of three.
Technology
The Dodge Caravan was marketed toward the budget-conscious buyer, so expect to find limited technical specs on this model. Standard entertainment features include AM/FM radio and CD player (as of 2005) and two, four or six built-in speakers depending on the trim and year. If you're a driver who loves technical gadgets, opt for the highest trim level, as it offers more bells and whistles, such as:
- Cruise control
- Power windows
- Remote door locks
Space
Removing the second and/or third row of seats gives you plenty of room for transporting large cargo. The Dodge Caravan offers up to 147 cubic feet with the back seats stowed but drops down to 15 cubic feet when all seats are in place. The front and back rows provide drivers with approximately 40 inches of headroom and lots of shoulder space. The front row offers slightly more legroom than the back rows. A cargo net is available across all trims for added convenience.
Comfort
Despite its length, the Dodge Caravan handles like a car, making it easy to maneuver through windy roads and difficult terrain, even for drivers who aren't used to driving large vehicles. You might be surprised by its pep and agility but may find that similar models offer more in terms of comfort. If you're looking for a quiet ride, opt for the V6 engine, which provides a calmer ride than the V4.
