Chrysler might have invented the modern minivan, but time has marched on, leaving the Dodge Grand Caravan feeling dated and past its prime. Their major competitors, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, are both far better choices.
Not that these minivans lack good points. The ride is very comfortable and settled, and passengers will find a quiet, well-equipped cabin that offers considerable versatility. Both the second- and third-row seats can fold away into the floor, a big convenience for times you need to maximize cargo space. Unfortunately, that trick compromises the seats' comfort.
Handling is sound in everyday driving but sloppy when pushed to the limits. The single engine choice, a powerful 3.6-liter V6, pulls strongly and sounds refined while doing it. However, 17 mpg overall is three or four mpg less than the class-best, and falls below many SUVs. Chrysler's own Dodge Durango SUV gets better fuel economy, and has all-wheel drive to boot.
Redesigned in 2008 and updated extensively in 2011, the van is showing its age. Unlike those found in most Chrysler products, the Grand Caravan's infotainment system is behind the times. While blind-spot monitoring is readily available, forget about forward-collision or lane-departure warning systems or automatic braking. Poor performance in the IIHS small-overlap crash test throws up another red flag.
Thanks to often-generous incentives, the Grand Caravan may sell for thousands of dollars less than its rivals. Still, you get what you pay for.