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Review and photos by Greg Wilson
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With its last major update over five years ago and a new model expected for 2007, the Dodge Caravan (short wheelbase) and Grand Caravan (long wheelbase) are starting to show their age, particularly when compared to newer offerings like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, and even the General Motors quadruplets: Chevy Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Relay, and Buick Terraza. The addition of the Chrysler’s clever Stow N Go fold-flat second and third row seats last year really helped renew interest in the Grand Caravan; and this year, a bargain-basement Caravan ‘Value Package’ model selling for under $18,000 is really helping to stir up interest in the popular short wheelbase model.
But the fact is, more recent minivans are offering more features, more comfort, more power, and more refinement – and in some cases, for less money. The saving grace for the Grand Caravan – apart from manufacturer’s rebates and discount pricing – is that the Grand Caravan was so well designed in the first place that it’s still a very attractive minivan for family buyers.
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The 2006 Grand Caravan offers a good combination of comfortable seven-passenger seating, excellent driving manners, sufficient power with the uplevel 3.8-litre V6 engine, and many features that family buyers want such as the Stow N Go seats, power sliding side doors and tailgate, generous cargo space, side curtain airbags, rear video screen, and tons of cupholders and storage bins.
There are some concerns with long-term reliability and crash-test performance which I’ll get to later on.
The base 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SE ($31,500) comes with a 180-hp 3.3-litre V6 and four-speed automatic transmission, 15-inch tires, soft cloth seat coverings, seven-passenger seating with removeable second and third row bench seats that have small wheels to make them easier to move, standard air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with four speakers, power door locks, power front windows, heated outside mirrors, tilt steering wheel, multi-stage front airbags and driver’s knee airbag. For an extra $215, you can also get the ethanol/gasoline E85 flexible fuel 3.3-litre V6 engine.
In my opinion, the base 3.3-litre engine isn’t powerful enough for the long-wheelbase Grand Caravan, and I would recommend the optional 205-hp 3.8-litre V6. However, to get it, you have to move up to the SXT model ($35,595).
The Grand Caravan SXT (this week’s test vehicle) adds the Stow N Go second row bucket seats and third-row 70/30 split seats which fold flat under the floor, a more powerful 205-hp 3.8-litre OHV V6 engine, larger 16-inch tires and alloy wheels, fog lamps, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes, traction control, remote keyless entry, three-zone temperature control for the air conditioning including a rear fan, steering wheel audio controls, tachometer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-down driver’s power window, overhead console with trip computer, power rear vent windows, cruise control, underseat storage drawer, and roof rack.
However, some important features, which are standard in the United States, are optional in Canada, including power sliding rear doors ($990), 8-way power driver’s seat ($450), and radio/CD player with additional cassette player and six speakers ($235).
My test vehicle was equipped with the above options plus a trailer towing package ($700); removeable centre console ($115); power moonroof ($850); power rear liftgate ($510); 6-disc in-dash CD player ($455); power adjustable pedals ($190); and rear video/DVD system ($1,390). With Freight and A/C tax, my test van came to a rather hefty $42,780.
Standard and optional features
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These ingenious second and third row seats, introduced in 2005 and available only in the Grand Caravan and Town & Country minivans, fold completely under the floor leaving a flat, carpeted loading surface and a humungous cargo area of 4688 litres (165.6 cu. ft.). Other minivans have fold-flat third-row seats, but no other minivan has second row seats that fold completely under the floor. The big advantage of these seats is that you take them with you. Other vans require you to lift out second row seats and leave them at home. It’s a real chore getting those seats in and out, particularly heavy bench seats which require two people to carry them.
The Grand Caravan’s second row buckets have folding inboard and outboard armrests, adjustable head restraints, fore-aft adjustment, and they recline – plus they have flip-out cupholders on the side of the seats. However, because they are designed to fold under the floor, the backrests are thin, and I found them a bit stiff.
Though it’s not difficult to fold the second row seats under the floor, there are quite a few steps involved. First, the front seat must be first moved forward to allow a three-part floor covering behind it to fold up out of the way. As well, the second row seats’ head restraints need to be pushed down and the armrests folded up. Then, by pulling a strap behind the seat cushion, the seatback folds flat, and the whole seat lifts up from the rear and tips over into the floor cavity. The floor cover is then replaced, as well as the carpeted floor mats, and the front seat moved back to its original position. One word of warning: be careful not to get your fingers caught between the seat and the cover or seat parts when folding the seats. With the second row seats up, the two cavities under the floor can be used as hidden storage compartments. The third row seat is a 70/30 split bench seat, and both sides can be folded flat under the floor independently. This allows maximum versatility when carrying cargo and passengers. For example, you could sit two children on one side of the third row and place hockey sticks on the other side. To fold the third row, you simply pull on the straps marked 1, 2, and 3, and pull the seatback over into the floor well. It doesn’t require a lot of effort to fold under or pull back up. When the third row seat is up, the deep well behind it creates a surprising amount of cargo room. My only complaint with these third row seats is that the seat cushion is tipped up at the front, and although there is decent legroom and headroom for an average adult, seat comfort could be improved.
Stow N Go seats
Stow N Go seats. Click images to enlarge
The Grand Caravan SXT’s seven-passenger interior (two front buckets, two second-row buckets, three-person third-row bench seat) is roomy enough for six adults, but that third row bench seat is better for three children abreast. Legroom and headroom in the first and second rows is generous, while legroom in the third row is adequate while headroom there is generous.
All the passengers sit fairly tall in the saddle, but the step-in height is almost as low as a car, so getting in and out is easy. The driving position offers a commanding view of the road, and the driver’s visibility to the side and rear is also very good. The front seats have supportive side bolsters and inboard armrests, and I found the driver’s seat very comfortable. My optional 8-way power seat ($450) had height adjustment, and combined with a tilt steering wheel and optional power adjustable pedals ($190), provided a comfortable driving position.
As I mentioned, the second row seatbacks are stiffer than average, but with the fore-aft seat adjustment, reclining backrest and folding armrests, you can get pretty comfortable. The only thing I didn’t like about the second row was that the side windows do not roll down, as they do in some competitor’s minivans. In the driver’s seat, the white, round instruments are bright and easy to read, as are the green backlit digital displays in the instrument cluster and on the radio. The centre stack protrudes outwards and is angled towards the driver, and I found it easy to operate the buttons and controls, but the radio volume knob is small. My car had the optional six-disc in-dash CD changer ($455) and cassette player ($235) – not many people use cassettes any more, but it’s nice to know a cassette player is still available. Standard on the SXT is a three-zone temperature control (driver/passenger/rear) with a rear heater/air conditioning fan. These are particularly appreciated by rear passengers in the heat of the Summer or the cold of the Winter.
Because the transmission shift lever is on the steering column, there is space to walk through between the front seats and room for a large centre console with extra storage space. However, my test van had the optional centre console ($115) between the front seats with a bi-level storage bin, 12 volt powerpoint, and flip-out cell phone or MP3 holder. My vehicle also had the optional rear DVD entertainment system ($1,390) which consists of a DVD player in front, a rear seven-inch overhead flip-down colour screen, wireless headphones and remote control. These systems are great for keeping kids occupied on long trips – or at least trips that are long enough to finish a movie.
The overhead console also has a digital clock, trip odometer, and programmable garage door opener. It also contains buttons for the power sliding doors ($990), including a lockout button to prevent your kids from opening them, and a button for opening the (optional) power rear liftgate. By the way, the sliding doors and rear tailgate can be opened remotely from outside with buttons on the key, very handy if you’re carrying grocery bags and don’t have a free hand to open the door. Before the side doors or tailgate open, the headlights and taillights flash to warn people near them to stand back, and they will retract automatically if a child or object is caught between the door and the door jamb.
Some interior features I liked in the Grand Caravan included the radio control buttons on the back of the steering wheel spokes where they’re easy to operate with your forefingers while driving, and the power window buttons angled towards the driver. I also liked the intermittent rear wiper for clearing off moisture and dirt for improved visibility. I’d recommend ordering the optional rear parking sensors which provide audible warning tones as you approach an object behind you – very useful for parking when you can’t see the nose of the car behind you.
The Grand Caravan has family-friendly features like cupholders in all seating positions, juice box holders, rear storage bins, a map pocket on the back of the front passenger seat, and a couple of 12-volt powerpoints in the rear, and more in the front. Overall, I think the Grand Caravan’s interior is very well done – the Stow N Go seats certainly add versatility and room that no other extended wheelbase minivan can match.
Interior impressions
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The Grand Caravan SXT’s 3.8-litre V6 develops 205 horsepower at 5200 rpm – the least horsepower in its class – and 240 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. With a curb weight of 1962 kg (4235 lb), the Grand Caravan is not as quick in a straight line as some of its competitors. 0 to 100 km/h takes about 10.5 seconds. Still, the Grand Caravan is not underpowered and as a family hauler, it’s not meant to be a performance vehicle. Fuel consumption is not at the top of its class, with official ratings of 13.4 L/100 km city and 8.7 L/100 km highway. The class-leading Toyota Sienna offers fuel consumption of 12.4 L/100 km city and 8.2 L/100 km hwy.
The fact is, the Grand Caravan is still using old engine and transmission technology. While the its 3.8-litre V6 has pushrods and two valves per cylinder, its import competitors have overhead cam engines with four valves per cylinder and features like variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation (Honda). And while the Grand Caravan has a four-speed automatic transmission, the Entourage, Sedona, Odyssey and Sienna all have five-speed automatics, some with manual shift modes.
Still, the Grand Caravan is a pleasant vehicle to drive, with easy-effort power steering, a reasonable turning circle for such a long van, excellent tracking on the freeway, and a relaxed, quiet motor at high speeds. At 100 km/h, the tachometer reads 1900 rpm, and at 120 km/h, it reads just 2300 rpm. While wind and engine noise is minimal, there is some road noise coming from beneath the vehicle.
The Grand Caravan handles well for such a big vehicle, and feels smaller than it is. Disc brakes with ABS are standard on the SXT, as is traction control – however, electronic stability control is not available.
Equipped with the 3.8-litre engine and the optional trailer-towing package ($700), the Grand Caravan SXT can tow up to 1678 kg (3700 lb). The trailer towing package includes a load-levelling rear suspension, a more powerful battery, heavy duty transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler, heavy duty radiator, and towing wiring harness.
Overall, the Grand Caravan is a very pleasant vehicle to drive, particularly on the freeway because of its comfortable ride.
Driving impressions
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The Grand Caravan lacks a locking fuel door or locking gas cap. Click image to enlarge
The 2006 Grand Caravan comes standard with new multi-stage dual front airbags and a driver’s knee airbag, but curtain airbags (which protect the heads of all three rows of passengers in a side impact or rollover) are optional. Side airbags (which protect the torso and chest in a side collision) are not available.
As well, the Grand Caravan has Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child seat anchors, seatbelt retractors and tensioners, tire-pressure monitoring system, and in some models, integrated child seats in the second row.
In frontal offset crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Grand Caravan (2002-2006) was rated ‘Acceptable’, and in Side Impact tests, it was rated ‘Acceptable’ if equipped with the optional curtain airbags. Without them, it was rated ‘Poor’. In frontal crash tests conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration, the 2006 Grand Caravan received five stars for driver and front passenger, and in Side Impact tests, it received five stars for right-front and right-rear passengers.
Though the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Survey ranks the Dodge Caravan third in its class behind the GMC Savana and Chrysler Town & Country, Consumer Reports says the Grand Caravan’s predicted reliability is worse than average with owner surveys from 1998 to 2005 identifying past trouble spots as the automatic transmission, suspension, brakes, and power equipment.
Safety and reliability
Competitors for the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT ($35,735) include the Chevrolet Uplander LT2 ($31,075), Saturn Relay Uplevel ($30,654), Pontiac Montana SV6 Uplevel 2 ($31,450); 2006 Buick Terraza CX ($31,935); Hyundai Entourage GL Comfort Package ($31,995), Kia Sedona EX ($31,895); Honda Odyssey LX ($33,200), Toyota Sienna LE ($36,255), Ford Freestar SEL ($32,799) and Nissan Quest 3.5SL ($36,198). For more information, see the links below.
Competitors
Verdict
Newer minivans such as the Honda Odyssey and Hyundai Entourage have raised the bar in the long-wheelbase minivan class, but the aging Dodge Grand Caravan holds its own in many areas, notably with its unique Stow N Go fold-flat rear seats. With a new Chrysler minivan coming soon, buyers should expect big discounts on the 2006 Caravan and Grand Caravan.
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Pricing: 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
Specifications
Crash test results
Related stories on Autos
Competitors
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Chevrolet Uplander LT2
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Saturn Relay Uplevel
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6 Uplevel 2
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Buick Terraza CX
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Hyundai Entourage GL Comfort Package
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Kia Sedona
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Honda Odyssey LX
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Toyota Sienna LE
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Ford Freestar SEL
- Buyer’s Guide: 2006 Nissan Quest 3.5SL
Manufacturer’s web site
