2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

 The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan's unique cargo and entertainment features give it a competitive advantage in the minivan class. Families go crazy over this Dodge model, especially because those entertainment features will make for peaceful family trips. The Grand Caravan and its Chrysler Town & Country twin is actually the last remaining minivan offered by an American automaker. This is somewhat fitting, because, after all, the Grand Caravan was practically the minivan-originator. For 2010, the Grand Caravan is offered in two trim levels, SE and SXT, with a long list of interior, exterior and mechanical options. The Grand Caravan offers two rare safety features for the minivan segment. One is a blind spot warning system that notifies drivers of passing vehicles using icons in the side mirrors and a driver-selected audible chime. The other is a rear cross-path warning system that alerts the driver to oncoming traffic while backing out of a parking space. The Grand Caravan's most important feature, both from a usability stand-point and competitive stand-point, is that this van features Stow'n Go seats. The second and third row seats can be folded into the floor. No more fumbling to release and remove awkward heavy seats and then trying to find a suitable place to store them. Between the features, fuel economy, and various options, the grand Caravan is summed up as a truly family-friendly vehicle. There are no significant changes for 2010. The Dodge minivan has an EPA Fuel Economy of 17 / 25 mpg and a starting MSRP of $21,800 - $26,730.

Grand Caravan Power

  The Grand Caravan comes with three available V-6 engines. The standard 3.3-liter V-6 comes with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the larger engines come with a six-speed automatic. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SE comes with a 175-horsepower 3.3-liter overhead-valve V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transaxle. Grand Caravan SXT uses a 197-hp 3.8-liter overhead-valve V6 with a six-speed transaxle. The 250-hp 4.0-liter V6 ($630) is optional.

2010 Dodge Minivan Design

The Grand Caravan got its redesign in 2008, and got a whole new shape. It is less rounded and now ahs a more box-ish SUV like appearance. It may be boxy, but it's attractive in an SUV kind of way. The hood is less fairly flat, and it bears character lines. The grille is very upright, making the Dodge crosshair grille look like that of a Dodge truck, especially in chrome. The Grand Caravan is the second largest minivan on the market, smaller than only the Nissan Quest.

Inside the Caravan

 The cabin of this 2010 Dodge is what's important, and this is really where the Caravan shines; the seats come in two configurations: Standard Stow 'n Go second-row captain's chairs and a 60/40-split manual-fold third row, or Swivel 'n Go second-row captain's chairs that can turn to face the manual-fold third row. A power-folding third row is optional. There are more storage nooks, pockets and bins than ever, including a dual glove compartment.

The floor console between the front seats has removable, dishwasher-safe cupholders. An optional console has many sliding drawers that can open individually or together, including from the backseat. The Grand Caravan's maximum seating capacity is seven, which is probably the only truly comfortable, workable number even in vans and SUVs with eight positions. In 2008 Dodge brought on the optional Swivel 'n Go: second-row captain's chairs that rotate 180 degrees to face the third row. The Grand Caravan offers power-folding 60/40-split third-row seats with one-touch operation, up and down. Dodge has integrated dual child seats in the second-row bench, and there's an optional integrated booster for larger kids offered with Swivel 'n Go. Neither is available with Stow 'n Go seating.

Dodge Grand Caravan Handling

 All models get a revised braking system that reduces noise vibration and the harshness of the braking system. The Grand Caravan's suspension delivers a nice, smooth ride, though it can sometimes wallow. It's more about comfort and safety than carlike precision. Electronic stability control is standard, and the Grand Caravan has performed well in government crash tests. The handling is a bit cumbersome, not surprising given the Grand Caravan's size. It doesn't go around corners as well as the Honda Odyssey and Nissan Quest do. It leans in hard turns, so drivers will have to be careful not to upset whatever activities are going on in back. But then again a minivan isn't about speed and handling.

2010 Grand Caravan Lineup

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE comes with with Stow 'n Go standard. Also standard on the SE are cloth upholstery, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, heated power mirrors, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, conversation mirror, and P225/65R16 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers.

Grand Caravan SXT includes three-zone manual climate control with rear-seat controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, power-adjustable pedals, power sliding rear doors, Sirius satellite radio, trip computer, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, 115-volt power outlet, fog lights, roof rack, overhead storage, pinpoint LED lighting, and alloy wheels.

Conclusions

The Dodge Grand Caravan is at the forefront of the minivan market offering the features and innovative seating that many families find indispensable. Flexible seating, lots of storage space, good lighting, and impressive entertainment options can upgrade your lifestyle, at least while underway. In terms of versatility, the Stow 'n Go seats that disappear into the floor for carrying cargo are hard to beat. The Dodge Grand Caravan offers unmatched versatility. Visit the official 2010 Grand Caravan site for more details.