The Dodge Grand Caravan is an elongated version of the now-defunct Caravan, America's original minivan and one of Dodge's biggest success stories in recent decades. Like its sibling, the Chrysler Town & Country, the Grand Caravan has long offered roominess, versatility and value -- especially for growing families with lots of kids and cargo to haul around.
Over the years, Dodge's hauler has faced increased competition from import-brand minivans. In some ways, it has risen to the challenge, offering groundbreaking features like driver-side sliding doors and Stow 'n Go seating. The latter enables owners to fold both the second- and third-row seats into the floor, or flip the third-row split bench completely rearward to provide tailgate seating.
The 1991 version of the Grand Caravan had changes that customers themselves had suggested. The public felt acknowledged when Dodge revealed the newest edition of the minivan. A more expansive wheelbase and superior suspension were installed. While Dodge's sister company Chrysler began manufacturing a more luxurious translation of the minivan (Town & Country), Dodge charged on with its no frills design of the Grand Caravan. Dodge's third generation of its minivan got a complete redesign of the exterior provided a more sleek and streamlined appearance. The body was shorter than its predecessor. Bigger handles were installed on the doors, and a much improved DOHC 2.4L 16-valve engine was swapped for the older version. The interior was revamped and became more passenger friendly, with additional cup holders, a movable third row seat, and a modern interior design concept to replace the outdated interior wood paneling. Over the next ten years, the Grand Caravan has stayed a staple in Dodge's lineup.
The Dodge Grand Caravan, as long as it stays on its well-worn path, will continue to grace highways and byways.
In 1987 that the Dodge Grand Caravan was introduced to the American public, three years after the shorter wheel based version, the Caravan arrived. The Grand Caravan was larger, provided three-row seating for seven, and featured AWD; making it the first ever minivan to hit the streets with AWD. Also, Dodge came up with the innovative idea to have sliding rear doors on both sides of the minivan, a welcome feature for mothers hauling around kids to soccer, ballet, and making trips to the market. The Grand Caravan has been known for its excellent fuel economy (for a minivan), superior safety features, and incredible roominess. The repairs have ranged from engine trouble and brake problems to recalls on airbags and tires. Nevertheless, this has not stopped buyers from picking their favorite off the sales floor. Most buyers say that they feel more comfortable purchasing a minivan that gets excellent gas mileage, but also doesn't break the bank. The Grand Caravan's affordability has been a selling point from its inception in 1987. For info on the current model and everything about the Grand Caravan visit Dodge.com
The third-generation Grand Caravan featured a then-rare driver-side
sliding door and unique "Easy Out" rollers on the center and rear
seats to aid removal. Dodge offered several Grand Caravan trim
levels to suit different budgets and desires, and dual front airbags
and antilock brakes were standard. For power, the van had a
3.0-liter 150-hp V6 as standard, with a 180-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine
available -- the larger V6 now coupled with a more efficient and
recommended four-speed automatic transmission. After a one-year
hiatus, all-wheel-drive availability returned to the lineup in 1997
on certain models, and in 1999, top-level Grand Caravans received a
more driver-oriented Autostick transmission, 17-inch wheels and
steering-wheel-mounted radio controls.
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