2014 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

[regfootball]

A swiss army knife in a really big box.  Makes a great case for the modern 'mini'van.

 

DRIVEN 

 

2014 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (rental, amassed about 500 miles).  No idea what the MSRP was, guessing close to 30k.

 

HIGHS

 

Pentastar is a Rock Star.  Fabulous engine.  Kicks down great, linear power.  Cruises smooth.

Pentastar is a Track Star.  Vehicle chews up and spits out miles.

If you need more room and space, then I don't know what to tell ya.

Extended console creates a cockpit feel in a van, and the dash layout it great.

Dash mounted shifter quickly becomes second nature, and functions quite well.

SXT finally gives you the ability to customize your seating position.....power sear and power pedals.

Power doors and hatch.

Seats fold into the floor in seconds.  How cool is that?

Styling is endearing and sporty for a box.

Interior with a mix of lighter and darker colors, breaks up the monotony pretty well.

Hard to find a vehicle that serves function like a van.  Particularly this one.

Drives and handles surprisingly well for a big huge box.  Almost sporty.  Steering is quick and responsive.

Would actually be a good vehicle for people without kids, but want utility.

 

LOWS

 

Well, it is still a box and looks like one, to some.

Only 2 cupholders in the extended console for the front row.

Seat cloth (non 30th anniversary version) is a bit cheap.

Lack of seating position adjustability for height unless you get power seat, which is expensive.

Trick second row seats are a bit thin on padding and comfort for adults.

Cheap OEM tires.

Armrests could be wider.

Non U connect radio lacked features and sounded crappy.

Dodge's trim levels and packages and optioning are too confusing and are too restrictive.

Dodge should consider an AWD version in the future.

Grand Caravan may feel different than the Toyota and Honda vans to those who like imports.

 

SUMMARY

 

It's really tough to generate anything controversial to say about a minivan.  If you are looking at these vehicles, you are either trying to haul kids, or cargo, or both.  This vehicle will do that, easily, and with a minimum of fuss.  It will transport you comfortably in the process.  It even feels energetic and sporty.

 

My beef with Dodge is the complexity of which they offer options and packages.  I suppose they feel this is like pickups where you need to give people a bazillion choices.  But I think the way Honda and Toyota limit the options and keep the trim levels mostly consistent is a better way.

 

Another big loss for Dodge is the poor resale on these vans.  It does mean you can buy used ones cheap, and maybe that's a primary market.  But I think Dodge could kill two birds with one stone.  Create more value for MSRP by lessening the packages and options complexity, and then price the vehicle more reasonably, to keep the values up.  Perhaps the rentals contribute to this.  I guess I am not sure how much.

 

Some bits of cheapness exist and pricing and options aside, the vehicle meets it goal of function and I would give it an A- on user friendliness and strength of powertrain.  There is room to improve, but at least the vehicle is not compromised in a major way thAt folks intend to use it.  That acutally is rare today.  Be what you are advertised to do.

Edited October 18, 2014 by regfootball