The Grand Caravan is adequate from a performance perspective, which is all you really need from a minivan. Though it does little truly wrong from behind the wheel, it lacks refinement in both its powertrain and suspension tuning relative to its competition. - Edmunds
Engine and Transmission
The 3.6-Liter comes unchanged from the 2008l, with the bass-heavy rumbling V6. The 283hp engine mated to a 6-speed transmission delivers great power for the minivan. However, the transmission lacks refinement, especially in the lower gears. The engine response is smooth, albeit sluggish, but you'd barely notice it in city driving.
Models
|
Dodge Grand Caravan SE
|
Chrysler Pacifica L minivan
|
Honda Odyssey LX minivan
|
Ford Flex SE
|
Kia Sedona L minivan
|
Toyota Sienna L minivan
|
MSRP
|
$27,595
|
$28,340
|
$31,085
|
$30,285
|
$27,980
|
$32,160
|
Engine
|
3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.5L V6 Ti-VCT
|
3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection
|
3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
Transmission
|
6 Speed Automatic
|
9 Speed Automatic
|
9 Speed Automatic
|
6 Speed Automatic
|
8 Speed Automatic
|
8 Speed automatic
|
Horsepower
|
283 hp@ 6400rpm
|
287 hp@ 6400rpm
|
280 hp@ 6000rpm
|
287 hp@
|
276 hp@ 6000rpm
|
296 hp@ 6600rpm
|
Torque
|
260 ft-lbs@ 4400rpm
|
262 ft-lbs@ 4000rpm
|
262 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm
|
254 lb-ft
|
248 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm
|
263 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm
|
The Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica more powerful minivans with a beefier V6 making 296 hp and 287 hp, along with the Ford Flex with a similarly powered engine. The Kia Sedona has the least power of the lotwith 276 hp to the wheels. The 9-speed automatic in the Pacifica and the Odyssey are smoother and reliable.
Acceleration
Judging minivans on the basis of acceleration is like asking a fish to climb a tree. Nonetheless, the Dodge makes it to 60 miles an hour in sub 8 seconds. Despite the initial lurch, the V6 carries the minivan surprisingly well.
Models
|
Dodge Grand Caravan SE
|
Chrysler Pacifica L minivan
|
Honda Odyssey LX minivan
|
Ford Flex SE
|
Kia Sedona L minivan
|
Toyota Sienna L minivan
|
0-60 MPH
|
7.9 sec
|
7.4 sec
|
6.6 sec
|
7.0 sec
|
7.9 sec
|
N/A
|
Quarter mile
|
15.7 sec
|
15.6 sec
|
15 sec
|
16.8 sec
|
16.1 sec
|
N/A
|
Engine
|
3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
3.5L V6 Ti-VCT
|
3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection
|
3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded
|
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
8.9
|
8.0
|
8.0
|
9.2
|
8.4
|
8.0
|
The fastest one to 60 is the Honda Odyssey taking merely 6.6 seconds, most sedans can't manage that. Followed by the Ford Flex with 7.0 seconds on the clock. The Kia Sedona ties with the Grand Caravan taking same time in the 60 mph sprint, however, the Dodge pulls ahead in the quarter mile.
Ride and Handling
The Grand Caravan's ride is surprisingly soft and comfortable, necessary for minivans during long drives or if you're planning to spend all day inside. Although the minivan is quite easy going for city rides, it gets quite cumbersome in maneuvering and tight cornering. At high speeds, the Dodge holds onto the tarmac pretty well and has respectable driving dynamics.
The competition, however benefit from driver assist features like collision warning, which make the job of city driving and parking much easier. The Honda Odyssey and the updated Chrysler Pacifica handles well not only in the city, but also on the highways.
Braking
The brakes are quite mushy and the minivan clumsily lurches into a nosedive upon heavy braking. However, the brakes are adequate to stop the minivan and you won't experience any brake fade after continuous use.
Model
|
Dodge Grand Caravan SE
|
Chrysler Pacifica L minivan
|
Honda Odyssey LX minivan
|
Ford Flex SE
|
Kia Sedona L minivan
|
Toyota Sienna L minivan
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
11.9
|
13
|
12.6
|
12.8
|
12.6
|
12.9
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
13.0
|
11.9
|
12.2
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)r
|
4510
|
4330
|
4354
|
4637
|
4411
|
4430
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
N/A
|
145
|
N/A
|
125
|
118
|
N/A
|
The braking distance has not been tested, but it's heavier curb weight would translate to a bit longer distance than the competition. The Dodge's cousin, the Chrysler also quite a long stopping distance from 60mph to a halt, despite the bigger disc brakes. The Toyota Sienna demonstrated the shortest distance on the panic braking test.