EDMUNDS.COM 2005 DODGE CARAVAN
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Enjoyable to drive and ride in, the Caravan offers no-frills minivan transportation for the family on a tight budget.
Pros
Surprisingly agile handling, quiet ride in V6 models, low price.
Cons
Some cheap interior bits, reliability record not as strong as some competitors'', limited availability of major safety features.
What''s New for 2005
The Caravan gets a styling refresh and a hefty base price reduction.
Overview
Introduction:
Back in 1984, Dodge''s Caravan introduced America to the modern minivan. Within its relatively compact dimensions it offered seating for up to seven, and with the second- and third-row seats removed, enough cargo space to handle a kid''s move to college. Since then, Chrysler has sold more than 10 million minivans worldwide. Last redesigned in 2001, the Caravan impresses with its peppy performance and carlike ride and handling qualities. These minivans have been Chrysler''s biggest success story of the last two decades and have always been at or near the top of the segment''s sales charts. But these corporate darlings haven''t been without their problems, having been plagued with build quality and mechanical woes as recently as the mid-1990s. However, quality has improved greatly in the last five years, making the purchase of a Caravan a less risky proposition than in years past. Not as long as the Grand Caravan, the shorter-wheelbase (113.3 inches versus the Grand''s 119.3 inches) Caravan is geared toward families that need a seven-passenger vehicle but can''t afford or don''t want one of the larger and pricier minivans. Luxury features, such as leather seating and triple-zone climate control, aren''t available on the Caravan, in keeping with its more basic persona. Keeping things simple, the Caravan comes in just two trim levels: base SE and well-equipped SXT. A 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four hooked up to a four-speed automatic propels the SE. If you expect to use the Caravan''s seven-passenger capability and/or generous luggage capacity, we''d advise you to get an SXT with its 180-hp, 3.3-liter V6. There is also a CV model, but it''s a cargo van geared toward customers seeking a low-cost van for business use. In recent years, the competition has gotten stronger, with competing models offering better performance or more value. This year''s big price reductions should make up for some of the Caravan''s deficiencies. Regardless, plenty of folks will still be won over by its combination of agile handling, comfy ride and good looks.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
With only two trim levels to choose from, picking out a Caravan is relatively easy (there''s also a cargo van version, the CV, that offers options for configuring a Caravan as a work-oriented vehicle). Pricing starts at around $19,000, which nets a base SE equipped with a four-cylinder engine, 15-inch steel wheels, sliding door alert system and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. Stepping up to the SXT model adds 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone manual air conditioning (with separate controls for the rear), power door locks with keyless entry, second-row bucket seats and a tilt steering wheel. Many of the features fitted to the SXT can be had as options on the SE, including power windows, locks and mirrors.
Powertrains and Performance:
The Caravan SE is motivated by a 2.4-liter inline four, rated at 150 hp. This engine may be adequate for a small passenger car, but it is definitely lacking as a power source for a minivan. The SXT''s 3.3-liter, 180-horse V6 is strongly recommended. In addition to more muscle, another benefit of the V6 is its quiet performance in contrast to the four which gets buzzy when pushed. The V6 is standard on SXT and CV models. A four-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox. In terms of fuel economy, you can expect 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the four-cylinder, and 19 mpg city, 26 highway with the V6.
Safety:
Antilock brakes are optional on the SXT only. All Caravans include a new driver knee airbag. Side curtain airbags and adjustable pedals are optional on both the SE and SXT. The Caravan has posted good crash test scores in government crash testing, netting four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts. In side impacts, it earned four stars for front-occupant protection and a perfect five stars for rear-occupant protection. Although the Caravan''s passive (surviving an accident) safety is commendable, it lags behind some competitors in active (avoiding an accident) safety -- no traction or stability control system is available, and ABS is still an extra cost option.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Optional on the Caravan are power-adjustable pedals, a feature that allows shorter folks to get comfortable in the driver seat without having the airbag-equipped steering wheel too close to their bodies. When in family-shuttle mode, 15.3 cubic feet of luggage space is found behind the third-row seat. When it''s time to make a trip to the home improvement superstore, removing the second- and third-row seats (which are by no means light) will open up 147 cubes of available cargo space.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The Caravan''s most endearing qualities continue to be its agile handling and supple ride characteristics. We suspect that these vans will surprise and win over a lot of folks who expect the minivan driving experience to be an exercise in lethargic vehicle dynamics.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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