There’s definitely been some price slashing going on at Dodge Canada. Our test van, a well equipped 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew model, came with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $33,995 plus $8,325 in options and $1,400 Freight and $100 A/C tax for a total of $43,720. However, a quick check of the brand’s web site reveals a current discount of $7,000 (!) bringing the price down to $26,995 before options. An even more dramatic example is the entry-level Grand Caravan SE Canada Value Package model. It has an MSRP of $27,995, but with the current discount of $8,000, it’s now down to $19,995! Yes, 20,000 bucks for a seven passenger minivan with a 3.6-litre 283-hp V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, disc brakes, ABS, stability control, a new interior with dual-zone air conditioning, fold-into-the-floor third row seats, and seven airbags! I’ve seen Smart cars go for more money!
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew
Chrysler’s pricing strategy is a bit confusing, though. Vehicle price guides, like Autos.ca New Car Buyer’s Guide, typically list the current 2011 MSRPs which don’t reflect the discounts – and that has some consumers complaining those prices aren’t accurate. Last year, Chrysler’s pricing strategy was different: 2010 MSRPs reflected the discounts; the 2010 Grand Caravan SE Canada Value Package, for example, had an MSRP of $20,945.
But however you slice it, Chrysler’s low prices are a major drawing card for Dodge/Chrysler minivans when compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Kia Sedona and VW Routan which typically don’t offer huge discounts. The downside for Chrysler is that the Grand Caravan is often perceived as a “budget” minivan, and that’s not only because of the discount pricing: until this year, the Grand Caravan lagged behind its competitors in terms of powertrain refinement and interior quality. In 2010, the base engine was Chrysler’s ancient 3.3-litre pushrod V6 with a four-speed automatic that’s been around since Lee Iacocca was President of Chrysler; and the Grand Caravan’s interior design and quality didn’t match the more upscale interiors of its competitors.
Those drawbacks have been addressed in a mid-cycle “refresh” of the 2011 Grand Caravan: all trim levels now have Chrysler’s new “Pentastar” 282-hp 3.6-litre dual overhead cam V6 engine mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission (replacing the 175-hp 3.3-litre overhead valve V6 with four-speed automatic and optional 251-hp 4.0-litre single overhead cam V6 with six-speed automatic). The new 3.6-litre engine has the most standard horsepower and torque in it class (along with the Chrysler Town & Country and the Chrysler-based VW Routan), and offers the same the same fuel economy as the previous 4.0-litre V6: 12.2 L/100 km city (23 mpg Imp.) and 7.9 L/100 km highway (36 mpg Imp.). That’s comparable with its competitors, though slightly more than the Honda Odyssey. The 2011 Grand Caravan also features a new driver-selectable Eco mode which alters transmission shift points in order to maximize fuel efficiency, but at the expense of some performance.
As well, the cabin received a much-needed interior makeover with more comfortable seats, better quality seat cloth, more soft-touch surfaces, a new one-piece dash with more chrome and wood trim for a classier appearance, larger, brighter gauges with a new info display, and improved storage options. In addition, the 2011 model comes with some new standard features such as front seat side airbags and driver’s knee airbag and new optional features like a heated steering wheel, a large “Super Console” between the front seats, and improved Stow ‘n Go seats that are easier to fold into the floor.
It’s important to note that while all minivans have handy fold-into-the-floor third row seats, the Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans are still the only ones to offer the fold-into-the floor second row “Stow N Go” seats. With the second and third row seats stowed under the floor, the Grand Caravan has a huge cargo area with a flat floor that transforms this passenger van into a cargo van. As well, the fact that the second row seats don’t have to be lifted out of the van and stored somewhere is a huge time-saver, space-saver and back-saver.
Dodge’s hideaway second row bucket seats have been criticized for being thinner and less comfortable than competitor’s larger second row buckets, so for 2011, Chrysler made them a bit bigger and more comfortable. On a test drive with some family members, my adult passengers found them quite comfortable for a half-hour drive, but a third row passenger found his seat to be uncomfortable, though legroom and headroom is okay. Legroom in the third row can be increased by sliding the second row seats forwards.
Though the second row Stow N Go seats have a new one-touch fold-down system, I found that you still need two hands to fold these under the floor. First the front seats have to be moved all the way forwards to allow the floor hatch behind them to be raised; then by pulling up on the lever on the second row seat, the head restraint folds down, the seatback folds down, and the seat unclips at the rear so that it can be tumbled forwards. It can then be pushed into the floor compartment with one hand while you hold up the floor cover with the other. Each time I perform this task, I’m amazed that a seat this large can be folded completely under the floor. Hats off to the engineers who designed these chairs!
Note that in Grand Caravans with the non-foldable second row bench seat, the floor wells where the folding seats would have gone can be used as hidden storage bins. These make ideal ice buckets for cool drinks.
The Grand Caravan’s split third row seats can also be folded into the floor in a three-step process: pull a strap to flip down the head restraint, pull a second strap to fold down the seatback, and pull a third strap to fold the entire seat backwards into the floor well. It’s fairly easy, but the larger side of the split rear seat takes some effort to pull back up. With the seats up, there’s a large well in the floor that really adds to the cargo volume.
Some of the Grand Caravan’s competitors (Sienna, Odyssey) feature a removeable second row centre seat that boosts total passenger capacity to eight from seven. That’s a feature the Grand Caravan doesn’t offer.
Overall, the 2011 Grand Caravan’s new interior is much more attractive and includes improvements such as new steering wheel controls, a second glovebox, and a new super console between the front seats. The driver’s seat in the Crew model has power height, rake, fore-aft and lumbar adjustments, and there’s a tilt-telescopic steering wheel and power adjustable pedals. Heated front seats are available, but only as a part of the $1,000 Driver Convenience Package which also includes heated steering wheel, UConnect Bluetooth hands-free phone, Bluetooth streaming audio, remote USB port, and auto-dimming mirror with microphone.
The new speedometer and tachometer look more attractive and are easier to read although the fuel gauge is rather small. Between the big round gauges, a new white-on-black trip computer (operated by buttons on the steering wheel) provides useful information such as a compass, outside temperature, radio station, average fuel economy, distance to empty, oil pressure, oil temperature, and so forth.
The 6.5-inch touch-screen at the top of the centre stack operates the audio system, navigation system and information system. As before, there is a manual volume knob on the dash and a seek button on the steering wheel, but most audio commands are done on the touch-screen. This is okay as long as you don’t want to switch back and forth between that and the navigation system while driving. Auxiliary and USB ports are located next to the screen, but it’s not a good location: it would be better if they were located lower down on the console next to the storage tray and the 12-volt/115-volt powerpoints. The audio system itself includes a 30-GB hard-drive that can store up to 2,500 songs.
Our Crew test van also had the optional rear entertainment system ($2,800) with two roof-mounted video screens, remote control, wireless headphones, and additional rear a/v jacks, 12-volt power outlet and 115-volt outlet. The DVD player for the video system is located in the front lower centre console.
The Crew model has a standard “tri-zone” automatic climate control system with separate driver and front passenger temperature adjustments and a single fan speed control as well as separate second row controls for temperature, ventilation and fan speed. With multiple roof vents and wall vents, the Grand Caravan’s cabin warms up quickly or cools down quickly to keep all the passengers comfortable. My van also included retractable sun visors for the second and third row side windows – these are great for keeping the sun off sleeping toddlers.
Power sliding rear side doors and a power tailgate are available as an option on the Crew for $1,500. These can be opened remotely with the key fob which is very handy on a rainy day when approaching the van with an armful of groceries in one hand and a child in the other. The power doors can also be opened and closed from the driver’s seat which is useful when picking kids up from school. A lockout feature allows parents to prevent naughty youngsters from opening them while in motion.
At the rear, the large power-operated lift-up rear hatch door has a wide opening and a low liftover height allowing large items like appliances and furniture to be loaded fairly easily. A vehicle like this will save you hundreds of dollars in moving charges and delivery fees!
Some of the little things I like about the Grand Caravan’s interior are the flip-down convex mirror for keeping an eye on rear passengers (kids), the huge bi-level “super console” between the front seats, the second row power windows that slide down 75 per cent of the way, the overhead LED map lights in the first, second and third rows, and the optional second row seat heaters. There are also many storage bins and cup and bottle holders, and a handy portable flashlight in the trunk.
On the road, the Grand Caravan has a very smooth, comfortable ride and the driver’s visibility is very good; but as it’s a long vehicle, the rearview camera is worthwhile option to help when backing into a parking space; too bad it’s not available as a stand-alone option. As well, rear parking sensors would be a useful option.
The 282-hp 3.6-litre V6 engine has plenty of power when you put your foot down and although it sounds a bit coarse on hard acceleration, it settles down to smooth-running on the highway. Cruising at 100 km/h, the engine does just 1,600 rpm in top gear and the cabin is very quiet.
The six-speed automatic transmission changes smoothly except when coming to a stop when there’s a slight ‘thump’ from the transmission as it drops into first. The shift lever is positioned high on the dash close to the steering wheel where it’s easy to reach, and the transmission includes a manual shift mode for those times when you want to take control of the shift points. I thought the non variable-assist power rack and pinion steering was a bit stiff at slow speeds and the Grand Caravan’s turning diameter of 12 metres (39.4 ft.) is a bit wider than most of its competitors.
Handling is okay for what it is – a big minivan – but it lacks the agility of the Honda Odyssey which has a fully independent suspension, and the liveliness of the Toyota Sienna, both of which are big minivans but feel much smaller when you drive them. Those minivans also offer a more refined and enjoyable driving experience, in my opinion.
The Grand Caravan’s 3-year/60,000 km basic warranty and 5-year/100,000 km warranty is comparable with the Odyssey and Sienna, but is beaten by the Kia Sedona’s standard 5-year/100,000 km basic warranty and the VW Routan’s 4-year/80,000 km basic warranty.
In terms of standard equipment, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew ($33,995) is roughly comparable with the Honda Odyssey EX ($33,990), Toyota Sienna LE ($32,500), Kia Sedona EX ($36,495), and VW Routan Comfortline ($34,775), but as mentioned, the Grand Caravan’s actual retail price can be a lot lower.
The Dodge Grand Caravan is built in Windsor, Ontario.
