2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

This minivan from Dodge makes its presence felt as it boasts fresh styling and luxury alternative for today’s trendy times. Loaded with modern features of an American people carrier, the 2011 Grand Caravan bears the Dodge values that have enabled it to gain a solid reputation for performance and value for money.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Minivan Base Price: $21,800.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons (75 liters) Miles Per Gallon: 17 city / 25 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 202.8 in. (515 cm) Width: 78.7 in. (199 cm)
Height: 67.9 in. (172 cm) Wheel Base: 121.2 in. (307 cm)
Curb Weight: 4510 lbs (2045 kg) Ground Clearance: 5.6 in. (14 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 33 cu ft Maximum Seating: 7 people
Performance
Engine: 24-valve DOHC V6 Displacement: 3.6-liter
Horsepower: 283 HP Max RPM: 6350 RPM
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds Max Towing Capacity: 3600 lbs (1632 kgs)
Available Trims & Engine
Option:Grand Caravan Express MSRP: $23,995; MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy
Option:Grand Caravan Mainstreet MSRP: $25,845; MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy
Option:Grand Caravan Crew MSRP: $28,795; MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy

Performance

Coming with improved 3.6L six cylinder engine to provide ample power and deliver excellent fuel mileage, the Grand Caravan now has 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This is mated with a crisp shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

Exterior

After undergoing several facelifts, the Grand Caravan has finally achieved a look that is fitting especially on urban streets. Complimenting the great driving dynamics is its more aggressive exterior design. Standard in this minivan are polished aluminum 17-inch wheels and modified bumper. The front end now comes with altered body grille and redesigned hood. Also added are vertical-stack LED tail lamps. The Dodge Grand Caravan is all about providing its passengers with comfort, as well. Displayed inside are fine sufficient seats.

Interior & Trims

The Grand Caravan has three trims. For the first trim called Express, keyless entry, multifunction steering wheel and Stow ‘N Go for fold-away second- and third-row seats are included. Incorporated in the Main street trim are power rear windows. And the add ons in third trim also known as the Crew are power sliding doors, flexible pedals, three zone automatic climate control and an exceptional 30-gig hard drive.

Technological features such as nine-speaker 506-watt sound system, satellite radio, navigation system with real time traffic, and Bluetooth compatibility also abound in this minivan. The instrument panel and dashboard are also redesigned for more elegant interior. Also an option is the centermost console for a bigger storage space. Its blue-green lighting allows the person to conveniently find objects at night. The Dodge Grand Caravan will soon be featuring its new trim- the Grand Caravan R/T.

Safety & Reliability

Aside from safety features like airbags for protection against side impact collisions, antilock brakes for sudden hard braking, traction control to better manage slippery surfaces, knee-blocking airbag and child seat, ParkSense and ParkView rearview cameras are also integrated in the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan for secured backing up.

It also passed insurance industry tests such as frontal crash tests and side-impact crash tests. It was also awarded by the federal government a positive rollover rating. In terms of reliability, J.D. Power gave the Grand Caravan a score of 6.0 out of 10 in its conducted Predicted Reliability assessment. The three-year/36-mile basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile warranty on power train are also included in the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan package.

The Competition

The Grand Caravan may have a lot of improvements; however, the Toyota Sienna (MSRP $25,060; 19 city / 24 hwy)and Honda Odyssey (MSRP $28,075; 18 city / 27hwy) are still the most preferred for their business class seats. Its price may be a bit higher than the Grand Caravan but nothing comes close to Honda Odyssey’s premium driving performance. The Toyota Sienna is also highly recommended for its convenience features like the adjustable second-row seats.

Pros & cons

A downside of the2011 Grand Caravan are its ordinary exterior design and difficult to utilize seating options. Compared to other minivans in its class and price range, this Dodge vehicle only comes with fewer safety features. On the other hand, the reviewers are impressed with its low step-in height.

To look more posh, the hard plastic interior parts were replaced by softer and more refined materials. It is also commended for its smoother and quieter ride. The Grand Caravan now comes with more graceful cornering with its Michelins tires. And to offer fun travel, the entertainment system is even improved.

Overall Rating
77 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is a high-functioning box on wheels—with the old penalty-box trim neatly excised, and a new powertrain spliced into place.”Car Connection

“Despite a retuned suspension for 2011, this minivan doesn’t handle much differently than its 2008-2010 counterpart. That’s not a bad thing, however. Despite their overall size, these big vans are quite tractable. Body lean in corners is fairly pronounced, as you might expect. An impressively tight turning radius aids in close-quarters maneuvering.”Consumer Guide

“The Dodge Grand Caravan gets a host of mechanical, styling and interior improvements for 2011, yet still trails the competition in terms of refinement.”Edmunds

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