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2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Plenty of storage
- Convenient Stow 'n Go seats
- Available DVD/TV screens for back rows
- Satellite TV optional
- Costs less than similar Chrysler Town & Country
- Marginal safety rating in a rear-end crash
- Reliability is an issue
- Handling, braking are not strong points
- Chintzy interior
- Underpowered base models
- Swivel 'n Go seats not removable
- Boxy styling
Free Price Quote for 2010 Dodge Grand CaravanReviewers are impressed with the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan's interesting array of optional gadgetry and family-friendly entertainment options, which are comparable to the Dodge minivan's more expensive fraternal twin, the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country (Base MSRP: $25,175 to $35,575).
As with the Chrysler minivan, however, critics say the Dodge Grand Caravan also has significant shortcomings, particularly in the areas of interior quality (it's pretty chintzy), exterior styling (it's boring) and reliability (not stellar). A "Marginal" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for passenger protection in a rear-end collision is another blemish on the Grand Caravan's resume. The Grand Caravan gets high marks in front- and side-impact crash tests at both the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While Edmunds.com editors staunchly refuse to recommend the Dodge because of quality issues, they also note, "When the Caravan is judged on its features and performance, it acquits itself rather well."
Three different V6 engines are offered. The base 3.3 liter achieves an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/19 mpg combined on gasoline, or 12 city/17 highway/13 combined on E85 Ethanol. The step-up 3.8-liter V6 is rated at 16 city/23 hwy/18 combined, and the range-topping 4-liter V6 delivers 17 city/25 hwy/20 combined. All three take regular-grade gas, and as noted, the 3.3-liter is also E85-compatible.
For model year 2010, all Dodge Grand Caravans are equipped with active head restraints, while the SE trim level gets three-zone climate control. Beyond these minor tweaks, however, the minivan carries over unchanged from last year. Hence, for a detailed review of this vehicle, consult our page on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan (*Est. $22,475 to $28,325), as those observations all continue to apply.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Editors of Edmunds.com discuss the vehicle's pros and cons and provide an informative overview of vehicle features, trim levels and options. The Dodge Grand Caravan gets a 7-out-of-10 rating from the editors, who say the minivan is "too shoddily constructed to merit serious consideration in this segment."
Review: 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Review, Not Dated
2. SaferCar.gov
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's searchable database includes crash-test results for all minivans. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan earns 5-star impact and 4-star rollover ratings, putting it on par with most other minivans.
Review: 5 Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov
3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan get only a rating of "Marginal" in protecting passengers in a rear-end collision, according to independent crash tests conducted by the Insurance institute for Highway Safety. The Grand Caravan does, however, post high marks in front- and side-impact collision tests.
Review: Dodge Grand Caravan, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
This website from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy lets you look up and compare fuel-economy ratings for every car and truck currently on sale in the U.S. The Dodge Grand Caravan delivers an estimated 18 to 20 mpg in combined driving based on engine selection. All its engines take regular gas. Its base V6 is also E85-compatible, but that fuel delivers the worst fuel economy, at 13 mpg combined.
Review: 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
Since the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is essentially the same vehicle as the '09 model, observations made in the detailed review of last year's van continue to apply. Links are provided to a variety of third-party expert reviews.
Review: 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, Editors of ConsumerSearch, February 2009
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