2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers express excitement about the Dodge Grand Caravan’s new offerings, including an added Swivel ’n Go option (which allows rear seats to swivel to face front or back) to the popular Stow ’n Go seating. Safety features like stability control and side-curtain airbags are now standard for 2008. Experts say the Grand Caravan can be purchased fully loaded for far less than a comparably-equipped Odyssey or Sienna minivan. Most sources say that the Grand Caravan rides well enough, and handles well, but that its real advantage is in its highly versatile, family-friendly interior.

What the reviewers don't like:
The Dodge Grand Caravan’s long-term reliability has been below-average in previous years Several reviews note that the base-model engine is underpowered, and that handling isn’t as responsive as some other minivans. Although the 2008 Grand Caravan is certainly budget-friendly, some reviewers complain that the bargain is reflected in the interior fit and finish.

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan review highlights

Last model year, the biggest competition for the Dodge Grand Caravan came from two Korean minivans, the Kia Sedona (*est. $20,695 to $26,195) and Hyundai Entourage (*est. $23,895 to $29,795), both of which received better reviews. This year, however, most reviewers say that the Grand Caravan’s extensive redesign brings it into contention with minivan class leaders like the Honda Odyssey (*est. $25,860 to $40,610) and Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665). The shorter-wheelbase Dodge Caravan has been scrapped completely, and the upgraded Grand Caravan boasts a full complement of standard and optional features, many of which are exclusive to its class.

We found quite a few detailed comparative reviews of the new Dodge Grand Caravan, which has been extensively redesigned for 2008. Edmunds.com editors pit the upgraded Grand Caravan against last year’s top-rated Honda Odyssey, while Motor Trend magazine conducts a similar contest involving the 2008 Grand Caravan, the 2007 Odyssey, and the 2007 Toyota Sienna minivans. Consumer Reports also evaluates the 2008 Grand Caravan in terms of safety and performance, and utilizes a rating system to position it in relation to other minivan models. CarCritic.com offers a brief but pointed “Ruthless Review,” and ConsumerGuide.com provides helpful information about pricing and specifications for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Also see full report: Minivans

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Editors of Consumer Reports

In testing the redesigned 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, Consumer Reports put particular emphasis on safety and performance. This minivan is also rated against its competitors in a number of categories, including predicted reliability and crash protection. Editors here are far less impressed with the new Dodge Grand Caravan than most other reviewers appear to be.

2. Edmunds.com
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Editors of Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com didn't test the Dodge Grand Caravan head-to-head with other minivans for this review, but its editors do offer some informal comparisons to the competition. This fairly detailed article offers easy-to-read overviews of several aspects of the Grand Caravan’s new design, with particular focus on styling and features. Editors note that the Stow ’n Go and new Swivel ’n Go seating options are unique and useful, but the seats themselves aren’t as plush as the stationary, non-stowable ones that come standard. However, their general impression of the Grand Caravan’s new offerings is very favorable, and they state that the 2008 model’s upgrades push the Grand Caravan right back to the top of the minivan market.

3. Edmunds.com
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT vs. 2007 Honda Odyssey Touring
John Pearley Huffman
Sept. 2, 2007

The redesigned Grand Caravan is pitted against the perennial Edmunds favorite, the Honda Odyssey. Both minivans are evaluated on aspects of performance and design such as power, comfort, maneuverability and quality. Here the Honda emerges the victor in an admittedly tight race. Although the Odyssey tested was a 2007 model, reviewer John Pearley Huffman notes that the new features planned for the 2008 model year will only serve to widen the gap between the Odyssey minivan and its competitors.

4. Motor Trend
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First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
Editors of MotorTrend.com

Here, again, is a test-drive-based review which compares the new Grand Caravan to a 2007 version of the Honda Odyssey; Motor Trend magazine includes a 2007 Toyota Sienna as well. Editors are thrilled with both the aesthetics and the utility of the Grand Caravan. Not much detail is included about the results of their road tests, which they acknowledge as limited, but editors assert that the only area in which the Grand Caravan does not either meet or exceed the quality of the other two minivans is in the interior fit and finish. Motor Trend also names the Grand Caravan a finalist for its 2008 Car of the Year award.

5. CarCritic.com
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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Dan Vorderman

Rather than going into detail about performance and features, CarCritic.com's Don Vorderman focuses mainly on long-term predicted reliability based on owner surveys. His short evaluation of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is essentially the same as his analysis of its sister model, the Chrysler Town & Country, in which Vorderman notes that the interior versatility is an asset, but that the base-model engine lacks power and fuel economy is worse than the segment average.

6. Consumer Guide.com
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

Reviews at ConsumerGuide.com are full of information on standard features, engine types, options and pricing, but the editorial road test results aren't that easy to read. Editors mainly list numerical scores with little commentary. Still, editors do test almost every car and truck on the market, and they publish a list of top picks for each model year. The new Grand Caravan, in fact, is one of these top picks for 2008, receiving a “Recommended” designation from editors.

Also see full report: Minivans

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review