Dodge Caravan

The Dodge Caravan is a family minivan manufactured by Chrysler Group LLC and sold under its Dodge brand. The Caravan was introduced for the 1984 model year along with its nameplate variant, the Plymouth Voyager (1984-2001). In 1987, the Dodge Grand Caravan long-wheelbase (LWB) model was introduced and sold alongside the short-wheelbase (SWB) Caravan. The SWB model was discontinued after the 2007 model year; and, since the 2008 model year, the van has been sold only under the Grand Caravan nameplate.

Other nameplate variants of the Caravan include the Chrysler Voyager (1988–present), the upmarket Chrysler Town & Country (1989–present), and the Volkswagen Routan (2008–2012).

Chrysler manufactures and markets its minivans worldwide. Combining the nameplate variants, the Chrysler minivans rank as the 13th best-selling automotive nameplate worldwide.

Currently, the Caravan and its sister vehicles, the Chrysler Town and Country and Chrysler Grand Voyager (Sold as a Lancia in mainland Europe), are treated and sold as separate vehicles. However, it is speculated that the three vehicles will be combined in the near future and sold under a single nameplate, depending on region (The USA and the UK as the Town and Country, Canada as the Caravan and mainland Europe as the Lancia Voyager).

Initial release
Beginning with Generation V in model year 2008, Chrysler only made the long wheelbase Grand Caravan. This van debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and had exterior styling by Ralph Gilles.

A new six-speed automatic transmission became standard with the 3.8 L V6 and the new 4.0 L V6. The four-speed automatic transmission is standard with the 3.3 L Flex-Fuel V6.

Chrysler introduced a seat management system marketed as Swivel'n Go seating, the MyGIG entertainment system (a stereo with built in hard drive for recording, storing, and playing music), second and third row video screens, powered second row windows, standard side curtain airbags, and dashboard-mounted transmission controls. The gear shift lever moved to the instrument panel, the location used by competitors.

With discontinuation of the short-wheelbase Caravan, Dodge offered the Journey on nearly an identical wheelbase and as a crossover rather than a minivan. Although the SWB model, which had accounted for half of all sales in Canada, cost approximately $2,000 less and offered a four-cylinder engine option with improved fuel economy, Chrysler executives stated the SWB Caravan was discontinued to accommodate new features offered in the Grand Caravan, consistent with the demands of the majority of the minivan market.

The market shifted briefly away from minivans and SUVs with the gasoline price spikes of the earlier part of 2008. This trend began to reverse itself towards the fall of 2008. In 2009 and 2010 the Dodge Grand Caravan continued to be the top selling minivan in Canada, with over 60% of the market's monthly sales. Fiat has stated that the Dodge Grand Caravan, assembled in Windsor, Ont., will remain in the company’s product line until at least 2014.

A noticeable cosmetic update in the 2009 model year saw the "DODGE" badge moved to the left side of trunklid (in the spot where "GRAND CARAVAN" was previously), while "GRAND CARAVAN" had been moved to the right. The previously unavailable Electronic Stability Control was made standard on this generation.

Engines
Both the 3.8 L and 4.0 L engines were paired with Chrysler's 62TE 6-speed automatic transmission with variable line pressure (VLP) technology (See Ultradrive).

In Canada (2008–2010) the 3.3 L was the standard engine across the range, combined with the 4-speed 41TE automatic transmission. The 4.0 L engine and six-speed combination was available as an option on only the top of the range SXT models. In 2011 the six-speed transmission was specified as standard on the Town & Country.

Safety
In the U.S. the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program crash testing, the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan achieved a five star (top safety) rating in several categories.

2011 model year update
The Grand Caravan was facelifted starting the 2011 model year, which included major changes in both styling and functionality. The suspension was heavily re-tuned, with both Dodge and Chrysler minivans gaining a larger front sway bar and new rear sway bar, increased rear roll center height, adjusted spring rates, a new steering gear, a revised front static camber setting, and lowered ride height. This Dramatically increases Handling in the both the Chrysler and Dodge.

All three of the former engine choices were replaced by the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with six-speed automatic transmission, now the sole powertrain choice for all models. Interior trim was restyled on both vans, in addition to major exterior revisions highlighted by the new "double-crosshair" grille on the Grand Caravan and a new chrome grille for the Town & Country.

Other changes included extra sound insulation, acoustic glass, new seats, softer-touch surfaces, new LED ambient lighting and center console, and halogen projector headlamps with LED accents. The Chrysler models were adjusted so that instead of competing against equivalent Dodge trim levels, they were above Dodge in trim and features.

For 2012, a new, basic style trim called "AVP" is introduced, while some features previously unavailable for "SE" (like touch navigation panel) become available as options (The "SE" now also receives a floor console, similar to the one available for "SXT"). Finally, just like on all other 2012 Dodge models, the front logo design now bears the two slanted rectangles in red.

For 2013, the "AVP" trim starting MSRP reduced by $1,000 from last year.

Dodge Grand Caravan, American Value Package, Blacktop package, 30th Anniversary Edition (2013-)
New for the 2014 Grand Caravan AVP are easy-clean floor mats that now come with the optional second-row Stow'n Go seats (standard on SE, SXT and R/T).

Blacktop package are based on SE and SXT, with 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with gloss black pockets, a gloss black grille, black headlamp bezels, an all-black interior including headliner, door panels and console, unique black cloth seats and door trim panels with silver accent stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver accent stitching and a leather shift knob, choice of 6 body colours (Granite Crystal, Billet Silver, Brilliant Black, Maximum Steel, Redline Red, Bright White). SXT models also include fog lamps.

SE 30th Anniversary Edition is based on SE, with unique 17-inch satin carbon aluminum wheels, body-color heated exterior mirrors, 30th Anniversary badging on the front fenders, optional Crystal Granite Pearl Coat body colour, silver accent stitching and piano black accents throughout, black cloth seats, a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, black leather-wrapped shift knob, black headliner and overhead console, bright heating and air conditioning trim bezels, power second- and third-row windows, a 30th Anniversary logo in the gauge cluster and 30th Anniversary logo on the key fob and the Uconnect Handsfree Group (SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a one-year subscription, Bluetooth streaming audio and voice command and an auto-dimming rear view mirror).

SXT 30th Anniversary Edition is based on SXT, with unique 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with satin carbon pockets, bright chrome roof rack, bright window trim moldings, fog lamps, automatic headlamps and special 30th Anniversary badging, a customized gauge cluster with 30th Anniversary badging, Black Torino leatherette seats with premium suede inserts and silver accent stitching, power 10-way driver’s seat, piano black accent trim bezels, bright chrome accents, Uconnect Handsfree Group (SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a one-year subscription, Bluetooth streaming audio and voice command and an auto-dimming rear view mirror).

Both 30th Anniversary Edition include unique Granite Crystal Pearl Coat body colour and are also available in Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat, Redline Red 2-Coat Pearl, Sandstone Pearl Coat or True Blue Pearl Coat.

New for the 2014 Grand Caravan R/T are standard auto headlamps with black bezels and the Security Group featuring remote start and security alarm.

The vehicles arrived at dealerships at Q3 2013.

Production
2014 Dodge Grand Caravan was built in Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Sales
Automotive news reported that, from January to October in 2010, Dodge sold about a third of its 2010 Grand Caravans to rental fleets. The number of returned ex-rental 2010 Grand Caravan to the market jumped four folds between July to October, depressing prices of used 2009 and 2010 Dodge minivan by as much as 20%.

Europe
Originally from 2007 to June 1, 2011, the car was known in Europe as the Chrysler G. Voyager, but since June 1, 2011, it has been known in the UK and Ireland as a Chrysler G. Voyager and in the rest of Europe as a Lancia Voyager. For the European market, the Lancia/Chrysler Voyager will be available in three trim levels (Silver, Gold and Platinum) and two choices of engine: a 283 PS 3.6-liter V6 petrol unit and a 2.8-liter CRD diesel with particulate filter as standard delivering 163 PS and 360 Nm.

For more information on the European specification Voyager, see Chrysler Voyager.

Ram Cargo Van (Ram C/V Tradesman)


The Ram Cargo Tradesman, or Ram C/V Tradesman, debuted for the 2012 model year, replacing the Dodge Grand Caravan C/V. It is based on the Dodge Grand Caravan, but with solid metal instead of rear windows and a flat load space with 144.4 cuft of interior storage, and a 1800 lb. cargo payload plus a towing capability of up to 3600 lb. The Ram C/V is offered with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Routan
Beginning with Generation V, Volkswagen began marketing the Routan, a rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform minivan with revised styling and content, for the North American market.

The Routan, made at Windsor Assembly alongside the Grand Caravan, debuted in 2008 at the Chicago Auto Show. Sales began in autumn of 2008, and features neither Chrysler's Stow'n Go nor Swivel'n Go seating systems. Total sales as of September 2010 were reported as being under 10,000 units, far lower than the target of 5% of the minivan market. As a result, in 2012, the Routan was discontinued.