'05 Grand Caravan is the ONLY one for us.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Stow & Go, versatility, ride, warranty, added standard features and 22 to 26 mpg

Cons: Tire brand used by Dodge

The Bottom Line: 
This is a GRAND van to own and I would feel safe recommending it to my best friend. Getting 22 to 26 mph PLUS cargo space.

Author's Review
We traded in our '98 Grand Caravan and leased a 2005 Stow & GO Caravan.
3.8V6 engine --plenty strong for over mountains or hauling things. We live in an old house and haul lumber etc to fix up all the time. I wanted Traction Control (for low speed driving)since my old Caravan had All Wheel Drive.

A mechanic told me new cars are going through brake pads/rotors fast but I just READ my INSTRUCTION book and they tell you to down-shift to 3 when going down a steep long hill or mountain to save the brakes and it would NOT hurt the transmission. I am doing it. Number 3 on the gear shift goes through all three gears but does not have overdrive so in 3 you have "hold back" and not the free wheeling of Overdrive.

The HANDLING of the car: This car drives like an expensive sedan but with better visibility! You have wonderful visibility (for those who walk when you're backing out). This V6 is full of power and when we are getting onto expressways now no one passes me as I'm entering the expressway! The engine is quiet and in slow speeds you seem to glide. The braking is excellent too. I had one quick stop already(lugheads that drive through red lights) and the car was great! IT stopped very quickly with NO problems! The brakes seem very solid and firm. The engine powerful for just a 3.8 V6. This engine is bigger than what Toyota offers as standard and you can feel the difference! See below for gas mileage.

The steering is great and tight. I think even tighter than the '98 Grand Caravan. That had 90,800 when traded and the only money spent was for a power steering belt.This 2005 Grand Caravan drives like a much more expensive car would or should drive! IT is quiet, powerful enough for anything but racing,and tight steering that allows for accident avoidance when needed. I have gotten out of VERY tight parking places in parking decks with some LONG pickup behind me and small space for maneuvers!

STOW & GO is a MIRACLE of convenience. I have tendonitis and just had carpal tunnel operation but can flip the seats with NO trouble! HOW wonderful, need room? NO seats to lug-just flip them and you have flat cargo space!
Tried a Toyota and I KNOW that the trade in later is better and it was a little quieter but the TOYOTA'S steering wheel was NOT good for seeing the controls/odometer/gas etc. and I could not get the seat higher.

The pockets in the front doors could be bigger but they are great to have in even this lower priced model!

The Electric seat (8-way) in the driver's side is great for me(5'3") and hubby (6') I can sit and be comfortable (In the Toyota I could NOT get the NON-electric seat quite right)

I like the new white face instrument cluster with Tachometer. I discovered when pulling out from stops that if I keep it from going way up--I get MUCH better gas mileage so I do use it. I have learned to be gentle with the gas pedal in order to save many gallons of gas!

The console to show temp/compass and also shows MPG average plus time you've driven (for finding how long it takes to get somewhere--you can even pause it when eating or at a rest stop etc.)There are buttons for UNIVERSAL garage door opener. WE did not get it but you can GET the more deluxe console that also programs doors, service-due chime (oil changes) but it is available. We do combination driving (town/country) and BRAND new are getting about 22.3 mpg. Not bad, and it will get better as the car is broken in.Some much smaller cars with just about NO cargo space get less MPG. I really wish DETROIT (or Tokyo!!) would develop a better source of fuel for cars other than gas!


The key pad can open both-side sliding doors(great for sore wrists,full arms). The back hatch opener is available but we got a lower-priced model. I already love the auto-opening side doors. There is a button on the post so you can close the doors by button too and has a child-proof switch in door so no child can exit right into traffic without driver's knowledge. The key pad can open doors,turn lights on as it unlocks the doors for you. The horn blows when locked BUT NOT LOUDLY and NOT BLASTING YOU.

Front-advanced multistage air bags--you don't have to worry about small person being hurt by air bags! Driver side inflatable KNEE BLOCKER saves your knees in an accident.

The back of the driver's seat has those wonderful hooks for handle bags--NO SLIDING bags all over the back. But not to worry--they still have them on the back 3rd seat also.

The dropped cargo area in the back is wonderful for grocery bags or anything you buy--keeps it out of site and together on the trip home. AND you can flip those seats down and have more room if you buy more than you planned to do.They even include 1 front and two back cargo nets at no extra charge.

A wheelchair will sit upright on the floor with the seats down and there are hooks and with bungee cord-you can secure it either in place of one of second row seat OR in the back cargo area. (My mom uses one)

RADIO--sounds great with 6 speakers and has all kinds of great features. It plays Cds and tapes.

THIS MODEL my husband can change our own oil as it is now within reach. In the 1998 G.Caravan you'd need double-jointed elbow!

I sent a letter to Chrysler Corp., two years ago of all the things I would wish for in my CARAVAN and they answered with a list. It showed that ALL of my wishes came true in this 2005 model. Now I only wish I'd had one when our daughters were small! You shouldn't have children without a Grand Caravan!

This Grand Caravan IS quieter than the old one and in summation I must say it IS truly GRAND!