2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Pleasant to drive and ride in, the Grand Caravan finally steps up to the plate with fold-flat rear seating, allowing families to get the most out of its expansive interior. Reliability and resale value are still in question, but this Dodge is worth a test-drive if you're shopping for a minivan.
Pros
Excellent ride and handling characteristics, good low-end pull from 3.8-liter V6, roomy cabin, nifty fold-flat second- and third-row seats.
Cons
Unimpressive reliability history, low resale value, can't get stability control.
What's New for 2005
This year the Grand Caravan receives a styling refresh and a new Stow 'n Go seating and storage system with fold-flat second- and third-row seats, as well as a hefty base price reduction.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
OK, but Issues
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We didn't have any problems with this van for the first 45K miles, but then the transmission seized up and had to be replaced (70K mile warranty covered all but $100, but was gone for a week with no backup which was tough). Some of the electrical features work intermittently, windows stopped working, back lift gate latch doesn't work (have to use key to open each time), engine light is on and off. Even so, it gets good gas mileage and is comfortable and safe to ride in. The DVD is a life saver with 4 young kids and long trips. The stow and go seats are great and we have used this many times, all seats lie flat so it is a like a covered long bed truck if needed.
Favorite Features
Comfort, stow and go, DVD
Suggested Improvements
Reliability is not good, only had in shop once though through $65K miles, so not terrible. Dodge needs to fix their electrical system to keep things working -- not sure why some components intermittently work.
Very reliable and smooth ride
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Ext Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We have owned this minivan for 3 years. It cost $10k less than similar Honda. No problems at all to date. Ride is very comfortable for driver and front passenger. Back seats are not comfortable but they are for kids, so who cares. Lots of space. Very pleased with this vehicle.
Favorite Features
Interior room, ride, power doors.
Suggested Improvements
more comfortable rear seating.
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
A very versatile, comfortable to drive car. My second car is a BMW 330i. We use the Van far more. More comfortable to drive, more convenient. Reliability has been good through 38,000 miles, but I guess we will see. For a person with a family, this is a nice vehicle. Plenty of power, quiet ands smooth, good visibility, controls well placed. The stow and go seating is great and the electric doors as well.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Very disappointed!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Ext Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Has had steering problems a couple times already with a terrible grinding noise. Cheaply made interior, covers break easily. Was told that middle and back seats were interchangeable when buying van, but they aren't. Found this out only after lugging out heavy the back seat. No stow-n-go with this van makes it even more of a hassle. Terrible pick up, feels like a truck, can't afford to put gas in it. This van burns gas horribly. I went 30 city miles and it burned a half tank of gas! If I didn't owe so much in this piece of junk I'd be trading it in. I'm actively still trying to trade it in somewhere. Buyer beware! Don't buy a Grand Caravan!
Favorite Features
Under the passenger locked storage compartment.
Suggested Improvements
Overhaul the entire thing, or fire the designer and mechanics.
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Red Lemon
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I like the stow and go and the power side doors, thats about it. The van has been nothing but trouble since the warranties have run out, even tho they weren't much help when they were in effect. At 32,000 miles the front brake on the passenger side ruined the rotor. I've replaced both outer tie rods, both rear bearing assemblies, the EGR is failing, and my ABS sensors in the rear have both failed. There is an electrical gremlin which dims lights, causes the power accessories to quit, and left me windshield wiperless during a downpour. Wipers started working when the rain stopped. Dash has went dead on 3 occasions, tilt wheel malfunctioned, many more little things. Will never buy another.
Favorite Features
Stow and go, power doors
Suggested Improvements
Build quality. Warranties that actual warrant things. 7-70 is misleading on the engine. Doesn't cover EGR valve, only internal items like pistons and crankshaft, per my dealer
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
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