2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Lots of new options, torquey engines, car-like driving characteristics, improved safety features.
Cons
- Still no stowable third seat, gets pricey when options are added, legroom in second-row seats.
What’s new
America's best-selling minivan is all new for 2001, with many industry-first features including a power rear tailgate, a power sliding door obstacle detection system, and a removable and powered center console, and a pop-up rear cargo organizer, all residing under sleek new sheetmetal.
Edmunds says
Pleasant to drive and ride in but lacking a few key features and the rock-solid reliability record of certain rivals.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$241/mo for Grand Caravan SE
Grand Caravan SE
vs
$225/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Vehicle overview
Chrysler single-handedly inspired the phrases "mommymobile," "soccer mom," and other insipid sound bites back in 1983 when it invented the minivan. The Dodge Grand Caravan has been the best-selling minivan in its segment since then, but it needed to play catch-up to all the newcomers that have been nipping at its heels, such as the Ford Windstar and the Honda Odyssey. Now with this fourth generation version, DaimlerChrysler seeks to refine rather than redesign the notion of a minivan, with a more crisp exterior appearance, more powerful engines and an interior chock-full of gadgets.
The Grand Caravan comes in two trim levels this year, the base Sport and the more-luxurious ES. Both are available with all-wheel drive for those who live in less-temperate climates or who wish to do some light off-roading. Standard equipment for the Sport includes four-wheel ABS with a front disc/rear drum setup, power windows and power door locks. The ES will get you four-wheel disc brakes, three-zone climate control, power eight-way driver's seat, power sliding doors and a HomeLink universal transmitter. Leather trim and 17-inch tires are optional.
Powering both Grand Caravans is a 3.3-liter V6 producing 180 horsepower, (boosted 22 horses over the previous engine). Get either model in AWD version and you'll be rewarded with a spunky 3.8-liter V6 that squeezes out 215 horses. The 3.8 is also optional on the front-wheel drive ES, and it meets LEV standards in all 50 states. A more powerful version of this engine, rated at 230 horsepower, will be available in mid-year 2001.
Dodge's Grand Caravan gives you 25.6 more cubic feet of cargo capacity than the standard Caravan, for a total of 169 with second- and third-row seats removed. Although Dodge spokespeople are wishy-washy about the lack of a stowable third seat that makes the Honda Odyssey so pleasing (the well in the back creates excessive road noise, they opine), they made installing and removing the seats easier by the use of rollers and lightening the load: the rearmost seats now weigh 55 pounds collectively.
Also noteworthy are all the cool gadgets with which to outfit your ride and fill your life with necessities you never knew existed. We can't say that the standard equipment list is especially exemplary, but money can buy a lot of gewgaws. How about the power liftgate? A removable center console, fully-equipped with three power points, that you can scoot from the front seats to the rear? A pop-up rear cargo organizer? A 6.4-inch liquid crystal display and wireless headphones as part of an entertainment system? All available, should it please you. You can also opt for an in-dash four-disc changer, and dual-power sliding doors with object detection upon both opening and closing. Although DaimlerChrysler minivans have previously been criticized for not measuring up in terms of safety ratings, Grand Caravan's optional side airbags should boost these scores. Those, along with improved brake components, dual-stage front airbags and energy absorbing interior materials should go a long way toward insuring the safety of Caravan's occupants. Competition is stiff in the Grand Caravan's segment of the market. While we recognize Dodge's latest effort to maintain sales leadership, we can't help but wonder why this former innovator in minivan design took such a conservative approach to this 2001 redesign.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan.
5 star(42%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(14%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(1%)
66 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Grand Caravan Carried on for 199K
Caravan Man, 05/16/2018
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
A super comfortable and practical vehicle. Great to have a car to take an extra child or passenger. Even back rear seats comfortable. Lots of storage even with a carload of passengers. With the seats removed, provided cavernous space for college moves. Seats are a bit heavy to remove, and fold and store option did not come until later models. After 160,000 big things start to go: … front axles, rear springs, rear shocks, catalytic converter, other emissions components, A/C compressor, power door, power lift gate and even headliner. So be aware if buying an older model. But I changed all the leaking gaskets when my mechanic recommended and the engine still ran well at 199,500. gave up on it when the power rear window vent would not close. should not have gone to the dealer b/c the OEM part was way too expensive. Should have used cheap aftermarket part and it would have been fine.
4 out of 5 stars
Utility in disguise
Greg Kaufmann, 09/07/2015
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
new tranny at 160000 miles, after I had a private shop put in a new filter. I had been changing the tranny fluid every 20K miles, and should have never let that guy work on it, He didn't even tighten the pan bolts all the way, and it was leaking fluid and then the filter disintegrated and plugged the pump and it blew. The front speakers wore out, the fan relay behind the glove box wore … out (thirty bucks) I've gotten through wet slush runs that stop suv's. We've been skiing every weekend in the winters, the 3.8 gets us up the hills. I do put it in 3rd so it doesn't keep trying to hit overdrive. We have abused this rig pretty hard in deep snow many times, and it just keeps trudging along. Have fit a 10 foot by 4 foot couch in the back with the door closed, and plenty of plywood. Traction is great, there are many times when I should have had chains, but never used them. Everything is pretty utility, nothing too fancy. I mostly travel without the seats, they are easy to remove and put back in. If going 57 mph I have gotten up to 28mpg, but average about 21 most of the time. When the breaks wore out at 160000 they replaced the calipers and everything as they said they can not reliably reseat the ceramic calipers that was 1000 bucks.
4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm happy!!
Bern, 04/23/2002
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan ES AWD 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Handles well. Peppy and really holds
the road.(AWD) Gas mileage is 23-24
highway and 20 around town. I do not
have a lead foot nor am I a rabbit
starter.Love the electric doors and
tailgate. I have carried 3 4x8 plywood
with the tailgate closed!! The seats
come out fairly easily for me (65 and
slightly arthritic).
I sold a fully loaded Ford Expedition
Eddie Bauer to … buy this.It was not even
a year old and I took quite a beating
on the trade. I couldn't take the 12-14
mpg I was getting. Not sorry a year
later. Easy entry too. The only thing I
don't like is the very short throw of
regular beams at night. The car is
lower than any of the trucks I owned
previously.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Been Very Happy
GH, 01/25/2010
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
Back in '04 I purchased my '01 GC Sport with 81,000 miles on it. After 6 years it has over 200K on the clock and still runs great. No transmission troubles, just regular maintenance changing the oil and getting new tires and brakes. The 3.3 is a reliable motor and it has performed flawlessly. My only complaint with the van is the power door lock switches as they don't always work.
2001 Grand Caravan Highlights
SE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,785 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $241/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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