more about this model They say you get what you pay for, and few vehicles illustrate that better than the Dodge Grand Caravan. If you're looking to transport the maximum number of people for the minimum amount of cost, the Grand Caravan is the way to go. It undercuts the next-cheapest seven-passenger competitor by a lot of money, even with tons of options piled on.
So where does the Grand Caravan belie its bargain price? Certainly not in the level of equipment: Even the most basic model comes well equipped with features like tri-zone climate control and a rearview camera. Chrysler's exclusive Stow 'n Go seats, which fold down into storage compartments in the floor, remain a star attraction.
No, the low price is reflected in two key areas. First is interior design: This iteration of the Grand Caravan was designed about a decade ago, and the interior was last updated in 2011. Materials quality, surprisingly, is fine ? 2011 was the year Chrysler aimed to eliminate the cheap feel of its cabins ? but the look and feel is yesterday's news. The Grand Caravan's touchscreen doesn't get the wonderful UConnect interface found in other Chrysler products, and the interface it does get feels like it comes from the Stone Age. (A larger screen with a slightly better interface is due late in the model year.)
Second is the lack of refinement in the driving experience. The engine is pretty good: It's Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, here tuned for 283 horsepower. But the six-speed automatic transmission to which it is tied is guilty of the occasional rough shift, and the whole powertrain is noisy under full power. The EPA estimates the Grand Caravan's fuel economy at 20 mpg combined (17 city/25 highway). The ride is smooth enough, though the suspension doesn't deal with bad pavement as well as the competition. Other vans do a better job of soaking up the bumps, and they also steer and handle better, instilling more confidence in the van's ability to swerve out of harm's way than does the Grand Caravan. Crash-test scores, while still very respectable, also aren't quite as good as most other vans.
In terms of value for money, though, the Grand Caravan is difficult to beat. Dodge offers four trim levels: SE, SE Plus, SXT and GT. The SE is lavishly equipped, while the SE Plus adds a few items of interest to private owners (as opposed to the rental fleets that will buy the SE). The SXT adds more appearance and comfort features, while the GT is intended to deliver a sportier driving experience. It's the only trim level to offer advanced safety features, though such features are not nearly as advanced as those offered by competing minivans. Which one is best suited for your needs? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan for you.
Is the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Grand Caravan featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Grand Caravan 3.4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Grand Caravan.
Vehicle
SE Plus 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Review
People think I'm crazy for purchasing a minivan to tote my dogs around, but it was the best of all options. Low enough that they can get in and out as they grow older. Room enough that my German Shepherd is not slouching, or crammed in the back set. it's perfect. I put the 2nd row of Stow & Go seating down, dog beds on the floor, and we are ready to go.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2017 Dodge Grand-caravan safe?
The 2017 Dodge Grand-caravan earned a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 4.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Available Dodge Grand Caravan 2017 Submodel Types: Minivan
Available Trims: SXT, SE, R/T, GT, SE Plus, SE Plus Fleet, American Value Package, Crew, Sport, Mainstreet, SE Fleet, Express, Hero, C/V, SXT Plus, Base, ES, LE, eX
Exterior Colors: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Black Onyx Crystal Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, White Knuckle Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Granite Pearl Coat, Stone White Clearcoat, Billet Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Octane Red Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Dark Charcoal Pearlcoat, Modern Blue Pearlcoat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Redline 2 Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearlcoat, Cashmere Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearlcoat, Billet Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Redline 2 Pearlcoat, Butane Blue Pearlcoat, Cashmere Pearlcoat, Light Sandstone Metallic Clearcoat, Cashmere/Sandstone Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clearcoat, Blackberry Pearlcoat, Contusion Blue Pearl Coat, Patriot Blue Pearlcoat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Magnesium Pearlcoat, Midnight Blue Pearlcoat, Atlantic Blue Pearlcoat, Blue Streak Pearlcoat, Marathon Blue Pearlcoat, White Gold Clearcoat, Dark Titanium Metallic Clearcoat, Linen Gold Metallic Clearcoat, Onyx Green Pearlcoat, Sunburst Orange Pearlcoat, Black Clearcoat, Dark Cordovan Pearlcoat, Light Cypress Green Pearlcoat, Steel Blue Pearlcoat, Bright White Clearcoat, Copperhead Pearlcoat, Golden White Pearl Tricoat, Inferno Red Tinted PC, Inferno Red Tinted Pearlcoat, Light Almond Pearl Metallic Clearcoat, Marine Blue Pearlcoat, Midnight Blue Pearl Coat, Red Pearl Coat, Satin Jade Pearlcoat, Silver Steel Metallic Clearcoat
Interior Colors: Black/Light Graystone cloth, Black leather, Black premium cloth, Black/Light Graystone leather/suede, Dark Slate Gray/Light Shale cloth, Medium Slate Gray/Light Shale cloth, Black/Sandstorm cloth, Medium Slate Gray cloth, Medium Slate Gray, Black cloth, Black/Sandstorm premium cloth, Black leather/suede, Black/Light Graystone premium cloth, Dark Khaki/Light Graystone cloth, Navy Blue, Black/Light Graystone leatherette/suede, Dark Slate Gray/Light Shale leather, Mist Gray, Black leatherette/suede, Dark Khaki/Light Graystone, Medium Slate Gray/Light Shale leather, Sandstone, Taupe
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Third-row seating, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, 2nd Row Bucket Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Stability Control, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Aux Audio Inputs, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Power Liftgate/Trunk, USB Inputs, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, Alarm, Back-up camera, Remote Start, Auto Climate Control, Rear Entertainment System, Leather Seats, Heated seats, Navigation, Parking sensors, Upgraded Engine, Blind Spot Monitoring, Upgraded Stereo, Sunroof/Moonroof, Towing Hitch, AWD/4WD, Mobile Internet
Engine/Mechanics: 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive, all wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
