Used 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Minivan Review

The 2019 Dodge Caravan is a no-nonsense minivan. At base trim levels, it offers a low price and a list of functional equipment. Seven-passenger seating, typically enormous minivan space and adequate power mean it's a totally competent family hauler, even on road trips. It's low on frills, which means it's priced less than rivals and your wallet will thank you for that in the long run.

On upper trims, the Grand Caravan offers a few extra creature comforts and optional niceties such as leather upholstery and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, but even with the extra gear, the Grand Caravan still seems decidedly pragmatic. This is a van that hasn't been redesigned in a decade and it shows in virtually every area. If you want to see just how much has changed in the minivan game in that time, all you have to do is look across the dealership floor to Chrysler's Pacifica. Its added features alone, from infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to safety items including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, make it a wildly more appealing minivan. Its massively improved interior quality, style and driving experience should really drive home the point.

Even if pricing is your primary concern, a used or certified pre-owned version of a Pacifica or one of the other minivans would likely bring you a more appealing, competitive family hauler. If you have to have that new car smell, however, the Grand Caravan at least delivers the basics.

The budget-friendly, seven-passenger Dodge Grand Caravan is sold in three trim levels: SE, SE Plus and SXT. All Grand Caravans have a 3.6-liter V6 (283 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The base SE comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, tri-zone climate control (with rear air-conditioning), rearview camera, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a conversation mirror, a second-row bench seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The SE can be ordered with the Uconnect Hands-Free Group package, which adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, satellite radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity. Second-row Stow 'n Go captain's chairs that fold into the floor are an optional upgrade.

The SE Plus comes with the above equipment (including Stow 'n Go) as standard, plus 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, black exterior styling elements, remote ignition, a front floor console, and upgraded upholstery and trim.

The Grand Caravan SXT added features such as chrome exterior trim, roof rails, power-sliding rear doors, a power liftgate, a larger floor console, dual-zone air conditioning, leather upholstery with suede inserts, and an eight-way power driver seat (with two-way power lumbar adjustment).

The SXT offers two notable options packages. The Blacktop package retains the SE's black exterior trim and removes the roof rack, while the considerably more feature-rich Driver Convenience Group package adds a rear overhead console, an overhead storage bin, three-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, ambient lighting, and second-row sunshades.

Options on all trims include an enhanced touchscreen that includes integrated Garmin navigation, satellite radio and digital music storage. Other extras include the Rear Park Assist package, which adds rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and an enhanced trip computer. And an optional DVD rear entertainment system includes one roof-mounted screen, a DVD player, satellite radio, 115V power outlet, a charge-only USB port, and wireless headphones.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (3.6L V6 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Grand Caravan has received some revisions, including the elimination of power-adjustable pedals and the addition of a standard rearview camera. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Grand Caravan, however.