2005 Dodge Caravan | Review | Buying Guide
The dominant icon in the minivan market enters 2005 with much of the praise it receives with each new model year. Among the accolades for 2005: another “Best Buy” status appointment from Consumer Guide, that independent arbiter of automotive excellence. However, it’s nothing new for the Caravan—it received the exact same award last year.
As usual, the Dodge minivan is offered as a regular-length model and as an extended-length version called the Grand Caravan. There are two trim levels for both—SE and SXT—and all models have seven-passenger seating. All models are also very well built, able to withstand years of tough driving.
There are a number of new features for 2005. Safety is top priority, as the Caravan gets a new standard driver knee airbag. Now available are head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows; they replace front side airbags. A tire-inflation monitor is also available.
Under the Hood
The front-wheel drive Dodge Caravan offers a number of different powertrain configurations. Base Caravan SE models use a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with 150 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque.
Caravan SXT and Grand Caravan SE trims are fitted with a 3.3-liter V6 engine. It has 180 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Upper level Grand Caravan trims have more strength with their 3.8-liter V6 engine, which produces 207 horsepower and 238 lb-ft of torque.
Not only can Grand Caravans carry a lot of people on the inside, they can also tow some stuff as well. Equipped with a special trailer package, the minivan is fitted with heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling, a heavy-duty alternator and battery, load-leveling height-control suspension and a trailer-wiring harness.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
Standard on the Grand SXT and optional on the Grand SE are Dodge's "Stow 'n Go" second- and third-row seats that fold into floor wells. With the seats raised, the wells provide covered storage space.
But that’s just the tip of the options iceberg this year. Other available features include power sliding side doors, a power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a navigation system.
Newly available is Chrysler's UConnect, which uses the audio system as a hands-free wireless link to cell phones, and ceiling tracks that allow moving and removing such items as storage bins, a CD holder and a first-aid kit.
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