2020 Dodge Grand Caravan Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
Many people are looking for large, versatile vehicles that they can take on all kinds of adventures. The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan can be the right vehicle for many consumers who need three rows of seating. Since the minivan comes with an affordable price tag, it will automatically shoot to the top of many people's lists. That being said, it does offer good value, and it would be a smart investment for a certain sector of the audience.
What's New for 2020?
Not much has changed on the Dodge Grand Caravan for the current model year. A few minor upgrades have been made, such as making the Blacktop Appearance package an option on some trims. The SE Plus model gets upgraded to have captain's chairs in the second row, red stitching that pops when contrasted with the black upholstery, and a power-operated driver's seat.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan – The Pros
1. Multiple Trims
The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan comes in three trims. The SE is the base level, the SE Plus is the mid-level option, and the SXT is the premium trim. By giving people a nice range of choices, Dodge has put the Grand Caravan in a position to have greater appeal. People won't feel stuck with only one choice, and at the same time, they won't be overwhelmed by having a dozen trims to choose from.
2. Expansive Interior
Total passenger volume in the minivan is 156.1 cubic feet. This number is hard to beat whether one is looking at minivans or full-size SUVs. Leg room in all three rows makes the minivan quite comfortable. Leg room is 40.7, 36.5, and 32.7 inches in the first, second, and third rows, respectively.
When taking a look at the cargo room in the Grand Caravan, it's clear that this is a main reason why so many people have turned to this model. The amount of space behind the front row of seating measures 143.8 cubic feet. Behind the third row, there is 33 cubic feet of dedicated space, and that increases to 83.3 cubic feet when the third row is folded down.
3. Low Price Tag
In today's world, affordability can't be ignored. The SE trim of the Grand Caravan has an MSRP starting at under $28,000. This price point is more commonly seen with two-row vehicles and sedans, with most minivans and full-size SUVs being priced above the $30,000 mark. If anyone is looking to save money, going with this Dodge model would be the way to go.
The SE Plus trims has an MSRP starting at around $30,000, and the SXT has a starting MSRP just under $33,000. In comparison, many other minivans have higher trims that are priced significantly above this level.
4. Stow 'n Go Seating
Seven people can fit inside the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, as there are two seats in the middle row and three seats in the back. When the minivan is equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, the seats in the second row can be folded and stored within in-floor compartments. When those seats aren't being stowed in the in-floor compartments, drivers can use that space to hide away smaller belongings.
The third-row seats can fold flat as well, so the result is a completely level floor that can be very convenient when sliding large items in and out. Ladders, skis, bikes, and more can fit inside the cabin of the Grand Caravan.
5. Powerful Engine
All three trims of the Grand Caravan run on a V6 engine. It comes with 283 horsepower and has a displacement of 3.6 liters. This sizable engine gives the minivan a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds, and it makes the vehicle feel like it's ready to tackle any terrain with a full load of passengers and gear inside.
6. Handles Well
The vehicle has front struts and a torsion-beam suspension in the back. This provides enough cushion for the minivan, and even the people riding in the back will be able to enjoy a smooth ride. Despite its size, both in terms of width and height, the minivan takes turns well. Though it's not exactly an agile sports car, it does perform nicely in various settings.
7. Large Infotainment Screen
The screen on the Dodge minivan measures 6.5 inches, making it easier for people to see the text and interact with the features. It's placed in the center of the dashboard, so both the driver and front passenger can reach the screen and the various control buttons whenever they want to make an adjustment to the music or system settings. Note that there are controls mounted on the steering wheel to encourage drivers to keep their focus on driving.
SiriusXM is available if anyone wants to expand their listening options. The minivan can also come with a USB port. When music players, tablets, and smartphones are hooked up to the system via the USB port, people can quickly find their favorite songs and play them over the vehicle's stereo system.
8. Many Storage Compartments
The dedicated cargo area in the back is quite sizable, so it's perfect for groceries, sports gear, or other types of equipment that people may need to bring with them. In the front, there are a few compartments that can be used for things like keys, sunglasses, snacks, and drinks. Beverage holders, overhead consoles, a locking glove box, and small bins in the doors provide more places to store items.
9. Ready for Tailgating
If anyone loves the tradition of tailgating before a big game, the Dodge Grand Caravan can come with an appealing feature. The back row, which is a 60/40 split-folding bench, can be flipped around when the vehicle is parked. With the tailgate lifted up, this gives three people a place to sit down and enjoy the fresh air along with some delicious food or refreshments. This is a truly unique feature that will excite a lot of sports fans.
10. A Comprehensive Entertainment System
It makes sense that many families are going to be interested in the Dodge Grand Caravan. If anyone anticipates going on long road trips with a lot of back-seat passengers who might get bored easily, there's the option to get a DVD entertainment system. This system can keep everyone in the back fully entertained, and it comes with wireless headphones so the people in the front can listen to what they want to hear.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan – The Cons
1. Slow to Accelerate
The Grand Caravan does have a solid engine under it's hood, but the engine is more of a slow and steady model with a lot of endurance rather than being a fast sprinter. People who like to hit the gas pedal hard when the light turns green or when getting on the highway may feel a little underwhelmed with the peppiness of the engine.
2. Takes a Lot of Gas
Fuel economy on the Dodge Grand Caravan isn't anything to get excited about. In the city, it can achieve an estimated 17 miles per gallon, and on the highway, it can earn up to 25 miles per gallon. With a combined fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon, the minivan will require frequent trips to the gas station.
The fuel tank is 20 gallons, so depending on the current prices, people could be hit with an expensive bill each time they fill up their tanks. However, this is to be expected with a large, non-hybrid vehicle. Not many three-row models shine in this area either.
3. No Smartphone Integration
While Uconnect Voice Command and Hands-Free Calling technology is available on the Dodge Grand Caravan, this vehicle does not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This is a big hole that people are sure to notice, especially since most other vehicles released in 2020 at least have smartphone integration as an option. Is this enough to turn people away? Most likely not, but it could make the minivan a harder sell.
4. Lack of Driver-Assist Features
The Grand Caravan does have a rearview camera to assist people when they're backing up, but it doesn't have any other modern safety feature that people are getting intrigued by. Systems like blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist are not found on the Grand Caravan. This could be a disappointment for anyone hoping to find an affordable vehicle that still comes with advanced driver-assist technology.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The minivan segment of the automotive industry has become fairly large, so there are quite a few competitors to the Dodge Grand Caravan. Where the Dodge has almost all of them beat is in affordability. The Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica, for example, are priced well above the Dodge, and this might make them too far out of some people's budgets. In comparison to the Kia Sedona, the Grand Caravan comes out ahead in horsepower.
Conclusion
As a minivan, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan has many advantages. First of all, it has a large cabin with three rows of seating and accommodations for seven people. It also has fold-flat seating to make the storage area feel more spacious and make it easier for items to be moved from the front to the back. While it might not have all the exciting features that some other vehicles have, it checks off many boxes in terms of versatility, capability, and comfort. When these qualities are taken into account along with a budget-friendly price tag, the Grand Caravan comes out as a winner.
