It's easy to tell that General Motors is going through a rebirth; it has flashy new cars, like the Chevrolet Camaro and Volt, splattered all over TV to shout its resurgence from the mountaintops.
But as Chrysler climbs out of its sordid past, it's counting on improving what it already has on hand in its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands.
It may not be as sexy as a slew of all-new models, but most products we've seen get automotive plastic surgery from Chrysler have been impressive — and probably the most surprising is the bread-and-butter Grand Caravan minivan. After a long test with my family on board, I was shocked that this car was from the same company that produced the 2010 model I tested just last year.
Why? Simply that, while it's essentially the same vehicle, Dodge has thrown a lot "more" at it. The Grand Caravan has more refinement in terms of performance, more high-quality materials and more value.
It may not beat the Honda Odyssey, but it’s likely to give you everything you need in a minivan, and for less money.
What's New
The 2011 Grand Caravan sports a lot of new features that car dealers will try to sell you on, but none are as important as the minivan's improved ride and engine. Well, maybe the interior quality is as important, but the other two are vital to the Grand Caravan being more than competent this time around.
What struck me most was how solid the ride is. The 2010's entire body creaked when taking even the slowest of corners. It was as if you could literally hear the structural problems — hence, a rough and noisy ride. Not so in the 2011, in which I commuted to and from work over miles of rough, concrete tollways. It was so pleasant, I wouldn't mind the Grand Caravan as a daily commuter.
Obviously, a minivan isn't made for commuting, but that comfort will be appreciated on road trips with the entire family. Passengers in the third row did, however, find the ride back there much less hospitable. Instead of putting your wife and mother-in-law there, I'd suggest leaving it to the teenagers, who will likely take the comfort tradeoff for some parental distance.
An all-new V-6 engine powers all trim levels, which is a welcome relief for those confused by the three engines previously offered. It's also a significantly better engine, both in terms of smooth power delivery and in terms of improved mileage. It doesn't feel as energetic as the Odyssey's V-6, nor is it as fuel-efficient, but it's above-average for its class. And considering that class is minivans, you shouldn't exactly expect a NASCAR experience. The improved interior, though, will likely be that overwhelming to previous Grand Caravan owners.
Interior
Gone are the harsh plastics that were not only hollow, but also hard to the touch — scratch-inducing, even. The doors have softer materials, so when you rest your elbow on the door, it doesn't hurt. The dash itself has a nicer finish, the gauges are sporty, and even the shift knob is much more substantial now. My 2010 test car's shifter was loose and wobbly, so this upgrade was especially nice to see.
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