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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Review

November 5, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

an improvement over the prior-generation
Cars.com

boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputation
Car and Driver

redesigned with fresh styling
ConsumerGuide

scores on styling
Motor Trend

For being the quintessential "soccer mom" vehicle, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is easy on the eye--but still leaves something to be desired.

Cars.com likes the newer, blocky shape of the new minivan from Dodge: 2008’s version “really hit the mark with the new styling. It didn't go overboard trying to make it look like something other than a minivan.” Motor Trend attributes its front-end appearance to the influence of "Dodge's 'masculine' Charger and Magnum" and goes on to describe it as having a "broad shouldered...handsome, expensive presence...[it] actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror." Even Kelley Blue Book cannot refrain from calling its styling "masculine." ConsumerGuide says it has "fresh styling," while Edmunds calls it "unpretentious.” CNet says it “doesn't break any new ground,” though, and Autoblog says, “the last time we saw sheet metal this flat and unadorned was on a UPS truck.”

Inside, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is “rather space-shuttley with its boxy, line-y interior design,” Mother Proof says. “This square theme abounds in other Dodge models; it’s not exactly warm and inviting.”

Outside and from the front, TheCarConnection.com editors say, there's no mistaking the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan for anything other than a Dodge; 2008’s sporty cross-hair grille tells you that there is a little bit of Ram in this minivan. The all-new styling on Dodge Grand Caravan presents a more squared-off look and represents an edgy departure from the Clorox-bottle shape of the previous generation. Particularly from the rear, the van's boxy design looks as if it were artfully drawn with a drafter's T-square. From the rear, it's hard to tell the Dodge from its slightly less sporty and more upscale Chrysler Town & Country counterpart.

According to TheCarConnection.com’s minivan experts, the interior shares the angular style that is so prevalent on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan's exterior, but crafted curves purposefully break up the linearity. With recognition that minivan interiors endure an interminable life with children, hard plastics are used for most every surface that isn't carpeted. The Dodge's white-faced gauges look sporty, and bits of chrome distract you from the...plastic. Storage is excellent, with multiple cubbies, door pockets, and huge under-floor compartments. Especially useful are the LEDs that illuminate the front-door bins.

Conclusion

If you value functionality over trendy appearances, you'll find the 2008 Dodge Caravan an excellent tool for getting you and your family from point A to point B.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:an improvement over the prior-generationCars.comboxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputationCar and Driverredesigned with fresh stylingConsumerGuidescores on stylingMotor Trend For being the quintessential "soccer mom" vehicle, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is easy on the eye--but still leaves something to be desired. Cars.com likes the newer, blocky shape of the new minivan from Dodge: 2008’s version “really hit the mark with the new styling. It didn't go overboard trying to make it look like something other than a minivan.” Motor Trend attributes its front-end appearance to the influence of "Dodge's 'masculine' Charger and Magnum" and goes on to describe it as having a "broad shouldered...handsome, expensive presence...[it] actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror." Even Kelley Blue Book cannot refrain from calling its styling "masculine." ConsumerGuide says it has "fresh styling," while Edmunds calls it "unpretentious.” CNet says it “doesn't break any new ground,” though, and Autoblog says, “the last time we saw sheet metal this flat and unadorned was on a UPS truck.” Inside, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is “rather space-shuttley with its boxy, line-y interior design,” Mother Proof says. “This square theme abounds in other Dodge models; it’s not exactly warm and inviting.” Outside and from the front, TheCarConnection.com editors say, there's no mistaking the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan for anything other than a Dodge; 2008’s sporty cross-hair grille tells you that there is a little bit of Ram in this minivan. The all-new styling on Dodge Grand Caravan presents a more squared-off look and represents an edgy departure from the Clorox-bottle shape of the previous generation. Particularly from the rear, the van's boxy design looks as if it were artfully drawn with a drafter's T-square. From the rear, it's hard to tell the Dodge from its slightly less sporty and more upscale Chrysler Town & Country counterpart. According to TheCarConnection.com’s minivan experts, the interior shares the angular style that is so prevalent on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan's exterior, but crafted curves purposefully break up the linearity. With recognition that minivan interiors endure an interminable life with children, hard plastics are used for most every surface that isn't carpeted. The Dodge's white-faced gauges look sporty, and bits of chrome distract you from the...plastic. Storage is excellent, with multiple cubbies, door pockets, and huge under-floor compartments. Especially useful are the LEDs that illuminate the front-door bins. ConclusionIf you value functionality over trendy appearances, you'll find the 2008 Dodge Caravan an excellent tool for getting you and your family from point A to point B. 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "an improvement over the prior-generation" Car and Driver: "boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputation" ConsumerGuide: "redesigned with fresh styling" Motor Trend: "scores on styling" For being the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If you're not sure you need all the room found in the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, check out the Mazda5. It's sportier and more fun to drive than the Dodge. Should value be your biggest attractor, check out the Hyundai Entourage. It does not offer everything the Dodge does, but the Entourage may have enough for you.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan near you

See the Dodge Grand Caravan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (5 total)

  1. By Chris #1, Posted: 7/24/2009

    This is my 2nd dodge grand caravan, 1st was a 2001, nothing but issues with the struts, tie rod ends, had them changed 4 times (3 at my own expense).got a 2008 sxt because I was informed Dodge revamped their front end and won't have the issue with the struts or tie rod ends. Guess what...under 2 years, 27,000 miles and the tie rod ends and struts need to be replaced. Not only that but within that first winter the sliding doors refused to close, no one could even force them closed! Drivers window would not come back up, air conditioning doesn't work well on those hot humid days (yeah we don't need it then); no I have a transmission leak, Maybe the repair guy didn't tighten something. Oh and the best thing was that they manufactured thousands of the vans with the wrong power steering hose for the upper midwest states, yep, once it got below freezing the hoses tend to crack and your fluid leaks out and you can't move your van! Try being stranded in below zero weather with kids and freezing rain and then have the towing people say, it's going to be about 4 hours, its slippery out there can we get it tomorrow! But thats another issue. So I will never buy another Dodge product again, we have a Chevy pickup that has over 200,000 miles on it and only maintenance items were ever needed; and my husband can work on it w/o all that electronic crap. I say manufacturers go back to what used to work.

  2. By family van #2, Posted: 8/4/2009

    i bought a 2008 caravan for all of the great features. on the way home at 12 miles a sensor went bad. the van has a wind noise from the dash. at 13000 miles the front brakes are shot. it's no wonder why people are buying other brands beside chrysler.

  3. By Frank Ochs #3, Posted: 9/2/2009

    2008 Grand Caravan
    Front Brakes went at 15,000, rear brakes went at 26,000, when is Dodge going to do something? Anyone have any ideas?

  4. By Bruce in Chicago #4, Posted: 9/19/2009

    I have a 2008 Caravan and have put new front pads on at 14K and then front and rear pads at 25K. These brake pads must be undersized. The dealer service department has to know problems like this but this sort of info should be given to buyers; $300.00+ for a front brake job only at the dealer - $150.00 at a reputable Chicago shop. I guess I'm back doing my own brake jobs again.

  5. By Matt #5, Posted: 10/1/2009

    Own a 2008, had to replace front pads at 12,000 miles, and then again at 32,000. Wind whistles through the windshield, dealer said they couldn't find the problem. All you had to do was look at the visible molding that was warped-from the factory. Now I have a wire that was attached to "something" that fell off the undercarriage. Hope it wasn't important. Piece of crap Chrysler. Won't happen again.

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