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2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Quality Review

June 22, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a masterpiece of accommodating design
Car and Driver

convenient LED reading lamps dot the cabin
Motor Trend

possibly the quietest minivans
ConsumerGuide

improved over the previous Dodge Caravan in ergonomic design
Washington Post

Although its interior materials aren’t the best, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan has a wide range of seating options, and most give riders plenty of room. Interior design is another strong point; however, the Grand Caravan fails to wow up close.

Motor Trend likes the “convenient LED reading lamps [that] dot the cabin, and there's an available overhead 'halo' light that bathes the interior in soft blue.” Motor Trend and other sources also note the newly optional "Swivel 'n Go second-row chairs [that] flip around 180 degrees." MotherProof says the new feature is “fun,” but has difficulty removing the optional table that fits between the second- and third-row seats. Autoblog remarks that the third-row seat “flips backwards for tailgate seating that's more comfortable than any bare-metal pickup truck bed.” Cars.com likes the Stow 'n Go second-row seats, “which fold into the floor,” and Car and Driver calls them “a masterpiece of accommodating design.”

“The standard second-row bench seat and a manual 60/40-split folding third row (with the bench, the same bins in the floor that would accept folded Stow 'n Go seats, were they installed, provide covered storage); Stow 'n Go second-row captain's chairs with the manual folding third row; or Swivel 'n Go rearward-facing second-row seats with the manual third row,” says Cars.com about the layout of the interior and different seating options.

Most reviewers come down hard on the materials used on the dash and door panels of the Dodge; the interior “has a cheap-motel look about it, too, with plastic gestures everywhere—obvious plastic, blatant plastic,” says Car and Driver, adding that the big center console is “rickety.” Despite these drawbacks, Washington Post gives a positively glowing review, advising car buyers to go for the top-of-the-line Caravan SXT, calling it "luxurious ... like being in your living room or a family room." ConsumerGuide agrees, acknowledging the Grand Caravan as "possibly the quietest minivans."

Conclusion

The comfort and utility of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan match the minivan's reputation as an all-around family car; if you're looking for top-class materials, this isn't the place, though.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a masterpiece of accommodating designCar and Driverconvenient LED reading lamps dot the cabinMotor Trendpossibly the quietest minivansConsumerGuideimproved over the previous Dodge Caravan in ergonomic designWashington Post Although its interior materials aren’t the best, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan has a wide range of seating options, and most give riders plenty of room. Interior design is another strong point; however, the Grand Caravan fails to wow up close. Motor Trend likes the “convenient LED reading lamps [that] dot the cabin, and there's an available overhead 'halo' light that bathes the interior in soft blue.” Motor Trend and other sources also note the newly optional "Swivel 'n Go second-row chairs [that] flip around 180 degrees." MotherProof says the new feature is “fun,” but has difficulty removing the optional table that fits between the second- and third-row seats. Autoblog remarks that the third-row seat “flips backwards for tailgate seating that's more comfortable than any bare-metal pickup truck bed.” Cars.com likes the Stow 'n Go second-row seats, “which fold into the floor,” and Car and Driver calls them “a masterpiece of accommodating design.” “The standard second-row bench seat and a manual 60/40-split folding third row (with the bench, the same bins in the floor that would accept folded Stow 'n Go seats, were they installed, provide covered storage); Stow 'n Go second-row captain's chairs with the manual folding third row; or Swivel 'n Go rearward-facing second-row seats with the manual third row,” says Cars.com about the layout of the interior and different seating options. Most reviewers come down hard on the materials used on the dash and door panels of the Dodge; the interior “has a cheap-motel look about it, too, with plastic gestures everywhere—obvious plastic, blatant plastic,” says Car and Driver, adding that the big center console is “rickety.” Despite these drawbacks, Washington Post gives a positively glowing review, advising car buyers to go for the top-of-the-line Caravan SXT, calling it "luxurious ... like being in your living room or a family room." ConsumerGuide agrees, acknowledging the Grand Caravan as "possibly the quietest minivans." ConclusionThe comfort and utility of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan match the minivan's reputation as an all-around family car; if you're looking for top-class materials, this isn't the place, though. 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] MotherProof: “it’s not exactly warm and inviting” Motor Trend: "actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror" Car and Driver: "boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputation" TheCarConnection.com editors say ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2009 Ford Flex is a different take on the traditional minivan. With its MINI-esque styling and seven-passenger interior, this might be a Ford worth considering if you don't fall in love with the Grand Caravan. If value is your biggest attractor, check out the Hyundai Entourage. It does not offer everything the Dodge does, but the Entourage may have enough for you. If you're not sure you need all the room found in the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, check out the Mazda5. It's sportier and more fun to drive than the Dodge. Don't even think of asking for Stow 'n Go seats or Sirius TV at a Honda or Toyota dealership. Dodge's price point is significantly lower than either the Honda's or Toyota's, and the Grand Caravan offers more variety in terms of powertrains and available features than either competitor. And if you drive the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan back to back with a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, you'll likely feel some differences in refinement; the Dodge doesn't quite have the level of polish that the Honda and Toyota do.

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See the Dodge Grand Caravan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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