Exterior Styling Review 2009 Toyota Venza
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Review

October 6, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

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

actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror
Motor Trend

it's not exactly warm and inviting
MotherProof

The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is the latest example of a fundamentally sound idea that continues to resonate with families on the go, more than 25 years after its introduction. Not a full-size van, but certainly not a station wagon, the Grand Caravan minivan offers enough seats for eight passengers, a carlike ride, smooth acceleration, and reasonable fuel economy.

Available only as a long-wheelbase minivan, the latest look for the Dodge Grand Caravan is squared-off and edgy, compared to the Clorox-bottle shape of the previous generation. It's more integrated with the muscular look of other Dodge cars, but the T-squared lines somehow make the Grand Caravan seem less impressive and less upscale than previous editions. It's also harder to tell the Dodge apart from its Chrysler Town & Country counterpart. From the front, though, it's obviously a Dodge; the sporty cross-hair grille telegraphs the family links to the Ram truck and the Charger sedan.
Cars.com says Dodge "really hit the mark with the new styling. It didn't go overboard trying to make it look like something other than a minivan." Kelley Blue Book calls the look "masculine," while Motor Trend chimes in, describing the influences of "Dodge's 'masculine' Charger and Magnum." They also note its "broad shouldered...handsome, expensive presence...[it] actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror." On the flip side, Edmunds deems it "unpretentious," and CNet says the shape "doesn't break any new ground," while Autoblog damns it by stating, "the last time we saw sheet metal this flat and unadorned was on a UPS truck."

Inside, the boxy theme prevails again, with lots of hard plastic corners and imposing rectangles dominating the cabin. Light-colored upholstery helps, along with big glass areas, but the interior's moved into a cheap-and-cheerful territory that Dodge had all but superseded with the previous Grand Caravan. MotherProof says the inside of the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is "rather space-shuttley with its boxy, line-y interior design." The review also notes, "This square theme abounds in other Dodge models; it's not exactly warm and inviting."

Conclusion

With its more masculine style, the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan gains some fans but loses some important admirers.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputationCar and Driveractually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirrorMotor Trendit's not exactly warm and invitingMotherProof The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is the latest example of a fundamentally sound idea that continues to resonate with families on the go, more than 25 years after its introduction. Not a full-size van, but certainly not a station wagon, the Grand Caravan minivan offers enough seats for eight passengers, a carlike ride, smooth acceleration, and reasonable fuel economy. Available only as a long-wheelbase minivan, the latest look for the Dodge Grand Caravan is squared-off and edgy, compared to the Clorox-bottle shape of the previous generation. It's more integrated with the muscular look of other Dodge cars, but the T-squared lines somehow make the Grand Caravan seem less impressive and less upscale than previous editions. It's also harder to tell the Dodge apart from its Chrysler Town & Country counterpart. From the front, though, it's obviously a Dodge; the sporty cross-hair grille telegraphs the family links to the Ram truck and the Charger sedan. Cars.com says Dodge "really hit the mark with the new styling. It didn't go overboard trying to make it look like something other than a minivan." Kelley Blue Book calls the look "masculine," while Motor Trend chimes in, describing the influences of "Dodge's 'masculine' Charger and Magnum." They also note its "broad shouldered...handsome, expensive presence...[it] actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror." On the flip side, Edmunds deems it "unpretentious," and CNet says the shape "doesn't break any new ground," while Autoblog damns it by stating, "the last time we saw sheet metal this flat and unadorned was on a UPS truck." Inside, the boxy theme prevails again, with lots of hard plastic corners and imposing rectangles dominating the cabin. Light-colored upholstery helps, along with big glass areas, but the interior's moved into a cheap-and-cheerful territory that Dodge had all but superseded with the previous Grand Caravan. MotherProof says the inside of the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is "rather space-shuttley with its boxy, line-y interior design." The review also notes, "This square theme abounds in other Dodge models; it's not exactly warm and inviting." ConclusionWith its more masculine style, the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan gains some fans but loses some important admirers. 2010 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputation" Motor Trend: "actually looks mean looming up in a rear view mirror" MotherProof: "it's not exactly warm and inviting" The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is the ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan has tough competition in the minivan class, even before factoring in the ritzier Chrysler Town & Country. First, there's a not-minivan to consider, the Ford Flex. With its MINI-esque styling and seven-passenger interior, it's a minivan in all but name and the action of its doors (they're hinged, not sliders). For value, there's the Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage, near-identical twins that lack the flexible seating options of the Dodge but offer nicely equipped interiors and similar performance for a bit less cash. The Toyota Sienna's getting a bit long in the tooth, but has fold-flat third-row seats and a richer interior to its credit. The Honda Odyssey is the best minivan for those who don't want to leave driving feel behind; the steering is tops in minivans, the seats offer some folding and flipping options, and fuel economy and reliability history are good.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Check Financing Rates

for the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan near you

See the Dodge Grand Caravan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Tom #1, Posted: 10/4/2009

    My wife and I didn't care for the dash on the '08 Caravan, but liked the Town & Country. So, a little over a year ago we bought a new '08 T & C Touring loaded with all the toys, and have loved every mile in this trouble-free vehicle. You just can't beat these for their combination of comfort, function, flexibility, and economy.

  2. By Kingoftheroad88 #2, Posted: 10/5/2009

    My father-in-law drives 2001 Grand Caravan for 6 years. It is not a car - it is a ship!!! Admiring it! Saving money to buy the new one.

  3. By  Vishakha #3, Posted: 10/5/2009

    Yea I also search used cars which cars' condition like new near Moscow {Russia}.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy