2005 Dodge Caravan

Not only that, the interior finish is far more luxurious than Moondoggie would have imagined. High-quality upholstery and thick carpeting are welcome replacements for the brittle plastic and mouse fur used back in the '80s. The older Caravan never offered a driver-side slider, and other available features include power-sliding side doors and power liftgate, which add a great deal of convenience. You can also get power-adjustable pedals, rear DVD entertainment, and navigation system. Newly available are Chrysler's UConnect, which uses the audio system as a hands-free wireless link to cell phones, and ceiling tracks that allow moving and removing such items as storage bins, a CD holder, and a first-aid kit.


Driving to your favorite surf-break or other recreational destination quickly dispels any bad memories of past performance. The '05 Caravan pulls onto the freeway with alacrity, thanks to a 3.3-liter, 180-hp V-6 found in the SXT model. The extended-length Grand SXT gets an even more powerful 3.8-liter V-6 boasting 207 hp. Traction control is available on extended models, but all-wheel drive is no longer offered (which made the older model an ideal ride for ski trips, and one of the few things we wish had stayed the same).


For only slightly better fuel economy, the Caravan SE offers a 2.4-liter inline-four rated at 150 hp. You can expect 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the four-cylinder, and 19 mpg city, 26 highway with the V6. The four's power output is not really sufficient for a minivan, though, especially when the vehicle is used as intended and loaded full of people and/or cargo. It's not suitable for towing, either, while the V-6 models can handle up to 3,800 pounds with the optional trailering package.


Another reason to step up to the six is to avoid the buzzy exhaust note on the four, another failing of the early models. The V-6 is standard on Caravan SXT and CV (a tradesman version for business use), and well worth the extra expense. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available.


Maneuvering in traffic doesn't have the ponderous motion of the early models. The ride is smooth and the suspension supple, and it corners surprisingly well for its bulk, maintaining a fairly flat attitude during sudden lane changes or decreasing-radius freeway off-ramps.