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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan West Palm Beach

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For 2012, the Dodge Grand Caravan lineup receives revised trim levels, including a new, lower-cost base model dubbed the American Value Package.  All 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan models are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.  Grand Caravan is about usable space. Super Stow 'n Go is standard. It offers more comfortable second-row seats that fold into the floor, offering useful cargo space with those seats up or down. The third-row seats fold into the well behind them, and with all the seats down the Grand Caravan can accept a 4x8 sheet of plywood.  The Dodge Grand Caravan is all about transporting people comfortably, efficiently and safely, while keeping them entertained. Its designers focused on interior creature comforts, such as the popular Stow 'n Go seating system. Stow 'n Go consists of bins in the floor behind the first row of seats, and second-row seats that can be folded into those bins, resulting in a flat load floor for easily carrying larger objects. Or, when the seats are up in the normal seating position, the bins can accommodate toys, games, sporting gear, tools and other small cargo.

Driving Impressions of the '12 Dodge Grand Caravan

The 3.6-liter V6 on the 2012 Grand Caravan gives Dodge an engine that is competitive with the other V6s in the class. It's smooth and quiet, offering decent punch from a stop and enough in reserve for passing.  A couple of safety options that are worthy of note. The Blind Spot Monitoring system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in the van's blind spots and warns the driver with lights in the side mirrors or a driver-selectable chime that sounds like the seat belt chime.  The Rear Cross Path system is activated when the van is in reverse. It uses radar sensors to detect vehicles crossing behind the Grand Caravan and warns the driver with lights in the side mirrors and that same chime. The system won't detect small objects, such pedestrians, so it's still important to proceed slowly. It does, however, detect vehicles up to 20 meters away, and is programmed to recognize the speed of oncoming vehicles and alert the driver only if they are traveling at a speed that could lead to an accident

Exterior Features of the '12 Dodge Grand Caravan

Up front, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has a sporty fascia with mesh inserts, a version of the Dodge crosshair grille, a slightly shaped hood and quad headlights. At the rear, the liftgate has DODGE lettering, there is a body color roof spoiler, there is a step plate with chrome trim, and the taillights add LEDs. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard. Hoever there are available five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels look better.

Interior Features of the '12 Dodge Grand Caravan

The available DVD entertainment system is a snap to play, which is important because some of them, even those in much more expensive vehicles, are not easy to use. Plug in the DVD, press Play, and it works; the screen drops down from the ceiling and the viewing begins. Video can be shown on the front touch-screen when the transmission is in Park. It comes with wireless headphones for rear seat passengers and has jacks to plug in video game systems.  The second-row bucket seats are stationary, but the back folds forward and the seat tips up to allow access to the third row, all with the pull of a lever. Open the bins and you can then push the seats into them. This system, now called Super Stow 'n Go, works superbly well.  The Grand Caravan leads the minivan field when it comes to interior convenience, capability and versatility.  Safety features include dual front airbags, front side airbags, driver knee airbag, all-row curtain side airbags, active front headrests, tire-pressure monitor, four-wheel-disc ABS with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. Options include a rearview camera, rear park assist, Rear Cross Path and Blind Spot Alert. All-wheel drive is not available.

Model Lineup

The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is offered in four models, Express, Mainstreet, Crew, and R/T. All come with the new 283-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Grand Caravan Express comes with cloth upholstery, tri-zone manual climate control, interior air filter, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, Super Stow 'n Go second-row bucket seats, split-folding third-row seat, power windows, power door locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry, six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, auxiliary input jack, trip computer, and P235/60R16 tires on steel wheels with wheel covers.

Grand Caravan Mainstreet adds power rear and rear quarter windows, and alloy wheels.

Grand Caravan Crew gets tri-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, power-adjustable pedals, power sliding side doors, USB port, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect Multimedia with 6.5-inch touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive for music storage, Uconnect Phone, wireless cell phone link, universal garage door opener, 115-volt power outlet, fog lights, roof rack and P225/65R17 tires.

Grand Caravan R/T upgrades to leather upholstery, power passenger seat, Infinity 506-watt sound system with subwoofer and three additional speakers, sports suspension and polished alloy wheels. It loses the roof rack.

Option packages include a Power Convenience group with power-adjustable pedals, power-sliding side doors and a power liftgate; a Driver's Convenience group with heated front seats, heated steering wheel, USB port, Uconnect Phone Bluetooth cell phone link, voice recognition, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror; a Passenger's Convenience group  with heated second-row seats, second- and third-row sunshades, and a portable flashlight; Uconnect Hands Free group with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, USB port, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect phone, voice recognition and an auto-dimming rearview mirror; Entertainment Group 1 with a single-screen rear DVD entertainment system; Security Group with remote engine starting and an alarm; a Mopar Exterior Appearance group with unique floor mats, mud guards, bright door sills and running boards; and a Trailer Tow group with heavy-duty transmission and engine cooling, load-leveling rear suspension, and a trailer wiring harness. Other stand-alone options consist of a Garman navigation system with real-time traffic, removable second-row console, Sirius satellite radio, hard-drive radio, the Infinity sound system, power rear liftgate, roof rack, running boards, and the load-leveling suspension.

A Cargo Van  is also available, with more rudimentary air conditioning and audio, no back seats, no carpet, skinnier tires, lower-line exterior trim than the Express model.

Conclusions

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is very nice inside, it handles very good, is quiet and has alot of power with good fuel economy. Grand Caravan offers amazing versatility with one of the most convenient cabins. The flexible seating, abundance of storage space, and impressive entertainment options can make life easier for busy owners.  Learn more about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan by clicking here.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com