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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Minivan sales are not what they use to be. But while most brands are spending a lot of money ditching the mommy-van segment for trendier crossovers, Chrysler continues to embrace it. After all, they invented the front-drive minivan, and their fifth generation 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country represent nearly 25 years of experience of combining practicality and agility into a single box. But can the latest reincarnation of the minivan convince new buyers that it's still hip to be square? Simply improving segment leading icons like the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country is never enough. While the minivan market has shrunk, it is still extremely competitive - simple improvements won't do. So except for the basic two-box form, Chrysler started from scratch with an all-new platform for their fifth-generation 7-passenger minivans. And they're the biggest yet! Now sitting on a single stretched wheelbase that's grown to 121.2-inches, the 202.5 overall length beats the Honda Odyssey by an inch and a half.
Inside, Chrysler designers really went to town with a host of new and familiar family-friendly features. One of the most popular with parents may be the YES Essentials stain and odor resistant cloth seat fabric and floor mats. The popular and still exclusive Stow 'n Go fold-into-the floor seating comes with uplevel trim, and with new twists. The second row can now be heated, while one-touch power fold can be added to the third row, another first in the minivan segment. But this year's biggest seating innovation is the available Swivel 'n Go seat system. This almost RV-like feature allows the second row seats to swivel 180-degrees, and face a removable table. When not in use, the table is kept in the big second row covered storage bins. An integrated child booster seat comes later. All but base models have power sliding side doors, now with power windows, and a power lift gate. The family is protected by all-row side curtain airbags and sit beneath a new overhead console with more storage. Available infotainment systems include navigation, Surround Sound, satellite radio, hard drive and a 506 watt amplifier with 10-speakers and a subwoofer.
All size drivers will fit thanks to a standard tilt wheel, with power driver's seat and power adjustable pedals available. And of course there are oodles of cup holders, and a rear seat conversation mirror, two huge glove boxes, and even an umbrella holder. Plus plenty of luggage space, from 32.3 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, to a maximum of 144.3 cubic feet. All this family convenience moves thanks to a trio of 6-cylinder engines. The smallest is a 3.3-liter flex fuel V6 with 175 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque; next a familiar 3.8-liter pushrod V6 for 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque; and at the top of the line the new 4.0-liter single-overhead-cam 24-valve V6 that pumps out 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. Automatic transmissions are a 4-speed for the 3.3 and a minivan first 6-speed for the 3.8 and 4.0. Driving aid comes from standard electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and an available rear backup camera. We spent most of our miles with a Chrysler Town & Country. While it still delivers a family pleasing ride, there's less roll in corners than before. The 4.0 V6 gets slightly firmer tuning and we liked it even more. The steering is light, and very direct, with good feedback for a family hauler. The 3.8-liter engine is certainly adequate for most uses and likely to be the most popular choice. But the new 4.0-liter engine is a real powerhouse, with an abundance of passing reserve and sharp shifts from the 6-speed transmission. But here's the best news. Prices for all Chrysler minivans are reduced for 2008, by an average of almost $2,000. Dodge Grand Caravan prices go from $22,470 for the SE, to $27,535 for the SXT. Chrysler Town & Country prices range from $23,190 for the LX, to $36,400 for the Limited. The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country show that the inventor is still the innovator. And as far as minivans go, the more things change, the more they stay the same but for the better.
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Both versions wear more slab-sided styling, with the familiar Chrysler wing atop the Town & Country grille, while the Grand Caravan's nose sports the Dodge crosshairs and Ram's head.
A DVD multimedia system sports twin 8-inch screens, and optional Sirius Backseat Satellite TV, which shows Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and the Cartoon Network.