Equipped with Dodge’s 3.8-liter V-6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission, it handled well, accelerated briskly out of the gate and didn’t lean too much into corners. Except for the need for an alignment (there was a slight pull to the left early in the trip that never faded), the Grand Caravan was a driving dream – for a minivan. Floor mats have to be removed, front seats have to be moved up, and headrests have to be tucked.Īs for the rest of the minivan, it was everything you’d want and more. Standard on the long wheelbase Caravan SXT and optional on the Caravan SE, Stow ‘n Go is even easy to use. A subterranean level, mind you.įor 2005, Chrysler one-ups its rivals with a new platform, updated styling inside and out, and second- and third-row seats that flip and fold. This is just one-upping to another level. Honda was the first to introduce the flip, fold and hideaway third-row seat, and others, including the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey, quickly followed suit. How else can you store items under the floor? Houdini, eat your heart out. How else can you leave one seat up for a 3-year-old in a car seat, fold the other seats, load your luggage, unload the luggage, then fold one seat back up for a visitor picked up along the way? How else can you buy a kitchen table 800 miles into a trip, then cart it around for 900 more without problem? In the old days, the third row of seating would have been left in the Ikea parking lot. Why? Two words and one letter: “Stow ‘n Go.” In that way, Chrysler’s new Grand Caravan is the kind of van everyone will love on a trip (even the dead Aunt). Griswold learned 20 years ago in “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” when you’re going to take a long one, you need space. After 1,703 miles in one, our first-ever extended road test in a comparison of minivans this summer, I wanted to buy one.Īs Clark W. Can I admit something? I love the 2005 Chrysler Grand Caravan. Ask your 20-year-old neighbor kid whether he wants to sit in yours, then watch as he looks at you sideways, picks up his iPod and heads home. Griswold, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983)Ĭan I admit something for a minute? I used to hate minivans. You think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it.” Griswold, that if you are thinking of taking the tribe ‘cross country, this is your automobile. “Now, I owe it to myself to tell you, Mr.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |