The Dodge Grand Caravan falls under the minivan category and is manufactured by the Chrysler LLC group. The company is still continuing the Grand-Caravan’s production in various generations, since 1984.
The minivan has its assembly plant located at Fenton, Missouri in United States and at Windsor, Ontario in Canada.
The Grand Caravan is related to the Volkswagen Routan and the Chrysler Town and Country models.
The vehicle has certainly set a great example for all commercially-available mini-vans.
First Generation Grand Caravan (1984-1990)
The first generation Caravan model was released in the model year 1984 and was designed based on the Chrysler S platform. The car is built on the three-door minivan body style in both the short and long wheel bases. The first generation, although limited in features, still set the grounds for further Caravan models.
The engines offered in the first generation include, 2.2 liter KI4, 3.3 liter EGA V6, 2.5 liter KI4, 3.0 liter Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 2.5 liter Turbo i4 and the 2.6 liter Mitsubishi G54B I4 engine models. The minivan Caravan was offered in six different transmissions such as 4-speed A604 automatic, 4-speed A460 manual, 3-speed A670 automatic, 5-speed manual, 3-speed A413 automatic and the 3-speed A470 automatic transmissions. This model was related to the Plymouth Voyager and the Chrysler Town and Country models.
The first generation Caravan models were offered in different trim levels like - upscale LE, mainstream SE and the base model. All the models were provided with three row seats and allowed to accommodate up to 7-passengers.
Second Generation Caravan (1991-1995)
The minivan released in 1991 was also called as Dodge grand Caravan LWB model. The vehicle was designed based on the 3-door minivan body style and was offered in both the long and short wheel bases. It came with the front engine and provided either the four wheel drive or the front wheel drive. The model offered four different engine models and the transmission capacities.
When compared with the previous Caravan model, this vehicle came with the innovations like available anti lock brakes, Quad Command bucket seats, driver’s air bag, and integrated child safety seats. The second generation Caravan model was available in six trim levels such as ES, Sport Wagon, Base, LE, C/V and the SE models. The all wheel drive was provided only in the SE and the higher models.
Third generation (1996-2000)
The Caravan minivan released in the model year 1996 was also called as Chrysler Voyager outside the United States and was built on the Chrysler NS platform.
The third generation Dodge grand Caravan model was offered in three different trim levels like the Base, ES, LE, SE and Sport models. All wheel drive in the car was provided only to the SE trim level and the higher models.
Fourth generation (2001-2007)
The fourth generation Caravan model was released in the body style of 4-door minivan in 2001 and used the front engine layout for its design provided either the four wheel drive or the front wheel drive. It used the Chrysler RS platform for its body structure.
Fifth generation (2008-present)
The fifth generation Caravan models were designed based on the Chrysler RT platform and come with the 4-door minivan body style. There have been several adjustments made to the power and drive-trains, but overall the Caravan has maintained relatively constant design qualities. In light of all of the alterations that have been made, the Grand Caravan certainly has proved to be a high-utility van with excellent fuel economy, and user convenience.
