The Original Minivan - Grown Up and Modern for 2007

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Summary

Some vehicles lead their segments; others even revolutionize them. The Dodge Caravan, however, invented an entirely new one: the minivan. Offering an especially useful amount of room in a surprisingly easy-to-drive package, the Caravan quickly became the new synonym for family transportation and spawned competitors from all sides.

Full Review 2007

The Dodge Caravan has always been a pioneer in family car travel convenience.  It was the first to introduce the sliding door, and the first to put two sliding doors on a van.  The 2007 Caravan offers a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.  America's best-selling minivan is built from the same design as Chrysler's Town & Country.  The 2007 model is a carryover from the previous year.   There are two trims, SE and SXT and there is room for seven riders.   Although the Caravan does not feature 'stow and go' like the Grand Caravan and Town & Country do, its big priority has been to remain affordable, and that it has.  The 2007 Caravan is an excellent value as it provides an especially useful amount of room in a surprisingly easy-to-drive package.  The Caravan faces much more competition than it did when it was first rolled out.  Countless automakers have entered the minivan segment, and have produced some very competitive models. As a result, the Caravan fell behind in terms of power, driving refinement, interior design and safety content.  With the introduction of an all-new minivan for the 2008 model year, Dodge officially discontinued the short-wheelbase Caravan after the 2007 model year, offering only the extended-wheelbase Grand Caravan model.

Driving the Caravan

The Dodge Caravans are smooth, quiet vehicles; additional sound-deadening measures added last year reduced wind noise. Ride quality is decent and well-controlled on the highway. The rack-and-pinion steering responds nicely and provides a good driver connection through the steering wheel. The Caravan rides more softly than an SUV, gliding over bumps with ease. It's an excellent choice when transporting passengers.

2007 Design

Dodge's familiar crosshair grille appears up front and has a U-shaped design. The front also contains a molded license plate pocket. The Dodge Caravan is a sizeable vehicle, but small enough to easily maneuver through the city. The standard Caravan measures 189.3 inches bumper to bumper. Caravan rides on a wheelbase of 113.3 inches. The 2007 Dodge Caravan's exterior is sleek and attractive with steeply raked windshields and aggressive grilles. The tracks for the sliding side doors are cleverly camouflaged under the rear side windows for a clean appearance. The D-pillars and rear window are steeply inclined for a sporty look, and a discrete spoiler rises from the trailing edge of the roof. Flared wheel openings add strength to the appearance. Headlamps and tail lamps are big. Aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires on SXT minivans, while SE models roll on 15-inch steel wheels. Power operation for the passenger-side sliding door is optional on the SXT.

Dodge Caravan Cabin 

The 2007 Dodge Caravan passenger minivan seats seven occupants. Super High Density Foam, developed by NASA for the space program, is used in the minivan's seats. Dual-zone air conditioning, a rear defroster system, tilt steering wheel, heated power mirrors, sunscreen glass, power door locks and keyless illuminated entry are standard on the SXT. The SE model is less abundantly equipped, but options are available. Power-adjustable pedals are optional. Cargo volume behind the rear seat is 15.1 cubic feet. With all seats removed, the Caravan holds 142.3 cubic feet of cargo. Caravans are 189.3 inches long overall and 68.9 inches high to the top of the roof rack. The downside of the Caravan models is they come standard with the traditional seating setup instead of the new Stow 'n Go system, so the seats must be removed to turn them into effective cargo haulers. Getting in and out of the Caravan is easy with its low floor height. Dodge Caravan's interior is comfortable and convenient. A pair of cargo nets can be suspended from hooks, providing well-designed bags to keep your groceries from rolling around. Another net can be secured between either the second-row or front-row captain's chairs. Hooks on the backs of the seats are useful for holding shopping bags. The standard manually operated sliding doors are easy to operate, smoothly gliding open and closed with the pull of a nicely designed lever.

Safety Features

Three-row side curtain airbags are optional, and antilock brakes are optional only on the SXT. An inflatable knee blocker helps protect the driver. Safety features that come standard include the required front airbags, which feature multi-stage inflators designed to automatically compensate for the severity of an accident. Middle- and third-row seats include child-seat anchors for a more secure installation. Optional side curtain airbags are designed to offer head protection for outboard occupants in all three rows.

Conclusions

For most families, the 2007 Dodge Caravan will transport you with ease.  There is just something about minivans that you can't get with any other type of vehicles.  The Caravan SE is the base model powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Caravan SXT is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and features second-row bucket seats, remote keyless entry, sunscreen glass, and 215/65 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Both models come with a standard low tire pressure monitoring system and dual front airbags. A Cars.com review agrees that the 2007 Dodge Caravan is best in class for the price. "Thanks to one of the most innovative interiors we've ever seen, Dodge now has the minivan to climb back to the top of the minivan charts." adds Autobytel The Dodge Caravan is a family friendly vehicle offering the features and flexibility that many buyers seek.  The 2007 Dodge Caravan's estimated fuel economy range is 26 mpg Hwy, and 20 mpg City.