1996-2000 Dodge Caravan: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Dodge and Plymouth launched totally redesigned minivans in spring of 1995 as early '96 models, again named Caravan and Voyager, respectively. More aerodynamic in shape, Caravans could be equipped with a sliding door on the driver's side--a minivan "first." Center and rear seats have cleverly innovative, built-in "Easy Out" rollers to ease their removal. Minivans came in standard (113.3-inch) Caravan and long (119.3-inch) wheelbase Grand Caravan body styles, each holding up to seven occupants. Dodges offered four price levels: base, SE, LE, and ES. Chrysler's Town & Country is the plush cousin, though also similar in structure. Dual airbags and antilock braking were standard at first, but ABS shrunk to an option on base minivans during the 1996 model year. All models were front-wheel drive during their first season. Base engine was a new 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with dual overhead cams. Three V6s were available: 3.0-, 3.3-, or 3.8-liter. The smaller two came with a 3-speed automatic transmission; the larger two, with 4-speed automatic.