2003 Dodge Caravan Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2003 Dodge Caravan includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Dodge Caravan from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Dodge Caravan, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Dodge Caravan help you decide if a 2003 Dodge Caravan is right for you.

2003 Dodge Caravan Road Test

Pros	Cons

Available all-wheel drive	Fuel economy

Entry/exit	Acceleration (4-cylinder)

Interior storage space

Passenger and cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
2	4	5	5	4.1

Good--with the right engine. Weak 4 cyl feels even more lethargic than its 11.3-sec 0-60 mph time suggests. The 3.3 V6 is OK in regular-length model. Grands need the smooth, strong 3.8. The V6s work well with this automatic transmission, though we miss the manual-shift-facilitating AutoStick feature no longer available for 2003.

Fuel Economy

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
4	4	5	4	4

Extended-use-test 3.8-liter V6 AWD Grand Caravan averaged 17.1 mpg over 21,115 mi., which included lots of highway travel. Slightly lighter front-drive test version averaged 19.1 mpg. Overburdened 3.3 should average 15-17 mpg in Grand Caravans. Test 4-cyl SE averaged 19.8 in a mix of city/highway driving.

Ride Quality

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
5	7	7	7	5.5

Grands smooth out bumps better than shorter-wheelbase models, but all Caravans ride comfortably. You'll feel most pavement imperfections with the optional Sport Touring Group's suspension.

Steering/Handling/Braking

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
4	5	5	6	4.3

Caravans with 15-inch wheels and tires are modest but predictable handlers; 16-inch setups provide more grip and sharper response. Brakes are adequate, but pedal feel and stopping power are better on models with 4-wheel discs.

Quietness

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
4	6	6	7	5

Heavy crosswinds and 70-mph cruising elevate wind rush, and certain road surfaces bring out marked tire noise, but neither is prominent enough to disturb conversation.

Controls

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.1

Gauges unobstructed. Controls are easy to decipher, close to driver, but cupholders block in-dash CD changer. Either 2nd-row passenger can reach the rear climate controls.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6

Low step-in height, wide doorways. Plenty of head, leg, shoulder room. Rear headrests obstruct outward vision slightly. Power-adjustable pedals allow shorter drivers to sit further from the steering-wheel airbag.

Room/Comfort (rear)

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
6	8	8	8	6.9

Generous knee, foot clearance in Grands. Regular-length version can be cramped in 2nd and 3rd rows. Override feature allows power side doors to be easily closed or opened by hand. And kudos for available integrated 2nd-row child-safety seats, and rear DVD and wireless-headphone entertainment systems.

Cargo Room

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
9	10	10	10	9.3

Regular-length is tight behind 3rd row. Split 3rd-row bench simple to remove, but no substitute for stowable seat. Handy power liftgate responds quickly to obstructions. Movable rear parcel shelf is clever, but has flimsy pop-up dividers.

Value within Class

SE, 4 cyl	Grand Sport, 3.3 V6	Grand ES	Grand ES AWD	Class Average
7	9	10	10	5.9

Caravan is hard to beat for refinement, utility, and carlike road manners. Our extended-use test model did not experience the reliability woes that have nagged previous Dodge and Chrysler minivans. Don't buy a minivan without checking out a Caravan.

Total Score