The Evolution of Chrysler's Minivans


25th anniversary of the minivan
The 1984 Dodge Caravan was 175.9 inches long. Today's Grand Caravan is 202.5 inches long.

1985: A rear seat that can be converted into a bed is among the year's new options.

1987: Grand Caravan and Grand Voyager models with a 119.1-inch wheelbase and a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine are added. So is an optional Mitsubishi-built 3.0-liter V6.

1988: The 2.5-liter engine becomes standard for all models but the Grand Caravan LE, which uses the V6. A towing package and rear-seat air conditioning are new long-body options.

1989: A 150-horsepower turbocharged variant of the 2.5-liter engine arrives as a new option for most short-wheelbase Caravans and Voyagers (through 1990). The V6 is now mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

1990: The Chrysler brand gets into the minivan act with the Town & Country. Available only on the 119.1-inch chassis, standard features include leather upholstery, front and rear air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and a new 3.3-liter Chrysler-built V6. Extended-length Caravans and Voyagers also adopt the 3.3 engine.

25th anniversary of the minivan
1991 marked the second-generation Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager.

1991: Second-generation Chrysler minivans bow with new interior and exterior styling, including more glass area. Other features making their debuts include all-wheel drive, antilock brakes, and--during the year--a standard driver-side airbag.

1992: Integrated child-safety seats join the options lists for 7-passenger Dodge and Plymouth minivans.

25th anniversary of the minivan
Chrysler's minivans got an available side-passenger airbag for 1994.

1994: A 3.8-liter V6 (standard on the Town & Country) joins the engine lineup. Manual transmission is used for the last time. New safety features include a passenger-side airbag and side-door guard beams.

1995: A version of the 3.3-liter V6 that runs on compressed natural gas is offered as a $4,800 option.

1996: All-new "cab-forward" third-generation vehicles feature rounded body styling on 113.3- and 119.3-inch wheelbases. An optional driver-side sliding door is a first for domestic minivans, and second- and third-row seats feature built-in rollers to make it easier to get them in or out. Town & Country adopts a short-wheelbase version and the 3.3-liter V6. Caravan and Voyager sport a new base engine, a 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder.

25th anniversary of the minivan
1997 Plymouth Voyager

1997: The driver-side sliding door becomes standard on Chrysler and some Dodge minivans. All-wheel-drive models gain 4-wheel disc brakes.

1999: Town & Country adds a top-line Limited model with leather-and-simulated-suede seats, chrome wheels, and a body-color roof rack. Grand Caravan ES comes with the AutoStick automatic transmission that can be shifted manually (available through 2002).

2000: Voyager is sold for the last time by Plymouth, which is destined to disappear after the 2001 model year. (Short-wheelbase Voyagers continue as Chryslers through 2003. The Grand Voyager name is still used today on Chrysler minivans sold outside the U.S.) Rear Seat Video is a new dealer-installed entertainment-system option available for all Chrysler minivan brands.

25th anniversary of the minivan
2001 marked the fourth generation of the Chrysler/Dodge minivans.

2001: Restyled and wider fourth-generation minivans debut with a minivan-first power liftgate, more engine power (with the 3.8-liter V6 up to 215 horsepower), and the availability of front-side airbags.

2003: Power-adjustable pedals and a power sunroof are among new options for the year.

2004: The 20th anniversary of the minivans is marked by Chrysler Platinum Series and Dodge Anniversary Edition option packages. All-wheel drive is offered for the last time. Chrysler replaces the Voyager with a 113.3-inch-wheelbase Town & Country.

25th anniversary of the minivan
Stow 'n Go seats allow for the seats to be folded into the floor. When in the upright seating position, bins under the seats can be used for storage.

2005: New Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats fold into floor wells in extended-length models. Some Town & Countrys can be had with a rear-obstacle detection system. First-time options include side-curtain airbags and the UConnect hands-free wireless cell-phone link.

2007: Caravan comes with a 4-cylinder engine for the last time.

25th anniversary of the minivan
The Swivel 'n Go seating option allows the second row to face the third row and includes a stowable table.

2008: Fifth-generation minivans bow on a single 121.2-inch wheelbase. An all-V6 engine lineup is topped by a 251-horsepower 4.0-liter job. Also new is a 6-speed automatic transmission for the 3.8- and 4.0-liter engines. Optional Swivel 'n Go seating features rear-rotating second-row seats and a removable table.

2009: A Rear Cross Path vehicle-detection system and expanded uconnect multimedia suite are new options.

03.03.2009