The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan: The Smart Buy
Posted on December 15, 2020
As Canada’s favourite, reliable, hard-working people mover, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to be the pinnacle of practicality. Everyone from the dutiful parent carting the kiddos to school to the intrepid explorer travelling cross-country with their supplies in tow can find a reason to celebrate the cost and efficiency of the undisputed champ of vans.
No matter what your needs or passions are, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan has remained at the top of the pops in Canadian van-land for a reason: it consistently outranks its competitors when it comes to style, comfort, functionality, safety and, arguably most importantly, price.
The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is consistently a Carhub staff pick for all around value and we love to gush over it. Let’s dig into some of the features that make the Dodge Grand Caravan an enduring classic that feels as fresh today as it did in your Little League days.
Style and Class
Gone are the days of the boxy, cargo-hauler look of the minivan. The Dodge Grand Caravan offers the sleek, rounded visage of a machine that is meant to cut through the air while retaining the size and space of a vehicle that hasn’t skimped on comfort considerations.
From a practicality perspective, the classic sliding doors lend themselves to easy entry and exit points for passengers on both sides of the vehicle, with a low step for the kids to pile into and a design that allows the Grand Caravan to slip into tight spots that a different door design would falter with.
Storage, Storage, Storage
You can’t say the name Dodge Grand Caravan without conjuring an image of a van packed to the gills with anything from work supplies to cottage gear. Long the minivan par excellence in the realm of hauling capability, the Grand Caravan remains unrivalled in this regard. The name of the game is Stow n’ Go.
No heavy middle seats need to be lifted out of the Grand Caravan when it makes its transition from party van to cargo-hauler. With the Stow n’ Go capability, the Grand Caravan’s second and third-row seats can fold neatly and securely into underfloor storage bins that give the Caravan a large, flat load floor that is perfect for transporting bulky items.
Comfort Cruise
The antsy kids who are fidgeting their way through a road trip or a full shuttle of adults will find equal and ample space to stretch out.
The Grand Caravan’s second-row bucket seats allow for easy access to the third row and though some other vehicles offer a similar configuration, the Grand Caravan's long passenger box gives it a notable advantage when it comes to third-row seating. Even the biggest SUVs on the market falter when it comes to the third-row legroom. The Grand Caravan, by comparison, features a luxurious third row that comfortably fits two adults or three kids. Elbow and leg space abounds in all of the Caravan seats but the third row is where it truly leaves its rivals in the dust.
The lower entry point for the Caravan than vehicles with a similar seating plan can also not be overlooked. Let’s be honest, there’s a fair chance that kids will be hopping in and out of a Grand Caravan and when they do, they need to be able to make it happen without a struggle. You may be able to find an SUV that will cart the kids to soccer practice but the ease of access and legroom that the Caravan offers make it the sure bet for catering to passenger comfort.
Bells and Whistles
The sleek style of the Grand Caravan is not just limited to the exterior of the vehicle. Every trim level of the Caravan offers the range of style elements that Caravan fans have praised since its inception.
For a brief rundown of the specs that turn heads, the Grand Caravan Premium Plus comes with leather seats throughout and a healthy dose of leather trimming on the doors, center console, steering wheel and shift knob.
The premium infotainment system features a single DVD entertainment package with HDMI Port, Video Remote Control, Wireless Headphones, 2nd Row Overhead DVD Console, Remote USB Charging Port, 115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet, 2nd-Row Overhead 9 VGA Video Screen.
The Driver Convenience Group adds more luxury, with rear window shades, 3-zone auto climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, unique interior lighting and an overhead storage console while the Security Group adds a remote start system and an alarm system. The Security Group works with the factory key fob, which also allows you to open both sliding doors and the rear hatch at the push of a button. The Fully-Loaded Dodge Grand Caravan Premium Plus also features a Valet Function, Trip Computer, Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode, AUTOSTICK Sequential Shift Control.
The Dodge Grand Caravan comes equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 drivetrain, which delivers 283 horsepower via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Sure, there are faster vehicles on the market, but this versatile engine offers the acceleration power to get you and yours where you need to be without fail. Whether it’s work, play or soccer practice, the Pentastar V6 has the goods to haul a trailer to the campsite or merge onto that six-lane highway without missing a beat.
Talkin’ Trim
Trim levels are important details to consider when purchasing any vehicle and the Grand Caravan is no different, with a range of factors and considerations to take an appraisal of. Here’s a brief rundown of some of those factors:
The 2020 Grand Caravan is available in several trim levels, including CVP, SE Plus, SXT, SXT Plus, Crew, Crew Plus, Premium Plus and GT. All models, from the base model CVP to the highest trim, the GT feature an automatic transmission with a powerful V6 engine mated to a six-speed drivetrain. They maintain the high-level fuel economy that the Dodge Grand Caravan is known for across all trim levels.
The SE trim is the same reliable workhorse that has been recognized for decades as the all-around winner for comfort and practicality in the world of minivans. It comes decked with comfort-focused amenities like Bluetooth, USB ports and satellite radio.
Just because the SE is pared down doesn’t mean it’s lacking. This van ditches some frills for maximum value and consistently delights its users in the process. It doesn’t skimp on the tri-zone manual climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote keyless entry and a rearview camera. It also features the Uconnect infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touch screen and a six-speaker stereo. As with all of the Grand Caravan trim levels, it marries maximum efficiency with an unbeatable value impact.
For an example of a trim jump that gives the Caravan a bump, the SE Plus ramps up with second-row Stow 'n Go seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a USB port and voice command controls in the infotainment system.
The Se Plus features the Dodge Caravan mainstay, the 31.1 cubic feet of cargo room offered up within the cargo area, which is ample space to throw in the kid's toys, hockey equipment or miscellaneous life items.
With the Stow n’ Go seats enabled, cargo space jumps to 78.9 cubic feet behind the second-row, for a total of 140.3 cubic feet behind the first row. In other words, it’s got the space to handle any task that’s thrown it's way.
Safe and Sound
When it comes to specs, the Dodge Grand Caravan has it all but really, what could be more important in a family vehicle than safety? While it’s perfectly normal to wade through the options when making a purchasing decision, safety features may well trump all others. So let’s take a look at what the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan has to offer.
The Grand Caravan’s standard safety features include all of the classics that you could expect from a world-class vehicle, such as traction control, stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist and ParkView rear camera which provides a wide-angle view with on-screen gridlines of the area immediately behind your Dodge Grand Caravan on the Uconnect touchscreen.
Passenger safety is a foremost concern for the Dodge Caravan. It features high-strength steel from the foundation to the frame for maximum vehicle-impact performance and child protection door locks prevent the tykes from getting up to any door mishap mischief in the back seat. The LATCH system (lower anchors and tethers for children) helps to secure child seats safely and securely and quickly.
Seven advanced multistage driver and front passenger airbags offer potentially life-saving cushioning in the event of an accident and include supplemental front and rear side-curtain airbags, a driver-side knee blocker airbag and front seat-mounted side airbags are all included to provide the highest degree of safety possible to your passengers.
The Value Factor
It all comes down to the bottom line and at the end of the day, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan’s superpower is its affordability. For its price point, no competitor can rival it as a vehicle that will comfortably seat six adults while retaining ample space for gear. The interior space and infotainment system keeps your passengers comfy and happy for the trip and the tough, V6 engine has the power to roar down the highway or haul the boat to the cottage. The Stow n’ Go seats are the pinnacle of efficiency in convertible cargo space and the Caravan’s sleek looks would make it the envy of the van-people on your block.
For style, functionality and affordability, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan has proven time and again that it can't be beat.
If you’re ready to take the plunge into Caravan land, take a look at CarHub's fantastic Caravan inventory and be sure to check out the fantastic 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan campaign happening right now at CarHub!