January 17, 2008

Inside Story: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan w/ Canada Value Package

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package. Click image to enlarge

Review and photos by Michael Clark

Photo Gallery:
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

The ol' burbs ain't what they used to be.

It wasn't that long ago that the Family Truckster of choice wore Mahogany Mac-Tac, slippery vinyl benches, and an entertainment system that might include a Roger Whittaker 8-track collection. (If you were well-to-do.) I'm not sure which farm they breed the new 'Super Families' in the corporate propaganda, but it appears that a 10 year-old with only one extra-curricular activity has a stigma attached to their backside bordering on orphan. From armoires to kayaks, today's minivan is expected to wear a lot of hats.

This should mean that the ultimate haberdashery of the 2008 people-mover set should belong to the one that started it all; the Magic Wagon. We've all been privy to the aural splendour that is a Mopar sliding door, through its many incarnations since 1984. Those doors are a little longer for Oh-Eight, with the Grand Caravan taking care of all wheelbase duties for the Dodge horns. This week, the Flying Fickle Finger of Interior Debate locks horns, with the low dough, get-you-in-the-showroom Canada Value Package price leader, with an MSRP of $26,495.

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package. Click image to enlarge

Cabin

Controls

The first obvious homage to other popular minivan design cues is the dash-mounted shifter for the four-speed automatic. Like its gussied-up cousins with six-speed slushboxes, the shifter does possess an AutoStick function, because we all know how much fun it is to keep your minivan's tachometer nipping at redline. The wheel gets manual tilt, with no telescope dope. Wiper controls for front and rear swipe are mounted on the turn signal lever, with a dedicated headlamp knob on the dash. Exterior break-away mirrors are positioned with the graceful nudge of your thumb (no power in the Value Package).

The front power windows get Auto-descent for the driver only. The rear sliding windows remain in place, with manual tip-out rear quarter glass. HVAC gets manual knob controls. The standard four-speaker CD audio system gets an MP3 jack, and the ability to add the UConnect Bluetooth connectivity solution at a later date. This Canuck Lo-Buck meal has one option; cruise control. The familiar stalk control is found at the four o'clock position on the wheel. The instrument panel gets an easier-to-read black-faced gauge array.

Convenience

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package. Click image to enlarge

There are a surprising number of cubbies and gullies for the modern Suburbanites. The front driver and passenger doors get three unique pockets, with a dedicated water bottle cavity. H20 pockets are also found on the sliding doors. Below the HVAC controls is the cupholder pull-out tray, with a removable rubber insert sporting bladder-style cinchers. The same system is found underneath the second row seat. The third row gets built-in cupholders on the cabin walls, with additional cubbyness.

The Stow 'n Go feature doesn't make it's way onto the Canada Value Package model, which means that the space meant for the tumble/fold/stow seats becomes storage space. Reminding you of the options you don't have are two storage gullies on the IP stack. The larger lower compartment has a removable tray for EZ-clean, and the two front row 12-volt DC powerpoints. A third powerpoint is found on the rear sliding door pillar on the driver's side. Robust flip-out coat hooks are found in the rear cabin. The overhead console pod consists of a sunglass holder, with built-in conversation mirror.

Safety

The dual frontal airbags are joined by standard curtain pillows for all three passenger rows. The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, the kissing cousin to the Grand Caravan, has received the top rating of five stars for frontal and side impact, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (www.safercar.gov)

Fit and finish

The plastic may be hard, but you will hold it in high regard. Gaps and tolerances are spot-on.

Spare/Trunk/Cargo

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package. Click image to enlarge

Let's play Echo. No, not the old Yaris wannabee, it's the echo you'll hear within the cavernous cargo confines of the GC. The second row bench can be folded flat, and removed quickly and with moderate oomph, thanks to quick-release levers and built-in rollers. The third row seat collapses nicely into the rear floor, with numbered straps to ensure the correct procedure. There are numerous tabs throughout, which can be used as bag holders or cargo netting tether points. The gate gets two hand-holds, though mind your heave when you're closing. It's not the easiest door in the world to yank shut.

The spare is lowered from the floor, near the driver. It may have a protective cover, but this would be a messy change at the best of times. Dodge will keep your chino's clean, and change it for you, for five years or 100,000 kilometres. Tire changing tools are found in the rear, behind a driver's side-mounted panel.

Seats

Front buckets get recline, and inboard armrests. The second row can be reclined, as well as the third stow-row. The problem with the third stow-row is the angle of the bottom seat, which is intent on setting most youngster's feet on 'dangle'. The front seatbacks have strap-cinched plastic pockets, a must have for the kidlets that keep brushing their boot muck on the back.

Engine/Fuel delivery

When the E85 finally gets here, the 175-horsepower 3.3-litre V6 mill in the CVP will put less dents in the ozone. It will also put less dents in your wallet come repair time. The Three-Three is ultra-accessible for a front-drive V6 mill. Fluid levels are clearly marked, as well as dipsticks, with the only possible funnel foible belonging to the brake master cylinder. Even the headlamp bulbs can be replaced without losing shards of skin.

Clarkey rating: I always enjoy picking at the bread and butter haulers. Even for minimal bread, the CVPGC has the glorious basics that any family will surely appreciate: Five stars. Next week: Mazda Tribute

Click here to read more Inside Story articles by Michael Clark

Michael Clark is a Winnipeg-based freelance automotive writer