2017 Dodge Grand Caravan GT Minivan | Full rental car review and test drive
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2017
- This is my review of the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan GT. There's more details below, but I just wanted to quickly say thank you for watching this video. Please comment below and share your thoughts on the Grand Caravan or just take a second and say 'hey'. I'd love to hear from you. Cheers.
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► About this car:
Year: 2017
Make: Dodge
Model: Grand Caravan
Configuration: GT
MSRP: Starting at $34,395
Seats: 7 (2 in the front, 2 in the middle, and 3 in the back)
Engine: 3.6 L V6
Horsepower: 283 at 6,350 rpm
MPG: 17 city, 25 highway
Towing Capacity: 3,600 lbs
For more info go to:
►About this Rental:
Rental Car Number: 34
Company: Enterprise
Days Driven: 2
Miles Driven: 146
►Other Reviews ("the critics"):
Edmunds: 4/5
US News: 7.1/10
Cars.com: 4.9/5
►Safety Ratings:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www,nhtsa.gov)
Overall Safety: 4 out of 5
Frontal Crash: 4 out of 5
Side Crash: 5 out of 5
Rollover: 4 out of 5
Available Recommended Safety Technology:
+ Rearview Video System: Optional
+ Forward Collision Warning: Not available
+ Lane Departure Warning: Not available
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org)
Crashworthiness:
+ Small overlap front: ** Poor **
+ Moderate overlap front: Good
+ Side: Good
+ Roof strength: Good
+ Head restraints & seats: Good
Crash Avoidance & Mitigation:
+ Front crash prevention: Not available
Child Seat Anchors Ease of Use: Acceptable - Авто та транспорт
Cheapest way to haul four kids comfortably. Minivans like this may not be glamorous but they definitely have their use for some families. Makes a lot more sense to pick up one of these for less than 25K than a typical SUV that has less passenger space for 40K.
Well said. Plus, young kids are pretty hard on vehicles, so it's likely going to get beat up anyway.
a tip : watch series on flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Malachi Oakley yea, I have been using flixzone} for years myself :)
I've owned my 2016 Grand Caravan for two and a half years. Great vehicle with great features. Drives nice. Hauls full sheets of plywood with seats down! Value plus!
How is it now, 5 years later?
Outstanding review. Thank you!
Cool video. Thanks for the great details
GREAT video!!
I just got one of these, and I too love it. I learned a couple things from your video that I was not aware of--thanks for the enlightenment!
You bet! Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks for great information. We used this for our trip in USA. Very good option for someone who wants to sleep in a car. Good space, confortable, great option with seets going into floor.
That was actually a nice review-- THANKS
Aww thanks! ✌️
Excellent video, very informative. Thank you!
You're very welcome. And thanks for the supportive comment!✌️
Awesome Caravan! I want a GT version! 🥰🥰
Excellent work here. I'm renting this today for a 3 day trip to Jacksonville
+Charles M Rinehart Thanks!
Dude the whole point of mechanic parking break is to use as an emergency brake when shit happens, you cannot do that with electronic button, so mechanic park break is plus
I've read recently that most of the parking/emergency breaks out there are electronic. In other words, even if you're actually pushing a pedal, you're still just telling a computer to engage the break. Not sure if that changes your opinion on things, just wanted to share. Cheers.
100 Rental Cars Well, if you read it somewhere it's got to be true, right? Have you even taken apart and repaired a mechanical parking brake? It's all just tension cables and brake drums, nothing electronic about them.
I second OVI-Wan Kenobi. If you're pushing a pedal down, or pulling a lever, you're pulling on a cable that is actuating the parking brake.
I think the releases are electronic, still manual cable, for a true electronics, you would need a redundent power source, in case of main failures. I like peddles 2-3 clicks brings my arse down, while the tranny shifts or I do it...while emptying the res. With a steady foot...grittin my teeth.
@@100RentalCars lol, maybe that's true on the German brands or something, but on every domestic and Asian car I've ever driven the e-brake is mechanical if it has a pedal or a lever.
Thanks excellent review.
Thanks Ray! ✌
awesome video!
Thanks mate. Cheers.
very nice and objective review
Hi thanks for doing this. I was hoping you could elaborate on the driver ergonomics with respect to the seat, armrest(adjustable?), and steering wheel adjustment. Thank you for your time
I think you made accurate comments. It's a comfortable vehicle. It has a big side profile that can catch wind on the highway-ie 2 hands on the wheel passing trucks, but it's heavy and stable.
Thanks!
Nice HONEST review...
Thank you!
You get a slow clap from me, just bought 1...well done. If I saw this before I still would have pulled the trigger. Great video, looking for a truck, no fords...any suggestions?
I’ve had this van for six years now. 120000 miles no problems. The sto and go seats are amazing, I can carry 5 dog crates and luggage. When the seats are stowed it gives an even lower center of gravity and weight so you didn’t fee like you’re going flip over when turning . I’m buying a second one.
Very lucky
Your voice is so soothing
+Shabbir Naqvi For real? Thank you! That's super encouraging. ...I promise I'll be more sultry in my next video.
100 Rental Cars you voice is so soothing and your videos so awesome and professional I just decided to subscribe.
+Shabbir Naqvi You sir, are to kind. Thank you.
Just bought 2017 Caravan sxt! The heated steering wheel is great!! 11000 miles, I Love it! Looked at a 2015 caravan r/t 33000miles had the nice radio with sub
Congratulations! It's a great minivan, I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit. Cheers!
I just got a 2017 SXT too but no heated steering wheel??
I'M SOOOOOOO IN LOVE😍WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT OF COURSE NO LEATHER SEATS!!!😍😍😍😍
Blindside detection is an option on the 2017 GT. A yellow triangle lights up on each outside mirror if a vehicle is next to you that you can't see. We have it on ours along with rearview park assist which audibly warns you how close you are to an object behind you. Great safety features.
Great to know. Thanks for taking the time to share. I'm a huge fan of blindside detection, especially on larger vehicles like this.
Regarding the blind side indicators ! Hey my 2014 R/T trim has them and also nice feature is the duel screens .
I have a 2018 Grand Caravan GT I bought from Auto Lenders in Sicklerville NJ. It's the best vehicle I ever owned. I bought it with 83,000 miles and now have 102,000 miles and it only needed a burned-out turn signal bulb and a 10 amp fuse for the power inverter. The 6-cylinder engine has 4 valves per cylinder, 4 camshafts, and 4 timing chains. It produces 300 hp and even after 100k miles, it runs like brand new. It redlines at 6500 rpm. Surprisingly the electronically controlled 6-speed transmission stays at less than 2,000 rpm for all normal driving. This means that if you drive the car normally in traffic, the engine never goes above idle speed. The usual rpm for cruising is around 1500 rpm. Unbelievable, and this alone should allow the engine and transmission to last forever. And there is no performance penalty with such low rpm driving. (BTW... Always use SAE 0-20W full synthetic engine oil and use Napa Gold or WIX oil filters. Also, I recommend using the Motorkote hyper-lubricant for extra wear and friction protection.
Note: 4 valves per cylinder, 4 chain-driven camshafts and a 6500 rpm redline, and 300 hp is a racing engine. I had a 1969 Corvette in high school and would love to have this engine in my Corvette, even though it's a 6-cylinder.
When you select a manual gear, like 2, 3, 4,, 5, or 6, this allows the transmission to use all the lower gears up to the selected gear as the top gear. The result is for the lower settings, all the shifting ranges are automatically indexed to the top gear selected. So selecting 3, 4, 5, 6, or 6 with the economy mode (green light) gives you 5 separate transmissions... If you want more pickup, set the transmission selector to 4 or 5, and the engine will rev higher for each gear within that range. It's hard to describe, but you have tremendous flexibility depending on your preferences. I sometimes keep it in 5 and use the expanded gear ratios 1-5 for some extra pickup (it does not seem to affect the good mileage). Right now., I'm getting prices for having the interior and exterior detailed. I'm thinking of having iridium spark plugs installed as the life of platinum plugs is usually around 100,000 miles. From 83k to 102k, there has been no change in the engine starting or running. It's a pretty amazing car, fantastic for a growing family.
I bought one last week and I love it, my 6 year daughter love the auto sliding door and tv option, and ya it does come with bind spot option 2017.
+Rummy Sandhu Great to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience. I only get to drive the cars in my reviews for a few days, so I love hearing from actual owners. Cheers!
Same here, just ordered a GT with blind spot monitors, it comes with an optional package called the Safety Sphere Group which also includes rear cross path detection and park sense rear parking assist. Cost=$975 in Canada
I LOVE it!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 But, I want it without leather!!
Great Review!
Thanks Paul!
Some of the van's features were misunderstood or overlooked. The slot under the HVAC controls is for the optional Bluetooth unit. It's not meant as a storage space. As for the storage spaces on the ceiling console, two of them are for the cordless headphones that are included with the DVD or Blu-Ray system. The DVD option seems to be included on most R/Ts on the dealer lots, so I don't know if it actually costs any more when everything is totaled up. It also might be useful to mention that the 3-prong power outlet in the back is 120 volt power, not 12 volt like most vehicle power outlets. It can also be switched off by a switch near the driver's seat.Using the Stow-N-Go seats is made extra simple by the fact that the pull tabs are numbered. You pull 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 pulls the seat down into its stowed position. #2 can also be used to recline the 3rd row seats.
Me: I want this
Also me: *has no kids*
👌
Nothing wrong with that. It's a great van, kids or no kids. I think you'll really like it. Plus...you can collapse the seats into the floor and sleep in the back if you ever need to. That's a big plus in my book.
It's identical inside and out to my 2011 Dodge Grand caravan Crew
I LOVE VANS
wait...are the second row seating not forward and backward adjustable because of the stow and go?
you forgot to say it has 4 heated seats and heated steering wheel.
+Santos Borrero Sorry about that. I have to ignore some things or my videos get waaaaay to long. I do agree, however, that heated seats are super nice to have. I'm guessing it wasn't top of mind, because I drove this in the spring. Watch some of the videos I posted last winter, I talk a TON about heated seat. ;)
I have a 2018 and the heated steering wheel is my favorite feature of it so far, as we're still coming out of winter/into spring. The heated seats in mine (driver's seat anyway) are more like warmed than heated - it has just enough to take the chill off while waiting for the regular heater to kick in - better than nothing but nothing to write home about. The heated 2nd row seats are a nice feature when you have that many passengers.
but , AWESOME VIDEO !!
Thanks for the kind words!
Just purchased a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, all leather seats (was not disappointed)
Nice! A 2016, huh? Smart. I bet you got a killer deal on it.
100 Rental Cars yes a killer deal, heading to Utah then Alaska
I just picked up a 2016 that was used in a rental fleet, got it with less than 40,000 miles on it for a KILLER deal. Minivan nation, baby
Many prefer material seats as they are more practical,comfortable,attractive,lower costs and climate friendly,not to mention sustainable.l dont know why America has this (snobby) thing about leather ??
Nice Andrew! Smart buy. 👍
The location of the shifter may seem odd, but it's actually very convenient. The 6-speed Ultradrive transmission has Electronic Range Selection (ERS), meaning you can set it to remain in any of the gears below 6th, if necessary. This produces more engine braking, which is very useful when driving in traffic in rolling hills. Instead of having to dab the brakes frequently to keep back from the vehicle in front of you, just shift down to 5th or 4th, and then lifting the gas pedal will actually slow the van, unlike when it's in 6th gear and just keeps cruising when you lift your foot from the pedal. This is done by moving the shifter sideways, which is easy to do with your fingertips, while keeping your hand on the steering wheel. It's almost like having a paddle shifter system.
I love this minivan, good vehicle for van dwellers, attractive, clean, and sexy, also very practical :)
I know it all boils down to opinion. But I prefer a manual e brake. Less things to break down. Same goes for automatic opening doors.
+Werewolf I agree. I've been slowly warming up to the manual break. I still like the convenience of an electronic parking break, especially the ones that automatically disengaged when you shift into drive/reverse, but I'm not sure I like it enough to pay extra for it. I've stopped harping on this in my more recent videos. Anyway, thanks for the comment. Cheers!
Power doors still open if the motor breaks it just takes more work.
@@100RentalCars My 1999 Grand marquis is a manual floor pedal but will auto disengage when you put it in reverse. I like that combo. Also the brake on the floor makes sliding 180 parallel parking more fun.
My parents have a black R/T. Pretty sure its the exact same thing as the US GT. It's decked out with everything. Its fast, definitely, 3rd gear is where the majority its power is.
My only complaint about the pentastar is the fly by wire throttle. It feels completely disconnected. There is a computer between the throttle and the engine and it takes its time. I wonder if the gt has the same suspension and brake upgrades like the R/T? It handles great
Just can’t beat the Caravan
The less electronics in cars the better I feel it over complicates things after a certain point.
Had difficulties finding a suitable car having 3 kids with safety seat for each +luggage & a dog. I bet it is quite a task to handle for every big family. That said I am willing to buy the Dodge Grand Caravan. There are definitely more pros than cons in that equation.
Agreed!
Nice review....just curious, are u renting cars for the channel or do you have a renting problem (like me...sometimes 🤣) liking to drive different vehicles, esp after they replace worn out fleets😍
I mostly rent for work...but I'm also developing a bit of a habit too! In the slow months, when I'm not travelling much, I do go out and rent on my own. It's fun getting to drive all these vehicles, and I miss it when I haven't rented for a few weeks.
I think you need to point out that the reason the Grand Caravan doesn't have all the modern tech is because it's an older platform that has been kept around by Dodge as a budget minivan. The Pacifica is the van that will have all the modern toys like updated UConnect, BLIS, Adaptive Cruise, LKAS, etc. And this makes sense. The Grand Caravan tops out at around $30k for the GT model, while the Pacifica starts at about that, and goes up to $60k. If you look at competitors (Odyssey, Sienna, Sedona, etc), the base models of those vans don't get any of the fancy features and toys. You have to spend a little more money and get a higher trim to get all the features.
Great point Chris. I've gotten to drive a couple of Pacificas this year and they are nice....but not cheap. I love the GT, I just feel like it needs just a bit more. Even a low end Toyota Corolla has a better touch screen. That being said, the GT is BY FAR the most fun minivan I've ever driven.
Fair enough. I just don't think FCA wants to put any money into improving this minivan. And why would they? The fact that it's relatively 'old school' doesn't seem to diminish sales at all. The Pacifica is there for them to put all the toys and R&D money into.The Grand Caravan is just the cash cow that keeps on printing them money no matter how little attention they pay to it. Because its cheap, and it's the only cheap, brand-new minivan you can buy. Remember the Ford Ranger? Ford didn't update that thing in like 15 years, yet they sold tons of them until it eventually disappeared. After the first few years, all the tooling costs had been amortized after the first few years of sales, and then the trucks were basically pure profit from that point onwards. The Grand Caravan is now the same thing for FCA.
The R/T does come with Uconnect as standard equipment, and the GT probably does as well.
What is FCA?
Why not add aftermarket touch screen and updates ??
I just got one and having my GT converted for my wheelchair.
If my eyes work good, when you need space, there are only 3 seats where you can take a place that's it ? (Driver, passager and one rear passager)
I just bought a 2017 GT a couple days ago because I got a great deal on a demo. It's a big step up from the CVP (Canada Value package) base model I had previously and I really like all the options, heated seats and steering wheel are great for Canadian winters. My only complaint is the stereo really sounds like crap, no bass. The 2013 basic model with a botom of the line radio sounded much better. I have to put my ears almost to the doors to hear anything but the tweeters no matter how the bal/fade is adjusted. Going back to the dealer after holidays to see what they can do.
Smart buy. I'm also a big fan I've buying something slightly "used" to get a nice price drop. And I reviewed this one a while ago, but I do remember the stereo being not great. Hopefully what you're experiencing is limited to just your vehicle. I'll keep my fingers grossed. And hey, if you can, drive it for a while and let me know if you still love it in a month or two. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. Merry Christmas!
I had the same impression when I first got my 2012 R/T. I'm guessing it sounds that way so that when passengers are watching a movie the dialogue would be clearly audible over road noise, but the default settings are terrible for music. You can't even tell that the subwoofer (in the left panel of the cargo area) is working.To get good sound, I bumped the bass up to +5, lowered the mids to -2, and raised the treble to +3. With those settings, I could now hear that the system has a subwoofer (it was inaudible before), and the music sounds much better. As well, I set the fader to boost the sound from the back so it's closer to being surround sound, and set the balance to the right to 4 or 5, because I'm usually driving alone.Try those settings and see if you like the system better. Depending on your ears and your favourite music, you may want to experiment further to get the sound you like, but those are good starting points.
To access the tone controls, touch the Equalizer on-screen button.
why didn't you put the back seats up again. I cant get mine to go back up
I would give it 5 stars, EXCEPT for the leather seats! Anyways, I'm getting one soon without leather seats! I'm sooooooo HAPPY!!😀👏👏
I LOVE❤IT!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍
+Mini Vegana Great to hear! Let me know how you like it.
How to know when your slide door of mini van is locked . With just the remote buttons
I prefer a mechanic brake wether it be hand or foot over electric every time from relyabiliy purpose
Agreed. My thoughts on this have changed over time. The electronic brakes were novel and fun, but now I prefer a foot pedal.
i notice the GT's, although the top end model, often don't come with a roof rack. I wonder why that is, when you pay more for them?
Thank you for showing the video on the 2017 Grand Caravan.. I have a 2001 Grancavan and i really like it..The only thingvabout mine is my seats wouldn't collapse so i had to take them out .. Now that I'm useing it for camping..There was several things that i didn't like about the new one.. Pretty much the same things that you didn't like..Anyway thanks for sharing..
+Carolyn Sparks No problem! And thanks for the comment.
How much AC output level ? 150W or 400W ?
Hi! Thank you for the video! Quick question...we are planning a trip to Orlando/Miami. And we were wondering if in the dodge grand caravan will fit 5 adults with 2 big 20 kg bags each (that makes 10 bags in total).
Probably. There's actually not very much room in the very back of this minivan, so you have to use the 3rd row for some of your luggage. But it should work. Also, check out something like the Lincoln Navigator or the Chevy Suburban. Both have the same number of seats, but more cargo room. They might be a better fit for you. Or...one of my personal favorites, the Ford Flex.
And good luck on your trip! I hope you have a good time.
@@100RentalCars Thank you so much for your advice!!
How can make my 2017 Dodge Caravan back to factory settings?
Ford and Chevy police vehicles have those old school parking brake pedals
I thought the GT models have a movie screen up top. Which models have this feature? Thanks! :)
Nope, it's an additional feature even on the GT. It's an additional $995 (waaay to much in my opinion) and it's called the "Single DVD Entertainment Package". Honestly, I think I'd rather just buy a couple of tablets for my kids. A grand is too much for a tiny screen and a DVD player.
We have it on ours, and I would have thought the same as you, until I tried it with my kids. It's actually more convenient than a couple of tablets. My daughter usually likes to just watch what's in there, so we don't really fumble around for DVD's all that often. I just reach back, unlatch the screen, hand her one of the wireless headphones (they're kept in the front seat pockets). It takes all of 5 seconds to get going. A tablet would have to be 'managed' more. I'd have to monitor the battery levels and plug in to charge, etc. Headphones would be more of a pain in the butt, too, as I'd need to actually physically plug them in before handing off to my kids.
FYI: You can pair a phone by going into Menu and Setup to pair a phone/device WITHOUT voice commands.
and......... it's VERY easy!
Really! What model year do you have?
You didn't show tailgate! One of the best feature!
just bought a 18 se it had a 7500 rebates and incentives I financed right at 20k about the same as economy car by far a better value.
Yowza that's a good deal. Well done, sir. What do you think so far? Still like it?
100 Rental Cars it's a little behind on something but safe and new with warrinty it's a solid veichle, I can get about 28mpg on a flat stretch
Ditto
Hi I'm just curious how much do you think the expenses for the gas for this car? Thanks
I have a 2014 Town and Country and my mother in law a 2019 Grand Caravan GT. We've put 80K on our town and country (it's over 120K total now). In eco mode, I can get 24-25mpg easily with a 20% city 80% highway mix, with highway being mostly 70-80 mph with moderate traffic, but moderate here means fairly regular braking and acceleration with people merging and exiting etc (Dallas metro). The Town and Country in regular (not eco) mode normally gets about 22-23 mpg in similar driving, but on highways at 75mph 100% continuous (no city except rest stops) like during a trip it'll get 25+mpg. In eco mode or with less of a speedy driver it should do better, but I don't normally drive it that way. In town both get right around 20mpg. My experience is that it does little bit better than the EPA numbers in real life, like maybe 2mpg better.
This guy is way off. I own one and it was easy to pair my phone. I also love where the gear shifter is located. It is easy to use l, yet is out of the way.
To each his own, I guess. Overall, however, I think we both agree that this is a great minivan.
The shifter on the dash does take some getting used to, for those of us with 40+ years of it being on the column or on the floor (console). I do agree that it's out of the way, but it's less convenient, and I've never found a shifter anywhere else that much in the way.
We hired this for two weeks, best decision ever.Easily fit 7 people and 6 large suite cases and two small child strollers.
Good to hear! I love it too, but I had no idea it could fit that much stuff. You must have done an amazing job packing it all up. 👍👍👍
It's really sad that they haven't really changed much since about 2009 or 2010.. I had a 2010 caravan sxt and I loved it but watching this video it really doesn't look much different on the inside.. There's a lot of different things that they could upgrade on the interior to make it better.. One is they could move the shifter down to the center council and they should upgrade and have the bigger screen like my current Dodge journey has.. The big huge screen where you can control the radio and all of your climate control and a lots of other things.. And that's all touchscreen
I don't think it's too hard to connect the phone...
Uconnect system: "Ready"
Driver: "Uconnect setup"
Uconnect system: "Select one of the following, Device pairing, etc."
Driver: "Device pairing"
Then just follow the instructions spoken verbally...
+Jared Thompson Yes, you can skip ahead quickly if you know the proper voice commands. But why does it have to be so convoluted? For example, on Ford's system you just click a single button to "add phone". It literally takes 20 seconds.
I work at a rental car agency, out of all the cars i've spent time with and experienced, this vehicle is THE most difficult to set up bluetooth. I'd rate it a 4/5 aswell, and it'd be a 5/5 if they just upgraded the stereo. No other modern car i've been in requires voice set up. Your instructions did make it a lot easier than I had thought it was though.
Dude the ford's sync system sucks! My friend has a 2013... it sucks so bad. I'm glad they ended partnership with Microsoft.
Exactly! I'd never paired a phone before, but I found it to be quick and easy to do on the Grand Caravan.
nomorokay oh man. Wait til you have a chance to do it on a Toyota for example. It's easy and quick as 123.
It's like they got rid of the R/T trims for this and the Journey and called them GT. Durango also had a GT trim, but keeps the R/T trim as well.
+Neighborhood Car Reviews I actually just drove the Durango GT last week. What a huge car. It was nice, but overall, I'm just not a huge fan of Dodge. I think most of their cars could use a nice refresh/update. What do you think?
100 Rental Cars Same. They keep the same body styles for what seems forever, about 6 years, with a mid-cycle refresh.
+Neighborhood Car Reviews Not good enough!
I bought a new 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T and at the time thought it was great. Four years later I traded it in for a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. Many of the issues that I had with the R/T were addressed and improved on the Pacifica. I look at the new G/T and see Nothing new...
The GT is basically just a trim package. My 2012 SXT has the same engine and transmission as the 2017 GT, meaning it's just as fast (and for a van, it is a rocketship). I believe the GT might get a slightly upgraded suspension compared to the lesser versions of the van. I think that just means you get a harsher ride. Really, who buys a van for its cornering ability? You want to be able to glide over bumps and road imperfections (to be honest though, the Grand Caravan is pretty unrefined in that respect).
for road tripping how much room to stretch out? Could someone 6 feet tall sleep comfortably stretched out completely?
actually the radio/ audio controls are on the back of the steering wheel. the arrows and back buttons on the steering wheel are for the center trip computer in the middle of the dials. I actually owned this van for one month. I only drive it 2,000 miles and sold it the next month and bought a Nissan Maxima instead.
+drew bicknell Thanks for the info. I try to be accurate...but I do make a lot of mistakes. Sold it and bought a Maxima? Nice. How do you like the Maxima? It's one of my favorites.
100 Rental Cars I actually like the Maxima alot! I have an 2017 Maxima platinum and my wife has a 2016 Nissan Maxima s. she had 90,000 miles on it and had absolutely no problems! I think Nissan is one of the most reliable brands. I like all the safety features you get on the Maxima
+drew bicknell I totally agree. It's a great car. Especially the 2017. It's one of my favorites.
I agree
Hi can you fit 6 suitcases in with one of the middle seats lowered along with 6 people?
4 suitcases vertically in the trunk, one horizontally on top of them + one between the middle row seats. We used that config in a Pacifica while on a road trip with friends and I guess it would work the same with the Grand Caravan. :)
Can you step from the 2nd row seating into the driver's seat without stepping on the driver's seat? If not is that center console removable?
Yes, the console is removable...at least it is on the more recent Caravans I've driven. Sorry, I've been driving so many cars lately that I can't remember specifics about the 2017 GT.
Do they have a cooled storage box/cubby for drinks ?
Did you rent this from enterprise because I will be renting a minivan in a few weeks with enterprise and I wanted to know if this would be similar to the car I will be renting
+Shabbir Naqvi I did! In my experience, Enterprise usually rents out the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town and County. However, I have occasionally gotten Chrysler Pacificas and Kia Sedonas too.
100 Rental Cars good to know
Specs and mechanicals? Engine size, output, transmission type? Other than these important ommissions, good review!!
Thanks Jeffrey! This review is a bit old. I have tried to include more details in my later videos although I don't have it quite perfect yet. So I really appreciate the constructive criticism. 👍
@@100RentalCars I'm glad you found it helpful. I wasn't being facetious. I liked your review, just left me wondering about the specs.
No worries, I didn't get that vibe from your comment at all.
The best minivan. Also, why is there two cars?
is there any difference in 2016 R/T to 2017 GT? looks similar to me..
+ceegutta28 Very similar. No major differences cosmetically. But the GT is much faster. Why do you ask? Are you planning to rent one soon?
Curios as to why you gave the 2017 DGC G/T trim 4 stars when you only gave 3 stars to the 2016 DGC R/T (vehicle I own and love) which are essentially identical vehicles in terms of trim and options and also mechanically identical???
+Paul Chan It was probably just my mood that day. I'm not super scientific about this stuff, I'm just trying to have a little fun. And just thinking out loud, but when I reviewed the 2016 model, I don't think I had driven many minivans at that point, so I was probably a bit ignorant. Regards, the GT and the old RT are both great vehicles, so I can see why you love yours. And thanks for the comment. It's really helpful to get feedback. Cheers!
100RC's, thanks, sounds reasonable. It's a darn shame that 2017 will probably be the last year for the DGC, still remember all the hoopla when the DGC was debuted in 1984 with its Plymouth twin Voyager way back when Lee Iaccoca was head of Chrysler then and always assembled in Windsor Ontario since its origins. My first experience with it was driving a 1986 DC (the extended "Grand" version did not debut until 1987) in my P/T job as a bank messenger while a college student. The Pacifica that replaced the T&C is a nice minivan but a wee bit smaller and their base and lower trim models don't come with much, to get options & amenities desired compared to the DGC, the Pacifica then gets really pricey. Best Regards.
I'm in 8th grade. I'm a van rider, i ride 3 grand caravans. A 2019 gt, a 2017 sxt and a 2013 sxt
Which do you like most and what are the key differences for you?
The 2013. It has dual zone manual climate control, a sunglass storage, and more. It has a new battery because the old one was low but about to go dead.
I thought the Crew plus premium was the top of the line Grand Caravan... I currently own a 2015 SXT Premium Plus and at the time of purchase it was supposed to be le final year, according to my salesman. Later I heard that it may not be produced after 2019. Btw pairing my phone literally took 45second with me just calling out"pair device" and making sure my Bluetooth setting is open on my phone. That head unit dates back to 2008 and is way out of date compared to today's UConnect.
Love my van due to Stow n Go middle row. Stereo sounds awesome and is surprisingly quick.
You paired your phone in 45 seconds?!? Well done! The first time I tried it, it took 5+ minutes. How are you liking your 2015 SXT? Any major problems?
100 Rental Cars it's been solid and reliable.. I be driven the Toyota and Honda vans and I'll admit they are a better built... But with my bad back the Stow n go is a major selling point. Also since I drive my van "inappropriatly" The Grand Caravan has way more pick up than the other vans. It's currently has 65000km (just over 40300miles) and only has been in for a hood replacement due to a small amount of rust which was covered by warranty. I used to own a 2011 Town and Country and admittedly my first pairing of my phone wasn't smooth. But after my second phone I just hit UConnect button on steering wheel say pair device after making phone visible via Bluetooth tooth confirm connection , name phone and assign priority. My current Moto G4 plus connected almost instantly and I now have plenty of practice navigating through the menus, however I find it "clunky" and slow compared to the latest UConnect system in the 2018 Dodge Charger GT that my Dodge dealer loaned me for the week( Wednesday through to Monday 😉) while they had my van in the bodyshop to replace the hood.
Two things: (1) you gotta elaborate more on what you mean by driving "inappropriately" (I'm imagining you off roading or something crazy in your minivan); and (2) how's the 2018 GT? I had it two weeks ago, but couldn't film it because work went long.
I drive it more like a sports car than a van ... I rarely back down from a stop light drag race. As a former Corvette owner, I also like to take on /off ramps faster than necessary just to feel the G forces... The guys I car pool with are the ones that say that I drive the minivan inappropriatly but they're cool with that. I have 3 kids so the mini van is more of a priority to own than a sporty car and I think it handles better than any SUV, except maybe a Durango SRT or others in that class that are out of my price range at the moment.
I loved that Charger for the time I had it. Using the performance menu timing page, I achieved a 7.2seconds 0-60 Which is quicker than my van but no Corvette, I didn't have an opportunity to try a 1/4 mile. The colour of it was Destroyer Grey which seemed to make other motorists nervous and get out of my way on the highway thinking that I was a Police stealth cruiser. lmao. It was comfortable but my eldest daughter, who is 5'10" and 16yrs old said the roof was too low in the back seat causing her to slouch. I would like to try the Hemi optioned ones though.
Wow
There is a R/T model
Do you have T-Rex arms who has to reach for the buttons to the air condition
I do. And I'm very sensitive about it. /s 😁
Can you get cooled front seats and bird-eye camera for GT?
Is the drivetrain reliable?
It’s a Chrysler so I don’t think it’s that reliable
Great review
Forgot:
Charging port in the top glove box
Heated front and rear seats
Heated steering wheel
I agree needs cameras or sensors on side mirrors.
Over all a good vehicle. I honestly wish dodge would just make them bullet proof add second moon roof, add all wheel drive with good suspensions.... sound dampening....
Just make the best van in the world Dodge. Put made in USA back on the map. That would be great. Just forget about super profits and give back...
the manufactures are all really inflating their pricing across the board because they think the market can sustain it , so between pricing on the old body style and grabbing the last of the 2017 year the GT represents massive value ( 35 k here in Canada ). To get the same load in the latest greatest pacifica would be 55+k .So grab them while you can because very shortly it will be the norm to pay 55 to 60 for this type of vehicle ( the pacifica ) wich is ridiculous
7:28 Stow n Go seating in a fantastic concept. The only thing is that if you have a young family with car seats installed, then the real life utility of Stow n Go is diminished unless you're prepared to install/uninstall car seats.
+azaz911c Agreed. However, what we do is install the car seats in the third row and collapse the two captains chairs...at least on longer trips. Works great! Especially when you keep a cooler in the middle of the vehicle so everyone can grab snacks.
I've done it a couple of times. It's a LOT easier to take out and stow a child seat than it is to stow an entire captain's chair. I've done a couple of Home Depot trips where I've bought 4x8 sheets of plywood, and brought them home in my van. This is easily possible with Stow 'n Go. Yeah, it took me an extra 2 minutes before and after to remove and replace the child seat. I WILL agree that the convenience IS diminished by having a child seat on-board, just because of the extra step. BUT, I also have a WeatherTech floor liner in my van, and that probably contributes a LOT more to Stow 'n Go being a pain in the ass than the child seat does.
Oooooh you have a Weather Tech Floor liner? I drive by one of their factories every week and I've been really thinking about getting a liner installed in my minivan. If I have to vacuum that out one more time...well I might go crazy. Are they working about well? Is it worth the cost?
I'd say they're worth it. I'm up in Manitoba, Canada where we have winter 5 months of the year. We're constantly salting/sanding our roads, so it's nice to protect our van's carpet from all that grit and crap. The two front mats are deep buckets that trap all the water and crap. They're easy to take out and spray off every so often at the wand wash. The rear mat is one piece for the 2nd and 3rd rows. It's a little more hassle to take in and out, as it has to be folded and maneuvered around all the seats. As previously mentioned, using Stow 'n Go with these mats becomes a little more difficult, as the mats are a bit of a hassle to move out of the way, what with being one piece construction for the rear. It CAN be done, though, and the results (keeping dirt/crap off the carpets) are well worth it.If you're constantly using 2nd row Stow 'n Go, then they may not be for you. If you only use Stow 'n Go occasionally, then have at them. I remove them in the summer and use the factory carpeted floor mats.
They should make a new Caravan, I think it would be cool if it resembled the Dart.
+WarthogRacer Love the idea. A minivan with a little bit of an aggressive style / attitude. Good idea!
Do you actually want something under-powered, overweight,bloated styling with a terrible transmission? The Caravan has been updated, it's called the Pacifica & it is terrific! The Caravan continues mainly for fleets .
People being so nitpicky about useless features like a parking brake button is a big reason why new cars cost $30K+ these days.
Nice shoes. You need a spit shine
Agreed. The winter was not kind.
they dont update the features of the grand caravan because there discontinuing it
Bummer. Hopefully it'll still be around, but just packaged under a different name. Thanks for the comment!
I thought the R/T is the top trim
Thanks.. But I'll stick with my 2001 Dodge Grancavan..I love it..
I bet! It's a great minivan. And thanks for the comment Carolyn!
100 Rental Cars Yes it is.. I bought it in 2004. Hardly any problems at all.
Its been awesome.
Well done. I bet you saved a ton of money buying it a few years old.
100 Rental Cars True.. I payed 9.600.00. It was still like new.. The millage 112,000..now.
Less than 10 grand?!? Wow, you really did do well.
I'm sitting in a 2019 rental and it doesn't have the sun shades or the top center storage compartments that run down the middle of the vehicle. Also in the back there is the traditional ac adapter but not the wall outlet style plug. I guess the 2019 has less standard features?
you're probably in a different model than this one. My dad just bought a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan GT and it is super loaded. It even has Blind spot detection, and rear entertainment system!
We rented this car for a road trip and yeah, connecting a phone to this thing is damn near impossible. I mean seriously, the only way to connect a phone is to go through a series of voice commands that takes 3 minutes (often to find at the end that pairing failed)? Even after we managed to pair a phone, after a few hours it totally stopped working, saying again and again that the device is disconnected. At the end we just gave up. I don't know what was going through the minds of people who designed this system.
Yeah I've had the same experience. It's truly awful. But, the rest of the van is fairly nice.
Mr. Lopart has a van
You say your favorite minivan is the Kia Sedona but it has a push with your foot parking brake. It's not something you do in nearly all situations except parked on a very steep hill.
I've actually changed my mind on the push pedal parking brakes. At first I hated them, but after driving a bunch of cars with electronic parking brakes...well I now prefer the pedal version. And I agree, you don't really need to engage the parking brake unless you're on a steep hill. Anyway, thanks for the comment. Cheers!
Dodge isn't supposed to upgrade the Grand Caravan just to let you know.
+Qswicked97 No update in 2018? Well that's disappointing. I get it though. This car is selling super well by me. I see TONS of them on the road.
100 Rental Cars Hey, this is much better than carrying your HEAVY😡😡😡groceries on a cart!
Like I said, I LOVE❤it, BUT I don't want leather seats because I'm vegan!
They were originally going to discontinue it, but it sold so well they kept it in production.
Really doubt the seats are real leather. You're looking at some sort of vinyl substance.
Its not real leather.