The Grand Caravan delivers strong power when equipped with the 3.8-liter V6. That's useful for merging onto a crowded, fast-moving freeway, for quickly accelerating away from intersections, and for passing on two-lane roads. This engine is rated at 215 horsepower, but more importantly, can generate 245 pound-feet of torque. We recommended it for anyone regularly carrying a heavy load of passengers or towing a trailer. An optional towing package is available with the 3.8-liter engine that raises its trailer towing rating to a 3500 pounds. The big engine is also required to get all-wheel drive.
When equipped with the 3.3-liter V6, the Grand Caravan has enough power to climb hills without breathing hard, and merging onto the freeway doesn't give you visions of your life insurance salesman.
The optional AutoStick transmission is useful for skilled drivers, particularly for shifting between third and fourth in traffic. You need to be going 20-25 mph to downshift into second gear without an abrupt downshift. First gear is occasionally useful in very low-speed situations.
Highway ride, considering the rather basic nature of its underpinnings, is supple and well controlled. The rack-and-pinion steering offers precise response and feedback through the steering wheel, nice on winding roads. The Grand Caravan tracks true on the interstate. It may not have sports car-like cornering limits and the bias is toward understeer, but within its performance envelope, it is super.
Heavy-duty disc brake rotors offer good feel, performance and durability. Brakes are discs in front, drums at the rear, with ABS standard. Four-wheel disc brakes are available and should be more resistant to brake fade, the tendency of the brakes to lose performance when heated in mountain passes.