Automobile Magazine Homepage

EDITORS' NOTEBOOK: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, Day 1

EDITORS' NOTEBOOK: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, Day 1
Posted April 3 2008 08:44 AM by AutomobileStaff 
Filed under: Car Ramblings & Reviews, Sam Smith, Dodge, Vans

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Front View

Read Sam Smith's comments on driving the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan.


2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Swivel n Go

Wow, does this thing feel German. Not in the build quality - the hollow doors and clunky control feels and the razor-sharp mold edges on the interior plastics - but in high-speed feel and highway heft. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I don't remember Caravans and Chrysler minivans of old feeling this tied-down on the highway. Tick along at a hundred? Sure. No sweat; there isn't even an excess of wind noise. Hell, it's even kind of quick. No wandering, no wavering, a nice heft to the steering - if you didn't know better, you'd think you were driving something . . . er, fun.

That said, it's still a minivan, and it's still a Chrysler product. And to that end, it's still a little rough around the edges, both literally and figuratively. The plastics and control edges are all sharp and feel crude (check a Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter if you want durable and inexpensive that still retains a premium feel). The ergonomics and button layouts remind me of import stuff from five years ago.

Didn't really use the Swivel 'n Go, but it seems clever and relatively spacious...

Share This Share This

Add a Comment:   (Must Be Registered)
User Name
Not Registered?
Signup today
Password
Comment
User Name:
Password:
Join FREE Now!
Forgot Password?
Forgot User Name?
Remember Me
  • RSS Feed
    • Add to My Yahoo!
    • Add to Google
    • Subscribe on Bloglines
    • Subscribe on NewsGator
    • MyMSN
    • My AOL
    • Add to NetVibes
    • Add to Rojo
    • Add to NEWSBURST
    • Add to Technorati
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOGS