2001 Dodge Grand Caravan ES Delivers Superior Quality

By Anne Fracassa

Base price: $29,110 PRICING AND OPTIONS

Price As Tested: $35,275

Vehicle Class: Minivan

Power: 3.8-liter V6 automatic

Mileage: 18 city / 24 highway

The world's best-selling minivan just got better.

A lot better.

Hands down, this 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan has everything you want in a passenger vehicle, truck and minivan. I tried to find something to complain about. I just couldn't.

Dodge says it sells almost 350,000 minivans every year, giving it almost 25 percent of the market share. When the Caravan, the base van for the Grand Caravan, was introduced in 1983, the concept was very new. The first of its kind.

Well, Dodge has a lot of firsts in this 2001 Grand Caravan. Ten firsts to be exact.

In the industry-first department, you'll find a power up and power down liftgate, removable, powered center console and a power sliding door obstacle system for opening and closing.

On the minivan-first side, there is a pop-up rear cargo organizer, three-zone automatic temperature control system, split rear 50/50 easy-out roller seats, an engine with power over 210 horsepower (including a 3.8-liter with 215 horsepower), power dual sliding doors with manual override, 6.4-inch liquid crystal display screen entertainment system and wireless headphones for the entertainment system.

A couple of other things deserve a mention: the exclusive 17-inch wheels and tires and an AutoStick transaxle. Although the AutoStick is not new to the Dodge moniker, it's a bit strange to see it on a steering column, rather than floor-mounted.

The styling of this new minivan is really appealing, with rounded corners and strategically placed lines all around. The rear has a striking look, making it unique as all get-out. The center high-mounted stop lamp has been moved from the top of the rear to the center of the lift-gate, making it more visible and giving it a cleaner appearance.

On the inside, you'll find many amenities not normally found in a minivan, making it more appealing. Getting in is not a problem. And when you're in, you'll be surprised to see just how high you are above the traffic.