The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan is available in three trim levels: C/V, SE and SXT. The C/V is a stripper intended for commercial use only. The more common SE comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, tri-zone manual climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, a tilt steering column, Stow 'n Go second-row seats, stain-repellent cloth upholstery, a flip-down kiddie mirror and a CD/MP3 player.
The front-wheel-drive 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with one of three V6 engines. The base SE trim gets a 3.3-liter V6 good for 175 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic is standard. Fuel economy for this engine -- at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined -- is disappointing given its meager output.
The SXT comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 197 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque and gets 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Optional on the SXT is a more modern 4.0-liter V6 rated at 251 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, as well as a superior 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. Both SXT engines come with a six-speed automatic. The 4.0-liter Grand Caravan goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, which is quick for a minivan.
The 2010 Grand Caravan's handling will be adequate for most owners, particularly in sport-tuned SXT trim. Still, the Grand Caravan remains a step or two behind the Honda Odyssey in terms of ride and handling refinement. The interior is quiet at highway speeds, and the 4.0-liter V6 makes the Grand Caravan one of the swiftest minivans available, with its six-speed automatic ripping off impressively quick shifts. The 3.8-liter V6, however, delivers only adequate acceleration and worse fuel economy than the 4.0-liter unit. As for Grand Caravans with the ancient 3.3-liter engine, we'd say don't bother -- they're sluggish and marginally less efficient than the muscular 4.0-liter SXT.