Pros: Great powertrain, comfortable ride, handsome looks.
Cons: Center of rear seat a bit uncomfortable.
The Bottom Line: Go for it on this one. With the Dodge Caravan SXT you will have one of the smoothest, most comfortable, and best looking minivans available.
The Caravan SXT is a very nice van indeed. For the 2004 model year the Caravan comes in two trim levels, SE and SXT. (This review does not cover Grand Caravan or Cargo Van.)
With the Caravan SE you'll get the four-cylinder engine (150 horsepower at 5,100 RPM and 165 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM), 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player.
Upgrade to the Caravan SXT to gain the V6 engine (180 horsepower at 5,000 RPM with 210 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM); 16-inch alloy wheels; dual-zone air conditioning; power windows, door locks and heated mirrors; cruise control; a tilt steering wheel; a six-speaker stereo with cassette and CD players; second-row bucket seats; floor mats; and a cargo net to name just a few. You can upgrade the SE with many of the power options that are standard on the SXT, but you'll have to get the SXT if you want optional ABS or integrated child seats.
The Dodge Caravan SXT is a superbly built and designed minivan offering good power and a smooth comfy ride.
From the outside, this van is very handsomely designed in comparison to other minivans. It is a beautiful combination of classic lines and curves. I definitely give Dodge two thumbs up on their aesthetically pleasing exterior.
Acceleration is sprightly with the standard 3.3L V6. It has enough pull to instill confidence in just about any driving situation. The transmission shifts nicely, changing gears with near imperceptible smoothness. Handling has definitely impressed me as being sporty yet supple in all road conditions. Cornering is amazingly car-like and stable, allowing you to take corners and make turns with confidence. This is one responsive van. Inside noise levels are very low allowing for real conversations all the way to the third row without yelling.
Inside you'll find everything made of high quality material and within easy reach, as though some thought actually went into their design and layout. Again, nice lines and curves create a pleasing visual atmosphere.
The SXT is very well equipped with plenty of nice features such as an optional overhead console with storage; light; compass; outside temp; built-in garage door openers; and trip computer with time traveled, miles per gallon, and miles until empty. The standard stereo is a six-speaker am/fm cassette with CD player, which will show you the name of the radio station, song, and artist (if offered in your area) in addition to sounding great. Storage is of course excellent with plenty of it throughout the van. The cup holders are quite good, holding even the largest mega soda drink firmly. With the optional rear split bench seat, you can take out either side (or both) for additional storage and still have seating for five (or four). However, the center seat position is a bit uncomfortable, especially for adults. No matter how useful the design is for cargo, it creates an uncomfortable seating position for the person seated there. The passenger's upper rump/low back rests against a section of hard plastic, the seat back is not contoured for comfort and there is no headrest. The restraint system is just a lapbelt - no shoulder belt is available here. This seating position is recommended primarily for quick in-town trips, and optimally for a child properly secured in a child-safety seat.
I had previously nit-picked the lack of a rear air option in the shorter model. I've come to realize that, even in the 100 degree plus heat of Arizona's summer, the interior cooling system does a fine job. Passenger's receive plenty of cool air from the powerful fans in the dash.
All-in-all our family really loves this new van with it's comfortable seating, nice looks, peppy yet smooth engine, and full feature list. I have no reservations in recommending this minivan to anyone in the market for one.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24000
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: SXT
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.