I like looking at cars and trucks and I have owned several different vehicles types over the past twenty years. Most of my ownership has been sportier cars but I have also owned a sedan and two SUV’s. I am always on the lookout for other types of vehicles, too, and I’m open to the possibility of owning just about any style of car or truck.

But one type of vehicle I never had much interest in is minivans. I always frowned on minivans because I considered them too conservative, too family- oriented, and too plain for my tastes. They just didn’t fit my personal image so I never gave them a second look. Well, times have changed. Now that I have a family of my own, a minivan is starting to look more and more viable as a potential addition to my family. And one of many minivans I have looked at recently is the 2006 Dodge Caravan, an inexpensive vehicle that can handle several passengers.

Features/Options:

The 2006 Dodge Caravan is a seven- passenger minivan offered with a four- speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Engine sizes include 2.4 liter (150 horsepower, 4 cylinder); 3.3 liter (180 horsepower, 6 cylinder); and 3.3 liter (180 horsepower, 6 cylinder flexible).

Three different trim levels are available with the 2006 Dodge Caravan: SE, CV, and SXT. The SE is the most basic followed by the CV and then the SXT at the top of the price and luxury spectrum. Standard equipment on all levels includes things like power locks and windows; stereo with CD player; cruise control; etc. The SXT offers more features as standard while the SE and CV offer much of the same features, but only as extras.

Statistics/Measurements:

Dodge Caravan has a shorter wheelbase design than other minivans. The overall exterior length of this minivan is 189 inches with a width of 78.6 inches and a height of 68.9 inches. Total passenger volume is 155.1 cubic feet with a cargo volume of 142.3 cubic feet (slightly more with the SXT).

The fuel tank in the Dodge Carvan holds 20 gallons and the vehicle delivers a decent fuel economy of 20/26 (SXT is slightly lower, at 19/26). The maximum towing capacity is 1,800 pounds and the vehicle comes with a standard bumper to bumper warranty of 36 years or 36,000 miles.

Pricing:

Dodge Caravan carries an MSRP of around $18,700 on the SE; $20,200 on the CV; and 22,500 on the SXT. To encourage sales, Dodge has been offered a 60 month, zero interest loan for sales of the 2006 Caravan. However, since the 2007 models are already available, this interest free offer on the 2006 models is likely going to end soon.

Final Thoughts:

Dodge Caravan is one of several minivans I have been looking at for many months. I never would have imagined myself considering minivans but I also didn’t imagine myself with a budding family. With small kids, minivans are practically a necessary evil. They make dealing with kids much easier than SUV or regular passenger cars. With the wide sliding doors and the ability to easily climb into the back to settle fussy youngsters, minivans have their place and this is the key reason why I have been considering trading in my car or SUV for one of these vehicles.

Dodge Caravan’s 2006 model is similar to the 2005 with only a few changes. One enhancement is the belt alert system and loose gas cap alert. The belt alert system alerts when either one of the two front passengers isn’t wearing a seatbelt. The loose gas cap alert, obviously, is designed to alert the driver when the gas cap hasn’t been sealed tightly. Other than that, there are no major changes to the 2006 Dodge Caravan.

Driving performance with the 2006 Dodge Caravan is good but I could notice a difference between the 2.4 liter and 3.3 liter engines. The smaller engine produced a greater level of noise and it was quite sluggish, like it was giving all it could and wasn’t going to survive on its own for very long. I felt it was too weak for a vehicle the size of a minivan. But with the 3.3 liter engine, acceleration and handling were acceptable and the engine noise was less. This larger engine supplies adequate power for a vehicle this size and I felt safe with its performance; nothing spectacular, but good enough. The smaller engine doesn’t offer much better numbers in fuel economy so I don’t see any reason (other than lower price) for someone to consider buying it. I recommend going with the 3.3 liter engine because it seems like a good match for this size of vehicle.

The handling of Dodge Caravan is pretty good with a nice amount of responsiveness in the steering. The handling of a vehicle is one of its most important characteristics, in my opinion, and this is one of the areas where I am most likely to criticize. I like to feel like I am in control of the vehicle and not the other way around. And Dodge Caravan does make me feel in control. The hydraulic power assisted rack pinion steering was just right for this vehicle and I felt like I was in charge. It handles much like a car and it can turn tight corners with ease. I also liked the front bucket seats. They are nothing outstanding, but they do provide a good deal of driving comfort with their cloth surface and armrests which can be lifted up, if desired, for a change in comfort or to open the way for climbing into the rear.

Speaking of the seats, there are two additional rows in the Dodge Caravan and this is the main reason people purchase this type of vehicle. The middle row is available in either a bench seat or as two separate bucket seats. It basically depends on your preference as I didn’t find much difference between the two. There is no standard Stow-N-Go seating with the base Caravan model. The rear bench seat is removable but it doesn’t easily slide underneath the floor like it does with the Stow-N-Go. This could be a deal- breaker for some people who need to quickly convert back and forth from passenger to cargo van. Personally, I don’t foresee using the Caravan for hauling goods. I expect to use it strictly for people so the fact that the rear seat is more difficult to remove isn’t a hindrance to a buying decision.

One area where the Dodge Caravan is a little lacking is with luxury features and this is going to result in a little lower rating than I would otherwise give. Next to the steering and handling, the next most important feature to me is the level of luxury and Dodge Caravan is lacking in this area. There are a good number of cup holders and there is an under-the-floor storage bin on the passenger’s side which is nice. But other than a few things like this, Dodge Caravan doesn’t have much luxury to offer. There are no separate climate controls on this model. There is no option for leather seats. There are no power- operated side doors. The steering wheel has controls for cruise, but no buttons to operate the CD player or radio. This lack of luxury makes me think twice about buying the 2006 Dodge Caravan. I realize this is an inexpensive vehicle for its class and I shouldn’t expect great things but I would like it better if there were just a few more features.

I tested both the SE and SXT models of the 2006 Dodge Caravan (I did not test the CV model but from what I understand it is designed with business in mind- a model that is intended for those who want a cargo van more than a passenger van) and both vehicles were slightly used with about 20,000 miles on each. Everything was still in tip- top condition but one thing I noticed was that the outside arm rests (the ones closest to each side door) in the second row of seats were rather flimsy and worn- out. I could take them in one hand and bend them with little effort. The inside arm rests were much sturdier and stronger. What this tells me is that these arms rests are not made as well as they should be. The outside arm rests have quickly worn out because if you think about it, these are often used by passengers when they enter and exit the vehicle, for leverage. The constant pressure on these two arm rests had resulted in their becoming quite flimsy- almost to the point where they seemed like they might break. Again, this is to be expected, to a degree, on a vehicle this inexpensive. Dodge Caravan is much less expensive than other minivans so I suppose I can’t expect luxury and high quality.

Dodge Caravan is a very popular minivan. Take a good look the next time you’re on the road. Among the minivans that pass you by, take note of how many of them are Dodge Caravans. It is surprising how many of these vehicles are on the road and the reason should be obvious: Dodge Caravan offers a good vehicle with a decent amount of space for a price that is less than the average minivan. Dodge Caravan doesn’t offer a great deal of luxury and it is missing some of the specifications and features that many people will demand in this type of vehicle. But it does handle quite nicely and it does offer a nice appearance that is more attractive than other minivans in its class. A little more attention to luxury and workmanship would make this minivan better but it’s difficult to argue with a new vehicle that sells for as little as $18,700 MSRP.

Overall, the 2006 Dodge Caravan is a good minivan but not a very impressive one. I can fully understand why it is so popular. The price is the reason and as long as Dodge can continue to manufacture the Caravan for less than $20,000 MSRP, it will continue to win over more customers. And that includes reluctant buyers like me who have never imagined they would one day be seriously considering a minivan purchase.



Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Reviews of Other Minivans:

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
2006 Chrysler Town & Country
2006 Honda Odyssey