The Dodge Caravan was one of the original minivans. Although the Caravan missed out on many new features the Grand Caravan got in 2005, Dodge promoted the standard Caravan's price
as its most attractive selling point. The regular Caravan has a 113.3-inch
wheelbase. The 2007 Dodge Caravan is a family friendly vehicle, but it also
offers smooth riding and responsive driving. The Caravan model
dates back to 1996, but Dodge has continuously improved it since then. The 2005
model year brought upgrades. Changes for 2007 are minimal: two new shades of
blue, Modern Blue Pearl Coat and Marine Blue Pearl Coat are new for 2007
Caravans.
Caravan Powertrain
The Caravan can have either a 150-horsepower,
2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.3-liter V-6 that develops 170 hp and 200
pounds-feet of torque. Each engine works with a four-speed automatic
transmission
Trims for 2007
There are two trims for the 2007 Dodge Caravan. SE is the base model powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a
four-speed automatic transmission. It comes with hand-crank windows, manually
adjusted mirrors, and a limited list of options, though rear-seat video
entertainment is now available on all Caravan models. It has standard air
conditioning, variable intermittent wipers, AM/FM/CD stereo and 215/70 tires on
15-inch steel wheels. The tire-pressure monitor is standard, but Stow'n Go seats
are not available.
Caravan SXT is the short van equipped with a
3.3-liter V6 and a higher level of standard equipment. SXT does add second-row bucket seats, dual-zone manual air
conditioning, tilt steering, cruise control, power windows, power heated
mirrors, power locks with remote keyless entry, an upgraded AM/FM/cassette/CD
stereo, a rear window defroster, sunscreen glass, 215/65 tires on 16-inch
aluminum wheels, and other niceties, plus an expanded list of options.
Driving the Caravan
The 2007 Dodge Caravans are smooth, quiet vehicles with additional sound-deadening measures added last year
to reduce wind
noise. Ride quality is decent and well-controlled on the highway. The
rack-and-pinion steering responds nicely and provides a good driver connection
through the steering wheel. The Caravan rides more softly than an SUV, gliding
over bumps with ease. It is an excellent choice when transporting passengers.
Dodge Cabin Features
The 2007 Dodge Caravan passenger minivan seats
seven occupants. Super High Density Foam, developed by NASA for the space
program, is used in the minivan's seats. Getting in and out of the Caravan
is easy with its low floor height. The outside door handles are comfortable and
well designed; there is a feeling of quality in appearance and operation. Dodge Caravan's interior is comfortable and convenient.
The downside of the Caravan models is they come
standard with the traditional seating setup instead of the new Stow 'n Go
system meaning the seats must be removed to turn them into effective cargo haulers.
The second-row bucket seats and third-row split bench can be popped out and
rolled away in three quick steps, providing a wide variety of seating and cargo
configurations. Despite this flexibility, it does mean hauling them in and out
of the car, as compared to Stow 'n Go in which they fold into the floor.
Dual-zone air conditioning, a rear defroster system, tilt steering wheel, heated
power mirrors, sunscreen glass, power door locks and keyless illuminated entry
are standard on the SXT.
The SE model is less abundantly equipped, but
further options are available. Power-adjustable pedals are optional. Cargo volume behind
the rear seat is 15.1 cubic feet. With all seats removed, the Caravan holds
142.3 cubic feet of cargo. Caravans are 189.3 inches long overall and 68.9
inches high to the top of the roof rack. A pair of cargo nets can be suspended
from hooks, providing well-designed bags to keep your groceries from rolling
around. Another net can be secured between either the second-row or front-row
captain's chairs. Hooks on the backs of the seats are useful for holding
shopping bags. The standard manually operated sliding doors are easy to operate,
smoothly gliding open and closed with the pull of a nicely designed lever.
Caravan Design
Dodge's familiar crosshair grille appears up front
and has a U-shaped design. That grille is similar to the one on the Dodge Magnum
wagon. The front also contains a molded license plate pocket. Headlamps and tail
lamps are big. The Dodge Caravan is a sizeable vehicle, but small enough to
easily maneuver through the city. The standard Caravan measures 189.3 inches
bumper to bumper. Caravan rides on a wheelbase of 113.3 inches. The 2007 Dodge
Caravan's exterior is sleek and attractive with steeply raked windshields and
aggressive grilles. The tracks for the sliding side doors are cleverly
camouflaged under the rear side windows for a clean appearance. The D-pillars
and rear window are steeply inclined for a sporty look, and a discrete spoiler
rises from the trailing edge of the roof. Flared wheel openings add strength to
the appearance. The optional roof rack is hunkered close to the roof, making it
less likely to generate wind noise, but also offering less clearance for the
thicker hooks of some tie-downs. Aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires on SXT
minivans, while SE models roll on 15-inch steel wheels. Power operation for the
passenger-side sliding door is optional on the SXT.
Safety
Curtain airbags are optional; antilock brakes
are optional only on the SXT. An inflatable knee blocker helps protect the
driver. The optional side curtain airbags are designed to offer head protection
for outboard occupants in all three rows. Safety features that come
standard include the required front airbags, which feature multi-stage inflators
designed to automatically compensate for the severity of an accident. Front
seatbelts use pre-tensioners to take up slack during a collision. Middle- and
third-row seats include child-seat anchors for a more secure installation.
The Caravan is considered to be the original
minivan. With two
trims and many options, there is a wide range of choices to make the 2007
Caravan fit your lifestyle. The shorter Caravan is a good, practical
minivan which best of all has a low starting price. The Caravan SE is the base
model powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed
automatic transmission. The 2007 Dodge Caravan's estimated fuel economy
range is 26 mpg Hwy, and 20 mpg City. The Caravan SXT is equipped with a
3.3-liter V6 and features second-row bucket seats, remote keyless entry,
sunscreen glass, and 215/65 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Both models come
with a standard low tire pressure monitoring system and dual front airbags. The
Dodge Caravan is a family friendly vehicle offering the features and flexibility
that many buyers seek.