New Cars Reviews

Whats New For 2014

The dodge grand caravan drops its crew trim level for 2014, other then otherwise is largely unchanged.

Introduction

Newcars-reviews.blogspot.com - We have a home in a worldwide economy, other then the 2014 dodge grand caravan happens to be the minivan in order to get your patriotism pumping. It was eventually dodge, in any case, that invented this genre in 1984, hanging that perfect balance between industrial-strength work vans and fewer versatile wagons and hatchbacks. The original caravans overnight success spawned legions of imitators, and a number of from japan became formidable rivals. Other then the dodge can forever function as the the one which started the lot, and thats got to firmly count for one thing.

The grand caravan was treated to firmly a thorough overhaul for 2011, and people powertrain and interior updates stay appealing 3 years later. Theres class-leading power beneath the hood, respectable frugality along at the pump and modern technology within the whole cabin, also as cleverly designed second-row seats that fold into the carpet and tile along at the flick associated with a lever. Furthermore, a base grand caravan is significantly cheaper than its import-brand competitors.

In different respects, in spite of this, the grand caravan comes up a trifle short compared when using the competition. Though that recent update did wonders to assist the grand caravans attributes, the van still suffers a lack of refinement. Its significantly noticeable on the highway, where youll realize that the engine is noisier and therefore the transmission doesnt shift as smoothly. Additionally, the dodges ride isnt as comfortable or composed.

How necessary this can be to firmly you certainly will possible depend from the priorities. We certainly counsel comparing the 2014 dodge grand caravan ( and its chrysler city & country twin ) to firmly the honda odyssey, nissan quest and toyota sienna, as they will offer smoother engine and transmission performance, higher interior quality as well as a a lot of comfortable ride. And although all 3 lack the grand caravans easy-to-configure seating, the odyssey and sienna provide eight-passenger capability versus the dodges seven.

The 2014 grand caravan might still function as the patriotic selection, other then its got its work cut out in different respects.

Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options

The 2014 dodge grand caravan may be a seven-passenger minivan offered in four trim levels : yank price package ( avp ), se, sxt and r/t.

The attractively priced avp provides a decent equipment roster that includes 16-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, power front windows, dual-zone air-conditioning, a second-row reclining/folding/removable bench seat, an overhead console, a conversation mirror as well as a four-speaker audio system with the use of a cd player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The se adds body-colored door handles/side molding, rear privacy glass, tri-zone climate management ( with rear air-conditioning ), second-row captains chairs when using the stow n go fold-into-the-floor feature, a front floor console as well as a six-speaker audio system.

The sxt adds 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, power rear windows and a bigger floor console. Additionally commonplace is the electricity convenience cluster, that includes a power liftgate, power sliding rear doors and power-adjustable pedals.

Stepping up to firmly the loaded r/t nets you 17-inch alloy wheels with special tires, a body-colored grille, a performance-tuned suspension, remote begin, automatic headlights, foglights, black interior accents, unique interior lighting, tri-zone automatic climate management, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather first- and second-row seats, power front seats ( with driver lumbar adjustment ), a rear overhead console, a trip pc, a 115-volt power outlet, a 6. 5-inch touchscreen show, a rearview camera, bluetooth connectivity and an upgraded nine-speaker audio system with satellite radio, a usb port and 28 gigabytes of digital music storage.

A style of different packages and individual choices are accessible reckoning on trim level. The ses and sxts main package may be a single-dvd entertainment bundle that adds the r/ts commonplace touchscreen and audio system along side a 9-inch second-row show screen and an hdmi input. The sxt often is outfitted with the use of a dual dvd/blu-ray entertainment package that boasts 9-inch screens for each the second and third rows also like the touchscreen show, rearview camera and a number of different commonplace r/t features. A a lot of cheap uconnect hands-free cluster offers bluetooth audio connectivity.

Additionally of note happens to be the sxt-only blacktop package, that features 17-inch aluminum wheels, a black grille, foglamps, leather interior accents, premium cloth seats and silver accent stitching.

The r/t is eligible regarding the blu-ray system also, and all grand caravans when using the touchscreen often is equipped with an integrated garmin navigation system. The r/ts driver convenience cluster adds bluetooth audio connectivity, heated front- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and second- and third-row window shades. The safety sphere cluster ( additionally r/t solely ) adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Powertrains and performance

Each 2014 dodge grand caravan features a 3. 6-liter v6 that produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to firmly the front wheels.

Safety

Commonplace safety features regarding the 2014 dodge grand caravan embrace stability management, antilock disc brakes, active front head restraints, a driver knee airbag, front seat facet airbags and full-length facet curtain airbags. Optional features embrace a blind-spot monitoring system, rear parking and cross-traffic sensors as well as a rearview camera.

In government crash testing, the grand caravan was given complete score of four out of 5 stars, with four stars for frontal impacts and 5 stars for facet impacts. In insurance institute for highway safety testing, the dodge grand caravan was awarded the very best doable rating of excellent within the whole moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength crash tests.

Interior Design And Special Features

The grand caravans interior features decent if unexceptional materials and build quality, creating it broadly competitive during this segment. Its seven-passenger seating matches the quest, however falls one passenger in need of the odyssey and sienna. The front seats are supportive, however even drivers of average height can find the driver seat doesnt slide so much enough rearward out to accommodate their legs comfortably. The second-row seatback cushions tilt rearward out to higher accommodate long-legged passengers. The third-row seatback cushions are reclined much more dramatically, setting up a potentially odd sensation for passengers riding back there. One nice feature, though, is that the tailgate gathering in sxt and r/t models that lets you flip the third-row seats therefore these face backward for stationary lounging by having view -- useful at kids soccer tournaments.

Unlike minivans that need removal as to the second-row seats for maximum cargo capability, each grand caravan except the avp features normal stow n go second-row seats ( theyre optional by the avp ). Stowing the seats couldnt be easier -- you merely pull a lever and down these go, flipping forward into the tile. The third-row seats fold backward inside deep cargo well and need extra steps to change. Luggage house behind the third row could be a generous 33 cubic feet. Stowing the second- and third-row seats opens up 143. 8 cubes, which is certainly comparable out to different minivans.

Driving Impressions

The 2014 dodge grand caravan accelerates and handles rather well obtain a minivan, however theres a coarseness out to its character thats largely absent direct from japanese-brand competition. The v6 engine is powerful enough, however it gets noisy beneath onerous acceleration and also the automatic transmission doesnt perpetually shift as smoothly as wed like. The odyssey, sienna and quest still deliver additional refined performance, and the suspensions smother bumps additional capably. The dodges steering additionally feels pointlessly significant now and then, requiring additional effort while not adding feedback or precision. These dont have that should be deal-breakers, however a few drivers will surely be sensitive out to such shortcomings.