By minivan standards, the Grand Caravan is relatively quiet. Dodge has worked to reduce wind noise by adding underhood padding, using better gaskets between the outside mirrors and the body and around outside and inside door handles. Roof rack crossbows were designed in a wind tunnel to reduce wind noise, but they do not eliminate it entirely.

For most minivan owners, handling means how well the vehicle maneuvers in a parking lot and tracks down the highway, rather than how fast it can slalom through a line of traffic pylons. So we tested our Grand Caravan in parking lots and discovered that it had a small enough turning radius to get into parking spaces easily. However, with the front corners of the van blocked by the cowl, it wasn't always easy to tell exactly where the front was located. It was easy to tell where the rear was, on the other hand, but the height of the windows blocked the view of cars or other low objects.

The 3.8-liter V6 delivers strong power, useful for merging into fast freeway traffic, accelerating from intersections, and passing on two-lane roads. The 3.8-liter engine is rated at 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. We recommended it for anyone regularly carrying a heavy load of passengers or towing a trailer. An optional towing package is available with the 3.8-liter engine that raises the Caravan's trailer towing rating to a 3800 pounds. The big engine is also required when you order all-wheel drive.

When equipped with the 3.3-liter V6, the Grand Caravan has enough power to climb hills without breathing hard, and merging onto the freeway doesn't give you visions of your life insurance salesman.

The optional AutoStick transmission is useful for skilled drivers, particularly for shifting between third and fourth in traffic. You need to slow down to 20-25 mph to downshift into second gear without a lurch. First gear is occasionally useful in very low-speed situations.

Ride quality is supple and well-controlled highway ride, in spite of the basic nature of the suspension. Rack-and-pinion steering responds nicely and provides feedback through the steering wheel, enhancing confidence on winding roads. Grand Caravan tracks true on the interstate. Within its performance envelope, the Grand Caravan offers superb driving dynamics.

The brakes offer good feel, performance and durability. Standard brakes are discs in front with heavy-duty rotors and drums at the rear. ABS is standard on all models except the Caravan SE, allowing the driver to brake and steer in a panic stop. Four-wheel disc brakes are available on selected models. Disc brakes generally offer more resistance to brake fade (the tendency of the brakes to lose performance when heated by repeated use) than drum brakes.