Used 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus for sale 

2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is segregated into 3 well-defined trim levels in the US market. There is no change in the trim ladder from the last iteration and the features on offer essentially remain the same as well. 

However, the SE Plus trim does get some new features for the 2020 model year. It now gets a standard second-row Super Stow ‘n Go bucket seats and in-floor storage bin, power eight-way driver seat, an all-black interior with Cranberry Wine accent stitching on the seats.

Which trim do we recommend?

We suggest you opt for the SE Plus trim as it hits the sweet spot between feature and price. Also, with the addition of the new features for the 2020 model year, the difference with the top SXT trim has become even finer.

The engine remains the same for the 2020 model year from the previous iteration. Thus, you’ll get the same tried and tested naturally-aspirated 3.6L V6 powering this minivan. This motor is good for 283 horses and 260 lb/ft of pulling force.

Transmission duties are taken care of by a 6-Speed Automatic gearbox that transfers the power to the front wheels. Unlike most of the minivans, the Grand Caravan too does not offer an option for an AWD drivetrain. Only Toyota Sienna offers an AWD drivetrain in the segment. Getting back to the transmission, the shifts are quick and effortless and you’ll hardly have any complaints.

The Grand Caravan is an excellent daily driver. You’ll have no problems maneuvering through the streets or overtaking other cars. However, on the highway, things can be a little different. The drive will not be the most engaging one as it settles down after reaching a certain speed. However, this is the case with all other minivans. 

How fast is it?

Judging minivans on the basis of acceleration is like asking a fish to climb a tree. Nonetheless, the Dodge makes it to 60 miles an hour in 7 seconds. Despite the initial lurch, the V6 carries the minivan surprisingly well. However, it is the slowest to finish the quarter-mile run and takes 16.6 seconds to do the same. 

Talking about the competition, Toyota Sienna is the fastest of the lot. The AWD drivetrain and the raw power of the motor aid its cause. All the other cars take around 7.5 seconds for the 0-60 run and around 15.5 seconds for the quarter-mile run. 

How well does it stop?

Equipped with disc brakes assisted by ABS on all four wheels out of the factory, the braking performance of the 2020 Grand Caravan is satisfactory. The front wheels get a pair of 11.9-inch brake rotors while the rear ones get 12 inchers. The weight distribution of this car is pretty even that aids in the braking performance. 

The brake pedal is not too hard and the application is fairly easy. The brake bite is also fairly responsive and acts almost immediately. A fair amount of nosedive is felt under regular application which only becomes more prominent under emergency situations. However, this is expected from a car that weighs more than 4500 lbs. 

How well does it handle?

The Grand Caravan's ride is surprisingly soft and comfortable, necessary for minivans during long drives or if you're planning to spend all day inside. Although the minivan is quite easy-going for city rides, it might get a little cumbersome in maneuvering and tight cornering. At high speeds, the Dodge holds onto the tarmac pretty well and has respectable driving dynamics.

The steering wheel is on the lighter side which is good for driving in the city, but might be an issue on the highway. Also, there is significant body roll, especially when approaching a corner at high speeds. 

The competition, however, benefits from driver-assist features like collision warning, which makes the job of city driving and parking much easier. The Honda Odyssey and the updated Chrysler Pacifica handles well not only in the city but also on the highways.

Fuel-economy is the Achilles heel of the Grand Caravan. Despite having an underpowered engine as compared to some of the others in the segment and no AWD drivetrain, this minivan falls well behind its rivals. In the city, you will be able to drive 17 miles for a gallon of gas. This figure goes up to 25 miles on the highway.

Talking about the competition, Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica take the pole position in terms of fuel economy followed by the Asian duo of Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. 

Like all other minivans, the Grand Caravan also has seating arrangements for 7 passengers. However, this may go up to 8 depending on the configuration of the 2nd row of seats. You could either opt for a bench seat or a pair of more upscale and comfortable captain chairs.

The seating position is high and offers a commanding driving position. The view of the road ahead is also good. There is ample space and comfort throughout the cabin. The driver’s seat is also power-adjustable and has power lumbar support for the comfort and convenience of the driver. 

The second row also easily slides to make way for the third row. Staying with the third row, it is not the most spacious of the lot and is best reserved for children. The second row is Super Stow ‘n Go and easily folds to the floor making room for more cargo. 

What’s there to keep you entertained?

2020 Dodge Grand Caravan gets no upgrade in the infotainment department. Thus, you will be treated with the same old and unintuitive setup. On the center console, you'd find a 6.5 touch panel, but you won't have the assistance of either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. What you'd get is an un-updated version of Chrysler's Uconnect. The tiny buttons are difficult to toggle while driving, and the layout isn't ergonomically intuitive.

On the steering you'd find controls for audio, calling and cruise control. You can connect to the infotainment via Bluetooth or WiFi. The rest of the dash is clad in cheap plastic, however, the low price justifies the lack of expensive materials.

How much cargo can it store?

2020 Grand Caravan has one of the smallest cargo spaces in the segment. With a default capacity of just 31.1 cubic feet, it lags well behind the rest of the competition. Sienna leads the pack with a capacity of 39.1 cubic feet followed by the Odyssey with 38.6 cubic feet. 

However, Dodge has made provisions to increase the cargo space. The second and third-row seats fold down increasing the cargo space to 140.5 cubic feet. However, the Odyssey still leads the pack with 150 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. 

What are the creature comforts on offer?

Dodge has loaded to 2020 Grand Caravan with quite a few creature comforts. Some of them are

• Super Stow ‘n Go second-row seats
• Front seat storage
• Overhead bin
• Observation mirror
• Three-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system
• Two-way power lumbar adjustment
•  Adjustable LED reading lamps above all three rows

2020 Dodge Grand Caravan rear three quarter viewFrom the outside, the minivan has subtle styling and blends into the crowd with ease. However, there have been very little upgrades to the exterior shell and this minivan could do with a stylish refresh. The cross at the front grille gives the Grand Caravan a signature Dodge character. The boxy design is a departure from the curvy styling most brands have adopted for their modern minivans. Sliding side doors on the minivan improve accessibility to the second and third seats.

Talking about the dimensions, 2020 Grand Caravan spans 202.8 inches bumper to bumper with a wheelbase of 121.2 inches. This is also one of the heaviest cars in the segment with a curb weight of 4510 lbs. The ground clearance is also respectable at 5.8 inches. Talking about the competition, the Pacifica is the largest of the lot followed by the Honda Odyssey. 

What are the highlights of the exterior shell?

• Power sliding side doors
• Power liftgate
• Quad Halogen Headlamps
• LED taillamps
• Heated power exterior mirrors
• Sunscreen glass

Customers take the safety of cars very seriously, and Dodge acknowledges this fact. 2020 Grand Caravan comes with a host standard safety tech. Some of them are

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st, 2nd and 3rd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver Knee Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Chrysler Pacifica

This is the most important rivalry in the minivan segment. Grand Caravan has been the top-selling minivan in the US for a while now, while the Pacifica has been in the second spot, closing the gap every year. Both of these cars are similar in many ways. They offer almost the same power figures and performance. However, the Pacifica has more space on offer that adds to its practicality. Also, the design language of both the minivans is very different. While the Grand Caravan has stuck to the boxy form factor, the Pacifica has a more contemporary fluidic design. 

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Toyota Sienna

If you want a reliable minivan, the Sienna should be your pick. However, the exterior shell is really dated as there have been very minor upgrades since 2011. Also, the Japanese minivan lacks various features that are offered by the rivals. On the other hand, the Dodge seems to be a complete package. Except for the below-par fuel economy, this minivan ticks all of the right boxes. 

Dodge Grand Caravan vs Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey is perhaps the best entree in the minivan segment. It has a stylish exterior shell, a comfortable cabin, and excellent fuel economy. Thus, if you are looking for a minivan as your daily driver, the Odyssey should be your pick. The Dodge is also a great alternative to the Odyssey. However, it misses out on the fuel economy front

The Dodge Grand Caravan is a great minivan. It ticks all the right boxes. The exterior is dated but still looks good. The interiors are spacious and comfortable, but you will find cheap plastics here and there. The biggest flaws of this minivan are the infotainment system and the poor fuel economy. However, it is cheaper than almost all of its competitors.