Dodge Caravan Model Years and History

The pioneer of the modern minivan, the Dodge Caravan made a major impact on the North American road immediately when it debuted in 1983 as a 1984 product. Undergoing a massive redesign in 1995, the Caravan sported an aerodynamic body style and enhanced interior design for passengers and cargo. Features like Easy Out Roller seats and a left-side sliding door made the new Caravan an instant hit among families. The short wheelbase version of the Dodge minivan was sold as the Caravan while the long wheelbase model was offered under the name Grand Caravan. For the 1998 model year, the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan line-up was offered with a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or one of three V-6 power units.

 

A 158-horsepower, 3.3-liter and 180-horsepower, 3.8-liter six-cylinder powerplant gave the minivan more refined momentum. In some states, a 3.0-liter Mitsubishi V-6 engine was available. Along with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive was also offered on the Dodge Caravan. Reengineered for 2001, the Dodge Caravan returned with three engine choices including two improved V-6 engines. Some innovations offered as part of the redesigned 2001 model year Caravan included dual power sliding doors with obstacle detection, power liftgate and a three-zone automatic temperature control system. In 2003, new equipment available on the Dodge Caravan included a power sunroof and a factory-installed DVD-based rear seat entertainment system with inputs for video game consoles or MP3 players.

 

As part of a 2005 revision, the Dodge Caravan was available with all-new Stow n Go seating (in-floor folding seat for the second and third row). After the 2007 model year, Chrysler dropped the short wheelbase models of their minivan line leaving Dodge with just the Grand Caravan.