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It has been likened by some automotive writers to a gold standard for minivans. That's because the Dodge Caravan family has been a best seller for years (300,000 sold in 1998 alone) and still represents a target benchmark for other minivan makers. The Grand Caravan ES I drove sits at the top of the Caravan line. I was fortunate to get a version of the ES that carried all-wheel drive and a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 180 hp.
The AWD, delivered through a center differential with viscous coupling, gives the van surefootedness on snow and ice. The big V6 makes it responsive, aided by the four-speed AutoStick transmission. Generally considered an option for sportier vehicles, AutoStick's main purpose on the minivan seems to be a means of letting the driver choose the gear that feels best when taking off during slippery conditions.
The price for the responsiveness of the big V6...