Dodge Grand Caravan vs. Nissan Quest - Comparative Review

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge Grand Caravan is at the top of the minivan market with innovative features and seating that many families find indispensable. The Dodge Grand Caravan was redesigned in 2008.  It comes in two trims, the Dodge Grand Caravan SE and the Grand Caravan SXT.  The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE has the smallest of the three available engines, a 3.3-liter overhead-valve V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transaxle. 

Seating is two-two-three, with the Stow 'n Go (second- and third-row seats fold flat, into the floor) optional as part of a package. The standard interior includes a four-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system and fabric seats. Options for the SE include the G package  with cruise control, tinted side glass, rear climate control, and a bigger alternator. The H package includes everything in the G package, plus YES Essentials fabric, second-row power windows and third-row power vented windows, 60/40 third-row bench, trip computer, heated mirrors, remote starting and adjustable pedals.

The Grand Caravan SXT offers the L package with heated seats for the first two rows, a MyGIG Multimedia Entertainment System, power liftgate and rear backup camera, plus other smaller things. The M package includes hands-free phone, rear climate controls, second- and third-row window shades, cabin air filter, DVD screens for both the second and third rows, wireless headsets and remote control, Sirius radio, and an Infinity sound system with nine amplified speakers and subwoofer. The second-row seats swivel to face the third-row 60/40 bench seat, with an easily stowable table between them. The third-row seat folds into the floor, while the second-row quad chairs are removable. 

Safety features that come standard on all models include electronic stability control, four-wheel-disc ABS with brake assist, and full-length airbag curtains.  Grand Caravan received five-star front and side crash ratings and four stars in rollover ratings from NHTSA.  On the exterior, the grille is more upright, making the Dodge crosshair grille look more like a Dodge truck, especially in chrome.  The wheelbase of the new Grand Caravan is 1.9 inches longer, and the overall length stretched 2.5 inches, so the overhangs are about the same. The front track has been widened by 2.5 inches, and the rear by 0.8 inches, without widening the vehicle at its sides. Yet the roof has been widened by 6 inches, allowing more overall interior room. Suspension-wise, the redesign has changed leaf springs to coil springs in the rear, and brought a new twist-beam rear axle with a track bar, not independent. The 3.3-liter V6 with 175 horsepower is fine, while the optional 3.8-liter and 4.0-liter engines make more power with almost the same fuel mileage.

The 2009 Nissan Quest

The Nissan Quest is a unique minivan; it has space-age styling through the inside with jetliner-style seats, and optional Sky View glass roof panels. The cabin is comfortable and innovative. The 2007 Nissan Quest is offered in four trim levels: base 3.5, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL, and 3.5 SE.

The Quest 3.5 comes with cloth upholstery, six-way manually adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, front and rear air conditioning with rear controls, cruise control with switches on the steering wheel, AM/FM/CD audio with eight speakers and RDS, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, two 12-volt power points, cornering lights, dual sliding doors, and P225/65HR16 Goodyear Eagle LS all-season tires on 16-inch steel wheels. 

The 3.5 S adds a power right-side sliding door, a power liftgate, power third-row vent windows, in-dash six-disc CD changer, upgraded audio speakers, rear sonar back-up warning system, and illuminated steering wheel audio switches.  The 3.5 SL offers an eight-way power driver's seat, power-adjustable pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control and illuminated audio switches, rear-seat audio controls, upgraded stereo speakers, electrochromic rear-view mirror, HomeLink transmitter, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The SL Premium package adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power four-way adjustable front passenger seat, front seat armrests, and 265-watt Bose sound system with 10 speakers and a six-CD in-dash changer. An Upgrade package includes front-seat side-impact airbags, a power sliding door on the driver's side, and puddle lamps.

The Seat Package, which nearly every Quest has, features fold-flat captain's chairs in the second row, with cupholders and an easy-entry feature, a fold-flat bench in third row with grocery-bag hooks, 3-point seat belts, and LATCH-style child safety seat anchors.  The DVD Entertainment Package includes a DVD drive mounted under the front passenger seat, a seven-inch color screen, remote control, auxiliary inputs, rear-seat audio controls and two wireless headphones. A dual-screen version of the system  is available exclusively for the 3.5 SE. The Technology package for the SL includes dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, a Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, the RearView monitor, and automatic headlights. Safety features include curtain airbags for all three rows (for head protection), the required frontal airbags, active head restraints, traction control, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, plus a tire-pressure monitor. The exterior design produces a swooping roof line while enlarging the interior space. This was done by lengthening the wheelbase and shortening the front and rear overhangs. 

Summary

The Grand Caravan transports people comfortably and safely, and does its best to keep them entertained. The redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan offers substantial improvements at a lower price. With this minivan, there is all the storage space you could possibly want.  The lighting, options like a DVD system, sound system with hard drive, and tables for the passengers to sit around are excellent family perks. The best optional feature is Stow 'n Go, allowing the rear seats to disappear into the floor for carrying cargo; this creates a huge amount of space. Read here for more specifications and details on the Grand Caravan.  The Grand Caravan's versatility is unmatched.  The MSRP is  $22,475 - $28,325.  The Dodge Grand Caravan gets a  fuel economy range of 24 mpg Hwy, 17 mpg City, and has a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles. The Nissan Quest features a style all to itself and superb performance. Its powerful 3.5-liter V6 is a version of the same engine used in the 350Z sports car. Click here for more information on the Quest.  The Nissan Quest is truly fun to drive. It has an MSRP of  $25,950 - $35,650, and a  fuel economy range of 24 mpg Hwy, and 16 mpg City. There is a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles.