Dodge Caravan, the release of which began in 1983, was immediately adopted by fans of a leisurely ride. The car was calculated for exploitation "with the family", if I may say so. The machine is quite impressive size, 9-seat, with a spacious interior, ideally suited to the definition of "family car". Capacity was the main, but by no means the only advantage of the car Dodge Caravan, which consumed little by little - oil, brake fluid, antifreeze and anti-icing. But when it came to gasoline, the car did not save, "eating" 14 liters per 100 kilometers.
The car Dodge Caravan specifications were very high, allowing it to outperform its "classmates" in virtually all indicators. Modifications existed only four: SE, LE, ES and SXT. The first model was considered the simplest, but it did not prevent it from walking under a 150-horsepower engine and give the impression of a quick, fast car. The automatic transmission was a good addition to all the other advantages of the Dodge Caravan SE. The SXT model cost more, and the engine was more powerful - 182 hp, six-cylinder.
The machine was equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Dodge Caravan SXT package included a powerful split air conditioner, an electric package in a full set, an adjustable steering wheel and hardware cruise control. Managing the minivan Dodge Caravan was surprisingly easy, considering the dimensions and weight of the car. The efficient power steering, soft smooth brakes and impeccable front independent suspension made driving a pleasant and tiring process. Americans, accustomed to heavyweight clumsy wagon-type Wagon Station, literally rested behind the wheel of the Dodge Caravan, which fully met the requirements for the family car category, both in terms of comfort and dynamic performance.
The air conditioner was initially installed not on each car, but only on an individual order. However, soon the cooling unit was included in the standard equipment of all cars of serial production. In 1987, the Dodge Caravan passed a restyling, which radically changed the style of the headlights. In the spring of 1990, the car was modernized, changes affected the body and the chassis, resulting in overall dimensions became different. The luggage compartment has increased in volume up to 3250 l. The outline of the body was smoothed out, the exterior became smoother. All these changes moved the Dodge Caravan from the academic-family car to the category of carriers, it was used for business purposes.
This was also helped by the appearance of a new economical turbodiesel with a capacity of 119 hp. With the installation of such an engine, the issue of increased fuel consumption was decided . Further Dodge Caravan, reviews about which were the most positive, produced in two models (with a short wheelbase and with a long one). They differed in the volume of the trunk. The longer car became known as the Dodge Caravan Grand. It should be noted that throughout the entire period of production this car was improved in terms of interior design. All the seats of the second and third row made optional, they quickly folded, so that the machine was created a perfectly flat platform.