2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
While so far we thought that the Grand Caravan was going to be discontinued, an internal document leaked from FCA which clearly stated that the model will live up until at least the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan which is both good and bad. The good part is that the minivan will continue to be made in Canada alongside the new generation Town and Country but it seems that it will not be upgraded or at least visually updated.
This is because the minivan will be focused on fleets and the Canadian market which also means that its price is going to drop even further.
Design – expectations and changes
This would make the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan a rather interesting choice because there are going to be two different models released that year. The one in the first half of the year will be nearly identical to the 2015 model while the one released in the later part of the year is definitely going to take some design cues from the new Charger when it comes to its front end while the general shape will remain a bit boxier and more muscular than that of its sibling.
Also, the van will only come with basic features as standard and even the top end model will only get 17 inch rims with large all season tires, Xenon headlights and LED tail lights as well as mostly black plastic exterior trimmings.
Interior – predictions
Inside the cabin the van should offer slightly more space than before but just like with the ongoing model, it will only offer basic commodities such as climate control, an infotainment system with an average audio system and leather upholstery on the higher end versions. It will not get a self-parking feature or an integrated vacuum cleaner like the Town and Country is expected to.
The Engine & Performance
In terms of engines, the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, both the one based on the current model and the next generation, is going to receive the same 3.6 liter naturally aspirated Pentestar V6 as before which has been recently updated by Dodge. This will get a small bump to its output to around 310 horsepower and up to 280 lb-ft of torque which may not seem like much but together with the weight reductions achieved via the help of its new platform and a new 9 speed gearbox which is going to be carried over from the Chrysler 200, the new Grand Caravan should be able to hit 60 MPH faster while offering a slightly better fuel economy than before.
Also, the new and more powerful engine should allow the van to tow a larger load without having to rev as high as before which will improve fuel economy in the long-run.
2017 Dodge Grand Caravan Price
The upcoming base Grand Caravan is expected to get closer to $20,000 which would be a killer deal despite its age. The bad part is that the minivan will only be built until August 2017 which also allows us to speculate that a new model might in fact come on the market at a later date and just like with the ongoing generation, it might be a cheaper version of the upcoming Town and Country.
While this has not been confirmed by now and while most people think the minivan will be discontinued, it would actually make a lot of sense to refresh it as well and offer it at a lower price, especially now when its sibling is going to get even more expensive due to all the upgrades Chrysler wants to do to it.
Unfortunately though, if it will ever be updated, it will likely be showcased to the public some time in the late 2017 in order to be released on the market as late as 2019.
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