Although the Caravan missed out on many new features the Grand Caravan, the long-wheelbase version, got in 2005, Dodge promoted the standard Caravan's price as its most attractive selling point. The 2007 Dodge Caravan is a family friendly vehicle; it offers smooth riding and responsive driving. The Caravan model dates back to 1996, but Dodge has continuously improved it since then. The 2005 model year brought upgrades. Changes for 2007 are minimal; two new shades of blue — Modern Blue Pearl Coat and Marine Blue Pearl Coat — are new for 2007 Caravans. The regular Caravan has a 113.3-inch wheelbase.

Trim

There are two trims for the 2007 Dodge Caravan. SE is the base model powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It comes with hand-crank windows, manually adjusted mirrors, and a limited list of options, although rear-seat video entertainment is now available on all Caravan models. It does have standard air conditioning, variable intermittent wipers, AM/FM/CD stereo and 215/70 tires on 15-inch steel wheels. The tire-pressure monitor is standard, but Stow'n Go seats are not available.

Caravan SXT is the short van equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and a higher level of standard equipment, though it does not get Stow 'n Go. SXT does add second-row bucket seats, dual-zone manual air conditioning, tilt steering, cruise control, power windows, power heated mirrors, power locks with remote keyless entry, an upgraded AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, a rear window defroster, sunscreen glass, 215/65 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels, and other niceties, plus an expanded list of options.

Powertrain

The Caravan can have either a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.3-liter V-6 that develops 170 hp and 200 pounds-feet of torque. Each engine works with a four-speed automatic transmission

Handling

The Dodge Caravan are smooth, quiet vehicles, additional sound-deadening measures added last year reduced wind noise. Ride quality is decent and well-controlled on the highway. The rack-and-pinion steering responds nicely and provides a good driver connection through the steering wheel. The Caravan rides more softly than an SUV, gliding over bumps with ease. It's an excellent choice when transporting passengers.

Interior

The 2007 Dodge Caravan passenger minivan seats seven occupants. Super High Density Foam, developed by NASA for the space program, is used in the minivan's seats. Dual-zone air conditioning, a rear defroster system, tilt steering wheel, heated power mirrors, sunscreen glass, power door locks and keyless illuminated entry are standard on the SXT. The SE model is less abundantly equipped, but options are available. Power-adjustable pedals are optional. Cargo volume behind the rear seat is 15.1 cubic feet. With all seats removed, the Caravan holds 142.3 cubic feet of cargo. Caravans are 189.3 inches long overall and 68.9 inches high to the top of the roof rack. The downside of the Caravan models is they come standard with the traditional seating setup instead of the new Stow 'n Go system, so the seats must be removed to turn them into effective cargo haulers. The second-row bucket seats and third-row split bench can be popped out and rolled away in three quick steps, providing a wide variety of seating and cargo configurations, but despite the flexibility it does mean hauling them in and out of the car, as compared to Stow ‘n Go in which they fold into the floor. Getting in and out of the Caravan is easy with its low floor height. Dodge Caravan's interior is comfortable and convenient. A pair of cargo nets can be suspended from hooks, providing well-designed bags to keep your groceries from rolling around. Another net can be secured between either the second-row or front-row captain's chairs. Hooks on the backs of the seats are useful for holding shopping bags. The standard manually operated sliding doors are easy to operate, smoothly gliding open and closed with the pull of a nicely designed lever. The outside door handles are comfortable and well designed; there is a feeling of quality in appearance and operation.

Exterior

Dodge's familiar crosshair grille appears up front and has a U-shaped design. That grille is similar to the one on the Dodge Magnum wagon. The front also contains a molded license plate pocket. The Dodge Caravan is a sizeable vehicle, but small enough to easily maneuver through the city. The standard Caravan measures 189.3 inches bumper to bumper. Caravan rides on a wheelbase of 113.3 inches. The 2007 Dodge Caravan’s exterior is sleek and attractive with steeply raked windshields and aggressive grilles. The tracks for the sliding side doors are cleverly camouflaged under the rear side windows for a clean appearance. The D-pillars and rear window are steeply inclined for a sporty look, and a discrete spoiler rises from the trailing edge of the roof. Flared wheel openings add strength to the appearance. Headlamps and tail lamps are big. The optional roof rack is hunkered close to the roof, making it less likely to generate wind noise, but also offering less clearance for the thicker hooks of some tie-downs. Aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires on SXT minivans, while SE models roll on 15-inch steel wheels. Power operation for the passenger-side sliding door is optional on the SXT.

Safety

Three-row side curtain airbags are optional, and antilock brakes are optional only on the SXT. An inflatable knee blocker helps protect the driver. Safety features that come standard include the required front airbags, which feature multi-stage inflators designed to automatically compensate for the severity of an accident. Front seatbelts use pre-tensioners to take up slack during a collision. Middle- and third-row seats include child-seat anchors for a more secure installation. Optional side curtain airbags are designed to offer head protection for outboard occupants in all three rows.

The shorter Caravan is a good, practical minivan which best of all has a low starting price. With two trims and many options, there is a wide range of choices. The Caravan SE is the base model powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Caravan SXT is equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 and features second-row bucket seats, remote keyless entry, sunscreen glass, and 215/65 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Both models come with a standard low tire pressure monitoring system and dual front airbags. The Dodge Caravan is a family friendly vehicle offering the features and flexibility that many buyers seek. This is one vehicle that will carry most families with ease, the 2007 Dodge Caravan’s estimated fuel economy range is 26 mpg Hwy, and 20 mpg City.