2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan Review

Chrysler introduced a refreshed Pacifica minivan for 2021, but it never stopped building the old one.

Instead, the automaker called it the Grand Caravan — a name that used to grace a minivan from sister brand Dodge. Tested here is the 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan SXT, which receives several new standard features this year.

The Grand Caravan comes in that single SXT trim starting at $49,895, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,195. It comes completely outfitted with no options other than colour and accessories. My tester had two of those: a coat of Red Hot Pearl paint and a package of all-weather floor mats and cargo bins, bringing it to $51,185 before taxes.

Styling 8 / 10

The Grand Caravan has the same dimensions as the Pacifica, but with a different grille and lights. Inside, both share the same dash design, but the Pacifica has a full centre console that extends to the dash, while the Grand Caravan’s stops between the seats. That shorter console may look a bit dated, but it also opens up more storage space up front.

Safety 8 / 10

The Grand Caravan is known as the Voyager in the United States, and that country’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it the top five-star crash-test rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t fully tested it by the time of writing, but gave it the top “Good” for small front overlap, and next-step-down “Acceptable” for side crash; but with “Poor” for its headlight performance, and “Acceptable” for child seat tethers ease-of-use.

The Grand Caravan receives some new standard driver-assist features for 2025, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park sensors with braking, alongside emergency front braking, rain-sensing wipers, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles.

Features 8 / 10

New items for 2025 include a 10.1-inch centre touchscreen that replaces the previous seven-inch display, along with three-zone climate control, a seven-inch digital driver information screen with analogue gauges, upgraded faux-leather seats, and second-row sunshades. Other features include a 12-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, power-sliding doors, a power tailgate, remote starter, and second-row Stow ‘n Go seats that fold into the floor.

That new screen includes Chrysler’s Uconnect operating system with satellite radio and wireless phone connectivity, but there’s no wireless phone charger. The Pacifica comes with one in its two upper trims, along with an available panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, hands-free doors and tailgate, and rear entertainment system, but of course at costlier pricing.

User-Friendliness 9 / 10

The Grand Caravan relies heavily on buttons and dials for its functions, which helps reduce distraction. Visibility is excellent, including for shoulder checks. The third-row seats are easy to fold down or raise back up, and the second-row seats tip forward for access to them.

Folding down the second-row seats isn’t difficult but takes a few steps. The front seat must be moved forward so you can open the floor bin lid; you then pull a lever to fold the seat, push it into the bin, and close the lid. My tester’s optional (and heavy) floor liners had to be removed to do this, so consider how often you’ll be stowing those seats before you order the protection package. When the seats are up, their bins double as storage compartments, and the protection package includes removable tubs that fit in them.

Practicality 9 / 10

The Grand Caravan comes only in seven-passenger seating, not eight; but otherwise has all the benefits of a minivan, including easier access to a roomier third row than most three-row SUVs. It doesn’t have as much cargo volume behind the third row as its competitors, but the Stow ‘n Go seats let you easily open up a flat cargo floor. The middle rows fold down in competitors, but for maximum capacity, it’s a heavy job to remove the second-row seats in the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival, and then you have to store them; and the Toyota Sienna’s seats can’t be taken out.

The Grand Caravan’s shorter console also opens up the front floor, so you can stash a pack or purse. The centre stack includes a large pull-out bin, and while it doesn’t have a wireless charger, there’s space to stash a phone.

Comfort 8 / 10

I took the Grand Caravan to an event that was four hours each way, and it remained comfortable throughout, with seat cushions long enough to provide good support. The second-row seats are firmer but still fine, and while the third row isn’t the segment’s roomiest, there’s still enough space for most adults, and with cup holders and storage bins alongside. The ride is smooth and only the toughest bumps make their way into the cabin.

Power 8 / 10

The Grand Caravan uses a 3.6L V6 that makes 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and with front-wheel drive (FWD). The Pacifica uses the same engine, but additionally offers all-wheel drive (AWD), as well as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. Those output numbers are in line with the Grand Caravan’s gas-only competitors, and while its acceleration is far from blistering, it handles both city traffic and highway passing easily.

Driving Feel 7 / 10

While the engine is a decent unit, the transmission could shift smoother. It tends to take off well at lower speeds but then lurch into second gear, which gets tiresome in stop-and-go conditions. The steering is light but doesn’t feel vague, and the van is balanced and predictable around corners.

Fuel Economy 8 / 10

The Grand Caravan is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, and it takes regular-grade gas. I spent most of my driving on the highway and averaged 9.3 L/100 km.

As with its power, its fuel consumption is in line with its gas-only competitors, where the Honda Odyssey matches it at 10.6 combined, and the Kia Carnival is higher at 11.1 L/100 km. The Pacifica in FWD matches the Grand Caravan, and is 12.0 L/100 km in AWD. 

Value 8 / 10

Those of a certain age remember when the Dodge Grand Caravan hovered around $20,000 and was aggressively marketed as Canada’s cheapest minivan. The $49,895 price for 2025 can be a bit of sticker shock, but this whole segment isn’t inexpensive anymore. The Grand Caravan is $5,900 less than the Pacifica, which offers FWD and AWD and ranges from $55,795 to $78,795. The Pacifica PHEV is $62,190 to $75,690.

The Honda Odyssey starts at $51,920, while the Toyota Sienna, now exclusively a hybrid, begins at $50,030. The lowest-price crown goes to the Kia Carnival, which runs from $42,595 to $55,995, and also comes as a hybrid starting at $48,645 (all prices including delivery).

The Verdict

The 2025 Chrysler Grand Caravan isn’t the inexpensive family hauler it used to be, but it still undercuts its Pacifica sibling while offering a decent number of features, including those new-for-2025 items; and in spite of a few quibbles, it does a solid job of hauling a crowd. Be sure to check the competition and especially the Kia version, though, and see which one fits your needs and wallet best.