The instruments are straightforward: big, round analog gauges with white faces. They light up green at night. The dash is canted slightly forward for better visibility. Indicators for the turn signals and high beams are cleverly located in a thin hooded display above the instrument panel where they are easy to see.

The optional steering wheel controls are well designed, among the best available. Cruise controls are on the front of the steering wheel and allow precise regulation of speed; an indicator on the dash tells the driver the system is on. Behind the steering wheel are audio controls that let the driver easily adjust volume, switch among pre-set stations, activate the seek function and switch between AM and FM bands. It's a brilliant design.

Our Grand Caravan came with an optional six-disc CD/DVD changer for rear-seat video entertainment in addition to the in-dash audio system with AM/FM/CD/cassette. Both systems are well designed. Controls for the sound system were intuitive and easy to use with a big round knob for volume and on/off, though a separate Set button must be pressed to pre-set stations. Our model was not equipped with the optional GPS navigation system, which is integrated with the radio and suffers from small buttons that are relatively difficult to operate underway. The navigation system itself works exceedingly well and is easy to program, but the display is relatively small (4.2 inches where the industry standard is 7 inches) and cannot be dimmed, only turned off, annoying at night.

The available automatic three-zone temperature controls are excellent, allowing the driver and front-seat passenger to set their own comfort levels. A great feature is the High/Low Auto button, allowing you to eliminate fan blasting at the press of a button; or hit the big off button. There's a separate control for the rear of the cabin that gives the front-seat occupants the option of controlling the rear or giving control to those in the back seats. It's a well-designed setup. Heating and air conditioning controls on lower models are functional but rudimentary.

Sirius Satellite Radio is available and provides 100 coast-to-coast channels that include music, news, talk, sports and comedy. It's a great option to have when traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country.

UConnect uses Bluetooth technology to integrate the cell phone you carry on your belt or in your purse into a hands-free system installed in your Grand Caravan. UConnect features include voice dialing, an audio address book and many other features. UConnect's control pad is mounted on the dashboard and its microphone is attached to the overhead console. Your own mobile phone may be placed anywhere inside the vehicle. Conversations may be continued while entering or exiting the vehicle, without disrupting the call.

Grand Caravan SE and Caravan models come with the traditional seating setup instead of the new Stow 'n Go system, so the seats must be removed to turn it into an effective cargo hauler. We found the second-row bucket seats and third-row split bench easy to remove, however. All or any one of the four seats can be popped out and rolled away in three quick steps, providing a wide variety of seating and cargo configurations. Reinstalling them takes a little more practice, as you need to learn how to line them up before snapping them into place. Each seat is heavy enough that care should be exercised when lifting it off the garage floor; you may want help. Most of the time what you'll do is leave the seats in the van but fold the seatbacks down to form a continuous load floor for large items.

Passive safety features include optional side-impact airbags for front-seat passengers. Front airbags are standard, as required, and feature multi-stage inflators designed to automatically compensate for the severity of an accident. Front seat belts use pre-tensioners to take up slack during a collision. Middle- and third-row seats include child-seat anchors for a more secure installation.

Driving Impressions

These are smooth, quiet vehicles, particularly when measured by minivan standards. Additional sound-deadening measures have been added for 2005 that reduce wind noise. We found carrying on a conversation to be easy and pleasant (though that varied somewhat with whom we were conversing with).

Ride quality is supple and well-controlled on the highway. The rack-and-pinion steering responds nicely and provides good feedback through the steering wheel. The Grand Caravan tracks true at highway speeds, so there's no need for constant, minor steering corrections. Indeed, the Dodge Grand Caravan offers superb driving dynamics. Grand Caravan rides more softly than an SUV, gliding over potholes rather than trying to beat them into submission. It's an excellent choice when transporting passengers on beat up freeways and bumpy urban streets.

Grand Caravan's relatively tight turning radius makes getting into parking spaces easily. As with many of the latest aerodynamic designs, it isn't always easy to tell exactly where the front corners of the van are located. It's easy to tell where the rear is, but the height of the windows blocks the view of low objects, like that expensive sports car you don't want to scratch. Rear park-assist helps with this by lighting a series of small lights in the rear roof liner that are visible in the rearview mirror or when you turn around.