MPG-o-Matic Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Review Summary: The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT represents the state-of-the art in minivan technology. With room for seven and a cabin packed with cool features, the Grand Caravan SXT seeks to keep family and friends happy, mile-after-mile.
The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT takes the minivan experience to a whole new level, with option packages that turn it into a rolling entertainment center.
Under the hood, the Grand Caravan SXT can be equipped with either a 3.8 or 4.0-liter V6 engine. Our test unit was equipped with the 4.0-liter, which produces 251 horsepower (HP) and 259 foot pounds of torque. The V6 is mated to an efficient six-speed automatic transmission.
The official mileage estimates for the 4.0-liter 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT are 17 city / 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG).
We rolled up over 700 miles on our Bright Silver Metallic Grand Caravan SXT review unit. By driving conscientiously, we were able to meet the official estimates, with an average of 24.9 MPG on the Interstate highway and 18.3 MPG combined.
Our highway testing included four runs on the highway circuit, to provide additional insight.
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Highway MPG Testing:
24.7 – cruise control set to 68 MPH, a/c off, windows up
23.3 – cruise control set to 68 MPH, a/c on, windows up
24.2 – cruise control set to 68 MPH, a/c off, windows down
26.5 – no cruise control, target speed 60-72 MPH a/c off, windows up
Test period temperatures ranged from the sixties through the eighties.
While the Grand Caravan SXT provides an Average Fuel Economy gauge, it does not have an Instant Fuel Economy display. We used an Auto Meter Ecometer in the effort get a better feel for the throttle and to maintain a light foot.
With room for seven passengers and plenty of cargo, weight can have significant effect on mileage results, particularly in city traffic. While the Grand Caravan SXT has plenty of oomph to move seven folks along with the 4483 pound curb weight, mileage will inevitably drop with a full load.
The Grand Caravan SXT’s interior is aircraft inspired. The pilot has full control and when optioned out, the passengers are treated to a full range of A/V capabilities. The Premium Group option package provides a comprehensive USB iPod interface with full control over playlists, excellent Bluetooth capabilities via Uconnect, nine Infinity speakers, and a 505-watt amp, among other cool features.
The Dual Screen DVD Entertainment System option includes second and third row 9-inch LCD video screens and wireless headphones. There are two sets of A/V inputs for the gamers, along with AC and 12-volt outlets in the second row. There are also power outlets at the base of the dash and inside the center console.
The kids will be knocked out when they discover that the Sirus satellite system delivers streaming TV, with Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, and the Cartoon Network.
All-in-all, the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT takes the chore of family hauling to a whole new level. It’s tough to make that age old minivan stigma stick with a cruiser that packs this much technology.
Parts Content
US/Canadia Parts Content: 72%
Country of Origin:
Engine: United States
Transmission: United States
Final Assembly Point:
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
Daniel Gray
2009-05-07
“The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT is a high-tech living room on wheels. We put it through a week-long test drive to determine real world gas mileage.”
– by Daniel Gray
Info. is greatly appreciated, I’ve ordered a 2009 Wheelchair SXT and wanted more info. than what I found on Edmunds.com. They panned the 2009 but I have a strong hunch your opinion is more accurate…….thanks……..Bill
I just bought a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with 6-speed 3.8 a year ago and drive it around town and on highway trips of over 100 miles and never got any gas mileage better than 12.9 mpg. I took it to Dodge and they said their is nothing they can do about it when I know for a fact that they can check and change the mapping of the fuel injectors through the van’s computer. But they refuse to tell me that and I was told by the Service Manager that they do not waranty the gas mileage cause they don’t know how I drive. I live in Orlando Florida flat land and drive with an extremely light foot since I am concerned about mileage. I was told that the Dodge repair places are capable of checking the computer stats for $90.00 which I was able to get my new computer which went bad on my 99 Grand Caravan that always got 18/25 mpg and is now getting 11 mpg. Do you know where I can get someone to remap my van’s computer for better gas mileage ?