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

The Smith Electric Edison conversion unit at the EDTA show packed 44kW of Lithium Ion Phosphate battery packs, slung beneath the floorboards. With an estimated 100 miles of range at 50 miles per hour, and an eight-hour recharge time, the Edison should hit a sweet spot with a range of contractors, delivery services, and transport companies.

While virtually unknown in America, Smith Electric Vehicles has been around for more than 80 years and is billed as “the world’s largest manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles.” At the time of the conference, Smith was in the process of researching locations for a new factory in the United States.

Smith Electric produces a trio of Edison models, based on the Transit. In addition to the panel van, an Edison Chassis Cab and 15-passenger Minibus round out the range. The UK-based company also markets an electrified version of the smaller Transit Connect as the “Ampere,” and the “Newton,” a larger traditional box truck. Smith offers an innovative battery leasing plan in the UK to help offset the significant cost of the high-end Lithium Ion Phosphate battery packs.

With Ford planning to bring an electric van to America in 2010, it stands to reason that the conversion work will be handled by Smith, although it’s not a given. It’s also unclear whether the smaller Transit Connect Van or larger Transit Van will be the first model to begin the electrification of the US fleet.

Just don’t call it a minivan …

With 143 cubic feet of storage and 6 feet by 7 1/2 feet of floor space, the Ford Transit Connect will carve a sizable niche in a work van market that’s more than ready for change. As small businesses deal with the brutal realities of soaring gasoline prices, conventional truck sales are taking it on the chin.

Ford is posised to score with the Transit Connect’s estimated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway when it goes on sale in America in 2009.

While the Transit Connect’s estimated mileage falls short of the automatic-equipped HHR 1LT Panel (at 22 city / 30 highway), it offers more than twice as much cargo volume. What about the Honda Element? The Transit Connect offers nearly twice as much cargo volume as Honda’s boxcar (at roughly 77 cubic feet).

The short wheelbase Transit Connect measures 4308 mm (169.6 inches) in length and 1814 mm (71.4 inches) in height, while the long wheel base model measures 4555 (179.3 inches) in length and 1981 (78 inches) in height.

By comparison, the short wheel base (144-inch) Dodge Sprinter 2500 cargo van measures 232.5 in length, with a height of 96.3 (standard roof) or 107.5 inches (high roof). The long wheel base (170-inch) Sprinter measures 273.2 inches in length and 107.5 inches in height.

Transit Connect is more likely to find competition from the retro-styled Chevy HHR Panel, at 176.2 inches in length and 62.5 inches in height. Or perhaps for those hipster business that have outgrown their Scion xB.

While the Transit Connect is fitted with a 1.8 liter Duratorq TDCI common rail turbo-diesel in Europe (in one of three configurations), it’s unlikely that we’ll see an oil-burning Transit Connect here in the States, given Ford’s brave new direction with direct injection.

Simply put, the aerodynamics and vehicle weight of the bulkiest SUVs cause gas mileage to suffer, leading to many a painful transaction at the pump. The trick is to get small(er), lighter, and more slippery. Credit Subaru for getting the ball rolling with popularizing economical 4WD drive passenger cars in the early days. Since 1997, every vehicle Subaru’s offered in America has been all wheel drive.

These days, it’s not just Subaru. There are plenty of four wheel drive choices that are neither truck nor SUV. And forget the notion of pint-sized economy cars. You’ll find a generous helping of 4WD luxury from manufacturers including Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, and Lexus … in fact, you’ll find many of their offerings in the 2008 list of best gas mileage four wheel drives.

Purists will gladly share that there’s a difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD). And surely there is … but for a great many folks, it comes down to two simple questions: will it go in the snow and will I go broke feeding it?

At the other end of the spectrum, the little Suzuki SX4 delivers plenty of bang for the buck, by combining the best four wheel drive gas mileage with a low sticker price (for those who don’t just think miles per gallon … but miles per dollar.)

Along with its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape Hybrid proves the exception to the rule as the highest all around mile per gallon (MPG) four wheel drive vehicle. If you can’t get a great deal on an Escape Hybrid at your local Ford dealer, take a look at the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. And if you happen to live in Southern California, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid HEV might be an option … as long as you’re able to snag one of the 350 Tribute HEVs built for this test market.)

2008 Best Gas Mileage Four Wheel Drives

• Audi A4
• Suzuki SX4
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Impreza
• Subaru Outback
• Jeep Compass
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Jeep Patriot
• Subaru Forester
• Mazda Tribute Hybrid
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Honda CR-V
• Volvo S60
• Volvo V50
• Volvo S40
• Toyota RAV4
• Cadillac CTS
• Cadillac STS
• Lexus IS 250
• Nissan Rogue

The 2008 Kia Sedona is equipped with a 3.8 liter V-6 that produces 250 horsepower (HP) and 253 foot pounds of torque. While a turbo-diesel is not currently available in US versions of the Sedona, an economical DOHC 2.9 liter CRDi turbo-diesel, producing a generous 343 foot pounds of torque is available abroad. To provide reassurance of the Sedona’s reliability and longevity, Kia provides a 10 year, 100,000 mile limited power train warranty and other significant warranties.

Kia Sedona Gas Mileage – 2002-2008

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

The 2008 Hyundai Entourage is fitted with a DOHC 3.8 liter V-6 that produces 242 horsepower (HP). Hyundai provides a 10-year / 100,000 mile limited power train warranty, along with a 5-year / 60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, and a 7-year / unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty.

Nissan Frontier Gas Mileage – 2007-2008

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

The 2008 Uplander is fitted with a 3.9 liter V-6 engine that produces 240 horsepower (HP) and 240 foot pounds of torque. E85 FlexFuel capability is optional. The Uplander seats seven with the choice of second-row removable modular bucket seats or removable captain’s chairs. While leather trimmed seats are available for the first and second row, the kids stuck way back in the third row are out of luck.

Chevrolet Uplander Gas Mileage – 2005-2008

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivans can be equipped with one of three V-6 engines, depending on the model.

• Town and Country LX models are fitted with a 3.3 liter V-6 producing 175 horsepower (HP) and 205 foot pounds of torque.
• Town and Country Touring models are equipped with a 3.8 liter V-6 delivering 197 HP and 230 foot pounds of torque.
• Town and Country Limited models feature a 4.0 liter V-6 pumping out a generous 253 HP and 262 foot pounds of torque.

Chrysler Town and Country Gas Mileage – 1982-2008

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

The 2008 Odyssey features a 241 horsepower (HP), 3.5 liter, 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC V-6 engine in EX-L and Touring trim, and a 244 HP 3.5-Liter, 24-Valve SOHC VTEC V-6 engine in the LX and EX models. The engine in the EX-L and Touring models use Variable Cylinder Management with higher compression (10.5:1 compared to 10.0:1 in the LX and EX).

Honda Odyssey Gas Mileage – 1995-2010

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.