2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Trims and Specs

New for this year, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan American Value Package, commonly shortened to the AVP, represents the entry trim level of the last minivan produced in the U.S. This 7-seat, 4-door base trim, while lacking the cachet of most rivals, nevertheless packs a lot of value into its boxy frame, not to mention 3 rows of seating, sliding rear passenger doors and some 143.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Combine this with the popular Stow n’ Go second-row seats and this entry-level trim suddenly becomes almost larger than life.

Featuring 16-inch steel wheels on the outside, the AVP’s standard comfort and convenience goodies include cloth upholstery, reclining second-row seats, full power accessories, including heated outside mirrors, and steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering also comes standard, as does dual-zone manual air conditioning, while the basic UConnect multimedia system is complemented by an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers.

Options are a bit limited for the base 2012 Grand Caravan AVP, with upgraded UConnect capabilities bolstered by Bluetooth technology, as well as satellite radio and a leather-wrapped steering wheel being pretty much the extent of extras.

Powering Dodge’s front-wheel-drive-only Grand Caravan AVP is a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that mates with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Look for 17 mpg city/25 highway from the AVP, while towing is maxed out at 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment.

Standard safety features, finally, include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, three-row head airbags, front side-mounted airbags, driver’s-side knee airbag and active front headrests. Dusk-sensing headlights and a post-collision safety system also come standard.

A step up in the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan hit parade is the SE trim. Adding 3-zone manual air conditioning with rear controls and a large center console with cupholders to cloth upholstery and front bucket seats, this staid yet sophisticated 7-passenger minivan comes decently equipped to handle the needs of both big families and denizens of the Depot with its three rows of seating and 143.8 cubic feet of cargo area.

Cruise control, full power accessories, including heated exterior mirrors, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and those popular Stow n’ Go second-row seats all adorn this venerable mini, while the standard leather-wrapped steering wheel sports audio and cruise controls. A 6-speaker, MP3-capable single-CD player, meanwhile, is complemented by upgraded UConnect multimedia technology, available UConnect Web integration and available satellite radio.

Further options include upgraded 16-inch wheels, power-operated second-row windows and power-opening third-row vent windows, all part of the SE Plus group.

The ubiquitous 283-hp V6 engine powers the 2012 Grand Caravan SE, with the shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission allowing 260 lb-ft of torque. Look for 17 mpg city/25 highway from the V6, while towing maxes out at 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment.

Safety-wise, this venerable minivan boasts 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, a driver’s-side knee airbag, three-row head curtain airbags and active front headrests. Dusk-sensing headlights and a post-collision safety system also grace this mid-level trim.

Showing some serious class for an aging soccermobile, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT boasts standard 16-inch alloy wheels, 3 rows of seating for 7 and those handy Stow n’ Go second-row seats. This minivan also sports manually opening sliding rear passenger doors and a class-leading 143.8 cubic feet of cargo space, as well as standard cloth upholstery and front bucket seats. Then there are its reclining rear seats, three-zone manual air conditioning with rear-seat controls, full power accessories, including heated mirrors, second-row windows and third-row vent windows that complement cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Chrysler’s popular UConnect multimedia system bolsters an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, while satellite radio, the UConnect Web and a rear DVD entertainment system are all available options.

A power-adjustable driver’s seat is a further add-on for the 2012 Grand Caravan STX, as are upgraded 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth streaming audio, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and a USB connection. Finally, a rear-view camera and power-sliding rear driver’s side door, as well as power-adjustable pedals and a power liftgate, are also available to this upper-tier midlevel trim.

Carrying the standard Flex Fuel (FFV) 3.6-liter V6 powerplant mated with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the SXT puts out 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. With the optional towing package, expect a hauling capacity of 3,600 pounds, while variable valve timing (VVT) helps maintain mileage in this front-wheel-drive-only minivan at 17 mpg city/25 highway.

Garnering, along with its siblings, a Top Safety Pick for 2012 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2012 Grand Caravan SXT boasts 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, a driver’s side knee airbag, 3-row head airbags, active front headrests and a post-collision safety system. Optional safety equipment includes rear parking sensors with cross-traffic alerts, a remote security system and a blind-spot warning system.

Dodge’s 2012 Grand Caravan Crew trim represents this venerable minivan’s more posh aspects. Beginning with standard 17-inch alloy wheels and a roof rack, this 7-passenger, 3-row people-hauler continues to impress with standard offerings like cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, one-touch second-row Stow n’ Go seating, tri-zone air conditioning, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel mounting redundant audio and cruise controls. Remote engine start, meantime, is complemented by full-power accessories, including heated mirrors, second-row power windows and third-row power vents, as well as a standard security system. Finally, an MP3-capable 6-speaker stereo is bolstered by Chrysler’s touted UConnect multimedia system with 6.5-inch display and standard satellite radio. Believe it or not, all this bling is packed into a minivan that still flaunts over 143 cubic feet of cargo space, the most in its class.

Options for the high-end 2012 Grand Caravan Crew, meanwhile, include the Crew Value Package with 17-inch aluminum wheels, a 40GB hard drive and rear parking sensors. A power liftgate is also optional, as is a heated steering wheel, a remote USB port and Bluetooth music streaming. Finally, a load-leveling suspension with height control, a towing package, power-sliding rear passenger-side door, rear-seat DVD entertainment, navigation suite and 9 Infinity premium speakers can also be delivered with this posh people-hauler.

Sporting the ubiquitous 283-hp Flex Fuel 3.6-liter V6, the rear-wheel-drive-only Grand Caravan Crew incorporates a standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission to throw down 260 lb-ft of torque. Towing is maxed out at 3,600 pounds with the proper equipment, while mileage is estimated at 17 mpg city/25 highway.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Grand Caravan Crew carries standard 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, driver’s side knee airbag, active front headrests and 3-row head airbags. Supplementing these front-line defenses are standard front fog/driving lights, a post-collision safety system and a remote security system. Optional safety equipment includes rear parking sensors with cross-traffic warning and a blind-spot alert system.

Showing the sporty side of Dodge’s 2012 Grand Caravan is the flagship R/T trim. With its standard sport-tuned suspension, this 4-door, 7-passenger minivan shouts fun and practicality in the same breath, while 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack and its unique grille, along with body-color moldings and mirrors, keep it styling at the curb or on the road. Of course, the leather-upholstered, power-adjustable front bucket seats and reclining second-row Stow n’ Go seats, also slathered in leather, don’t hurt this mini’s image, nor do the burnished aluminum cabin accents or the leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls. Tri-zone auto climate control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, a rear-view camera, remote engine start and a 506-watt single-CD player with 9 Infinity premium speakers, not to mention standard satellite radio and the UConnect multi-media entertainment center, round out the more glitzy standard features aboard.

And yes, Virginia, there are options with the posh Grand Caravan R/T, including upgraded Bluetooth/UConnect services and a navigation suite. A towing package is also optional, as is a load-leveling suspension, power liftgate, heated front and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.

A standard 283-hp 3.6-liter Flex Fuel V6 engine powers the front-wheel-drive-only 2012 Grand Caravan R/T, and combines with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic for 260 lb-ft of torque. Trailer toting with the available towing package is maxed out at 3,600 pounds, while gas mileage, with variable valve timing (VVT), is estimated at 17 mpg city/25 highway.

The usual standard safety features, such as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, active front headrests, a driver’s side knee airbag and 3-row head airbags equip the flagship Grand Caravan R/T for 2012. Added standard safety features over its lesser siblings, meanwhile, include a remote security system and front fog/driving lights, while rear parking sensors with cross-path warning, as well as a blind-spot alert system, are optional.