The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

You can't argue with how useful a minivan can be. It just so happened that I had to help a friend move a 50-inch television, which worked out well because I had this minivan for the night. The Stow-n-Go seats flipped-up with ease, and the power third-row seats disappeared into the floor at the touch of a button to give us the room we needed to slide the oversized box into the van.

Chrysler really does have minivans down well. Like our departed long-term Town & Country, this Grand Caravan was smooth shooting down the expressway at 80 mph and is a surefooted ride around town. Steering is light and quick to respond, and pickup from the V6 is brisk. The brakes are strong and offer a firm pedal feel.

The amount of entertainment packed into the cabin makes me jealous as I think back to the days of being stuffed in the back of a Toyota Previa for long road trips.

If there is a better vehicle than a minivan for large families, I can't think of it at the moment. I will tip my hat to the Honda Odyssey for better ride quality and nicer interior surroundings, but this Dodge isn't too far behind.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I like this as much as I liked the long term Town & Country--which was a lot.

It's just so practical. The gobs of room, the sliding doors that can be operated from the driver's seat and the interior's clever layout are all good. Is this the perfect family vehicle? Could well be.

It's a quiet, refined traveler that goes down the road as smoothly as many luxury cars. There's plenty of power for a minivan, and I have no issues with the driving as far as minivans go.

If you only need to move five people at a time, I'd recommend almost anything other than a minivan. But to be able to haul seven people, a bunch of stuff and get 20-plus mpg on the freeway is impressive.

COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO: This Grand Caravan was a champ in transporting family to and from a party. Yes, the van has most of the same features of our beloved Chrysler Town & Country, but the ride of the T&C feels smoother and more solid, even in the weeks immediately before it left. This Grand Caravan felt too light in the corners, something just seemed off.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

In Fleet: Sept. 17-Oct. 5

Base Price: $29,480

As-Tested Price: $40,170

Drivetrain: 4.0-liter V6; FWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 251 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 259 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,514 lb

Fuel Economy: (EPA) 20 mpg

Options: Customer-preferred package 28M including 17-inch aluminum wheels, 25th-anniversary edition group, perforated leather-trimmed bucket seats with French seams, eight-way power driver and front passenger seats, heated front seats, heated second-row seats, vehicle information center, P225/65R17 BSW all-season touring tires, removable/rechargeable flashlight, power liftgate, sport suspension, bright belt moldings ($2,475); dual-screen DVD entertainment system with second-row overhead 9-inch video screen, third-row overhead 9-inch video screen, additional single-disc DVD player, wireless headphones, video remote control, AM/FM/CD/DVD/HDD/MP3 radio, hard disc drive and ParkView backup camera ($2,200); premium group including iPod control, Uconnect phone with voice command, auto-dim rear view mirror with microphone, 506-watt amplifier, nine Infinity amplified speakers with subwoofer, air conditioning with three-zone automatic temperature control, power-folding third-row seat, rain-sensitive windshield wipers ($1,995); security group including blind-spot and cross-path detection, ParkSense rear-park assist system, security alarm, automatic headlamps ($1,030); AM/FM/CD/DVD/HDD/MP3 with navigation radio, hard disc drive, ParkView rear backup camera, SIRIUS traffic ($905); power sunroof with dual rear overhead mini consoles and mini overhead console ($895); family value group with second- and third-row manual window shades, premium sliding floor console with cupholders and remote-start system ($695); 4.0-liter V6 SOHC engine oil cooler ($630); Uconnect studios SIRIUS backseat TV ($495).