Dodge Caravan / Grand Caravan History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Launched for 1984 alongside the Plymouth Voyager, the Dodge Caravan helped invent the modern minivan — a garageable, front-drive people-mover that reshaped the family-vehicle market.
The long-wheelbase Grand Caravan arrived in 1987, and from the fifth generation (2008) Dodge sold only the Grand Caravan. After decades as a best-seller, the nameplate was retired in 2020.
Generations
First generation · S-body original
The original minivan; the Grand Caravan joined for 1987.
1989 Photo: “File:1989 Dodge Caravan SE Turbo in Black Cherry Pearl Metallic, Front Left, 07-11-2022.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · AS-body
Restyled second generation.
1992 Photo: “File:1992 Dodge Caravan LE in Teal Pearl Metallic, Front Left, 05-10-2022.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · NS-body
Award-winning redesign with available driver-side sliding door.
2000 Photo: “File:2000 Dodge Caravan Sport in Bright White Clearcoat, front left, 05-15-2022.jpg” by Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Fourth generation · RS-body
Added Stow 'n Go folding seats in 2005.
Fifth generation · RT-body (Grand Caravan only)
Long-wheelbase Grand Caravan only; the nameplate ran until 2020.
Body styles
- Minivan
Related models
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