Dodge Caravan / Grand Caravan History
Catalog record
Photography for this nameplate has not yet cleared the archive’s licensing and identity checks. The researched text below remains available while the page stays out of search and advertising inventory.
History
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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