The minivan segment continues to be among the most competitive. One reason, as attendees at this years Auto Show will see, is the high quality and appealing versatility of numerous models.
If Chrysler gave birth to the minivan, then leaders like Honda and Toyota have made the minivan even more appealing.
Open the door, climb in, and see why.
Dodge Caravan. Chrysler Group has raised the bar for innovations with the 2005 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan minivans, which are redesigned and re-engineered from the inside out.
The minivan-first Stow n Go seating and storage system not only provides the industrys only fold-in-the-floor second- and third-row seats, but also gives an additional 12 cubic feet of storage area when the seats are in their upright position. The seating configuration goes from seven seats to two in less than 30 seconds, with an effortless, one-hand operation.
Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan offer the right options at the right price, which is why the Dodge Caravan continues to be the market leader, said Darryl Jackson, Vice President of Dodge Marketing. We invented the minivan segment and will continue to be the minivan leader by listening to our customers, and offering unmatched convenience and innovative flexibility. Adding the new Stow n Go seating and storage system, while taking our price lower than previous models, demonstrates this commitment.
The new Stow n Go seating and storage system means that new Grand Caravan second- and third-row seats can be folded into the floor with a virtually effortless one-hand operation, without the need for the headrests to be removed.
Two spacious, covered storage bins are available when the second-row Stow n Go seats are left upright. Six cubic feet of covered storage space is available in the second row, and when combined with the storage bin behind the third-row seats, the 2005 Grand Caravan offers a total of 12 cubic feet of additional storage space.
More than 250 seating configurations are possible in 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. A few of the most popular include:
Tailgate: The 60/40 third-row split bench seats flip completely rearward for comfortable tailgate seating when the vehicle is parked. The seats can be flipped individually or together. Chrysler Group minivans are also the only ones in the industry to offer reclining seatbacks in the tailgate configuration.
Limousine: The second-row seats stow into the floor for plenty of third-row legroom.
Family: All seats upright can seat seven people, and at the same time, open up additional storage capacity. When the second-row Stow n Go seats are left upright, two spacious storage bins are available, creating 6 cubic feet of covered storage space. Combined with the bin behind the third-row seats, the new Dodge Grand Caravan offers up to 12 cubic feet of additional storage in this configuration. Cargo net bags are also a standard feature in the second-row storage bins, making it easy to quickly gather up cargo.
Cargo/Storage: Both the second- and third-row seats fold into the floor, for a minivan-first flat cargo area containing 160.7 cubic feet of available storage space.
The new Dodge Grand Caravan also features minivan-first outboard break-away cupholders. If the outboard cupholders are left in the open position when the seats are stowed, a mechanism releases the cupholder and allows the seat to be folded into the floor, leaving the cupholder intact.
Grand Caravan also includes a minivan-first Overhead Rail System, featuring three moveable/removable overhead storage bins, with the capability to add three more for a total of six.
A minivan-first standard Door Alert system also is featured on new Dodge Caravan minivans. Signal lights activate when the power sliding doors or manual sliding doors are in operation, signaling that occupants are getting in or out of the vehicle.
Chrysler Town &Country. Fact: One out of every three minivans on the market is sold by DaimlerChrylser. The target consumer for Chryslers Town &Country is a 35- to 50-year-old married female with children older than 10.
The base model is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Standard features include next-generation multi-stage driver- and front-passenger airbags, drivers inflatable knee blocker, air conditioning, two-passenger intermediate and three-passenger rear bench seat featuring Easy Out roller seats, remote keyless illuminated entry system, AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and four speakers, power door locks, power front and rear quarter vent windows, sunscreen glass, 15-inch Accent wheel covers, woodgrain instrument panel accents, front map lamps, headlamp-off time delay, body-color front and rear fascias and sliding door alert.
Three other versions round out the 2005 lineup:
LX: The Chrysler Town &Country LX long wheelbase minivan is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine with a four-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the standard features available on the Chrysler Town &Country short-wheelbase minivan, the 2005 Chrysler Town &Country LX includes Stow n Go seating and storage system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, power and heated exterior mirrors, and body-color bodyside moldings.
Touring: In addition to the standard equipment offered on the Chrysler Town &Country LX, the 2005 Chrysler Town &Country Touring model is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine and includes three-zone manual air conditioning, overhead console with HomeLink and trip computer, power sliding doors, power liftgate, roof rack, eight-way power drivers seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls, 16-inch Consul aluminum wheels with all-season tires, low-speed traction control, satin silver interior accents, and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD players.
Limited: The 2005 Chrysler Town &Country Limited is the ultimate premium, luxury minivan. In addition to the standard equipment offered on other Chrysler Town &Country models, the Limited includes three-zone automatic temperature control with particulate air/odor filtration, supplemental side-curtain airbags for all three rows, power adjustable pedals with memory, overhead console rail system with three storage modules, trip computer and Electronic Vehicle Information Center, luxury carpeting, automatic headlamps, and satin silver/wood-grain interior accents.
Chrysler Town &Country models powered by 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 engines meet Tier II Bin 5 and LEV 2 emission requirements. Factory-installed Sirius satellite radio, factory-installed UConnect hands-free communication system and factory-installed navigation system are available in 2005 Chrysler Town &Country models.
Toyota Sienna. Larger, roomier, more powerful and more comfortable than the previous generations, the 2005 Toyota Sienna gains a standard power passenger seat for the XLE and XLE Limited models.
The second-generation Toyota Sienna minivan enters its second year on the market, having garnered an impressive selection of industry and media awards in its first, from both consumer and enthusiast publications.
The 2005 Sienna rides on a low-slung chassis with a wheelbase that is more than five inches longer than the previous-generation model. Both front and rear tracks measure nearly four inches wider, yet turning diameter for the new-generation Sienna was reduced by more than three feet for outstanding maneuverability.
Siennas all-wheel drive system, available on LE, XLE, and XLE Limited models, employs a center differential to divide engine power 50/50 front and rear. Wheel slippage at either set of wheels automatically transfers more power to the opposite wheels to help keep the Sienna moving forward.
Inside, Sienna offers both outstanding passenger room and generous cargo space behind the third row of seats. Thanks to the extensive use of sound damping materials and excellent aerodynamics, Siennas cabin sets a new standard in low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
The Sienna XLE and XLE Limited grade models bring a new level of comfort and luxury to the minivan segment, with the XLE Limited adding such features as leather-trimmed upholstery, 360-watt 10-speaker premium sound system, Laser Cruise Control and heated front seats. An available DVD-based satellite navigation system for XLE models includes a rear-view camera for greater convenience when reversing the vehicle.
The Sienna puts driving pleasure on its resum, thanks to a powerful V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The 3.3-liter V6 with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) produces 230 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 242 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Sienna provides confident merging and passing power and is capable of 0-to-60 mph acceleration in about 8.3 seconds.
Fuel economy estimates are 19/27 mpg for front-wheel-drive models and 18/24 mpg for all-wheel-drive models.
Honda Odyssey. When Honda engineers set out to design the all-new 2005 Honda Odyssey, they faced the challenge of improving on a vehicle that set the standard for the minivan segment in terms of performance, car-like ride and handling, top-level safety ratings, overall refinement, and its spacious and uniquely versatile interior with the industrys first fold-away Third-Row Magic Seat, providing seating for up to eight people.
For 2005, Honda has delivered an all-new completely re-engineered Odyssey minivan: a clean-sheet design that improves upon every single one of Odysseys existing strengths while providing an added dimension of emotional appeal and aspirational quality through enhancements in styling, premium features, advanced technology and driving performance built on the foundation of Honda quality, safety and environmental leadership.
A new 255-horsepower engine and standard four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock system only make the new Odyssey more appealing.
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