Dodge Caravan or Kia Sedona?

[fisher83]

We love our 05 Caravan and it has been a great vehicle. Thinking of selling the wife's Elantra in the near future and getting another van. I really like the new Caravan and T&C body style and the Pentastar 3.6 sounds like a huge improvement over the 3.3. I would be looking at a used one, maybe 2009-2012. I don't care much about bells and whistles. Our van is just the SE short wheelbase version. I'm not sure how proven the new Pentastar is or if it is better or worse than the Kia/Hyundai 3.8. I do know that both have good power and both have timing chains, not belts. What do you guys think? Would you lean more towards the Sedona or the Caravan? Anyone have good/bad experiences to share about either one?

 

[wallyuwl]

You could probably get a new Caravan with some nice features for under $20k soon since they are discontinuing them.

 

[SrDriver]

My vote goes for the KIA Sedona. 10 year 100 Thousand mile drive train warranty. 5 year 60 Thousand mile warranty on other stuff.

It is my understanding that the Dodge Caravan is being fazed out of production.

 

[earlyre]

I know a guy with a pentastar powered van, and the 8 speed, he gets 28 or so mpg hwy. Which ain't too shabby for a vehicle more or less brick shaped.

 

[KCJeep]

I have owned (and still own) several Chrysler products and they have been very good to us, but I have not owned one of their minivans. We were in the same dilemma as you a year and a half ago, and had it down to the same two vans. We bought a 2012 Sedona with 15k on it. It has been spectacular, never seen a shop in the additional 20k we've put on it and we have no regrets. My wife says its her favorite vehicle she has ever owned.

If you are buying used I'd guess you can get more used Sedona for the same money as one of the used Chryslers, at least you can here. I know the fancy KIA's (the EX versions) have had some trouble with the power sliding doors, but the LX version (which we purchased) doesn't have those. The newer Sedona's like ours have a Hyundai 3.5 v6 that is crazy powerful and pretty high tech, but I'm not sure how it compares to a Pentastar. We rented a 2012 T@C with the Pentastar before we bought and it was mighty sweet, IMO the Pentastar will get better gas mileage than the KIA 3.5 will.

Hope this helps.

 

[NHGUY]

Buy a 2011-up CV or TC.The KIA hasn't been a good seller for good reasons.Its marginal.Now that KIA hasn't sold one for a year,they are now bringing out a revamped model.They wouldn't have done that if the previous one did the job.

 

[fisher83]

A couple of years ago, I would have chosen the Kia and not even given the Dodge a chance due to the poor reviews. Our experience has been great though and I have been very happy with it. We have had good luck with all the Hyundai/Kia stuff but the Caravan has been almost problem free also. I think I'm leaning a little more toward the Caravan. I've seen a few priced in the lower teens which is slightly above what I'm looking to spend, but historically the Caravan has terrible re-sale value so I imagine they will be available sub-$10k from private owners within a year or so. I'm pretty patient and replacement is not needed right away so I have lots of time to look for a great deal.

 

[drolds]

Why change what is not broken? A Honda technician friend of mine had to change a timing belt on a Kia Sedona van. His conclusion was that the Kia was not that well engineered when it came to the timing belt system. Another similar Sedona had the belt break, was towed to his shop and they found the engine was damaged beyond reasonable repair. While Hondas are this guy's favorite, his vote is for the Dodge Caravan as being a much better financial bet than a Sedona in the long run.

 

[mrsilv04]

First of all, figure out if Stow-N-Go is something that you need, or might find handy.

If so, then you're done... and you're looking for a Dodge or Chrysler.

When my parents started looking at a minivan, this is what helped them make their decision as well.

 

[JTK]

Fisher- if low cost and no frills is key, a Grand Caravan AVP is an awesome deal. You don't get 2nd row stow-n-go, tinted glass or rear HVAC, but it's a new minivan that can be had for ~$18K with incentives.

I've got a 2013 SE model that was ~$20K new. Absolutely love the Pentastar and 62TE trans combo. It's the nicest driving and riding MV we've had.

 

[mrsilv04]

But Sto-N-Go is an option, even on the basic AVP model... it is $1350.

 

[cptbarkey]

i have driven both a 2008 sedona, and a 2014 caravan at length.

the 06-14 sedona is an excellent van, and the early ones can be had cheaply. they are very reliable and comfortable. new ones are ridiculously overpriced.

the 2014 caravan is by far the one to get brand new as a stripper model. the pentastar is only available in 2011+ models. good luck.

 

[EA82]

I don't like either ( just personal preference ) but if I had to choose one id go with the caravan.

 

[daves87rs]

One of the twin vans...


My mom has a 2012 T&C...has been flawless so far....

 

[vipergg]

We just got a 2014 GC AVP and you get a lot for a about $21000. We did get one with 2nd row stow and go , nice option . Thing is big if you need the room . The pentastar has a lot guts and the 6 speed seems ok , shifts thru the gears fast , guess thats how they save gas. We have front only air and heat, so far seems ok. I like having the outside air temp in the dash and the trip and mpg also . Seats are reasonably comfy , seems like they used like memory foam in them . Front seats and the second row seats you can move front and back which is nice.Even the base radio which had sirius satellite sounds pretty good compared to other base radios I have had in vehicles, has the radio data system which tells you what song etc.. Van will get 28 mpg plus out on the highway which is great for a vehicle this size. The only thing I have found so far I don't like is the pentastar V6 makes a ugly sounding groan noise for the first minute or so that other people have complained about and i hear also . Goes away fairly quickly but imagine it will sound like garbage once it gets really cold next winter.Also early model pentastar V6's had some head problems 2010-2012 where they had to replace the heads. This is supposedly fixed now. Also even on earlier models Chrysler has indicated they will replace the heads for free for 10 years or 150000 miles . Hopefully Chrysler has improved the corrosion resistance compared to the 2001-2007 models which were horrid if you lived in the rust belts. All in all though you get a lot of van if you get the AVP model.