2020 Dodge Grand Caravan Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The Dodge Grand Caravan has been around for decades now, and everyone seems to be at least somewhat familiar with this large mini-van. Still in its fifth generation (which was introduced all the way back in 2008), the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan does not see too many alterations for the model year. Aside from some features getting added into the SE Plus Package, this year's model trim is basically what you will find from the past few model years.

Unfortunately, this makes the Grand Caravan seem a bit dated. From its clearly inexpensive cabin materials and construction to its aging touchscreen interface, the Grand Caravan is in dire need of a total overhaul - and soon.

But there are some good things about the 2020 line-up. For example, the second-row Stow 'n Go seats fold completely flat into the floor, opening up a ton of extra cargo space when you need it. Also, this line-up is not as expensive as a lot of its competitors, so if you are on a strict budget, this is going to be one of your more budget-friendly options.

So, which of the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan's three trim levels will work best for you? Will it be the base SE trim, the SE Plus, or the line-topping SXT? Read on through to the end of this trim level comparison review. After going over the three different trim levels, we will announce which of these trim levels we think presents the best overall deal for the average buyer.

Compare the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan SE vs SE Plus Trims. What is the difference?

First and foremost, we have the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan's base trim level, the SE. This trim level starts off at just over $27,000. So, what do you get for the cost of this vehicle? Are there enough standard features to make this base trim more than just basic?

The SE is powered by the standard 3.6-L V6 engine, which is paired with a 6-speed multi-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain musters up 283 hp, and the vehicle is able to tow up to 3,600 pounds when properly equipped. It gets 20 mpg combined (with 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway) and rides atop 17-inch steel wheels. Also, each trim level is given front-wheel drive. While the SE Plus trim comes with the same standard powertrain and drivetrain, it does get a slight upgrade with the 17-inch wheels being made from aluminum and painted a shiny silver.

For the most part, these two trim levels look the same at first glance. You will have to look closer to see the nuances to the exterior. These vehicles both come with standard halogen headlights, delay-off headlamps, daytime running lights, remote-activated perimeter lights, and LED brake lights. Their bodies are both made from galvanized steel and aluminum materials, and a large chrome grille is slapped onto the front fascia. There is a liftgate in the rear, body-colored front and rear bumpers, power-folding side mirrors, and a rear bumper step. The SE Plus adds to this front fog lamps and heating on the side mirrors.

You will have to look inside of their cabins to see what really constitutes the 'Plus' in SE Plus. In terms of convenience features, you will see some differences. These trims both have dual-zone automatic climate control, an air filter, variable intermittent windshield wipers, remote keyless entry, and cargo tie-downs. They also come with a locking glove box, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and a manually tilting and telescoping steering wheel. To that, the SE Plus adds cruise control with controls mounted onto the steering wheel, 4 12-volt DC power outlets, bins on the driver's and front passenger's doors, a mini overhead console with storage areas, a partial floor console, and vanity mirrors for the front sun visors.

In the SE, you get 4-way manually-adjustable driver's and front passenger's seats. The third row is made up of a 60/40-split folding bench. All of the seats are done in cloth upholstery, and there is a cloth headliner to go along with it. The steering wheel is done in urethane, and the door inserts are made from vinyl. The SE Plus upgrades you to an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat which reclines, is height-adjustable, moves fore and aft, adjusts the cushion tilt, and has 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support. The front passenger's seat is still 4-way manually adjustable. The second row is composed of captain's chairs, and the cloth upholstery gets upgraded to a premium cloth. There are front and rear floor mats, carpeted floor trim, and a leather/metal steering wheel.

Entertainment features are mostly the same on these two trim levels. Both the SE and SE Plus come equipped with an AM/FM radio, a CD player and MP3 reader, audio controls mounted onto the steering wheel, a first-row LCD display, and a 6-speaker sound system. The SE Plus does add voice activated control for the audio system and smartphone app integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Lighting features inside of both trim levels' cabins include illuminated entry and front reading lights. You also get an analog instrumentation display, an in-radio clock, and an exterior temperature read-out.

Safety features on both of these trim levels includes brake assist, ABS and driveline traction control, electronic stability control, a panic alarm, an engine immobilizer, and manual rear child safety locks for the doors. If you do upgrade to the SE Plus, you get a more extensive security system for the vehicle. Unfortunately, if you are looking for driver assist features (such as blind spot monitoring), you will not find them on any of the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan's three trim levels. You will have to go with one of the Grand Caravan's competitors in order to get those types of features.

Compare the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus vs SXT Trims. What is the difference?

Sitting at the top of the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan's line-up is the SXT trim level. The SXT has the same 3.6-L V6 engine that comes in the two lower trim levels and even has the same 17-inch aluminum wheels (painted in silver) as the SE Plus. This means you do not get any boosts in power even though you are paying more money for a line-topping trim level.

What you do get from the SXT trim level are a few extra convenience features. On the exterior, you get a power liftgate, but that is it as far as the body is concerned. Inside, you will find that you get a small scattering of extras. There is an external digital memory control function, one-touch up/down power front windows, deeply tinted glass for some privacy, and three 12-volt DC power outlets. Also, the seats inside of the SXT get upgraded to a combination of simulated suede and leather. Other than that, everything else is the same as what you get on the SE Plus trim level.

One of the things you should bear in mind going into your decision to buy the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is how safe the vehicle is known to be. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (better known by its acronym, NHTSA) gave the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan a safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars overall. It earned 4 out of 5 stars on its two frontal crash tests, 5 out of 5 stars on its side crash tests, and 4 out of 5 stars on its rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the vehicle 'poor' ratings on the headlights and small overlap front driver's side test, 'acceptable' on the ease of use of the LATCH system, and 'good' marks on everything else. The fact that there are no driver aids available will make the Grand Caravan less appealing and, perhaps, a little less safe than some of its competitors.

Also, keep in mind the warranty policies offered by Dodge on the 2020 Grand Caravan are also fairly restricted. You get a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and no complimentary scheduled maintenance, which is something that other automobile manufacturers are offering on their new vehicles. This means that, as soon as you take the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan off of the lot, any repairs that need to be done will be coming out of your bank account.

Which Trim to Choose?

The decision to buy the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is one that requires some thinking through. Sure, these vans have a long history as being capable people-haulers, but Dodge is getting behind on the times. Today, drivers do not simply want a reliable vehicle. They want one that is reliable, comfortable, safe, and loaded with creature comforts. If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on a new vehicle, you are going to want to get the most bang for your buck.

And, when it comes to the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, there is a serious lack of 'bang' going on. The standard V6 engine will feel under-whelming to many drivers, and since this is the only engine available, you cannot choose to upgrade to something with more pizzazz. You will simply have to make due with something that feels kind of bland.

The engine's lack of power might be forgivable if the Grand Caravan were feature-laden, but that simply just is not the case. Even on the base trim you should expect to see a few more infotainment features and driver aids. And there should certainly be some options for upgrades. It is almost as though Dodge has stopped caring about what its drivers want and need and is instead opting to take the minimalist route. The SXT should certainly have more options and standard features available. Instead, it feels as bare-bones as some of its competitors base trim levels. That is not something that a line-topping trim should have happen.

That being said, the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan isn't a total downer. If you go with this vehicle, go for the SE Plus. It is a few thousand dollars above the SE's starting MSRP, but it does add enough features for the money. The power-adjustable driver's seat and upgrade to premium cloth upholstery is worth the extra money you will spend. Also, getting the wireless phone connectivity and voice-activated audio control feature make for a nice bonus.

The SE Plus is probably going to be the trim level that appeals to the average driver. It does not stack up to its competitors, though, so you might find yourself entertaining the idea of skipping over the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan. With any amount of luck, Dodge will see fit to give the Grand Caravan a serious overhaul in the near future.