Thinking inside the box: we pit the redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan against four popular competitors.(Minivans)(Evaluation)

On the whole, minivans have an unglamorous, functional, domestic-oriented image that typically does not inspire much excitement in buyers. Many people, it seems, get more-or-less backed into buying one by a growing family. Image aside, though, today's models have evolved into well-designed packages that are high on convenience, comfort, and practicality. The typical model drives like a car, easily converts from carrying people to hauling cargo, and, depending on the configuration, can comfortably handle six to eight people. These attributes help them sell at a steady pace of about a million and a half per year.

Although minivans in the U.S. can be traced back to the original Volkswagen microbus from the 1960s, Chrysler introduced the modern front-wheel-drive configuration in 1984 and, with its Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town & Country siblings, has been the unchallenged sales leader ever since. In recent years, however, strong competitive models such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have eaten into the company's still-sizable share of the market. Now, for 2001, Chrysler (now part of DaimlerChrysler) has redesigned its line of minivans with a fresh look, new features, and greater interior flexibility. With the Plymouth brand being discontinued, the line now consists of the short-wheel-base Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager (previously called the Plymouth Voyager) and the extended-length Dodge Grand Caravan and upscale Chrysler Town & Country.

To see how these new minivans compare with their major competitors, we bought a Grand Caravan and pitted it against the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Venture, and Ford Windstar. All of these vehicles are equipped with a V6 engine, automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Each also is capable of seating seven passengers, although the biggest differences among them include the third-seat designs and how easily they allow the vans to be converted from carrying people in the rear to carrying cargo. While the out-the-door sticker prices of our five test vehicles ranged from $28,000 to $30,000, the entry-level base prices for these models are between about $24,000 and $27,000.

The Dodge Grand Caravan is the most popular minivan in the DaimlerChrysler line. New optional features offered for 2001 include a power-operated rear liftgate, removable center console, and three-zone climate-control system. We chose the Sport version (the lower of its two trims), powered by a 3.3-liter V6 rated at 180 hp. We also ordered the Quick Order package ($3,495), which included a right-side power sliding door, the above-mentioned climate-control system, power driver's seat, CD player, and other items. With a firmer "touring" suspension, side air bags, roof rack, and shipping, the sticker price came to $29,560. The Consumer Reports Wholesale Price--which includes any buyer rebates and what the dealer paid after incentives--is $25,882. (All CR Wholesale Prices in this report were effective as of early November.)

The current Honda Odyssey debuted for 1999 and has remained virtually unchanged. It has an independent rear suspension--unique in a minivan. The third-row seat folds into the floor, a convenient design that doesn't require lifting out a heavy seat and leaving it behind. The engine is a 205-hp 3.5-liter V6, an enlarged version of that in the Accord V6. There are two trim lines: LX and EX. We opted for an EX, which includes two power sliding doors, automatic climate control, and power driver seat for $26,400. With a DVD satellite navigation system ($2,000 extra) and destination charge, it rang in at $28,840. The CR Wholesale Price is $25,179.

The Toyota Sienna debuted for 1998. For 2001, it received a minor facelift and an additional 16 hp for its 3.0-liter V6, bringing the total to 210 hp, the strongest of the group. We chose an LE, the popular middle of the three trim lines. The LE starts at $25,755. With a right-side power sliding door, captain's chairs, roof rack, CD player, and alloy wheels, our Sienna came to $28,084, including destination. The CR Wholesale Price is $24,047.

The Chevrolet Venture is part of GM's line of front-wheel-drive minivans, which also includes the Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette. They are essentially unchanged since their 1997 redesign, and the Chevy and Pontiac come in either standard or extended-length versions. All are powered by a 185-hp 3.4-liter V6. We chose a midtrim Venture LS long-wheel-base version, which starts at $26,385. With a right-side power sliding door, middle-row captain's seats, rear air conditioner, and shipping, the sticker price came to $28,500. The CR Wholesale Price is $24,021.