LOOKS
The 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan does look dated, but it’s a minivan that will soon go out of production, so no major overhaul is expected (the Town and Country will be revamped for 2016). Your sliding doors, three rows (including a reasonably comfortable back row) and seat adjustability are all present.

There’s a very basic look and feel inside, compared to fancier minivan models from foreign competitors like Honda and Toyota and Chrysler’s Town and Country.
But the Dodge offering is the most affordable minivan option on the market. So that’s no surprise. While it is pretty much no frills, you still get a decent presentation and overall design through the vehicle.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER
You’ll get a 3.6-liter V6 engine on the 2016 Grand Caravan, plus a 6-speed automatic transmission. The numbers it offers are 283 horsepower, and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

Overall it’s an enjoyable ride -- well, as much as you can say that about a minivan. No it’s not a sports car feel. But it’s not overly slow or boring either, and remains responsive to driver input.
It also features 3,600 pounds of towing capacity.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Among the standard equipment I had was a power liftgate and power sliding doors.
Optional equipment included a DVD entertainment system with screens for second and third rows, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth for music streaming and phone connectivity and the excellent UConnect infotainment system.

The DVD entertainment system is a helpful feature for parents wanting to keep the kids occupied on longer trips, and if you’re buying a minivan you probably have kids.

MPG
Official numbers are 17 city/25 highway/20 combined; I was in the 19 mpg range; This is an area where the Grand Caravan falls behind some of its minivan competitors, but its lower price makes up for any fuel savings you might lose.

PRICE
My 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus test vehicle was priced just over $34K, with its base price at $27,395. The most base model of the Grand Caravan starts about $22K, though with the vehicle retiring soon I wouldn’t be surprised if some folks can get an even better deal than that. This price is very attractive to minivan buyers who might get sticker shock looking at the starting price on fancier alternatives like the Honda Odyssey.

BOTTOM LINE
It won’t knock your socks off in terms of power, and it looks a minivan that hasn’t been refreshed in a while, but there are still plenty of folks who want the utility a minivan can offer and don’t want to choose an SUV. Plus, with a price starting at $21,995, it’s not a surprise that the Dodge Grand Caravan remains a popular minivan choice even as it nears retirement.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.