Minivans. Not so long ago, they were a punch line. A descriptor that made automaker reps shudder. Thought of as square, dull and boring, minivans had a sales-chilling image problem. No longer. They are so convenient that it's easy to appreciate the utility and ease they bring to your life. Who cares about appearance, when the door slides open and there's so much room in the back? The '90s are over, babe, and it's time to call it as it is: A minivan is the Autobytel Editors' Choice for Best Family Car. And not just any minivan: we've chosen the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, featuring a slick new Stow 'n Go seating and cargo system, comfortable front seats, a great safety rating, and a good powertrain warranty. All that Big Cash stacked up on the driver's seat also helps. Rebates aside, however, the Dodge Grand Caravan offers what families need; security, comfort and convenience. Rated Acceptable by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in 40-mph offset crash tests, the Grand Caravan also gets four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for all types of crashes as well as susceptibility to rollover. In determining our selection for the best family car, crash-test scores were a required part of the criteria. As a result, some newer vehicles were not tested by the award deadline, and did not qualify for consideration. The security of the Grand Caravan goes beyond safety, however, and directly to the comfort you feel when you keep your money in your wallet. With a seven-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, should the Grand Caravan break you're probably covered. Where the Grand Caravan really shines, however, is convenience - and that means Stow 'n Go. Stow 'n Go is an option on the base Grand Caravan SE and is a standard feature on the Grand Caravan SXT. Highlights of the Stow 'n Go system include the use of high-density foam in the seats, increasing comfort while simultaneously providing the thin padding required to fold them into the floor. Better yet, the headrests do not need to be removed when folding the seats down. When the seats are in use, the floor bins that hold them can double as a cargo area, complete with a false floor on top. The third-row seat also flips for rear facing tailgate seating - a significant benefit for pre-game parties or diaper changers. Convenience, comfort, safety, and security - the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan provides a family with everything they need. - Brian Chee
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