Altogether Dodge's fine tuning and wind tunnel testing has resulted in a significant 16 percent decrease in overall cabin noise over last year's already quiet model. The company considers it to the quietest minivan available.

When it comes to exterior styling, the average person would be hard pressed to spot the differences between the current and upcoming Caravan. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

As far as styling goes, you'll need to get out a magnifying glass to notice the changes. The brand's distinctive crosshair grille is bolder, while a new front fascia features a molded license plate pocket and updated fog lamps. Body-side moldings are now machined, and feature chrome inserts giving the van a classier appearance.

Inside the cabin the first noticeable change is a chromes Dodge ram badge on the steering wheel hub, followed by "mechanical grained" surfaces on the center stack bezel in SE trim, with carbon-fiber like weave covering the same area in SXT guise.

The breadth of dealer-installed options for the Caravan, available from dealers via the brand's Mopar division, is unbelievable. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

The Caravan's 3.3- and 3.8 V6 engine choices carry forward unchanged, delivering 180-hp at 5,000 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm in the smaller displacement mill and 215-hp and 245 lb-ft of torque in the top-line engine, only available in the Grand Caravan SXT. A 4-speed automatic transmission might be the vehicle's weakest link, making the engine work harder than it needs to between intervals.

But that's my only gripe with the new minivan, before testing it at least. Of course I'm either a little biased or well educated, depending how you look at it. Being a previous Dodge Caravan owner I drove mine without problem for three years and more than 160,000 km.

But saying that, I'm a little peeved that Dodge didn't offer the wide selection of aftermarket parts and accessories for the vehicle in 1996 that they do now. The breadth of options, available from dealers via the brand's Mopar division, is unbelievable, including a list of twelve that are merely new and far more that carry over.