Both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan have been filling the needs of large and “workingon-large” families for decades. The minivan is the ultimate example of family functionality and convenience. After all, they invented the category – they should know what makes it appealing to consumers.

To me the whole “soccer mom” label was comical because the minivan, by its nature, offers exactly the utility that anyone who combines trips to the store with trips to friends’ homes and dashes to playing fields needs. It’s hard to fault anything that exceeds its intended goals and the Grand Caravan more than delivers at every level. Seriously, can a sports car be too sporty?

In 2008, the Grand Caravan and Town & Country got a comprehensive redesign, including updated exterior styling, interior options and power trains. This year, the Grand Caravan is pretty much unchanged with the exception of a nice blindspot, side-reverse warning system (optional).

Safety is a high priority on the Grand Caravan, rated five stars for frontal crash for both front and rear passengers as well as five stars for front- and rear-passenger side impact.

There are few vehicles that make you feel insulated from the road and the elements the way a minivan does and the Grand Caravan – with its high seating position and ample interior room – does a wonderful job of cushioning all passengers in supple driving comfort.

The cabin is where the Grand Caravan gets the highest marks on my checklist. I must admit the noisy engine gets into the cabin a bit more than I’d appreciate, especially the smallest 3.3-liter V-6 that labors under the weight. I’ve tested the 4.0-liter V-6 and it is less obvious in the cabin that the engine might be straining.

From the driver’s seat you have a great view and the center console and essential gauges are in easy reach and under good lighting and visibility day and night. You certainly must have comfort using your side mirrors when driving a vehicle this large, though the $905 optional rear-view camera delivered excellent views while in reverse – it’s money well spent.

Passenger and cargo versatility is enhanced by the exclusive Stow-N-Go folding seats; though you do sacrifice a little second-row comfort with the thinner seat. All the fuss about the Swivel-N-Go seats can be misleading. Swivel-N-Go gives kids a really great place to have a meal on the go or to play a game among passengers, but because of tight legroom when turning the chairs to face each other, there is less comfort for adults. Depending on how many passengers are typically in the minivan, this may dictate whether you opt for this $495 feature.

Three engines are available for the Grand Caravan. The base version is powered by a 3.3-liter V-6 delivering 175 horsepower.

The next level is the 3.8-liter V-6 with 197 horsepower and the 4.0-liter V-6 with 252 horsepower is the top of the line.

I tested both the base and high-end 4.0-liter V-6s. While both the 3.8-liter and 4.0-liter V-6 engines offer a highly competent six-speed automatic, the base model engines get a low-tech four-speed automatic that struggles to find the right gear while laboring under the more than 4,000 pounds of weight.

My 4.0-liter tester was the superior engine that delivered good acceleration and lively performance around town and on the highway, though the 17/25 mpg was hard to swallow each trip to the gas station. Considering I drove the minivan with light loads all week, I was surprised I barely got to the average mpg. Problem is, for the space and utility of this big vehicle, the competition has the same struggles and this is normal mileage until someone gets a hybrid minivan.

The base model Grand Caravan is $28,325. Add on the essential engine upgrade of either 3.8-liter or 4.0-liter V-6 and you’ve spent another $530. After the rear-view camera and the $2,200 dual-DVD screen system that is a no-brainer if you have kids (why else do you get a minivan?), the engine upgrade will more than pay for itself in drive comfort and better performance.

After additions of the Swivel seats, power shades and a huge power moon roof that really opened up the interior to feel much bigger, the final price settled in at around $42,000. Loaded minivans are gently settling into these price ranges, though some competitors are doing it cheaper – even while offering leather and high-end tech features – for less than $36,000.

Safety reigns supreme in this monster family hauler. Dual-front airbags, frontseat-mounted side-impact airbags, curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, tire-pressure monitoring, antilock brakes, traction control and stability control are all standard on the Dodge Grand Caravan.

Criticisms focus on cheap-feeling hard, plastic surfaces and average fit and finish. As far as function goes, I like everything about this domestic bar setter and the function and utility it continues to provide at a time when minivans are waning in popularity.

2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

ENGINE: 252-horsepower 4.0 V-6

TRANSMISION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city/25 highway

BASE PRICE: $28,325

AS TESTED: $42,000

WEB SITE: Dodge.com