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Features Comparison: Dodge Grand Caravan vs. Kia Optima
| Model Year | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 |
| Model | Grand Caravan | Grand Caravan | Grand Caravan | Grand Caravan | Optima | Optima | Optima | Optima | Optima |
| Trim | Express | Mainstreet | Crew | R/T | LX | EX | EX Turbo | SX | Hybrid |
| Engines | |||||||||
| Transmissions | |||||||||
| Drivetrains | |||||||||
| Tires | |||||||||
| Audio Systems | |||||||||
| Accessories | |||||||||
| Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | |||||||||
| Both sliding doors can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | |||||||||
| Liftgate can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Pedals adjust fore-and-aft to provide the optimal relationship with the steering wheel. | |||||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | |||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | |||||||||
| Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | |||||||||
| Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. | |||||||||
| Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the third-row side windows. Retract into rear side panels. | |||||||||
| Homelink. | |||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | |||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | |||||||||
| If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | |||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | |||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | |||||||||
| Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | |||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | |||||||||
| Warns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces. | |||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | |||||||||
| Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | |||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | |||||||||
| Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | |||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | |||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Cover all three rows. | |||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | |||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | |||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | |||||||||
| Cargo Management | |||||||||
| Usually part of an overhead console. | |||||||||
| Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | |||||||||
| Includes side rails and crossbars. | |||||||||
| Center console top slides to transfer items between rows. | |||||||||
| Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers. | |||||||||
| Climate Control | |||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | |||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | |||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | |||||||||
| Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | |||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls. | |||||||||
| Fan speed and/or temperature can be manually set for vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Includes value of rear vents. | |||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | |||||||||
| A second evaporator provides cool air to rear vents. Does not include the value of these vents. Includes rear heater. | |||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | |||||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | |||||||||
| Engine / Motor | |||||||||
| No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Exterior | |||||||||
| Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | |||||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | |||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | |||||||||
| Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | |||||||||
| Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof. | |||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | |||||||||
| Infotainment | |||||||||
| Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | |||||||||
| Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | |||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | |||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | |||||||||
| A DVD player and ceiling-mounted screen. Often includes a pair of wireless headphones. | |||||||||
| Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | |||||||||
| Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | |||||||||
| Built-in flash drive with a small amount of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | |||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | |||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | |||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | |||||||||
| XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | |||||||||
| Converts text messages to speech. | |||||||||
| Information about traffic plus weather, gas prices, sports news, and/or movie times. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | |||||||||
| Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | |||||||||
| Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | |||||||||
| Phone or other device operated via the vehicle's voice command system. Requires a compatible device--all aren't supported. | |||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | |||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | |||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | |||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | |||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn off. | |||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | |||||||||
| Enables driver to view rear passenger compartment without turning around. | |||||||||
| Driving style displayed and/or evaluated with a grade, with changes in display graphics, or with a graph of performance over time. | |||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | |||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | |||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | |||||||||
| Standard or optional in some hybrid vehicles. Fancy display of power flows, enhanced trip computer information. | |||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | |||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | |||||||||
| Lights on speakers beat in time with the music. Can be set to not beat or turned off. | |||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | |||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | |||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | |||||||||
| Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | |||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | |||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | |||||||||
| Seat adjusts back and forth to vary the split between the second row and the third row or cargo area. | |||||||||
| Either only the front seats are leather or the upholstery is a mix of cloth and leather. | |||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | |||||||||
| Seat stows in a well completely beneath the floor level. | |||||||||
| Seat stows in a well completely beneath the floor level. | |||||||||
| Third-row seat can be flipped over to face out the rear of the vehicle, for use with the tailgate open. | |||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | |||||||||
| Rear shock absorbers that automatically level the rear ride height. | |||||||||
| Alloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau | |||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||||||||
| Transmission | |||||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | |||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | |||||||||
Option Package Contents
Exterior Appearance Group
Uconnect Voice Command
Uconnect Handsfree Group
Single DVD Entertainment
Power Convenience Group I
Media Center 430
Exterior Appearance Group
Uconnect Voice Command
Uconnect Handsfree Group
Driver Convenience Group
Passenger's Convenience Group
Safety Sphere Group
Trailer Tow Group
Exterior Appearance Group
Media Center 430N
Single DVD Entertainment
Uconnect Voice Command
Driver Convenience Group
Passenger's Convenience Group
Safety Sphere Group
Trailer Tow Group
Exterior Appearance Group
Media Center 430N
Single DVD Entertainment
Uconnect Voice Command
Convenience Package
Technology Package
Convenience Package
Technology Package
Convenience Plus Package
Premium Package
Technology Package
Convenience Plus Package
Premium Package
Technology Package
Premium Package
Premium Package
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 Kia Optima
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD