The 5 Best Family-Friendly Dodge Vehicles to Buy Used

Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan has a history going back to 1984, and it has delivered five generations of reliable performance for families around the country. Unfortunately, 2015 is the last year that the Grand Caravan will be produced as Dodge works on rebranding itself.

The current generation was introduced in 2008, and you can still find numerous used models at Miami Dodge dealers. Some family friendly features of the Dodge Grand Caravan include Swivel n' Go seating, three rows of seating, side curtain airbags, power windows and video screens on the second and third rows.

The fifth generation of the Dodge Grand Caravan also features the MyGIG entertainment system, which includes the ability to record and play back music. 

The 2011 and 2014 models of the Dodge Grand Caravan both received design updates and mechanical upgrades.

Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey looks like a cross between an SUV and a minivan. It has the edgier design of an SUV but the longer body of a minivan. It appeals to parents who need the extra room a minivan offers but want a cooler look for their vehicle.

The Journey includes a third row of seating for maximum passenger space, and it can even include integrated child seats. Each row is slightly higher than the next, allowing the driver greater visibility of all passengers. The third row can be folded down for greater cargo space.

A third of the body is made of high-strength steel for additional protection. Numerous safety features include traction control, a rear back-up camera, and a rollover sensor. The Journey has consistently received top marks for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration throughout its production run.

Dodge Durango

The Durango is similar to the Journey in that it is an SUV with a longer body. It looks like a more muscular version of a minivan. 

The Dodge Durango has been in production since 1998, so there are plenty of options for scoring a used model at Miami Dodge dealers. The third and current generation began production in 2011 and is still underway. The Durango is likely to be cut from the Dodge lineup and shifted to the Jeep brand. It's possible that its design will be incorporated into the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Though the Dodge Durango is built on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee -- and shares the power train and some other parts -- the Durango is longer and features three rows of seating while the Grand Cherokee only has two rows. 

The Durango is versatile in that it offers enough room for families and comes packed with safety features to protect your most precious cargo, yet it is also powerful enough to handle rocky terrain and stylish enough to double as a professional vehicle that you can use to entertain clients.

Dodge Magnum

The Dodge Magnum was originally produced as a large family car in the late 1970s. It only had a two-year run in the United States, but it continued to be produced in numerous markets abroad. When it was reintroduced in the United States in 2004, it was made over as a family friendly station wagon. In fact, it is the last mid-size station wagon to be sold in the country by an American automaker.

The Magnum doesn't look like your typical station wagon. It looks more like a stretched-out version of a sedan. It's a much more stylish take on the classic station wagon, and if you choose the SRT version, it's also a much more powerful one.

The Dodge Magnum can seat five, but it has much more cargo room. Even if you don't have a large family, you will appreciate the Magnum for the additional space it offers for things like backpacks, sports gear and changes of clothing. You can tote around everything you need for the kids without having to crowd the cabin.

The crossover was discontinued in 2008, which means that you can find quality previously owned models with a lot of miles left for a low price.

Dodge Caliber

The Dodge Caliber is technically a car, but most put it in the crossover category thanks to its hatchback design. The Caliber has been the least expensive model in Dodge's lineup during production, so you can get great deals on previously owned models. The last models were produced in 2012, so you can find previously owned models that still feel relatively new.

Like the Magnum before it, the Dodge Caliber offers plenty of cargo room to free up the cabin for family travel. The Caliber included features like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags and more that made it a safe ride for families. The drive train offered reliable performance and fuel efficiency.

Dodge may well be known for its powerful cars capable of blazing down a race track or tearing through rough terrain, but it has also made some dependable, family vehicles. While Dodge produces some affordable vehicles, you can save even more money by shopping for previously owned versions of these family friendly vehicles.